Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 109

A few weeks later, I had still not received a reply. The Emperor must be too busy to answer letters from
girls who wanted to come and visit him, I thought. He probably hadn’t even read it. “ Oh well ” I thought
to myself. I am just going to go, I did warn him after all…
The Friday morning came around quickly after that. I went to bed early the night before and woke up early
so I had enough time to get ready, and look good for my visit to the Emperor’s Palace. I had no hesitation
getting out of bed, unlike most mornings where I go back to sleep when it’s time to wake up.
I rushed into the bathroom, brushed my hair ( 100 strokes for luck ) and then went back into my bedroom
to get dressed. There was no way I was going to eat breakfast today, “I‘m not hungry,” I thought to myself.
And anyway didn’t going to a palace mean I would be having a posh banquet? After I had put on my best
outfit, I grabbed a nice bag and put it over my shoulder. I was ready…
I had to wait until my Aunt was in the bathroom before I could leave. When she finally got up and went to
wash, I took my chance. It was my aunt’s birthday the next month, so I came up with a perfect excuse. I left
her a note saying the following “ I went out to get you a birthday present, be back soon.. ” Then I ran out
the door.
I walked slowly all the way to the Emperor’s Palace, thinking about what I was going to say to him. I finally
arrived at the Palace, bumping into three guards armed with swords at the front gate. “ I have an
appointment with Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang ” I said casually to the guards. Surprisingly they let me in with
no hesitation.
I walked around the palace and suddenly spotted the Emperor, sitting in his throne, with servants bowing
down to him. He then looked up and spotted me. “ Who are you? ” he bellowed. I bowed down and
replied, “My name is Xiao Ming. I sent you a letter regarding the fact that I would be paying you a visit on
this date, to talk to you about China and its future.” “ Very well” he boomed. “Come here and talk to me.
Servants, leave!” The three men shuffled out of the room, leaving only the Emperor and Xiao Ming.