《A Call From the Ancient》阿嗣

2、 A lucky woman? Or a poor woman?

　　On the way, the statue does not say anything, so do I. however; my brain is working very hard. I know, in Chinese five-thousand histories, there is only one Empress, whose name is Wu Zetian. Personally speaking, I am proud of her and admire her very much. Because in the feudal age women were supposed to be inferior to men They were required to obey their father, husband and even their son, so they did not have any rights of their own, to say nothing of participating in politics. However, Wu Zetian was an exception, relying on her outstanding brightness and braveness, she took the throne eventually. No doubt that she is a worthy and lucky woman.
　　“The person arrives, please notify the Empress,” the statue says and let go of my arm. I know I have been taken to the right place, so I stop thinking and wait patiently. Without a minute, I feel someone pushing me to a room, (because I nearly fall over by a high doorsill) and before I can keep my legs, someone kicks my knee and I kneel down at once. The pain from my knee really makes me fall into enragement, but when the moment I want to scold, the cloth on eyes is torn off, and I have to narrow my eyes to adapt to the brightness.
　　“Then you can go,” an aged voice rises up. “Yes,” a warrior replies solemnly and makes a bow with full respect, then stands back out of it. Now I can see things clearly bit by bit. I look around the room. In fact, this is not an ordinary room; indeed, it is a palace, a resplendent and magnificent palace!
　　“It seems that you are not afraid of me,”the aged voice rises up again. Immediately, my whole attention is paid to the stately old lady sitting on the throne in front of me. She dresses in yellow, which is the royal color in those times, and her clothes are embroidered with dragons, which are a symbol of royalty, and the royal crown on her head declares that she is the only one who dominates the world. I take a deep breath and say: “A wise king never kills people without reason, so there is no need for me to be afraid.” Honestly speaking, I feel I might collapse at any time if the dialogue goes on.
　　“haw-haw…” The empress laughs and says, “You are a brave and interesting girl.”
　　“Thank you, your majesty.” I find my hands are full of sweat.
　　“Tell me your name, and where are you from, why your appearance is so strange.”
　　“My name is Ann, and if I would say I come from the world in the future,” I make a pause, and get a peek at her, then say: “will you believe me?”
　　After quiet for a long time, the empress stands up and paces to my side, “stand up and look at me,” she adds.
　　For keep the kneeling position for so long time that I can hardly keep my legs. To my surprise, she holds me up actually! And I look at her directly, “I hope you can believe me, I will not hurt you.” I add, “Indeed, I even do not know why I come to here when I woke up.”
　　She gazes at my eyes for a while, and then smiles, “a wise also will not believe a stranger easily,” adds the empress.
　　Her smile at once sets me at ease, and I know she begins to believe me. From then on, all vestiges of fear are gone. I think for a moment, then I take mobile phone out of my pocket, “this is my mobile phone, have you seen before?” I say happily.
　　“What is this used for?” she is confused.
　　I turn on the music and satisfied to see her standing in amazement. “In my world, we use this to contact with others. We can talk to anyone at anywhere in anyplace, and if someone call you, the music will sound up.”
　　“Really? It’s…It’s really incredible! Your country must be prosperous and powerful,” the empress mumbles “your leader must be a great man.”
　　“You are also a great woman!” I praise her sincerely.
　　“Me? Why?”
　　“Because in this man-centered society, you are the only empress. And it is you that lead the Tang dynasty to prosperous. Even in my world there are still many people who pride of you, including me. So you are a lucky woman. ”
　　“Lucky woman?” the empress makes a forced smile, “may be I have gained many women haven’t gained, but as a woman, I have lost many things I should gained.” She sits on the step, and then goes on “all the people living in court always are ready to intrigue against each other. At first, to avoid the witch hunt, I had to become a nun; then to escape from being persecuted by my enemies; I had to kill my little daughter myself, and shifted the misfortune onto the queen. Now I govern the whole country, but my husband did not forgive me until he died, and my children are all hate me, even the common people are afraid of me. In their opinion, I am not an empress, but a headsman. Don’t you think I’m a ruthless woman?”
　　Suddenly, I find she is not an arrogant empress, but a common woman. Her wrinkled face and the white in her hair reveal that she is also delicate and need be understood and loved. What a poor woman!
　　“Frankly speaking, you do have done some cruel, but it is inevitable, anyone who stands on your side will also do the same. You killed some people, meanwhile, you saved more people and made them to have good lives, moreover, the country became more stable and peaceful. You are a super woman; no one can compare with you.”