They used the private lift for senior doctors. Mother Xiaofan was in the VVIP ward so they could make use of the elevator as they pleased.
When they arrived, Kang Anmei was already seated in the room.
They communicated with their eyes and helped mother Xiaofan to the bed.
"It's noon already, I will take over from now. You both can head back and do your business."
"Are you sure you'd be fine alone?" Tang Xiyan asked with a worry filled tone.
"Yes, yes. I will manage."
Zeng Suyin and Tang Xiyan left after Anmei assured them she'd be fine alone.
Kang Anmei shook the woman awake and fed her the bird nest soup. She fed the woman until the thermal flask was emptied.
Ying Tungmei might be sick but her appetite didn't fall sick with her, thankfully.
After feeding her, she wiped the woman and helped her change out of her clothes into a new and fresh set.
Tears came down the woman's face.
Anmei felt her spirit break. Where in the world are you Xiaofan? Please stop punishing us all. Please, please.
________
Xiaofan lay on the white pillow as tears streamed down the side of her face.
"Your Royal Highness, today's weather is so cool, why don't you come out for a stroll? It would help you strengthen physically, I believe." The maid suggested.
Xiaofan lay still, not moving a muscle. She didn't bother replying to the maid.
'How long do I have to keep up with this?'
'What about my mother? My lover? My friends?'
_______
Outside the palace.
At a very lit up residence, three old men sat inside one of the chamber's, chitchatting.
Their table was filled up with all types of delicacies.
Wu Xiaotong, Wu Xijin and Wu Yunru were the three old men in this room. The three brothers of the late Emperor.
"Say, the Empress is really alive?" Wu Xiaotong asked wearing a light smile. He was the oldest amongst them.
"Ye, yeah. She really is alive. But whether she lives or dies, it makes no importance or any difference. An Empress that can't bear an heir is really a worthless being. Until she can give the nation an heir, until then will she be remembered." Wu Yunru, the youngest sneered.
"True, true. She really isn't worth more than a slave." Wu Xijin agreed.
"Eat, eat." Wu Xiaotong told his two younger brothers.
The only reason the Emperor wasn't bringing forth an heir is the fact that he doesn't like the sight of the Empress. He chuckled to himself.
'It's high time I make a move...'
"We will head over to the palace tomorrow." He announced.
The two younger brothers stopped their white porcelain cups midway to their mouths.
Wu Xiaotong dropped his own cup. "Tsk, tsk. Drink up but do not take too much as we will be visiting the palace tomorrow."
"Yeh, yes." The two said.
They continued chugging down the rice wine and feeding on the braised pork.
Wu Xiaotong whom sat at the table head, smiled to himself. Who said it's only the Empress that can produce an heir? They are many more young maidens in the land.
_________
The sun rose from the east as usual.
The day was full of activity as the Cabinet Members, Chiefs and the two prime ministers matched to the Imperial court to start with the day's business.
The room was filled immediately with noises from different mouths, forming an annoying cacophony to the ear.
After about five minutes, the three uncles and six brothers of the Emperor arrived.
Everyone was surprised seeing the three old men. They rarely came over to the palace and now their came for today's meeting... it was quite surprising.
Ten minutes later, "His Grace, the Emperor is here!" The eunuch announced.
The room quietened down immediately and the big doors opened to a man dressed in a black royal robe, he came in with his eunuch behind him. By his side was his well trained assassin. Only a few knew him and what he was capable of. And only a few knew he had a twin. That one, more deadly and dangerous than this one that followed the Emperor during the day.
Wu Ju-Long, had a pair of matching black shoes and on his head sat his golden crown.
He strode in with perfect gait. No single emotion could be detected from the man. He walked past them and went to his throne.
"His Royal Majesty, the Emperor!!!" They all chanted and went down on their knees.
The man said nothing.
The three uncles came out. Wu Xiaotong led them to face the Emperor, he bowed with a light smile on his face. "His Royal Majesty,"
Wu Ju-Long half bowed, acknowledging the men's presence.
They went back and sat down on the chairs provided for them.
The eunuch went over and picked up a scroll.
He started addressing the matters reported to the palace.
After fifteen minutes, he dropped the scroll and picked another.
This time it was a scroll concerning the payment of tax. So many villages refused to pay their taxes, making the village heads to lose their wages.
The eunuch finished reading, and put the scrolls from the villages away.
Wu Yunru cleared his throat, "Qing Bohai, the tax collector is under your watch, even the villages mentioned are all under you. Why are you allowing this tiny issue to reach the Emperor's ears?" His meaning was very clear, how can he be careless as to allow such news reach the Emperor's ears? That should have been his question.
"Qing Bohai, must have been busy dealing with the issue concerning his daughter that he forgot to take care of the..." Wu Xijin broke off his sentence midway, but everyone understood what he meant already.
The Chiefs at the left scoffed at the Chiefs at the right.
"I'm sorry, this is my mistake." Qing Bohai said facing the Emperor, "However, this case hadn't been reported to me. It never reached my ears..."
"So does that mean the reports are pure lies? Are you saying there's a mistake?" Wu Yunru cut through Qing Bohai's statement. "If you can't handle such little matters, then, how do we expect you to handle bigger ones?"