"Your Majesty, I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
A thunking sound loudly rang around the room. The maid lifted her head, tears streaming down her rosy cheeks. A red mark sprouted from her forehead.
The Empress was seated on the edge of the bed where a child lay breathing heavily. Adorned in his regal silver clothes, he didn't bat an eye or scoff as he elegantly moved a hand.
The guards stationed on the side quickly grabbed the maid and took her away despite her pleas. Her voice slowly dimmed away leaving the already cold room feeling more frigid.
Yao Ling's eyes opened as the maid apologized and saw the whole scene with mild interest and bewilderment.
This wasn't the first time he opened his eyes to a canopy bed, jade green silk bed sheets, and a cold emotionless figure staring at him like a ghost. Neither was it surprising to feel his new short body and small grabby hands as he wiped away the last dredge of sleep.
Yao Ling sat up despite hearing the hiss coming from Empress Xuefang. A large palm covered his forehead, blissfully cold to his hot feverish skin.
"Tch. A-ling still has a fever." The Empress continues touching his skin determining the state of his health.
Yao Ling has only been inhabiting this body for what he assumes must be a few days. He's not sure what happened after he felt his body hit the floor due to the fast-acting poison, but he didn't feel anything. One moment he falls, closes his eyes, and when he wakes up he's being prodded by a royal doctor of the highest status.
It didn't take long after seeing the Empress to realize he must be the recently born prince of the harem. He heard of the 4th prince while in the war camps. Only three years old and already had a foot in death's door.
At that time Yao Ling had been jealous of the princes born in the royal palace. Who hasn't? Born with a golden spoon, and given everything they ever asked.
Until his teacher, General Yao, looked up from his meal during their dinner/lecture as it was the only time the general was free and Yao Ling was not busy with sword practice or being bossed around by his superiors like a servant.
General Yao's gaze was tired and mild, worn down by age and the late-night struggles of war, yet he was patient with Yao Ling, correcting the young boy's messy handwriting as he spoke.
"A-Ling there are many places a person shouldn't wish to be born in, and the royal family is one of them."
Yao Ling thought that was pure nonsense, he grew up with only the clothes on his back and the blisters from rough work forever marred his skin. He regularly daydreamed of being rich enough to not worry about food or shelter which was paradise for him.
Now in the body of a young prince maybe he can experience the true lavish life. Even if his mother is the heartless unloved Empress of the country, he's still the Empress Xuefang life must be filled to the brim with everything he could ask for and more! He can eat whatever he wants and do whatever he wants.
Yao Ling felt the cold hands leave his neck and forehead. A female servant passes a bowl to the man's hands, the man spoons a dark liquid and feeds it to Yao Ling before he can even turn his head away.
Bah! Bitter!
The Empress raises a sharp eyebrow at the child spitting the remains of the medicine, "It is not that bitter stop being dramatic, A-Ling." He sternly states.
Yao Ling gave the Empress a heated glare. Bitter medicine was on his worst things list right below being treated like a stupid child.
"No."
The Empress narrowed his sharp eyes at his son's lack of manners. Both give each other a similar glare and neither backs down. "It seems your fever has gone down if you can be this unruly."
Yao Ling stares uncompresively for a few seconds. What in the world?! He's three, or at least this body is, what child cares or even knows about manners at the age of three? He's a royal toddler he should at least get the sweeter stuff! He opened his mouth and started spouting his anger.
"No! Mghifuu! Me, angry! I don' wanna Brrrghraa-"
....
Yao Ling stops and closes his mouth, blinking owlishly, realizing in horror. Oh gods, he's three he doesn't know how to pronounce words yet.
The Empress scoffs and turns to a maid. " Bring the other medicine." The maid bows and goes to collect said medicine.
Yao Ling lets go of the slight to his delicate taste buds for now.
He's curious to see the place he resides in, so he crawls to the edge of the bed moving the embroidery curtain hiding him from view. The room is elegantly made of dark wood and fully furnished with furniture sets, curtains, rugs, pots, huge plants adorning the corners, and other miscellaneous items he had never seen before. He gazes at the faraway window, seeing white fluffs fall down the window. It was winter.
He died when it was entering fall, how long has it been since then? However long it has been he hoped General Yao took his death well....
He stopped before he dwelled on the past. Later. He'll think about it later.
The Empress got up and went over to talk to an old-looking maid, she looked ashen and pained. She must be the main caretaker of the 4th prince who failed miserably, he's a royal heir, even if the mother is unloved. He hopes Empress Xuefang replaces her quickly, sloppy work shouldn't be tolerated especially when it comes to the life of a child, royal or not. General Yao would have brutally trained him until he collapsed if the older man caught him lacking in guarding duty or any duty for that matter.
Yao Ling crawled out of the bed, maids nervously looked at him as he prattled around on the slightly chilled floor. He is aware of their nervous stares but decides to ignore them, thankfully they can't do anything to stop him, especially since he very much dislikes it when a stranger touches him.
He walks around, drinking in all the expensive materials and decor. Incredible! He's truly living a life people would dream of. He turns to the door that leads outside and slowly opens to not alert the Empress. Yao Ling smiles, he wants to see how the outside looks.
His smile is quickly rubbed away as instead of seeing the halls he's met with the sight of boots and golden robes.
Yao Ling's body freezes in fear, daringly looks up to see the face of the man General Yao praised for his ideas to win the war.
Oh no...It's the Emperor.