For days I have peace. I did not go back to everlasting beauty. Continue to stay in his bedroom. He had given me the permission to read his books. Use anything in this room. I am cage in his bedroom. However he did not return back here in the night. So i sleep peacefully holding the scissors under the pillow.
Seven days have past, the royal doctor is summon to check upon me. He had instructed to give more herb medicine to improve my health as well as to take walks in the garden. I couldn't agree more. I am dying to walk outside even if it is for awhile.
Eunuch Chen walk in with a tray of garments. They are of normal wear. However they are embroider with gold threads. The maids come in as to help to dress me up. Like a doll, they did it and they wants to have an extravagant hair style which i disagree. In the end, they just comb it down and tie it at the mid length of the hair. Usually i wear boots but a pair of slippers are present to me. Wearing it is so uncomfortable. Slowly i begin to walk out of the room. Slowly i see the brightness and the heat of the sun. Like a flower is dying of water, my heart is fill with happiness. Just like when i am a child running in the field smelling the fresh flowers. Butterflies and birds flying in the air. However all these image comes to the end when i see the emperor stands at the far end corner. He is waiting for me.
We walk in the garden without talking. Admire the wonder of this huge garden. I don't know why he hold my hand at a sudden. I stood up and look at him. He smile. This smile is sincere, i can feel it. "You are really different. Different from all the women i know. Everyone wants something from me. Yet you never ask anything for yourself. Why aren't you asking for something?"He ask tenderly. "There is only one thing i want but you can't give me. Only ..."
"I know. I can't give you my brother. My soldiers can't even locate his body. My playmate, my best friend, my only brother in this world. I can't do anything to protect him. Instead he used his life to protect me, to protect the dragon throne. Like you, he don't ask for anything in return. The only thing he ask from the late father emperor was to marry you."He look up to the sky. "If he is really alive, i hope he make it to the capital. I will compensate him with everything however i cannot give you up."
"Then can i ask you to give up the harem that you have?"
"I will do that once my son is born. This i promise you."
"When why can't you let me go?" He look at me and smile. "Don't ask that again. I don't have an answer for it. Ask me anything that i have an answer for. "
"Where is my father now?"
"He should be in the same battlefield that my missing brother is in."
"Why did you sent him there? He is already retired. He is not a suitable person to lead the army."
"Then tell me how am i suppose to send? Besides my bother, the army listens to Duke Su. He maybe retired but do you know he still gives military advise to the generals who hold him in high esteem. I alone can't control them. No one can. Not even Tang Li. In the end, he volunteer to lead the young army out and conquer the land that we need. My brother went missing for this, your father won't. He had more experience than anyone. Your father is the teacher of Xian Wen. Only Duke Su can turn this tide. I believe in him." He hold my hands tight and look at me. "I believe Duke Su, so you have to believe him as well."
My days continue to pass quietly. My things are quietly moved into his bedroom. I am allow to go to the gardens when i am bored. Frequently i will be sitting by the huge tree with a book in hand. Sometimes, the emperor will come by and join me. He talk a lot about his childhood with my dingbat. They troubles they made. They happiness they had. They types of mischief they try to do but backfired. How they try to escape and see beyond these tall wall. He sound like he truly sincerely like Xian Wen.
One afternoon, the empress appear in the garden. I bow she smirk and single to follow her. We walk slowly together to a pavilion. "I have to admit that you have a way to handle his majestic. His mood swings are, hard to handle."
i maintain my silence and try not to talk. I think she knows it but she still continue "Are you already with a child? I can see that he is very protective of you." She reach out to stop me from walking and her hand reach my tummy. She touches it in a strange way. She walks behind me and grope my breast. In shock and fear, i turn around and walk back. She smirk again then laugh. "There is nothing wrong with it. Why are you so afraid?"
"I told you to stay out of my living quarters!" The emperor appear just then with his eunuch Chen. We all bow to each other. The empress looks surprise to see him here. "I am here just for a friendly chat with Lady Su."
"We have an agreement that we don't cross over each other's living quarters. What is this?!"
"In case, can i invite her over to my living quarters? I got so much to talk about."
"Go talk to all the other women that i gave them to you!"
"Like you, there isn't enough woman for me, to talk to."
"I don't care! Just live my living quarters NOW! Eunuch Chen, show her the way out now!" As the eunuchs hurry to escort the empress out, the emperor in his commanding voice said " Let this be my final law here in my living quarters! If i catch any of you allow anyone into my living quarters, just prepare yourself to be punish!" At that moment all the soldiers who heard this echo a "Yes" together. I watch the empress walk away with her personal maid. Is this why is the emperor dislike her? The emperor look at me with his head tilted and his eyes narrow. "i see the wild horse have some question to ask.Shall we?"