If we don’t work fast, the number of patients will pile up in no time. Right now, the queue was manageable, and the wounded didn’t have to wait for long to get medical attention. However, if we slowed down now or if more soldiers arrived, things would head for the worst. Unfortunately, I was reminded of that fateful day when my village was attacked, and I had to work just like this. I closed my eyes and shook the thought away from my mind. Unlike then, we had more advance tools here and we had enough medicine. I had to be content with that for now. The rest was up to us. The same couldn’t be said for the other side of battle. The soldiers from my town probably didn’t have enough of anything to heal their injuries. The next patient arrived, and I banished all thoughts to focus on the work at hand. The sun had started to set when the messenger from the front line arrived bearing news that the fighting had ended for the day. Everyone, including myself, let out a huge sigh of relief. T
The first week flew by in a blur of events. The second day working in the medical tent was similar to the first. The worst was the third day. It wasn’t like the situation got better on the following days; however, the third day was when war truly broke out and we suffered a high number of casualties. It was brutal and extremely shocking. The other days that followed was the same until somehow, I had gotten used to seeing men dying right in front of my own very eyes. “He’s not going to make it; we should move on…” Mou said sadly. I looked down at the man laying on the stretcher as he struggled to breathe. Mou’s right, this man probably won’t make it. Before I knew it, I felt a sharp pain in the palm of my hands and realized that I was clenching my hand so tightly that my nails were digging into my skin. It was so hard to let go. If I stayed with him, he may live. However, that would mean that someone else here in this tent would have to die. Being torn by these life and death decisi
“Are you ok? You’re not wounded, right?” I asked to make sure. “Of course, not. I’m here to pick you up. You weren’t back yet so I figured that you were probably still here,” Ren said as he reached out a hand and placed it on my shoulder. “That’s good. I’m about done as well. We can head back…” I said as I smiled up bravely at him. Ren’s eyes looked beyond me at the rows upon rows of men laying on the ground. His eyes narrowed and I felt him stiffen at the sight. It wasn’t an easy sight to behold and for Ren, the burden and responsibility on his shoulders must have suddenly felt heavier at that moment. “Come with me for a bit…” Ren said softly before his hand grasp mine. I followed silently after him as he walked in to greet the wounded soldiers. He crouched down to converse with a few soldiers who still had the energy to talk back. That was when I realized that Ren didn’t just come here to pick me up. His presence truly boosted the morale of the patients. They were truly excited
By the time Ren had finished his meal, I had given up all hope of going to the celebration. Failing to muster up the courage to ask him to go along with me, I had decided that perhaps it wasn’t all that bad to stay in the tent with Ren for the night just like we always did. I tried my best to ignore the noises of people laughing, cheering, and singing outside even as it continued to get louder. Tomorrow, I can just listen to Mou talk on and on about it while we patch up the wounds of the soldiers. He’s going to ask me if I enjoyed the celebration and then I’m going to have to tell him that I didn’t get to go! Arghhh… I want to go to the celebration! “Rin…” Ren called my name softly from across the table. Quickly, I snapped out of my thoughts. After blinking rapidly, my eyes finally focused on Ren. He was looking at me with a slightly curious look on his face. “…Yes?” I asked, wondering what he wanted. “Do you want to go to the celebration with me?” Ren asked as he cocked his hea
I could tell from their responses that they were already quite drunk. Regardless, I found their responses very funny and entertaining. Perhaps, meeting them this way was much better than meeting them in a serious or formal setting. I smiled and laughed a little along with them. Everyone seemed so kind and humble. We took our seats at the table where the generals were having fun drinking and chatting. Shin seemed to be a in very good mood too and for once he didn’t seem overly concerned about something. I wondered if it was fine for everyone to be so drunk and carefree like this during war. It was true that we were successful in pushing the enemy back, but the war wasn’t over yet. “Ren…” I called Ren softly. “What is it?” he asked as he leaned his head my way to lend me an ear. “Is it ok for everyone to be so drunk? …the war is still going on so…” I asked hesitantly. “It’s ok. Not everyone is drunk. There are unlucky soldiers and some generals that are not participating in the cel
I wondered where this journey would end up taking me…Now that Ren is properly seated, I guess I should go and look around the house. Since I left in a hurry, maybe there are some things here that I should take back with me. First, I should check the bedroom. “I’m just going to look around. You can stay here if you want,” I told Ren as I got up from my seat. Ren watched me silently as I headed towards the bedroom. The bedroom still looks the same. It was also less dusty than the living room, probably because the windows were closed properly, and it was at the back of the house. I started looking around and soon I was absorbed in my own thoughts that I didn’t realize it at first when Ren came up behind me. “Do you remember when we first met?” Ren asked from directly behind me. I turned to face him and nodded. It was a snowy day and while on the way home from the center of town, I found Ren collapsed and unconscious on the snow-covered floor. “Thank you for saving my life back then
“It was very hard for me to hold back…you have no idea…” Ren whispered once he released my nipple from his mouth. I was panting hard now, and I wasn’t sure if I came a little from his attack on my womanly mounds or not. It felt too good. It felt like I was about to lose my mind. Ren’s fingers stroked a path slowly down from between my breasts down the plain of my stomach. I sucked in a breath as his hand travelled slowly southward until he reached the destination in between my legs. Spreading my legs a little wider, I thrusted my hips up invitingly towards his hands. His fingers delved into my hot wetness as he began stroking up and down the wet slit in between my legs. I bit my lower lip and moaned when his fingers brushed teasingly against my swollen clit. I was so turned on that my clit felt so sensitive. Ren toyed around with my tiny pleasure spot with his fingers, stroking it in circular motions before pinching it softly in between his fingertips. I felt my legs weakened as my
Huh?!I lifted my head of his chest and stared at his face in shock. What did he just ask me? I felt heat rise to my cheek and knew that I was blushing red. Hopefully, he couldn’t see so clearly in this darkness. “I wouldn’t lie and say that I fell in love with you at first sight, but I knew that I wanted you the first time that I saw you. Your face with the now falling down all around you was a very enchanting sight,” Ren continued since I was too shocked to reply. “You seem to remember a lot for someone who was on the verge of freezing to death…” I muttered. “Are you feeling shy, my princess?” Ren teased. “No…of course not…” I mumbled. “I fell in love with you when you supported me all the way back to your house and tended to my wound. I told you that I was completely broke, but you still helped me anyways. That was when I felt like I really fell in love with you,” Ren said as he ran his fingers through my long hair. It felt so strange laying in his arms as he confessed his lo
“Really? I think you’re as young and as pretty as before…if not more pretty…” Ren said reassuringly before he bent down to kiss my cheek tenderly.Although I knew that he was probably just saying it to please me, I couldn’t help but feel my heart flutter at his words. The truth was that I have aged, and I definitely don’t look as fresh or young as I did all those years ago. Even I wasn’t foolish enough to believe that I haven’t aged. “Thank you, Ren…but that’s not really the point…” I replied with a small laugh. “Can’t we try for one more? Please…just one more…” Ren pleaded sweetly. “But we already have three children…” I pointed out. “But we don’t have a daughter yet…” Ren said with a sigh as he looked depressed and deflated. I wanted to roll my eyes at fate. Most women had problem pleasing their husband and his family because they couldn’t produce a son. In my case, I had no problem producing sons, but my husband was adamant in wanting a daughter so that he could spoil her like
My political influence changed again when I became pregnant with my second child and soon gave birth to another very healthy son. Having two sons for the emperor gave the entire empire confidence that the line of succession is secure. Despite Prince Kin’s women giving birth to a few sons as well at that point, it was clear that the line of succession will continue in Ren’s branch of the family, much to the dowager empress’s joy. Strangely, I have developed an amicable relationship with the dowager empress over the years as she had taken much interest in her great grandchildren. Naturally, I was favored without needing to do anything much. Unfortunately, the dowager empress passed away from old age before she got to see the face of our third child. To my utmost surprise and to many others’ jealousy, she had chosen to leave all her treasures to me so that I could distribute it to my children’s wives when they got married. I cried so much at her funeral that Ren had to step in and lead
Lately Ren has found his work as the emperor boring and repetitive. As a result, he has been spending more time with me and our children. That was a great thing for me and our family, but I wasn’t sure if it was best for the empire. “Shin can take care of most things. He’s unmarried, has no kids, and loves the empire. He’s perfect for the job,” Ren said before laughing loudly. That was his response when I asked him about skipping out on some of his royal duties. It’s been around 7 years now since Ren and I got married but Shin was still as single and free as a bird. Despite our efforts to get him to settle down, Shin had some how successfully evaded the topic of marriage all together. Even an arrangement by the previous emperor couldn’t tie him down. Shin now considers my children as his own and acts as their loving godfather. …When we arrived back at the main palace, I was greeted by my second son, Rem. Rem is more of a carefree spirit compared to Rou. He doesn’t seem super devot
“It sounds very complicated. In my town, weddings are something that you celebrate with your close friends and family in a simple way…” I mumbled. “I’m sure that doesn’t apply if you marry a prince or if you’re becoming the next empress,” Ren said with a laugh. “I guess you’re right…” I said with a nod of my head. “Don’t worry too much. We’ll both have it easy until the day itself. If you’re not too picky, you can leave the preparation to the officials and the staff. They’ll get everything done and if you have any special requests, just let them know and they’ll figure it out,” Ren said before he patted my head. I guess planning my own wedding was out of the question. I was sure that whatever the officials in charge had in mind would be very different to what I wanted. Recalling the minimal version of the wedding dress that Ren once made me wear to appear in court, I shuddered at the thought of the real wedding dress itself and the ceremony involved. “I’ll leave it to them then.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the baby?” Ren asked the moment the door to my bedroom closed behind us. “I…I was just waiting for the right moment to tell you,” I said honestly. “When did you find out?” Ren asked. “About a month ago while we were still in the middle of war,” I confessed softly. “You should have told me,” Ren insisted. “But you were so busy, and you were out there fighting every day. I didn’t want to add to your burdens,” I explained. “Regardless, you still should have told me,” Ren repeated his same opinion. “I’m sorry, Ren. It wasn’t like I was trying to keep it from you,” I apologized sadly. “I would have taken care of you better…” Ren muttered. Is that why he was so mad? “You’re so sweet, Ren,” I said before giggling. It was probably the first time that I think I saw Ren blush. I couldn’t stop myself from giggling at the sight. “Thank you, Rin. I can’t wait to raise our baby together,” Ren said as he hugged me close to him. “Me too…” I replied before sm
“But if you go, they might kill you…” Shin said. “Isn’t there someone who can help me?” I asked as a thought struck me. “You can’t be seriously thinking about…” Shin muttered as he probably caught on to what I was thinking. “Please, Shin…please help Ren…please help me…” I begged. “Shit…this is crazy…” Shin said in pure disbelief. I watched as Shin sprinted off. After he was gone, my legs lost all its strength and I eased down onto a nearby chair and concentrated on keeping my breathing calm. I placed a hand on my tummy as I prayed that all three of us would be safe. …**Back to the present**Everyone looked towards the entrance of the hall, where a frail old woman walked in slowly with her most trusted eunuch supporting her arms on both sides. Despite her age and her weakened body, the Dowager Empress walked with a straight back full of pride. In unison as if they had practiced it beforehand, everyone stood up from their seat and bowed. Ren and I did the same. “Mother…” the em
After quite a long while had passed, all five doctors were done with inspecting my body. Ren returned back to my side before he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder as we all waited for the verdict from the doctors. “So, what is your opinion regarding the Lady White Lotus,” the emperor asked impatiently. Each doctor was asked to present his view one by one starting with the least senior and ending with Doctor Pai, who was the most senior of them all. “Your Majesty, I believe that the Lady White Lotus is with child,” the first doctor stated before bowing deeply to the emperor. The whole hall erupted in whispers and gasps of shock. Some members of court who had undoubtedly been eagerly waiting for the next royal heir cheered and clapped their hands. “Silence. Next…” the emperor said firmly as he invited the next doctor to give his opinion. “Your Majesty. The Lady White Lotus is indeed pregnant,” the second doctor said before bowing to show his respect. “Next…” the emperor said
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this! “There is no need to punish the crown prince because I am without a doubt loyal to this empire. I wish for a bright future for this empire because that would mean a bright future for our child…” I said, making sure that my voice rang loud and clear. “Rin…” I heard Ren whisper my name. “What are you saying?” the emperor asked as a frown formed in between his brows. “I am with child. I am pregnant with the crown prince’s child,” I stated firmly. I could feel and hear everyone’s shock. Loud gasp of surprise filled the room followed by whispers. I could feel everyone’s eyes on me, and I placed my hands over my stomach as if to protect the baby that was inside. “What are you saying? Leave with Shin right now,” Ren hissed to me as he came to my side. “No…I am not leaving you…” I said stubbornly. “Is it true, Rin?” Ren asked softly, I could feel his gaze on my stomach. I smiled weakly at him as I nodded. His eyes widened in surprise befor
Ren stood up from his seat and all eyes were on him. He took in a breath to calm himself before facing the emperor and the members of court. “I believe that the punishment decided for the town of Amber Leaves is just and fair. The emperor who also approved it seem to share my beliefs. The people of the town had no knowledge of what was going on and did not benefit from the enemy. Because of this, I believe that they should not be punished. I spent more than three months fighting the war. Compared to someone who had never stepped foot on the battlefield or the town itself, I believe that it should be fair to say that I am more knowledgeable about the situation,” Ren said calmly.“What about the punishment for Lady White Lotus? It is indeed her town that rebelled against the empire,” a senior member of court inquired sternly. “The Lady White Lotus has failed to deliver a royal heir for this empire as well. It has been a very long time and she is not yet with child,” the empress spoke