I flinched back in fear at her very hostile attitude. Her frail arms reached out between the bars towards me and I quicky took a few steps backward. Shin took a few steps forward towards us immediately and the look on his face was grave. โShin, wait!โ I cried out to stop him. Shin halted before turning to look at me to make sure that I was alright before turning to look at Jeely. I could tell that Shin was concerned for me; however, it wasnโt like Jeely could physically hurt me since she was behind bars. I nodded a little to Shin to signal that I was ok. Hesitantly, Shin backed away into the shadows again. โJeely. Itโs not like that. Since Iโve seen your arrest, Iโve been talking to the crown prince to help you. If you can just tell me what really happened or if this was some type of misunderstanding, then Iโm sure...โ I began saying; however, Jeelyโs hysterical laugh cut me off.โMisunderstanding? There is no such thingโฆโ Jeely said in between gritted teeth. โYou canโt meanโฆโ I w
I felt a shiver run down my spine. I think Ren did mention something to that effect about his uncle before. โThenโฆif Ren decides not to punish herโฆโ I said as I reflected on Shinโs words.โStop! I did not tell you this for you to beg Ren again to have mercy on Jeely,โ Shin intervened with my suggestion immediately. โThen why are you telling me this?โ I asked, not quite getting it. โIโm telling you this so that you will know that Ren has already shown her mercy in his own way. The law is still the law, no one, not even the crown prince, can simply ignore the law,โ Shin explained. โIโm sorry. I donโt followโฆโ I admitted softly. โYouโll see soon for yourself. Just know that Ren is a very fair and merciful person. Donโt you dare act selfishly and burden the crown prince,โ Shin said strictly. โOkโฆโ I replied. Basically, the best thing that I could do was sit still and watch what Ren would do in Jeelyโs case. I closed my eyes and prayed that he would indeed have mercy on her. โฆA fe
โI do appreciate what youโve done for me. However, I just wanted you to know that Iโm happy enough already. When you apologized to me, I was so surprised but at the same time I felt so happy,โ I told him honestly. โApologies canโt be slept on like a new bed or sat on like a new chair. It canโt keep your body warm like new clothes and it cannot decorate the hair on your head like a golden hair pin,โ Ren said as he tried to make his point. Heโs rightโฆbutโฆโBut if you meant it when you apologized, it goes to show how much you care for me and my feelings. That to meโฆmeans more than comfort in my sleep, warmth in my body or the beauty of my hair styleโฆโ I replied with an argument of my own. Ren paused as he stared at my face before he put his teacup down and started laughing. I watch Ren bend over and laugh loudly while I wondered what he found so funny. โAs my woman, I donโt see why you have to choose between those things. You can have my apology and the gifts as well and letโs leave
We continued to kiss as he ran his hands over the curves of my body, making me sigh and moan into his kiss from the pleasure. His caresses were making my body heat up as desire started building up inside of me. It was clear that Ren was trying his best to be patient and gentle with me. He took his time undressing me, trailing small kisses on all parts of my body as he unveiled them. My neck, my chest, my stomach and then finally my thighs. โRenโฆโ I called out his name softly once he had undressed me completely. โAre you ok?โ Ren asked with concern. โYes. May I undress you?โ I asked a little shyly. Ren was definitely surprised by my suggestion, but he just nodded his approval. I helped him out of his clothes before we fell down onto the bed together. I laid under him as he got on top of me and all I could see was Ren. For some reason, Ren seemed very hesitant as he sat in between my legs. โIs somethingโฆwrong?โ I asked. โNoโฆsorryโฆI was just distractedโฆโ Ren replied. I wasnโt sure
โRenโฆโ I called out his name lovingly.Ren thrusted wildly into me a couple of times before he climaxed. I closed my eyes in bliss as he filled me with his heat. I stayed still as his cock shot his hot seed deep into my womb. As always, thereโs so much of it. โฆWe laid side by side on the bed exhausted from our intense love making. Ren looked at me and I smiled a little at him. He pulled me into a hug, and I gladly accepted. His arms around me felt so warm and secure. I was glad that I could experience peace like this in Renโs arms once again. It wasnโt easy to return to how we were, although, I would like to think that our relationship had gotten stronger after we had made up. โRenโฆโ I called out to him softly. โHmm?โ Ren made a questioning sound. โIs it possible for you to help lower Jeelyโs punishment? Jeely belongs to you soโฆโ I asked feeling slightly hopeful. I did promise Shin that I wouldnโt push Ren but asking a little wouldnโt count as pushing him, right? โDid Shin tell
Time passed by and little by little I managed to return to my peaceful life. It has been around a month now since Jeelyโs public execution. Although that was the talk of the town at the time, people have since moved on. No one spoke of her anymore and it was just like she had never existed in the palace. As for me, I still mourned over her from time to time. However, I knew that I had to move on too. Never will I forget her and all that sheโs done for me. People tend to forget her years of good deed after she committed her crime; however, I beg to differ. I returned to work, train, and study at the hospital with my mentors. With the exam coming up, I needed to focus on both my patients and also studying from textbooks. The exam was a combination of working on actual cases and a written test. I wasnโt at all concerned about the actual case; however, I was scared of the written test. After finishing work at the hospital, I would return to my room and study from medical textbooks. I wa
Does Ren know about this?RenโฆI need to see Ren! I was running towards the exit of the hospital before I knew what I was doing. It didnโt matter that I didnโt know where Ren was at that moment. I just had to start moving before my mind would drive me crazy. โMy Lady!โ I heard someone call after me, but I paid that person no mind. I ran past the gate of the Medical Office and out onto the main pathway of the Imperial palace. Where do I go from here? Renโฆis he at his palace? Calm down, RinโฆI tried to control my breathing as my mind raced to decide on what I should do. Everything is going to be ok. All I have to do is talk to Ren about thisโฆ โฆAfter being told that the crown prince should be returning soon from his meeting with the emperor, I decided to wait in his work room. I paced around anxiously as I waited for Ren to arrive. Time was passing by so slowly and my chest felt like it was going to explode. I was so worried, and my mind wouldnโt stop conjuring up the worst possible
โRinโฆI appreciate your concern, but this is my jobโฆโ Ren said calmly. โCanโt you just send someone else?โ I asked hopefully. โThis is my job and I intend to fulfill my role and responsibilities. I wonโt shrink back and send someone else in my place,โ Ren said before he gave me a pointed look. โRenโฆโ I whispered his name, not knowing how to convince him otherwise. โYou do your job, Rinโฆand Iโll do mine,โ Ren said firmly. โWhen are you leaving?โ I asked. โIn a few daysโฆโ Ren replied without hesitation. My head felt light, and I was certain that I was about to faint. I closed my eyes and concentrated on breathing. The situation had gotten much worse than I could ever imagine. Firstly, thereโs a warโฆagain. Secondly, the war was at my hometown. To be precise, it was between my hometown and the empire. On top of all of that, Ren is going to warโฆThereโs got to be a way that I can stop Ren from going to war. If that was not an option, then I will have to resort to my own back up plan.
โReally? I think youโre as young and as pretty as beforeโฆif not more prettyโฆโ 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 couldnโt help but feel my heart flutter at his words. The truth was that I have aged, and I definitely donโt look as fresh or young as I did all those years ago. Even I wasnโt foolish enough to believe that I havenโt aged. โThank you, Renโฆbut thatโs not really the pointโฆโ I replied with a small laugh. โCanโt we try for one more? Pleaseโฆjust one moreโฆโ Ren pleaded sweetly. โBut we already have three childrenโฆโ I pointed out. โBut we donโt have a daughter yetโฆโ 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 couldnโt 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 Kinโs women giving birth to a few sons as well at that point, it was clear that the line of succession will continue in Renโs branch of the family, much to the dowager empressโs 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 othersโ jealousy, she had chosen to leave all her treasures to me so that I could distribute it to my childrenโs 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 wasnโt sure if it was best for the empire. โShin can take care of most things. Heโs unmarried, has no kids, and loves the empire. Heโs perfect for the job,โ Ren said before laughing loudly. That was his response when I asked him about skipping out on some of his royal duties. Itโs 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 couldnโt tie him down. Shin now considers my children as his own and acts as their loving godfather. โฆWhen 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 doesnโt seem super devot
โIt sounds very complicated. In my town, weddings are something that you celebrate with your close friends and family in a simple wayโฆโ I mumbled. โIโm sure that doesnโt apply if you marry a prince or if youโre becoming the next empress,โ Ren said with a laugh. โI guess youโre rightโฆโ I said with a nod of my head. โDonโt worry too much. Weโll both have it easy until the day itself. If youโre not too picky, you can leave the preparation to the officials and the staff. Theyโll get everything done and if you have any special requests, just let them know and theyโll figure it out,โ 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. โIโll leave it to them then.
โWhy didnโt you tell me about the baby?โ Ren asked the moment the door to my bedroom closed behind us. โIโฆI was just waiting for the right moment to tell you,โ I said honestly. โWhen did you find out?โ Ren asked. โAbout a month ago while we were still in the middle of war,โ I confessed softly. โYou should have told me,โ Ren insisted. โBut you were so busy, and you were out there fighting every day. I didnโt want to add to your burdens,โ I explained. โRegardless, you still should have told me,โ Ren repeated his same opinion. โIโm sorry, Ren. It wasnโt like I was trying to keep it from you,โ I apologized sadly. โI would have taken care of you betterโฆโ Ren muttered. Is that why he was so mad? โYouโre so sweet, Ren,โ I said before giggling. It was probably the first time that I think I saw Ren blush. I couldnโt stop myself from giggling at the sight. โThank you, Rin. I canโt wait to raise our baby together,โ Ren said as he hugged me close to him. โMe tooโฆโ I replied before sm
โBut if you go, they might kill youโฆโ Shin said. โIsnโt there someone who can help me?โ I asked as a thought struck me. โYou canโt be seriously thinking aboutโฆโ Shin muttered as he probably caught on to what I was thinking. โPlease, Shinโฆplease help Renโฆplease help meโฆโ I begged. โShitโฆthis is crazyโฆโ 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. โฆ**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. โMotherโฆโ 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. โSo, what is your opinion regarding the Lady White Lotus,โ 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. โYour Majesty, I believe that the Lady White Lotus is with child,โ 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. โSilence. Nextโฆโ the emperor said firmly as he invited the next doctor to give his opinion. โYour Majesty. The Lady White Lotus is indeed pregnant,โ the second doctor said before bowing to show his respect. โNextโฆโ the emperor said
I can do this. I can do this. I can do this! โThere 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 childโฆโ I said, making sure that my voice rang loud and clear. โRinโฆโ I heard Ren whisper my name. โWhat are you saying?โ the emperor asked as a frown formed in between his brows. โI am with child. I am pregnant with the crown princeโs child,โ I stated firmly. I could feel and hear everyoneโs shock. Loud gasp of surprise filled the room followed by whispers. I could feel everyoneโs eyes on me, and I placed my hands over my stomach as if to protect the baby that was inside. โWhat are you saying? Leave with Shin right now,โ Ren hissed to me as he came to my side. โNoโฆI am not leaving youโฆโ I said stubbornly. โIs it true, Rin?โ 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. โI 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,โ Ren said calmly.โWhat about the punishment for Lady White Lotus? It is indeed her town that rebelled against the empire,โ a senior member of court inquired sternly. โThe 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,โ the empress spoke