A Peaceful Spring

Chapter X

Suo Xin served tea, and another servant, Yong Luo, sat near the table next to the seating area. Suo Xin, sweet as ever, said, "Your Highness, you don't have to punish Imperial Concubine Jia in front of me."

"Ever since you came out of the Office Of Careful Punishment covered in blood. I told you you would not suffer in vain. But no matter how much I punish her, it won't restore your leg." Ruyi said with some regret in her voice.

Ying Luo hummed, sipping tea, "Even if we can't restore her leg, Imperial Concubine Jia needed to be put in her place."

"I've been doing well, truly." Suo Xin said, looking at both her former mistress and her former sister. "No need to worry about me."

"Suo Xin, I keep my promises. She will fall, eventually. Her reward was only the beginning." Ying Luo said before she sipped her tea. Suo Xin, as sweet as ever, only wanted Ruyi and Ying Luo's safety.

"It wasn't easy for my older sister to get where she was, she needed to be harsh to keep balance but fair to those that do right. To show punishment and reward. If this is enough evidence, then it's not excessive to teach a lesson." Hai Lan explained, and Ying Luo hummed, nodding in agreement.

"Even if Imperial Concubine Jia reports, it's no use, His Majesty won't say anything because it's a ' reward' and there will be no signs of her maltreatment to her clan. Suo Xin, don't worry, everything is under control." Ying Luo said to her sister and patted her hand.

"I know when you are harsh and strict. '' Ruyi said with a soft smile.

𑁍𑁍𑁍

Days went by like a flowing river; Noble Consort Jia was bitter, though nothing Ying Luo could not handle as she was still confined to her palace and sufficiently humiliated to no longer be a threat- for now.

Ying Luo, Yihuan, and Ruyi were curing tea. Ying Luo was a bit startled at Qianlong's yell of happiness. Most likely a military achievement. "Your Majesty, you startled me, I could have spilled the tea all over the table." She playfully chastised Qianlong.

The Emperor chuckled, amused by her playfulness, and utter outspokenness. "Concubine Ling, you might have fainted all on the floor."

"And then you'll have to find a new favorite, because my heart will stop and I will pass out."

"Concubine Ling, you might be pregnant one of these days if you're that faint of heart," Qianlong said with a smile, Ying Luo smiled but inside she had a nervous beat in her heart. Nope, she was going to avoid getting pregnant at all costs. Just earn her favor and get comfortable. No need to bring children into this world who will suffer in the Forbidden City. Yihuan and Ruyi chuckled at the interaction. It wasn't long before Yanwan arrived and did her greetings, and Ying Luo and Yihuan did theirs, but Yihuan was light-headed.

"Concubine Shu?" Ying Luo asked, concerned.

'What's wrong, Concubine Shu?" Ruyi asked. Qianlong had a suspicious look in his eyes. Yihuan was placed down gently by her maid who explained her dizziness. Ying Luo knew the signs almost instantly,

Pregnancy. Oh shit-

When Yanwan said it, Qianlong added an immediate, "Of course not."

Qu Ry in and confirm it, and Ying Luo was smiling, earnestly, happy for her sister. Qainlong and Yanwan had their own looks of displeasure at the news while Ruyi had a soft smile. The consorts and Empress got up and congratulated them both. Yihuan was so happy, not even aware of the displeasure in front of her.

Ying Luo felt bad...she knew that Yihuan was a pitiful soul. But Yihuan also reminded her of Ruyi: all they wanted was love in the Forbidden City, though there was none to be gained. And if it was, it was as brief as a gentle breeze of wind during a hot sunny day. No wonder why their was friends, even Hai Lan, a victim of the Emperor's drunken rapacity, knew better than to ever expect love in this dead place covered with red and gold.