The Gentle Couple

Birth & Death

'Mother, what's your plan?' Namjoon asked.

'The cold winter is over and they'll be returning to the imperial city,' Consort Mu said. 'There'll be many opportunities like Consort La won't live past spring and your imperial father's birthday banquet.'

At the Feng Zhao villa Kim Taehyung, Yn and everyone else were amusing themselves.

Some sat in front of the door and relaxed and others were hunting, playing, eating or sleeping.

They only needed to think about what amusements they should plan each day. Their only regret was that they couldn't stay at Feng Zhao villa forever.

On the twelfth day of the fourth month, sad news was delivered to the Feng Zhao villa, Consort La died.

'Taehyung, why did Consort La die this sudden...' Yn asked in a sad tone.

Taehyung hugged Yn and asked everyone to pack their belongings.

That day Kim Taehyung, Yn and everyone else travelled back to the imperial city.

Inside the horse carriage Yn rubbed her big stomach. 'Kim Taehyung, Consort La was only older than me a few years...'

'Each person has their own fate,' Taehyung said.

'What about Rayan?' Yn asked. 'He's only a little boy... who will protect him?'

Taehyung thought Rayan's situation was like his own childhood, he didn't have anyone to protect him either.

'Kim Taehyung...' Yn said.

'Um?' Taehyung asked.

'Can we bring Rayan to our home and protect him?' Yn asked.

'I want to bring Rayan home too but right now our home won't be safe for Rayan,' Taehyung said.

Yn understood as long as the emperor was alive, Rayan's life in the palace would be pitiful but Rayan would stay alive.

'Rayan is a pitiful little boy... he's only five years old,' Yn said.

'Yn, it's good for Rayan to experience pain while he's young... it'll help him grow stronger and adapt to life in the palace,' Taehyungsaid. 'If we want to protect Rayan then we need to grow stronger until no one can threaten us.'

Yn held her stomach protectively.

'Winter hibernation is over,' Taehyung said.

Taehyung hugged Yn and their child.

Later that day a simple funeral was held for Consort La at the palace. Yn was pregnant and wasn't allowed to attend the funeral. She could only watch at a far distance. Rayan was too little so she couldn't see him and had to wait for Taehyungto ask about Rayan.

'Rayan silently cried,' Taehyungsaid. 'I don't know if Consort La's death has hurt him mentally but now he can't say even say two words.'

'Taehyung, go console Rayan,' Yn said.

'I want to but he's surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs,' Taehyung said. 'I won't have an opportunity to talk privately with him.'

Yn felt helpless.

Taehyung held Yn's hand. 'In another three days I'll take you to visit Rayan.'

Yn worried about Rayan. She knew the emperor didn't favour Consort La because the emperor was ashamed of Rayan since he couldn't speak. So the people in the palace wouldn't care about Rayan.

'Wife, is the little fox inside your stomach troubling you again?' Taehyung asked .

'What little fox?' Yn asked.