The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 9 - True Heart

She rose from her seat, her face full of sorrow, as tears trickled down her cheeks. "Before entering the palace, my father advised me to prioritize you in everything. When I first gained His Majesty's favor, you wanted me to give him up to you. But can the Emperor's favor be so easily given away? You threatened me with the lives of my concubine mother and younger siblings, forcing me to enter the palace to secure your favor. But can the Emperor's thoughts be swayed by us?"

Her tone grew increasingly mournful as she continued, "Since I was young, my elder sister and the madam have always disliked me, saying I looked like a vulgar person despite my young age. But looks are given by one's parents, not something I can control. At that time, I wanted to ruin my appearance so you wouldn't despise me, but you stopped me, saying my looks might still be useful."

Her voice was filled with desolation. "Later, when the Emperor's selection was held, my father told me to enter the palace to secure your favor and, if possible, bear a son with the Bai family bloodline. But my health isn't suitable for bearing children; I've been weakened by years of washing clothes in the cold winter. The madam and aunt urged me to assist you wholeheartedly."

"But how could I defy the Emperor's orders? What more do you want from me? What more?"

In her desperation, Bai Jingxian took this chance to lay bare the Bai family's filth before the wise Emperor.

Seeing her in such a state, Bai Jingxian's elder sister, Bai Jingyan, hurried over and grasped her arm. "Jingxian, just let the Emperor be with me this time. I've been taking medicine; with just one chance, I can bear a child. Once I have a child, you won't need to worry about favor anymore. You always wanted to stay quietly in one place, right? If I bear a child, I'll fulfill your wish and won't let anyone disturb you. Will you agree?"

"No."

Bai Jingxian pushed Bai Jingyan away forcefully. "No, I won't give the Emperor up to you. Since I became aware, the Emperor is the only person who has been gentle to me. I won't push him away."

"Why?"

Bai Jingyan shoved her, sending Bai Jingxian to the ground. Her frantic actions startled Chun Feng, who quickly stepped in to protect her mistress.

Through the gap in the window, the emperor saw Bai Jingxian fall to the ground, her neatly styled hair disheveled, tears streaming down her face, making her already beautiful features appear more fragile and pitiable.

Tears like pear blossoms, delicate and touching.

Bai Jingxian bit her lip, her eyes filled with determination and stubbornness as she locked gazes with Bai Jingyan, refusing to utter a word.

Suddenly, Bai Jingyan burst into a frenzied laugh. "Haha, you fool, you've fallen for the Emperor. You actually have genuine feelings for him. Bai Jingxian, you're an idiot. Don't you know that the most unforgivable thing in the harem is to fall in love with the Emperor? You're hopelessly foolish."

Bai Jingxian's lips were bleeding from the biting, but she looked at her with no sign of regret. Her voice trembled slightly, "The Emperor is the only person who has ever given me warmth in my life. So what if I love him? My heart is mine; even if it means death, I have no regrets."

"So you refuse to help me?"

After a moment of silence, a loud slap echoed.

Bai Jingyan slapped Bai Jingxian, the sound resonating throughout the Qingliang Hall.

She closed her eyes and braced herself for the familiar cruelty of her elder sister, but instead of feeling pain, she felt nothing.

When she opened her eyes, a handsome face appeared before her, holding her protectively in his arms.

On the floor, Chun Feng took the blow meant for Bai Jingxian, while Bai Jingyan was kicked to the ground by the Emperor who had rushed in.

With a bleeding mouth, it was clear how much force the Emperor had used.

"Your Majesty..." Bai Jingxian looked on in shock. "When... when did you arrive?" She was extremely anxious, her face showing confusion.

It seemed she was afraid he might discover her feelings and distance himself, worried he would abandon her like her parents had.

She buried her deep feelings away, hiding them from him.

"I arrived just in time. I saw Bai Guiren acting insolently towards you. Fortunately, you have a loyal servant by your side."

The Emperor glanced at Chun Feng, who was kneeling on the floor. "A faithful one."

Bai Jingxian, in the Emperor's arms, sighed with relief, thankful that he hadn't overheard her earlier words, or she would have faced abandonment once more.

Hiding in the Emperor's embrace, she spoke with a heavy nasal tone, "Your Majesty arrived just in time. I am unharmed. Please let my sister leave. I... I don't want to see her anymore."

When she said "sister," the Emperor noticed her tense body and fearful emotions.

Seeing her fear and anxiety, the Emperor smiled. "Very well, as you wish."

But as he turned his face, his expression grew stern. "De Fu, take her away."

The command carried weight.

Bai Jingyan, about to plead, was silenced by De Fu, who had been with the Emperor since childhood and knew his master's thoughts well.

Immediately, Bai Jingyan's mouth was gagged, and she was dragged away.

The Emperor wiped away Bai Jingxian's tears and said, "You are already an honorable consort and still being bullied by a mere concubine. Such a character will not do. I've given you the means to stand up for yourself; you mustn't let my efforts go to waste."

"But I fear causing you trouble. I... I don't want to trouble you." Her self-reference changed as she spoke.

Recalling her earlier words, the Emperor took a deep breath and seated her down. "Don't be afraid; I won't be troubled." Only someone truly in love would care so much for another's well-being and endure their own suffering.

Seeing her state, he was reminded of himself.

Even the Emperor, who had long shut his heart, was moved by her deep feelings, touched by her sincerity.

He had favored many women, each claiming to love him, but he knew they loved only his power and status.

From a young age, he learned that emperors are heartless, and the harem is even more so, like his own mother.

Even the pure and kind-hearted women who entered the palace would eventually become unrecognizable after years in the harem. It was a deep abyss, consuming all that was beautiful.

How long could her love last?

He hoped it would last longer. He wouldn't mind protecting her.

As for true feelings, didn't he lose his a long time ago?

His heart...

That night, he was filled with tenderness for her, and she, with fiery passion.

She savored every bit of pleasure she gave him. She was so delightful and unique, and the Emperor, for the first time in a long while, was lost in indulgence.

In the past, he would demand over and over again. Tonight, his indulgence made her desire him repeatedly until she was exhausted.

As she fell into a deep sleep, she still murmured his name.

The Emperor kissed her forehead and held her tightly. "Sleep now; no one will dare to bully you again. They are not worth it."