Butterfly Aubade

第十一章 [ Chapter Eleven ]

第十一章

I had spent days shut inside because my health was of the most importance. I had maids that carefully tested each dish of food I was presented. Whenever I dared step a foot out of my room, I was followed by a swarm of guards. Ming Zheng had provided me with the utmost protection. It was considerate but stifled my freedom. I could not go anywhere without being questioned. I felt like a prisoner. 

On a pleasant afternoon, I had decided to take a stroll. Chun Hai had grown busier these days and I had keenly noticed the attention she received from a particular guard. It was heart warming to see her find her own love. I soon grew distracted by the blossoming of nature. The sound of birds chirped loudly and the reflection of the fishes' scales dazzled in the light. But what caught my attention the most was a melody. Entranced, I followed after the sound as it grew louder and louder. 

I did my best to maneuver but the growth of my stomach had made my feet swell and walking in such a condition was tiring. To my surprise I saw a man sitting in a chair with wheels below him. A beautiful lady was playing music on a Guqin. The stringed instrument made entrancing melodies and the woman's fingers had carefully plucked each note. When she finished her last note, she had acknowledged my presence.  

"Hello ... and you are?" She asked quietly. 

I was surprised since she did not know who I was. But at least had some respect as she addressed me respectfully. 

"I am Ai Xue." I said with a smile. My hand was placed on my stomach as I struggled to keep the weight of my back from falling forward. 

"Ah you are one of the prince's ladies. I've heard a lot about you in court. You are favored by him and that must mean you are special." The woman said with a smile. 

The man that sat on the wheel chair had finally decided to swivel around as he used his arms to move the seat. He examined me like a doctor before he spoke. 

"So you are the woman my brother has found such interest in." 

I was a bit surprised. I had not realized it but then I recalled the familiar rumors that had circled around the palace. The man looked quite healthy and his 'deformities' were nothing more than an injured leg. The adoring look his wife had for him disproved their failing marriage. It was quite a discovery I had made. By the look on their faces, they started to laugh. 

"Did you believe me to be a beast?" The man said.

"Oh my dear, you are handsome and could be walking about if it wasn't for that horse injury. Praise Buddha for blessing you with health." The woman said as she placed a kiss on her husband's forehead. 

I stood there still unsure of what to say but was impressed by the sincerity of their feelings. He looked at her like she was the only woman on earth while she kept her focus on him. 

"Why did you give up the throne?" I blurted out almost regretting the rudeness of such a question. 

The man laughed as he shook his head, "Well Lady Ai Xue, I was a general who fought for war. I only knew violence as a soldier. I did not have Ming Zheng's intelligence for politics and was reckless in behavior. When I ended up with this injury, I had told mother to let me lead a peaceful life. I had and have no desire for imperial power. I just wanted to be happy and I won that through my lovely wife." He said sweetly as he took his wifes hand. 

"Although it might be strange to hear, we married through love." The woman said. "I hope you can share such a unique with Ming Zheng." She whispered faintly. 

"Thank you." I said with a nod and watched the couple leave the common ground. The instrument was still in its place and with the temptation, I plucked it. My finger tingled a bit but I remembered my vague lessons. I plucked a little more and a little harmony sprang out. I remained there for the rest of the afternoon until the sun began to set on the horizon. The various shades of yellow, orange, pink and purple appeared on the skyline that looked beautiful. Everything felt sincere and I felt at my calmest. 

Once I had retreated for dinner, I took a few bites until I decided to rest. Chun Hai helped me prop up and rest my tired head. When I was about to shut my eyes, Ming Zheng had decided to visit. My heart fluttered at his arrival. 

"How are you doing?" He asked as he placed a hand on my stomach. 

"Very well, thank you for the protection." I said softly as sleep had become my dearest friend. 

"The very best for you." He said with another smile. 

I blushed at a comment but then I remembered Huan Yue. I was curious about her condition. How she felt since she was now the proud mother of a royal princess. 

"How is Huan Yue?" I said curiously. 

"She has been tired from the baby's nightly cries but she is doing well with the help of the palace maids. But her short temper and demands have gotten a bit too difficult for anyone to handle." He confessed sheepishly. 

I pictured an angry Huan Yue with her face beat red as she yelled at her servants to fetch items for her daughter. It was amusing but the poor servants had to suffer her harshness. Though I believe deep down that her own cockiness had made the upper being of this world punish her. I could not imagine anyone dealing with her childish behavior and ridiculous arguments. 

"At least she has adjusted to the child." I said with a bit of glee. 

"I hope she has." He said with an unknowingly shake of his head. "I must go for tonight but sleep well Ai Xue." And then he continued to kiss me on the forehead. 

My cheeks burned and I knew that they would be pink at the very least. I watched his figure disappear from my vision as I was plummeted into the darkness. I welcomed it with open arms as I descended into a land of the unknown. Sleep was very sweet. 

---

The next day I had walked with a few guards while wandering the perimeters with nothing but time on my hands. I saw Lan Xing sneakily leave the entrance of the gates while carrying a bundle. Curiously I followed in her direction and stopped the guards a distance away to take a look at what she was doing. 

To my surprise, I saw a group of children. They looked no bigger than five but they smiled as soon as they saw her. Lan Xing unwrapped the bundle and opened it. I saw the gleaming happiness in the eyes of the children. There were two trays of hot buns and their hands grabbed the food. 

I saw a little girl and boy standing next to each other. Waiting patiently. Their face was covered in dirt but they hungrily got the food and stuffed it in their mouths. I felt a pang of sympathy and decided to reveal my presences. 

"Jie jie, what are you doing here?" She said surprised as she closed the baskets. 

"Nothing really but I saw the children. Where are they from and how come they're dressed so messily?" I asked. 

"They're orphans kept here to be raised as servants to the palace. They have entered a month ago and since they looked so famished I fed them everyday."

"That is very kind of you." I said with a smile. 

Lan Xing nodded quietly then looked up. "Would you like to help?"

"Yes of course, it is the least I could do." 

And so that was how I began to help Lan Xing bring food to the children. Some days the weather would be horrible and they wouldn't be around but most of the time I could find them. I soon learned the names of the girl and boy. They were siblings. They had been abandoned at a market with matching towels and no one took them in until an old elderly woman saw the two crying. They had been sick at the time and near death. She brought them to the royal perimeter so that the two could grow up and work. 

I grew attached to the pair. Soon my mind began to turn with ideas and I decided to speak to Chung Hai. 

"What do you think about me taking in two children?" I murmured. 

"Children? What for Lady Ai Xue?" I saw her eyes widen with curiosity. 

"So that they can be playmates for my own future child. I will have both the boy and the girl protect and act as older siblings." 

"That is very kind and thoughtful of you Lady Ai Xue ... the idea sounds good but you should ask approval from the imperial crown prince." 

And with that said. It was exactly what I did. Ming Zheng wasn't sure of the idea at first but then he seemed to grow fond of playmates and guards. He liked the idea and so that is what I did. 

I told the two children that I would take them in like their own mother and they were ecstatic. I learned that the little girl's name was Lei lei while the boy was called Tian Tian. They were quite adorable but I made careful plans not to let any others spoil them. They were to be taught to be strong. Lei Lei would be a loyal maidservant while I had the hopes of making Tian Tian into a guard. I had presented the both with baths and new clothes to don which made them very happy. But I had Chun Hai take charge of what they did and where they played. 

I was happy to see Chun Hai smile. She would never have the chance of rearing children but she enjoyed the two's company. When they were cleaned and washed, Lei Lei and Tian Tian resembled one another. They had fine features and if it wasn't for their status, could rise into something great. 

I kept a careful watch on them but they adored me like a mother. Sometimes I imagined if this was what it was like to have your own children. Day by day my stomach swelled and I could see the excitement both shared. Like any older sister or brother could be. 

For weeks I kept far from contact with any of the others. Besides Lan Xing who had decided to take in many of the orphans and train them herself, Fang Hua was kept in closed with her own pregnancy and I listened to the rumors that Huan Yue suffered through with her crying baby.