The Emperor's Beloved Ruyi

17. Peaceful Days

The image above is what I imagine Daiyu to look like. The image is not mine. Credit goes to the amazing artist.

Huiqing Zhao was an honest woman, who was calm and patient with the death of the third concubine she felt no remorse and instead relief. Now she sat in her personal Quarters reading the letter her daughters had sent it seemed that they both had garnered protection and jealousy in the palace of course Liling was not going to be vicious during her pregnancy, but Xiu was no longer pregnant and was now the mother of four princes.

So, what if she was a little vicious unfortunately both her daughter took after Meihui who believed revenge took time and having people do the work while being the puppet master behind the scenes was better. She honestly had no issue with this and often admired watching Meihui work. However, this Imperial Concubine Chen was becoming a problem just like the members of her clan were becoming an annoyance luckily the marriage request went through and was accepted. After the marriage decree came down, she would deal with them she wondered what was going to happen to the Imperial Noble Consort according to the rumours she was sick again but who really believed that?

Before she could drink her tea her husband walked in with a frown "Meihui got a letter from Liling, Imperial Concubine Chen and her lover have been locked up in the prisons it was one of the royal guards his wife turned him in after finding the woman's token in his clothing the emperor granted her divorce and 1000 taels of silver for her honesty" Huiqing seemed frozen before throwing her head back in an unladylike manner and laughed.

"A woman scorned my love" As Huiqing spoke Meihui walked in and smirked placing a kiss on their lord husband's cheek "Our daughters are safe and happy" The two women watched as the man sighed and sunk into the chair "My daughters are the biggest targets in the harem". The man wailed into his hands his wives share a look and frowned at the crying man "Your daughters are the most dangerous people in the harem".

While the prime minister sobbed his wives rubbed his back with wide smiles on their faces, they were not worried.

Xiu sat in her palace enjoying the quiet moments with her children. She hummed a tune softly under her breath when Daiyu rushed in "His Majesty the emperor is on his way here" Xiu just nodded and continued rocking the cradle that held all five of the children, her humming never ceasing even when the emperor strolled into the room "Leave" every attendant quickly cleared out the room while Daiyu and Li Chi guarded the door from the outside.

"You look like a joyous occasion is soon to be announced" Xiu glanced up at the man and smiled "Spending time with our children without schemes and peace is a joyous occasion" The man couldn't help but chuckle a bit while giving her a nod in agreement sitting near her and watching the half-asleep babes.

"They will grow up well, safe and protected" The Emperor mumbled as he gently ran his hand over each of their little heads. Xiu smiled and leaned against him "Of course they will we shall protect them" The unsaid words were easily understood, and agreements were made nonverbally.

The two were not fools the harem was a constant battle to the top of favour and who would get their son on the throne, this led to the children being dragged into their mothers' schemes and battles. Often it caused the death of many imperial children, to protect these children would take a lot out of them but once they were willing.

Xiu watched as her children fell asleep and softly spoke "All their meals will be served with silver, and they will have a person tasting every dish they eat" He Huang nodded in agreement those things will be easy to do "All their guards and most of their attendants will be sent from my brothers and parents" there was a nervous pause and then he realized she was afraid he would say no. Looking down at his beloved he smirked "That is good I will ask that their eunuchs and other palace attendants be hand chosen by Li Chi" Xiu tilted her head and nodded. The two did not speak more about their children's protection and safety instead they basked in the calm and silence. Occasionally sharing kisses and whispering sweet nothings to one another without the worry of being overheard.

Li Chi and Daiyu were having a hard time they knew that their master and mistress wanted peace and quiet so having to send out the women of the harem that insisted on seeing the emperor or having their mouths stuffed was something they hated. Why did their master and mistress have to trust them so? They were exhausted and soon the two were sharing annoyed glances when another Concubine came in this time Li Chi sent her back. He received a slap for his efforts much to Daiyu's shock he did nothing and just sent her away.

"Brother Li why?" Daiyu asked while taking his face in her hands and inspecting the mark left by whoever that woman was. She left scratch marks on his face from her nail guards and Daiyu did not like it. Her frown caused the man to sigh "That was the emperor's second cefei when he was still qinwang she hardly leaves her palace" Daiyu's face seemed to clear of confusion but her frown stayed who did not know the story of the second cefei who was bestowed to the emperor by his brother she was a woman of common background but great talent her only issue was she was barren and the first prince gave her to his brother to mock him.

However, this cefei was in love with the first prince and thought she would become a liangdi so when she was sent to the fourth prince to be his cefei she was furious and heartbroken. The emperor who was the fourth prince at the time took pity on her. He never forced himself on her and treated her well until one day she drugged the emperor and slept with him, to solidify her position instead she gained the man's hatred and was cast aside.

While the emperor still treated her well as her position was that of a secondary wife, he did not love her and refused to see her. Now she was known as the hated concubine. Upon his ascension to Emperor, he refused to raise her above first-class attendant and refused to visit her. She had become a tyrant to her own people.

However, she dared to hit to emperor's personal eunuch and storm off Daiyu could not help but wonder if the emperor did not have that many children because he refused to sleep with the other mentally ailing yet daring mistresses.

However, she knew better than to air these thoughts and lowered her hand from Li Chi's face a blush rising on her cheeks when she realised what she had done. Roulan and Souxin however exchanged two identical smirks it seemed that big sister Daiyu had a crush. When they saw the flaming red cheeks of Li Chi the two grinned yes this was a couple their mistresses would be pleased to hear about.