Chapter Two: Who Will Claim Victory? (Six)

Chapter Six: Loss

After returning from Lady Yun's garden, Xiangbao lay in bed, listless and weak, unable even to lift her arm.

"Madam, it's time for supper," Ziru reminded her yet again from the side.

Having spent most of the day languidly reclining on the couch, Xiangbao still had no desire to move.

"Madam, you should try to eat something," Ziru urged once more.

Xiangbao glanced at her in surprise; when had Ziru ever shown such concern for her? Noticing Xiangbao's puzzled gaze, Ziru blushed and lowered her head, embarrassed and silent. Seeing Ziru's persistence, Xiangbao realized she would not have peace unless she ate something, so she nodded in resignation, "Alright."

Ziru quickly turned to call for the meal.

Seated at the low table, Xiangbao watched as Ziru took plate after plate of elegant pastries and dishes from the handmaid. They all looked delicious, but for some reason, Xiangbao suddenly felt nauseated. Pressing her chest, she bent her head and dry-heaved.

Perhaps because she hadn’t eaten much, she retched for a long time but nothing came out.

"Madam, are you alright?" Ziru asked, slightly alarmed.

Xiangbao weakly patted Ziru’s hand, "I’m fine."

"Are you really alright?" Ziru looked at her with concern.

Xiangbao raised her head, deliberately avoiding the greasy dishes and pastries on the table, "I’m fine. Maybe I was in the sun too long. A little rest and I’ll be fine."

Hearing this, Ziru’s eyes filled with tears.

"Um, what’s the matter?" Xiangbao asked, confused.

"Ziru used to treat Madam poorly, but Madam…" Ziru bit her lip.

Xiangbao blinked, somewhat understanding, and waved her hand, "It’s nothing. You didn’t really harm me."

Ziru said no more, helping Xiangbao back to the couch.

Lying there, the nausea gradually subsided, but Xiangbao could not sleep. Her mind was filled with Xi Shi’s sorrowful expression. Fan Li must have escorted her back, or perhaps… she might have fulfilled her wish to stay by his side?

Now that Xiangbao was in the palace of Wu, there were no more obstacles between them. Imagining them together, Xiangbao slowly raised her hand to her heart. She felt no sadness at all.

Why? Had her heart died already? Was it because her heart was dead that she could no longer feel anger or grief?

She sensed someone lift the curtain and enter, but did not turn around. There was only one person who could walk so openly into her chamber—King Fuchai of Wu. Behind her came the rustle of clothing. Xiangbao closed her eyes and feigned sleep, not looking back.

Soon, someone climbed onto her bed and lay down beside her. She felt him reach out and embrace her from behind, but still did not move. His hand was restrained, simply holding her. Nestled in his arms, Xiangbao gradually felt drowsy.

When she awoke the next morning, the sun was already high in the sky.

Fuchai had left at some point. Xiangbao lay dazed on the couch for a while longer, until Ziru entered to call her up.

"Madam, it's time to wash."

Sitting before the bronze mirror, Xiangbao looked at Ziru with a strange expression—Ziru was actually helping her comb her hair. It was as if the sun had risen in the west.

"Madam, is this better?" Ziru smiled.

Looking at her reflection, Xiangbao had to admit Ziru’s skill was excellent. She squinted, and as she watched, the figure behind her grew blurry, as if the person standing there was Fan Li, as if she had returned to that day before his expedition.

Suddenly dizzy, Xiangbao snapped back to herself. Fan Li’s shadow vanished, leaving only Ziru, full of worry and panic.

"Madam, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing, just… a tightness in my chest," Xiangbao murmured, then felt the world spin and lost consciousness.

"Madam! Madam!" Ziru cried, frantic. "Someone, hurry! Madam has fainted! Someone, hurry!"

The news of Lady Xi Shi’s collapse reached Fuchai in his study, and he left the irate Prime Minister Wu behind, heading straight for Drunken Moon Pavilion.

"Is it joy?" Fuchai tilted his head, looking at Xiangbao, who lay breathing evenly on the couch.

"Yes, congratulations, Your Majesty," the elderly physician trembled, prostrating himself.

Fuchai gazed at Xiangbao’s still-flat abdomen, his eyes indifferent, showing no joy—instead, a hint of coldness. He sat beside her, his cool hand resting through the thin quilt on her belly.

Xiangbao instinctively shivered; darkness swept over her, and she fell again.

"Madam’s health is poor. Go prepare some medicine," he said in a low voice after a while.

"Yes." Someone went off to obey.

After a while, a bowl of dark medicine was brought to Fuchai. He helped Xiangbao up, half cradling her, and spooned the liquid to her lips.

"Good girl, open your mouth," he coaxed softly at her ear.

The unconscious woman frowned, instinctively refusing the medicine. The dark liquid trickled down her pale lips.

He wiped the medicine away, then drank a mouthful himself, leaned close, and kissed her lips. The bitter medicine flowed between their lips and teeth, and he coaxed her, little by little, to swallow it. One mouthful at a time, he fed her until the bowl was empty.

"You all leave and wait outside. Without my order, no one is to leave," he said calmly, setting down the bowl.

The physicians hurried out beyond the curtain.

The room fell quiet, with only the faint sound of her breathing. She slept peacefully in his arms. He looked down at her sleeping face. When she stirred slightly, he noticed immediately, "Awake?"

Xiangbao opened her eyes to see Fuchai, puzzled. "You… I… My mouth tastes so bitter."

"The physician said you are weak. I fed you medicine." He picked up some water and brought it to her lips. "Rinse your mouth, it will help."

Xiangbao rinsed her mouth and felt the bitterness subside.

"Why… are you here?" Realizing she was in his arms, she tried to move, but couldn’t.

He held her upright in his embrace, brushing stray hair from her forehead and gently touched his nose to hers. "What do you think?"

Her pale cheeks flushed, and Xiangbao lowered her eyes, struggling a bit.

"Don’t move," he murmured.

Xiangbao bit her lip. "That Xi Shi…"

He suddenly lowered his head and bit her lips. Xiangbao stared in disbelief; how could he do this in broad daylight?

"I recall saying…" He gently licked her lips. "I don’t care who you are. As long as you stay by my side, that is enough."

Her cheeks burned, and Xiangbao felt a sudden sense of security.

"Mm…" she murmured softly.

He paused, holding her shoulders. "What’s wrong?"

"My stomach… it hurts…" she frowned, clutching her belly as the color drained from her face.

"Someone, come!" Fuchai held her, calling loudly.

The physicians, waiting outside, rushed in.

"It hurts…" Xiangbao pressed her stomach, feeling something twisting inside, as if tearing at her flesh.

The pain was unbearable.

Why, why did it hurt so much…

She bit her lip, desperately trying to endure the pain, struggling to push Fuchai away, wanting to curl herself into a ball as if that would stop the agony.

Fuchai held her tightly, his face dark.

The physicians wiped their brows in terror—the king, usually inscrutable, now wore such an expression.

"Are you all dead?" The cold tone brought a chill to the summer air.

The physicians exchanged helpless looks, pretending to be busy. In such moments, no one could help her; the pain could only be endured by herself. But who dared say that aloud, unless he tired of life.

Sweat soaked her thin robe, blood seeped from her bitten lips, and Xiangbao's face grew worse.

"Out! All of you, get out! Bring the Yue woman!" Fuchai shouted.

The physicians scattered.

Scarlet blood stained the white gown; Xiangbao finally screamed.

It was as if something had been torn from her body.

The pain was unbearable…

When the Yue woman hurried to Drunken Moon Pavilion, Xiangbao was half-reclining on the couch, her eyes half closed, face pale and exhausted. Her black hair, wet with sweat, stuck to her forehead; Fuchai was gently brushing it aside.

"Your Majesty…" After checking her pulse, the Yue woman was startled, "She’s… had a miscarriage?"

"A miscarriage?" A faint voice sounded; Xiangbao opened her eyes to look at the Yue woman.

"You didn’t know you were pregnant?" the Yue woman asked in surprise.

Xiangbao raised her hand in a daze, touching her flat abdomen. "Pregnant? You mean…" She stroked her belly in astonishment—there had been a child here?

"Yes, your body is weak. What could have caused the miscarriage?" The Yue woman frowned.

"Miscarriage?" Xiangbao was still in shock. "You mean… the child is gone?"

She lowered her head and stared at her belly. When she didn’t know, there had been a child. When she learned of it, she had already lost it.

"Sister, I heard you were with child?"

"Lady Yun…" Ziru tried to stop her, but Lady Yun had already entered.

Seeing Fuchai in the room, Lady Yun was momentarily stunned. "Your Majesty?"

"Lady Yun is well-informed," Fuchai said, pulling at his lips.

"I heard it from the palace physicians," Lady Yun explained hurriedly.

"They said Lady Xi Shi miscarried, so you rushed over to visit?" The Yue woman spoke lightly.

"What do you mean?" Lady Yun’s face hardened in anger.

"I heard Lady Xi Shi was punished in Lady Yun’s garden—sitting in the heat. No wonder..."

"You’re slandering me!" Lady Yun was furious and frightened.

Xiangbao sat on the couch, staring blankly at her belly, as if the quarrel could not reach her ears.

Fuchai looked at Xiangbao, then shifted his gaze away, speaking calmly, "I saw it myself."

"Your Majesty!" Lady Yun knelt, "I didn’t know Lady Xi Shi was pregnant… Even so, it was unintentional!"

"Oh." Fuchai glanced at her. "It’s good you admit it."

"Admit?" Lady Yun was stunned.

"Admit it was unintentional."

"Your Majesty…"

"But even an unintentional loss is still a loss," Fuchai said coolly, never looking at her again.

Lady Yun was placed under house arrest in her garden. It was said she cried and wailed every day; Wu Zixu had remonstrated repeatedly, but Fuchai was unmoved.

"What are you thinking about, Madam?" A gentle voice sounded at her ear, warm breath tickling her.

Xiangbao turned her head to look at him, very close, their eyes meeting, their noses touching.

"Your Majesty, what do you think that child would have been like?"

She suddenly spoke. Fuchai was taken aback.

"Do you think it would have been a boy or a girl?" she asked again.

Fuchai pressed his lips together, then pulled her into his arms, "Don’t let your thoughts wander. Rest well."

Obediently, Xiangbao closed her eyes.

"So much sweat," he said, brushing her forehead and feeling a handful of moisture.

"It must be the heat."

"Oh?" Fuchai held her shoulder. "Should the physician look at you?"

"No need."

"So long as you’re truly fine," he said, gathering her back into his arms. "Madam, do you know Shi Lian?"

Shi Lian? What about him? Xiangbao’s heart gave a jolt—had the assassination been discovered?

"He has surrendered," Fuchai smiled, his dark eyes unfathomable.

Shi Lian surrendered? Xiangbao’s heart leapt.

"Your Majesty, Lady Hua Mei has come to visit Madam," Ziru called from outside.

"Do you wish to see her?" Fuchai looked down at the woman in his arms.

Xiangbao nodded.

Fuchai helped her sit up. "I’ll come visit you later."

Standing at the door, Hua Mei and Linglong bowed as Fuchai left Xiangbao’s room. He nodded and strode away.

"Xi Shi, how are you?" As soon as Fuchai left, Hua Mei hurried in.

Xiangbao moved, Ziru quickly supporting her.

"I’m alright," Xiangbao said, forcing a smile on her dry lips.

"You… were really pregnant with the king’s child?" Hua Mei hesitated for a long time before asking.

Xiangbao was slightly stunned.

"Lady Hua, my mistress just suffered a miscarriage; she’s very weak," Ziru interjected.

Xiangbao frowned lightly, saying nothing, gazing at Hua Mei with a vacant look.

"Rest well. I’ll visit again when you’re better," Hua Mei softened her tone, finally leaving with Linglong.

As she followed Hua Mei, Linglong glanced back at Xiangbao, her eyes full of jealousy and resentment. Watching them depart, Xiangbao remained dazed on the couch. Hua Mei… she had come to remind her not to forget her identity, not to forget her mission.

Even if the child had survived, they would never have tolerated its existence.

"Madam, are you alright?" Ziru asked worriedly, seeing her distracted.

Xiangbao shook her head, suddenly feeling exhausted, closed her eyes, and spoke no more.