Chapter 5
"I need details!"
Hua barely made it back in time for lunch. Just as she was about to enjoy a light soup her servants had prepared Jing barged into her room.
"I'm trying to eat Jing."
Hua was too tired to even attempt to be social.
Jing wouldn't relent and Hua eventually did tell her about the unplanned rendezvous with their shared husband. Ai turned up somewhere in the middle of the story. She was originally looking for Hua as she had not shown up to practice their instruments. However, Ai ended up listening to Jing and Hua speak of what it meant to be Lord Shen's wife now that he had bedded her. The three peahens enjoyed each other's company even if Hua wished they'd leave so she could rest.
"What did you do?!"
And now the mood had soured at the arrival of Genji. Just like Jing and Ai she did not ask permission to enter and had simply walked into Hua's room.
"How did you manage to crawl your pathetic existence into Lord Shen's bed?"
Hua just wanted to be left alone right now.
"The same way you did." Hua glared at Genji. "He asked me to."
Genji began running her mouth with insults which led Jing to intervene on Hua's behalf. Meanwhile, Ai decided to go back to her own room as she had grown bored. Jing eventually led the fight outside to which Hua immediately ordered her servants to make sure she was left alone in peace till dinner. She would thank and apologize to Jing later.
The next few months were anything but uneventful. Jing again had laid an unfertile egg much to Lord Shen's displeasure. Genji grew paranoid once Lord Shen started asking for Hua over herself or even Jing. She knew it was because she hadn't even laid an egg let alone a fertile one. And as time passed Genji knew her position in the annex would grow weaker if she didn't lay an egg soon. Ai continued to be a drinking companion to Lord Shen. This came in handy when a banquet was held to wish Lord Shen luck as he was off to conquer another part of China. Hua continued to slowly become Lord Shen's favorite wife. And on the night of the banquet, he requested Hua to sing. As a good wife should be she agreed with little hesitation. The melody she sang put a calm over the room that lulled many of the drunk attendees to sleep where they lay. This resulted in the banquet coming to an end. Lord Shen did not take a wife to bed that night.
On the days of Lord Shen's absence, more mischief was happening between the wives. Genji was working hard to plant her trusted aides wherever she could. Jing was doing everything to make sure things didn't go Genji's way. And Ai was pulling more elaborate pranks on both the palace staff and guards. Hua found herself hiding in her room more often these days. Even Jing wasn't given permission to bother her. However, no one could ignore Hua as the annex doctor was summoned to the secluded room. Lord Shen had it made in the center of the annex for protection. Filled to the brim with the finest clothes, silk, and cushions. It was where both Ai and Jing went to lay their eggs.
"Is Hua alright?"
Ai stood by Jing's side listening in the hallway to the servants aiding the doctor.
"I think so."
Jing had a feeling this would happen. She just prayed it would happen with Lord Shen around. Because without his presence Hua's future could be in severe danger right now.
Roughly an hour had passed with Genji even joining in with Jing and Ai as they waited for the annex doctor. When the sound of excited cheers exited from the secluded room dread entered Genji's blood while Ai and Jing seemed elated. It was Hua's most trusted servant who approached the three wives to inform them of the situation.
"Lady Hua has laid an egg." The servant proclaimed happily. "Doctor says it is too soon to tell if it is fertile or not. It might take a few weeks to determine."
Jing and Ai knew that was a lie. The annex doctor was always able to determine the validity of an egg within three days at least. But Genji wouldn't know this. Jing knew she had selected the right people to serve Hua.
"Bullshit!"
Genji stomped her way past the servant much to the goose's protest. Jing also attempted to stop the mad peahen, but Genji wouldn't relent. The three wives entered the secluded room and froze at the sight before them. Surrounded by pillows and blankets of the finest quality Hua sat hunched over a single egg.
"Hua!"
Ai rushed to the exhausted peahen's side wishing nothing more than to give her a hug.
"Hello, Ai."
Hua couldn't meet her level of enthusiasm. Now everyone and anything seemed insignificant compared to the egg she currently was shielding with her body. She wanted to cry in joy at the sight of this helpless being. But a part of her held back any hope. All the eggs before this one were not fertile. Why would her egg be any different?
Genji stormed out of the room shoving passed a pleased Jing.
"Congratulations Hua."
"Thank you, Jing." Hua caressed her egg tenderly. "But I don't even know if this shell has life yet."
"You'll know."
It was Jing's words of encouragement that allowed Hua to feel a small drop of hope.
Lord Shen was nearing the end of his conquest when a palace messenger arrived at his tent.
"What is it?"
Shen didn't care at the moment what was going on at home. No one has been a significant threat to his rule since the defeat of the Dragon Warrior. So, nothing needed to be urgently addressed in his mind.
"A letter from the annex, Sire."
The annex? Lord Shen allowed the messenger to approach close enough for the peacock to retrieve the letter. As Lord Shen opened the scroll his loyal guards watched their master in silent anticipation. It was only by the widening of his pupils that the guards knew it was something important.
"Three days. We are to end this battle in three days."
"Yes, My Lord!"
Lord Shen's advisors will certainly cry in protest. But what is the point of having people work for you if they can't do their jobs without your presence? Plus, this letter confirming the arrival of a fertile egg being delivered by Hua would keep their useless mouths shut. An heir, finally Lord Shen has a viable heir.
Hua never left the secluded room especially after the annex doctor confirmed her child was indeed alive and growing. Jing understood and became a silent partner for her as the days passed. Two months was all that was needed for this egg to hatch. But a lot can happen in two months, especially with Lord Shen away at the moment. A messenger was sent out on the fourth day and with five days to reach Lord Shen Hua had to be vigilant. Lord Shen needed an heir that was acknowledged. But certain individuals would prefer that Lord Shen's heir would be born by the wife of their choosing. And Hua was fully aware she wasn't the wife of anyone's choosing other than Lord Shen himself. Jing's supporters did support Hua since that is what Jing wanted. But even Hua knew that all it takes is trusting the wrong person once. And her child wasn't something she was willing to gamble with.
"Are you sure it's even alive?"
Genji asked pushing past a battered servant that had clearly tried to block her from entering.
"Genji!"
"It's a harmless question."
Genji approached the elaborate layout that housed Hua and the viable heir. Hua immediately took a defensive position over her child. Genji shouldn't know yet that the egg is indeed alive with life.
"It's a cruel question."
Jing stood between Hua and Genji. Her plans were coming to fruition Jing didn't need Genji ruining it.
"You look at me like I'm some sort of monster."
"All women know that the most dangerous monster is a woman green with envy."
Normally Genji would storm out in anger at this point. Instead, she held her ground with a proud smirk.
"What do you want Genji?"
Hua pulled Jing back to protect her egg while she faced off against Genji. This only increased Genji's ambitious look in her eye.
"Just thought I would make a peace offering."
Immediately Hua's feathers stood upright. Something wasn't right.
"What is your offer."
"At least you are willing to listen, unlike Sister Jing."
Hua ignored her mocking tone and continued to wait for Genji's offer.
"Give me your egg."
Time froze. Jing's eyes bulged out of their sockets while Hua didn't react.
"How dare you!"
Jing yelled at Genji with absolute rage. Hua didn't speak which encouraged Genji to continue.
"I'm speaking facts here. Hua has no family support. Your family supports her for now Jing. But what if you give Lord Shen an heir one day? Do you think your family will continue to support your decision to aid Hua? If she gives the egg to me, I will treat it as my own. My family will support it because there is no family to compete against. And I'm sure Lord Shen would want what gives the child a higher chance of survival-AH!"
Hua lost her patience and slapped Genji across the face with such harsh force she fell to the floor. Genji held her cheek in stunned silence.
"Guards!"
Hua called as she headed back to be by her child's side.
"Miss Hua?"
Two guards entered the room trying to figure out what happened. Jing helped Hua back into the makeshift nest while Genji continued to be silent on the floor.
"Genji had an accident please see to it that she gets to the doctor."
That sentence set Genji off, and she began to curse Hua out and prayed for the egg to be as dead as a rock. Hua didn't react but held her head low. The guards were watching and listening to everything. And unlike the servants, they couldn't be bought by Genji or Jing. Hua needed to be the victim here, not Genji.
"Miss Genji." A guard assisted Genji to her feet but wouldn't allow her to move closer to Hua. "I suggest we get you to the doctor."
"You! How dare you!"
Genji yelled her head off as the guards all but dragged her out of Hua's room. Jing caught on to Hua's plan, so she hid her expression behind her dress sleeve to appear more timid.
"Please rest Miss Hua and Miss Jing."
The fact the guard addressed Hua first spoke thousands of words. Hua was winning over Lord Shen's guards. Jing grew pleased at this huge leap to her own plan succeeding.
"I'm tired today, Jing."
"I've overstayed my welcome. Please rest well Hua."
Once Jing left Hua did start to cry. Every word Genji said had held a shred of truth. No family was around to support Hua which meant her child would be fighting to survive from the moment he hatches.
"I'm sorry. I hope you can forgive your mommy."
Lord Shen arrived almost two weeks after the letter was first sent out. Again, all his wives were present to welcome him back home to his palace. Or at least almost all of his wives were present. Hua's absence was immediately noticeable. Lord Shen wasted no time and made his way to the annex. He ordered that no one disturb him as he entered the secluded room. Hua's ladies-in-waiting tended to the egg while Hua slept peacefully on a temporary bed. But once Lord Shen entered everyone froze in place.
"Leave us."
They only hesitated in leaving to ensure the egg was secure and safe within the nest. Once they left Lord Shen's gaze moved between Hua's sleeping form and the egg that held his heir. Shen decided to leave Hua to rest for now and approached their child. Their child, such a concept left him confused. He needed an heir and finally got a fertile egg, and now the heir was here Lord Shen could only wonder if this would change his Hua.
"My heir."
Lord Shen knelt into the nest to examine the egg more closely. It appeared like any other egg to him. There was no special emotion as he gazed upon the light speckling around the shell. But he was pleased that it hadn't been damaged in any way during his absence. Shen imagined that was greatly due to Jing's efforts to keep inside enemies at bay. He would have to reward her later.
"My Lord?"
Lord Shen closed his eyes at the sound of Hua's voice. How he missed it.
"Am I dreaming?"
Lord Shen could only chuckle at that.
"Are you sure it's a dream and not a nightmare?"
Shen listened to the sheets shuffling from Hua's movements to exit the bed. She approached her husband cautiously before coming to kneel by his side to gaze at their unhatched child. Silence passed between the two for only a moment when Hua took a daring move to lay her head on Lord Shen's shoulder.
"You've returned. How could that be a nightmare?"
Lord Shen smiled at her words as they continued to watch their egg in contentment.
When the day came for the egg to hatch Lord Shen was in the palace dealing with a pouting Genji. He had placed her on restrictions after hearing how she treated Hua. And she hadn't stopped whining about it since. If Shen had to hear one more time that she was the victim, he would lose his temper. The only thing that kept him tame, for the most part, was that her family is a large supporter of his rule. She wasn't even supposed to be in the palace but snuck in with the palace staff. The staff would have to be reprimanded later. Genji was about to beg for understanding one more time when the annex doctor's assistant requested an audience.
"Enter!"
Lord Shen would take any excuse to get Genji out of his feathers.
"My Lord. Miss Hua's egg… it's hatching."
Genji was escorted back to her room while Lord Shen traveled to the secluded room. The ladies-in-waiting and doctor's assistant held their breath in anticipation. Hua watched over her egg holding a heavy breath with each new crack in the shell. Shen stood at the door keeping a watchful eye for any possible enemies. But when a small fluffy white thing began to pop out of the shell Shen abandoned his post.
"My Lord?" Hua called to her husband. "He lives."
A young lord. A true heir for Lord Shen to mold into the perfect ruler.
Shen admired the joyful look on Hua's face as she watched their son try to figure out how to maneuver out of the egg completely. But he couldn't help but think how ugly the thing appeared to be. True it hadn't yet opened his eyes and could only cry for attention now. But Lord Shen truly did hope it wouldn't stay this pathetic for long.
"Will you name him?"
Hua asked while she gently pulled her son from his egg prison into her warm embrace. Lord Shen thought for only a moment. He hadn't put much thought into any names for his first heir. So, he offered the first thing that he could think of in this moment.
"De. He is De from now on."
"De." Hua tried it on her tongue before cooing at their son. "Your father has named you De. You must cherish it."
Lord Shen approached his wife to look closer at his heir. Maybe Hua will relax and sing again now that their son has hatched. Lord Shen could only hope. If having a child ruined his currently favorite wife Lord Shen was prepared to have a doctor make her infertile. He suffered too long to think of not having everything he wanted in perfect condition.
The palace painter had been on stand-by when news of an heir possibly being born reached Lord Shen's ears. Only when the annex doctor permitted it did the painter enter the room. Immediately he sketched a rough draft of the beautiful scene before him. Once this was painted it would be his biggest pride. A lord and his wife watched over their freshly hatched prince.