Chapter 8

Hua awoke to the feeling of a cool cloth being wiped gently against her cheek. Heavily exhausted, Hua urged her heavy eyelids to flutter open. One of Jing's servants appeared to be tending to the peahen. For a moment Hua just looked at her surroundings. She was in her assigned bedroom in the annex. Same ceiling, bed, and sheets but no ladies-in-waiting that she had come to trust. Most importantly she did not hear the sound of her son's laughter or labored breath.

"De?"

"My Lady!" Jing's servant dropped the bowl she was carrying in fright.

It had been almost two days since Hua passed out from exhaustion and relief over finding the cure.

"Where's my son?"

"He lives." Lord Shen appeared in the bedroom doorway.

Immediately Hua looked away from her husband. Her cheek began to burn as she remembered the slap. Hua couldn't say she never expected to be slapped by Lord Shen. But the illusion he had placed her in as the favorite wife made her forget of the possibility. Hua knew she did nothing to deserve the slap but as Lord Shen's wife if he deemed it necessary then it was necessary. And the perfect wife does not argue with her perfect husband. Hua needed to stay a perfect wife for her family back home and for her son here in the annex. She married him to save her loved ones from his wrath. Now she needed to protect her son.

"Leave us."

The servant didn't hesitate to leave. Her loyalty was to Jing not to Hua.

Lord Shen could not say definitively that he regretted hitting Hua. He did not mean to cut her cheek in the process though. But his heir was dying, and she was in the way. Could she not see that he worked hard for her? So that she would remain the perfect wife. If the child died Lord Shen knew that Hua would become useless.

"Our son is recovering."

Hua finally looked at her husband with such joy Lord Shen couldn't help but frown. His heir surviving gets a joyful response while his hard work goes unrecognized.

"The culprit?"

Lord Shen gazed at his bride's figure. Even now she appeared ethereal as she lay weak in bed. But the cloth that covered her cheek made his chest feel heavy. Instead of answering his wife Lord Shen approached her bedside. He was displeased that the closer he got the more uncomfortable Hua appeared to be. But she stayed obediently still even if she couldn't bring herself to look at her husband.

"A guard came forward saying he believed it was the work of his brother."

That got Hua curious enough to look at Lord Shen with a questioning gaze.

"His…brother?"

"I didn't know what to think of it either. But the guard was correct about his brother's involvement. We found the vial he used hidden under the floorboard in his room. When he was questioned after some…grueling hours of interrogation he confessed. He was one of the guards on watch waiting for a moment to slip De the poison. The events of that day appear to have just been pure unplanned circumstances. Taking the opportunity the guard slipped the poison to De while he slept. When questioned what he had to gain from this he said, 'I couldn't allow such a weak thing to be your successor, My Lord.' As if he was doing me a favor. How amusing."

Hua couldn't agree with Lord Shen's amusement over their son's poisoning. Instead, she could only feel guilt that even those who are loyal to Lord Shen would bring harm to her son. Where would her son find safety if not even in his own home?

"He will be dealt with soon. The guard that came forward is also imprisoned at the moment with your ladies-in-waiting. I'm waiting for your recovery to decide their fate. A gift for the trouble that has left you distraught to the point of exhaustion."

Hua looked away from her husband to examine her feather's pointless in thought. Lord Shen, however, didn't allow her to look away. He gripped Hua's chin pulling her face back in his direction.

"You should take better care of yourself."

Hua couldn't tell if that was a genuine concern or a warning.

"I will do better, My Lord."

Holding her chin, Hua's covered cheek glared at Lord Shen bringing that heavy feeling in his chest back in full force. Was he feeling guilty for wounding Hua?

"I will have the doctor tend to your wound immediately."

"If he is tending to De I'll be fine waiting."

"…I won't."

Hua felt her cheeks grow hot in admiration and embarrassment at her Lord's words. When did she become so weak to her husband's whims?

"Thank you, My Lord."

Lord Shen finally smiled. He had gotten his Hua back to the way he liked. He knew that a neglected flower could grow bright again under the right care. She wasn't her perfect self yet but with time Lord Shen was confident Hua would become perfect again.

"Can I see our son?"

Lord Shen tried not to frown at Hua. It's common for a mother to want to be by her child's side. Jing mentioned that De would want his mother as well. And that their bond would help them recover faster.

"I'll have someone bring him later to you." Lord Shen sat at the end of Hua's feet before laying down to rest on Hua's lap. "I have a headache."

Without question, Hua began humming gently while massaging Lord Shen's temples. Both enjoyed each other's company for the first time since De's poisoning.

Lord Shen finally left Hua to recover, he did not bed her as much as he desired to. And as he promised Lord Shen had De moved to Hua's bedroom for the time being. Both mother and son were happy to be reunited. Young Master De was overcome with such joy at the sight of his mother he uttered his first words by calling out to his mother. Jing and her servants celebrated with Hua over De's first words. Lord Shen was of course immediately notified of the fact. He simply smiled and had the moment written in the royal family records.

Once both were fully deemed Lord Shen's trusted guard escorted a recovered Hua to the dungeons. Immediately Hua's ladies-in-waiting began to call out for their mistress.

"Silence!" One of the guards banged against the iron bars scarring the servants into being quiet.

"All of you have failed me, you failed Lord Shen and put his heir in danger. Why should you be forgiven?"

Hua loved her servants dearly. They were by her side when she first arrived, helped her after Lord Shen bedded her for the first time, and kept all away when De still resided in his shell. But once he had hatched all of them seemed to have become lenient in their duties. Hua was sure that De being such an easy-going child made their laziness easier to act out on. Part of her still loved her servants but what they did was unforgivable.

"We don't deserve to be forgiven."

It was Hua's most trusted servant that spoke for the ladies-in-waiting. All had their foreheads pressed firmly against the ground.

"Your life lies in your servitude. Your future rests in my hands. Continue to kneel here until I have made up my mind."

"Yes, My Lady!"

Hua already knew what she was going to do with her ladies-in-waiting. However, there was one soul that left her dumbfounded.

Having the guard lead her to the other cell, Hua had the guard stand back to give some form of privacy. Sitting quietly at the back of the cell sat the guard who had come to give her his regards and prayers for De's recovery. He appeared to be roughly Hua's age if not a little older. The tip of his ears appeared grey while the rest of him was black as night. The most noticeable feature though was his striking amber eyes.

"My Lady?" The guard immediately stood to bow at the peahen.

Hua stepped closer to the wolf in the cell with little hesitation. She was confident the metal bars would be strong enough to keep her safe.

"What's your name?"

"Bolin, My Lady."

"You betrayed your brother."

Hua wasted no time in her interrogation of Bolin.

"I served my master."

Hua regarded the wolf named Bolin quietly. Such undying loyalty is a great weapon to keep.

"He will be killed."

"I know."

"Were you not close?"

"Not close enough for me to ever consider betraying Lord Shen."

"Did you know?"

"No… not at first. I had a hunch though." Bolin stood from his bow to approach the iron bars that separated him from the peahen. "My brother did not act alone. I don't know who he is protecting but I know he never had a problem with Young Master De until recently."

Hua stared at the wolf looking for any trace of lies.

"Have you sworn loyalty to Lord Shen?"

"Not yet. I must pass an exam before being allowed such an honor."

"Do you think he will accept you after this?"

"If he doesn't, I will live the rest of my life doing my best to regain his trust. And I will do my best to be the guard that Young Master De deserves. Or I will die trying."

Bolin studied the peahen as much as she had studied him. In the dark, she appeared as a frightening creature. A stark contrast compared to when he spoke with her when she tended to Young Master De. He was proud to call himself a guard until he confirmed his suspicions of his stupid brother. But here in this horrid dungeon where one couldn't sleep from the haunted spirits that dwelled in the walls. There was no sense of pride to be found. But here under the peahen's gaze, Bolin wanted to stand tall and be proud. He wanted to prove he was still useful.

"Thank you, Bolin."

Bolin retreated from the bars to bow respectfully.

Hua spoke no more words as she was escorted out of the dungeon. So many decisions needed to be made. But first Hua was requested by Lord Shen to his throne room after her visit to the dungeons. A deep pit formed in the center of her stomach. Even an idiot could figure out why she was being summoned. Her son's poisoner had officially run out of time.

Approaching the throne room Hua's feathers began to frill. A sinister laughter of mockery echoed so powerfully that it emitted from beyond the doors that separated the throne room from the hall Hua and her escort stood in.

"Miss, Hua…I suggest you try to keep your distance."

It was a kind idea from her escort. But Hua knew that if she acted that way her position could be put in jeopardy again.

"A wife stands by her husband no matter what."

Hua didn't know it, but she had gained another supporter by her escort. He watched in awe while Hua confidently had the doors opened by her presence. She could not turn back now.

"Hua."

Lord Shen purred at the sight of his favorite wife. What normally made Hua blush with excitement now sent a shiver of fear down her spine. A wild look had taken hold in Lord Shen's eyes. Her husband normally appeared clean no matter what the scenario. However, the small pools of blood at his feet destroyed this illusion of cleanliness. Bolin's brother had been forced onto his knees while his blood leaked out from small cuts that littered his body. At the sight of Hua, the poisoner's eyes narrowed in hatred. He was blaming Hua for being punished by Lord Shen for his own actions.

"Come. Come." Lord Shen had a servant hold his spear while encouraging Hua to come closer. "I need you here my dear Hua."

Hua obediently and hesitantly stepped forward to stand by Lord Shen's side. Everyone else in the room seemed invisible under the maddening stare of her husband. Lord Shen roughly grabbed her wrist to pull Hua to his side.

"This my dear Hua is the insect that snuck into my palace. And dared to threaten my heir." Hua froze hearing how cold Lord Shen's voice became. "Now his talons have been clipped and fangs have been pulled. He is no threat to our son."

Hua could see that Lord Shen had indeed pulled out the poisoner's fangs. Streams of blood had dried around the poisoner's mouth. Hua wanted to feel mercy for the young wolf. But the memory of her son nearly dying made Hua feel nothing for the poisoner. Maybe that was the fear she was feeling instead of her husband's behavior. All fear left Hua's body though when the poisoner smiled mockingly at Hua.

"Hope you and your bloody spawn learned a valuable lesson."

Lord Shen immediately went to grab his spear but froze when Hua left his side to slap the poisoner across the face. She wasn't as strong as Lord Shen or the guards who swore their lives to Lord Shen. But even they could not deny the strength of a mother's fury.

"I did learn a valuable lesson indeed."

Hua looked down at the stunned wolf with cold stone eyes. Lord Shen stood by Hua's side with an approving smile. Bringing his spear, Lord Shen placed the weapon in Hua's grip. He held onto it as well knowing full well she wouldn't be able to wield it properly.

"It's time to send a message to any other insect that dares enter here."

In a daze, Hua could not process her firm grip on the weapon. The look of fear and regret that stained the poisoner's face appeared blank in Hua's eyes. And the feeling of Lord Shen guiding her into the swinging motion for execution seemed nothing more than a gentle breeze brushing past her skin. It wasn't until the blade from the spear contacted the poisoner's neck that Hua finally blinked back into existence. By then, however, the poisoner had been successfully executed by both Lord Shen and Hua. It wasn't a clean cut leaving the head of the poisoner hanging on hopelessly to the lifeless body while blood gushed out in an endless attempt to make contact with the brain. It was only then that Hua collapsed to her knees and began to shed tears. Of sorrow, regret, or relief Hua did not know only that her tears would not cease.

Lord Shen kneeled by his bride's side and whispered tenderly into her ear.

"You did well." Hua could not feel pride in his words. "You best have yourself cleaned up before night comes."

At his words, Hua stared at Lord Shen in both terror and amazement. They had just killed their son's poisoner and he wanted to end the night with her in his bed. But as usual, Hua was an obedient bride and could only nod while her tears continued to fall.

Gifting her swift kiss on the cheek, Lord Shen called for the guards to hang the poisoner's body in the center of the city as a warning. Then, he called for his servants to both escort Hua back to the annex and clean up the mess in his throne room.

Lord Shen watched while Hua was escorted away with a small smile. Yes, his dear Hua once again placed herself even higher than his expectations. When nightfall came, Hua merely hesitated for a short moment before entering his embrace. Lord Shen had an unpleasant thought while he held her in his grasp. Did his parents hate him because they were too entrapped with one another's existence? Would Hua come to hate their son if he could get her to value himself above all others? As usual, Hua sensed his mood change and called him back into the present. Lord Shen had to take a moment to admire her naïve eyes. She had such little knowledge of the danger his temper was close to committing. The idea of her being anything but perfect or like his mother would make her useless. If Hua had left him to his memories his unpleasant thoughts would consume him. And Hua might have been spared for the night of her bedroom duties. However, as days pass would Lord Shen eventually kill her if he believed it was necessary. But Lord Shen knew that was something Hua could never bring herself to do. To turn away from De as Shen was by his parents was not something she could do.

Back in the present, Lord Shen was not gentle with Hua. She cried in protest at times, but Lord Shen could not hear her pleads. Right now, he just wanted to exist in the moment with his dear Hua. Her discomfort would be trained out of her with time. And when morning came Lord Shen will keep Hua in his grasp. He will have his perfect wife again.

Morning peaked through the curtain into Lord Shen's room. It cast an elegant glow on the sleeping pair that were cocooned in the fine silk sheets that bore witness to their nightly activities. Lord Shen had woken up hours prior to Hua. Unlike their first night when he escaped the sheets as soon as possible, Lord Shen enjoyed staying in bed with his dear Hua after the torture he once again had put her through.

Only when Hua began to stir awake did Lord Shen ask her an important question.

"What was the valuable lesson that you learned?"

Hua did not face her husband and continued to lay still in his arms. Had she gone mad for enjoying having Lord Shen's attention to herself after they executed their son's poisoner?

"If my talons aren't strong enough to succeed then I must ally myself with one whose talons can help me succeed."

"A truly valuable lesson indeed."

Lord Shen hummed in agreement making Hua feel warm inside. Was she becoming as depraved as the woman in the brothels who longed for any positive attention they could get?

"My Lord?"

"Yes."

"Can you pardon my ladies-in-waiting?"

"Why would I do that?"

"They failed in their duty. And I believe they won't do it again. I can't forget all the times they had successfully protected me and De from others." Hua finally turned to look at her husband. "I have faith that certain people are always open to second chances."

Lord Shen sighed heavily before consenting to Hua's ridiculous request. He didn't believe in second chances but did agree that servants who had never failed before in their duties would learn from this moment to never fail again. Also, he would never admit aloud that even he would not have suspected one of his guards to be the poisoner.

"My Lord?"

"Yes."

"I want to give De a guard to call his own."

It wasn't a bad idea. Lord Shen just wished this woman would ask him for something for herself instead of others especially if it was something that only he could give her. His Hua needed some more training on being selfish it would seem.

"…Who do you have in mind?"

Hua hesitated to answer when she sensed his mood shift. But if she backed out now Lord Shen might never grant her request for De's personal guard again.

"…Bolin, My Lord."