"Who is that?" Yan Ruo's voice resounded across the empire hall as the door creaked open, revealing a slim white haired man from afar. Seeing his presence, she climbed off her throne, walking carefully down from stairs until she got to a levelled ground. "What is the stats on my husband? Has he been found?"
"General Yan, today marks the second week your husband, King Ji Weilan vanished from on his trip to get a treaty between Xiangdu Dynasty and Tianshu City. There has been no world from he nor his subjects. "
Bang!
Yan Ruo felt a sharp pain needing her in her legs. She gripped her protruding belly with her right hand breathing heavily.
"My Highness, please take your seat! You can't be troubled. You are six months pregnant!" A lady wearing red ran to the rescue, supporting Yan Ruo behind with a soft cushion.
"I apologize, General Yan. The guards are still on watch." The imperial physician bowed low with his voice trembling greatly. His eyes darkened as he clenched harder to his divine rod.
"Reports on the Yan empire..."
He looked away from the stern gaze of Yan Ruo, biting his fingers nervously. "The Yan Empire isn't getting any better. A mad virus is spreading—merciless and unnatural. People are going insane and dying. People are eating each other. We fear it's… a cultivation curse. We must consult the divine gods."
"Chu Mian, I want to go to the balcony." She winced slightly, taking off her shoes and walking barefooted through the lavender blooming pathway. Now, Yan Ruo stood by the frost-laced windows of the Phoenix Jade Hall, her hands folded tightly before her.
Outside, the once-thriving capital of Yan Empire had turned into a shadow of itself. Smoke curled above rooftops. Screams echoed through alleys.
"Have the southern borders fallen?" she asked, every part of her reeking in pains.
The physician hesitated. "Not yet, but the generals report the infected are breaching the fire walls to attack the uninfected. The Sacred Army of Lu has gone silent. And the beasts... even spirit-bound ones are returning. I fear the world is coming to an end! Could this be the divine apocalypse that will wipe away people just like that wizard, Li Zhenyu prophesied"
Yan Ruo's gaze dropped to the jade pendant at her waist—the last gift her daughter had given her before being hidden deep inside the imperial vaults for safety and on hearing the name, she clenched to her fist harder.
"Consult the divine gods! Get anything to ensure we end this madness." Yan Ruo's cold voice rang out and the imperial physician dared not to refute her words. He excused himself instantly, leaving Yan Ruo alone.
"Why must all this happen? Not when I'm expecting a child there months from now." She crotched over the wooden bars, resting her head on her palms with hope all lost. Her husband was nowhere to be found, her daughter had to be locked up away to prevent being infected by the Mad virus going around.
"Madam Yan, you haven't eaten since yesterday and it is not good for the baby. You need food and rest. You have all hands on deck, you can't fail your father or your empire." She had never seen her mistress so vulnerable and helpless.
Day and night, Chu Mian wondered if a day would come when Yan Ruo will be this helpless? She took two steps away from Yan Ruo to properly examine her.
"Ji Weilan, you must return safely. Your wife needs you. Yaoyao needs you, this baby needs a father! You can't die, your Kingdom, your mom, your dad, the people ---everyone needs you alive." She clasped her hands together, eyes squeezed shut as she muttered a prayer to whatever gods still watched over them, hoping for a sign, for some strength to carry on.
As she finished her quiet plea, she took in a deep breath, preparing to return to the hall. But before she could move, a sharp, unbearable pain shot through her stomach, causing her to gasp in agony. She collapsed against the wooden railing, clutching at her abdomen, her face contorting in pain. "Chu Mian, it hurts," She managed to whisper weakly, her face paling.
Chu Mian's heart skipped a beat. She rushed to her mistress's side, holding Yan Ruo with trembling hands. "Where does it hurt, Madam Yan?" Yan Ruo winced again, her breath hitching in her chest.
"My sto--ma--ch," She gasped incorrigible words, her face pale as the pain intensified. Her hands trembled, unable to release her grip on her abdomen.
Chu Mian's eyes widened in horror when she spotted a dark trickle of blood seeping through the fabric of Yan Ruo's gown. Panic surged through her. "Help! Madam Yan is having a miscarriage!"
*********
FLASHBACK, A week before>>>
"Must you leave? You can send Lin Yufeng to go to your country and get the treaty signed. I can't risk the father of my unborn child going out in this disastrous apocalypse." Yan Ruo murmured coldly, hissing with her lips pouted so tightly.
"And nothing will happen to me. It is just a walkthrough the garden for a king like me. I have taken the supplies I feel I would need, the carriage is ready and also, I forgot one thing..." A sleek smile spread across Ji Weilan's cheeks as he knelt down in front of her. "Happy 2nd year of getting married to you, Yan Ruo."
"Oh my! I forgot today was our wedding anniversary. I didn't get you anything. See what these hormones are doing to my body, Weilan! It's your fault."
"It's truly my fault darling. I can't resist such a sexy war goddess like you and you make such pretty babies. Everyday I take Yaoyao to bed, I just have this spark of getting you pregnant. My limit is twelve!"
"JI WEILAN!" Ruo screamed, hitting him gently on his shoulders. "I'm not a baby producing factory. In as much as I love you, I love my body. I need rest and that means abstinence from you!"
They both laughed loudly, holding each other in a hug. "I guess this is goodbye right?"
"Yes and in a week's time I would be back."
"May the divine gods lead you to your destination safely. I love you Ji Weilan."
"I love you too..."
********
Two Days Later>>>
"Madam Yan..."
"Leave my room. Chu Mian, I don't want to hear anything, I don't want to even look at you. Everything you say or do is an eyesore---in fact everyone! Just get out! Get out!" The raging sound from Yan Ruo was enough to scare Chu Mian out of the door. The door shut with a bang and Chu Mian let out a sigh, her arms holding the tray of medicine.
"She sent you out too, Chu Mian?"
"My lady, yes she did. She doesn't want to eat or leave that room. She has been clinging to Master Ji's robe and sobbing all morning. I don't know what to do. I'm scared and she needs to eat, she just had a miscarriage two days ago."
"Let's leave her alone for now."
"Is there truly no one who can cheer her up? What of Yaoyao? You can bring her up to the quarters and to have her play with Madam Yan for a bit."
"And risk Yaoyao getting the mad virus? Oh no, Yaoyao is the only kin the Yan Empire has. We can't risk it." Lady Shao, the female divine healer and a friend to Yan Ruo cautioned. Lady Shao gave Chu Mian a lingering glance before wrapping her shawl tighter around her shoulders. "I'll speak with the royal physician and see if we can craft something stronger to help ease her mind. But remember this, Chu Mian—emotions are fragile, especially when drowned in grief. Don't make any rash decisions."
Chu Mian bowed her head, lips pressed into a thin line. "I understand, Lady Shao."
With a soft sigh, Lady Shao turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing against the stone corridor until they faded into silence.
As soon as she was out of sight, Chu Mian's demeanor shifted. Her eyes glinted with firm resolve. "Having Yaoyao for just one day wouldn't cause any harm. What is life if the one meant to live it has no will to go on?" She clenched her fists. "I'd rather die than watch Madam Yan suffer in such despair one more day!"
Without a second thought, Chu Mian slipped away from the main quarters. She made her way to the eastern wing of the palace, where the inner room—designated for uninfected citizens, mainly women and children—was securely guarded.
Approaching the hallway discreetly, she waited until the royal guards rotated shifts. In a swift motion, she darted across the corridor. The scent of herbs and burning incense filled the dimly lit hall. She moved silently past the commoner quarters and arrived at the smaller chamber housing the children.
Peeking inside, she saw them—little ones huddled on their mats, drawing, humming lullabies, or curled under soft blankets. At the far end of the room, a child with jet-black hair tied in two buns and wearing a pale pink robe was seated by the window, looking out toward the distant hills.
Chu Mian exhaled in relief. "Yaoyao…" she whispered.
The girl turned, eyes wide, and broke into a smile. "Chu Mian! Is it time to see my mommy?"
Chu Mian crouched at the doorway and opened her arms. "Yes, little blossom. But you must be very quiet, okay? It's a surprise for your mommy."
Yaoyao ran into her arms, barely able to contain her joy. "I missed her so much! I drew something for her too!"
"No time, sweetheart. You can show her when we get there."
Carefully, Chu Mian pulled up the child's hood and held her close, scanning the hallway before sneaking back toward the imperial quarters.
"Did something happen to Mommy?"