Bao Ji (Lia)
The past five days felt like I was living in hell.
Every time I tried standing, the pain reminded me: "Not today."
But if I sat too long, the pain came back just to haunt me again.
Every time I remembered the Emperor spending time with Bao Si, I nearly launched myself out the window.
My maid, poor thing, repeated the same three sentences every single day:
"My lady, you shouldn't stand."
"My lady, don't jump out the window."
(Which I tried many times, but got caught every single time.)
"My lady, sit down."
She said it so much that her voice now haunts me in my sleep.
The last five days:
The eunuch brought the physician every single morning
—to check my injury and change the bandage.
As if I would magically heal overnight.
Yesterday, on the fifth day, I personally told the eunuch NOT to bring the physician anymore.
He tried reasoning with me, but in the end, I won.
Second day:
Queen Shen came to check up on me.
I could tell she felt bad, but I reassured her I was fine.
She didn't need to feel guilty at all.
First two nights:
The eunuch came again—
at night—
to ask if I was comfortable and if I needed anything.
I sent him away, telling him I HAVE my maid, thank you very much.
Day 3 — The Visit From Bao Si and the Emperor
Bao Si came with the Emperor to see how I was doing.
She sat in front of my bed, fanning herself gracefully, asking:
"Are you okay, cousin? Do you need help with anything?"
BAO SI.
ASKING THAT.
I almost fainted just hearing those words.
For a moment I wondered if she actually felt concerned.
But one look at her face?
Not even an ounce of real worry.
She came to see how harsh my "punishment" was.
Or to show off that she arrived with the Emperor.
The Emperor stood behind her silently the whole time.
Not one word.
But his face said a lot: concern, worry—
and his eyes were glued to my knees.
Later that night, instead of the eunuch, the Emperor himself came.
"Is Concubine Ji is alright?" he asked immediately. "I was on a night walk, and I passed by. So I thought I would check up on concubine Ji."
Did I believe that excuse?
Hell. No.
But I tried not to think too much about it.
I was more concerned about him getting closer to Bao Si.
Day 4
Queen Shen came again.
We had a good talk—
or better said, she laughed at my suffering.
Then she told me the most shocking thing:
"For the past four days, the Emperor has barely spent one hour each day with Bao Si."
THE EMPEROR.
Who is obsessed with Bao Si.
I almost jumped from happiness.
But also… why?
Nights 4 and 5
My maid came rushing in with the same news:
"My lady, the Emperor walked by a few times, glancing over."
So instead of sending the eunuch,
or coming inside himself,
he walked by taking "strolls"
and glancing at my door.
Does he care about me?
No.
No. Stop.
Don't think that way.
He has Bao Si.
He's obsessed with her.
But still…
He's been acting weird since my "punishment".
Because of me?
STOP.
Why would he care?
Day 6 — Finally Free
I could finally stand without terrible pain.
It still hurt sometimes, but it was progress.
I was checking my makeup when my maid rushed in:
"My lady! The Emperor is here!"
"What?? Why??"
"I don't know!"
The Emperor walked in and looked straight at me.
I stood up, preparing to bow.
"Your Maje—"
"No need for formalities," he cut in.
I nodded.
"I heard you told the physician to stop coming."
"Yes, I did."
"Why?"
He raised an eyebrow.
"Because it's unnecessary every single day. My wounds won't heal overnight."
"It's best if he looks at it. A wound can get infected suddenly," he said, sounding almost… worried.
"Infected?"
I raised my eyebrow back.
"How would it get infected if I change the bandage every day?"
Silence.
The kind where you can hear the wind outside.
We stared into each other's eyes without looking away for even a second.
Then he suddenly said, irritated:
"I decide if he comes or not."
I wondered what punishment I'd get if I punched him.
Death?
"Eunuch!" he called.
"Yes, Your Majesty?!"
"Call the physician."
"But—"
"Now!"
Really?
Does he do this just to annoy me?
To make me lose my mind?
The physician came.
I sat there pouting like a child denied candy.
After checking me, he said:
"Your Majesty, her wounds are almost healed. She can go out for short walks."
I looked at him proudly.
When the physician left, the emperor cleared his throat.
"I hope I will not see you taking long walks."
"Why? Will you punish me?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Pff. Like that will stop me," I muttered.
"If you have something to say, say it louder."
I glared up at him like an angry child.
He towered over me like a mountain.
"Don't be stubborn," he said.
"Yes, Your Majesty," I replied—barely stopping myself from rolling my eyes.
He shook his head, exhaled, and left without another word.
My maid whispered,
"His Majesty really cares about my lady."
I gave her a disgusted look.
"Him? Caring about me? More like torturing me."
Later
I went for a walk— the best feeling ever.
I wandered without a destination and soon found myself in front of Queen Shen's hall.
Should I go in?
Maybe she's busy.
Just when I turned to leave—
"Leaving without greeting me at least?" she said calmly.
I turned.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. I thought you might be busy. I didn't want to intrude."
"You never intrude. Come inside."
Inside, she motioned for me to sit across from her.
"How are your knees?" she asked gently.
Even hearing the question makes my soul leave my body.
"With all due respect, Your Majesty… if someone asks me that one more time, I will go insane."
She smiled, amused.
"Why?"
"WHY? Every human in this palace asked me that! And his majesty STILL forced the physician to come even after I said NO. HE STILL DID."
Queen Shen burst into laughter.
"Maybe he was worried," she said.
"WORRIED?? HIM?? More like he loves torturing me."
"He is not as bad as you think."
"Pff… not my ass." I rolled my eyes and added, "I don't know about Your Majesty, but I need a drink, or I'll throw hands."
She laughed harder.
"It's not funny! YOU came up with the punishment!"
"Next time, I'll make sure you really kneel for six hours," she teased.
"No—NO! I'll stop complaining. But seriously, next time I'll sit on the floor. That way I won't have to throw myself down."
"Alright. Next time we will be more careful."
I smiled.
"Now that sounds better."
Queen Shen looked at her maid.
"Bring wine."
I clapped happily.
Queen Shen was laughing while nodding.
I still have no clue why she doesn't want the Emperor close to Bao Si.
One day, I'll find the answer.
But for now, I know one thing:
Me and Queen Shen want the same thing.