51 Strings To A Puppet 1 (2/2)
”Mother,” ChunHua called out again.
Finally, the concubine sighed and carefully wiped ChunHua's face. She pushed the stray pieces of hair away from her daughter's face and gently stroked ChunHua's cheeks. Her loving eyes reflected a worn out ChunHua.
”How did you get into this state?” The concubine finally asked.
ChunHua hesitated, her eyes settled on a thin silver thread that dangled in front her eyes. She knew one end of the thread was tied tightly about her neck while the other end led to the person holding her life in their hands. Her voice quivered as she lied, ”This daughter messed up during her magic lessons.”
Magic lessons often ended up in injuries so the second madam didn't think too much of it, however second madam happened to mistake ChunHua's distress for grief, ”Is that so? Are you still upset about your aunt's death? I told you not to worry about it.”
ChunHua glanced away and did not respond. She stared blankly at the thin thread, her mind complicated. Seeing her daughter like this, the second concubine sighed and put away the tub of water. She sat down close to her daughter.
”Tell mother what you're so worried about,” The second madam murmured, her hand gently stroking ChunHua's hair.
ChunHua turned back to face her mother, but she couldn't speak out the words she really yearned to. If she even uttered one word out of term, she knew the thread would be drawn, and her head would roll off before she could even scream. ChunHua tilted her head downwards so her mother wouldn't be able to see her fear.
”Are you sure the poison will work?” She finally choked out.
The second madam instantly furrowed her eyebrows in displeasure, ”Didn't I tell you not to worry about it?!”
ChunHua stared dumbfounded at her mother's anger, ”Fourth Au-”
A resounding slap cut her short. The second concubine huffed in anger, ”Fourth Aunt this, Fourth Aunt that! I'm your real mother! She's already dead!”
”B-butMother, Hongy-”
The concubine sighed, her hand rubbed at her temples in irritation, ”Mother has her way to make that brat die, so you needn't worry about it. Worry about your father more.”
ChunHua looked confused, ”Father? But doesn't father always trust you?”
The second madam chewed her bottom lip, her eyes flickering unease, ”It's because he's busy with military affairs recently...never mind that. Go to sleep.”
The concubine gently pushed ChunHua down onto the bed and arranged the blanket over ChunHua's head. She blew out the candle and stepped out the door. The servants quickly came forward and lightly locked the doors. The room grew peaceful once again, however, ChunHua couldn't help feeling bitter inside her heart. Her hand reached up and touched her burning cheek, her eyes filled with unwillingness.