12 Me and Yuser (1/2)
VIRTUOUS CONSORT SHU
HOUGONG
”Your majesty, Palace Maid Shu is a kind-hearted woman. She has asked me to adopt her Yu'er as my own son.” The empress pulled the little boy who was barely five summers old toward her. ”And not only that your Majesty but Palace Maid Shu has also offered to leave the palace to make things easier for all of us.”
The little boy tried to free himself from the empress' brawny hold.
”Ama...” he pleaded. ”Ama! Yu'er wants to go with you.”
His mother was awake, her eyes wide open but body without strength to move. When she attempted to speak, her lips would not open. The empress was lying through her teeth for she was too selfish to give up her son. Whether giving him up would possibly make him ruler of the world or not, Yu'er was hers, and she had no desires to share him with anyone. A few retainers were supporting her limp body to sit up straight in the presence of the emperor. She was not sure if she was in the throne room as she could not see well, probably the poison was also affecting her vision.
”Ama!” the boy cried, tears streaming down his cheeks.
She blinked rapidly, trying to signal that this was all a lie. No intentions of giving up her son had ever crossed her mind.
”Shenja asks his Majesty to bestow Yu'er a noble name and the title 'Royal Prince' for he is after all his Majesty's only son, and now no longer a water maid's.” The empress bowed, concluding her request. ”As mother of the nation, Shenja promises to be an exceptional mother by also treating him like he is her own.”
”Yu'er!” the heartbroken mother wailed. ”My Yu'er. Please don't take away my Yu'er!”
”Your Highness! Your Highness please wake up, you are dreaming.” Court Lady Park shook Virtuous Consort Shu. The consort's body was trembling and bathed in sweat. She fluttered her eyes, reminiscent parts of her dream still clouding her mind.
”Is Her Highness well?” The court lady looked at her with concern. She deeply hoped it was just a nightmare because if the mother of the emperor became unwell they would all lose their lives.
”My Yu'er!” she was relentless. ”Is my Yu'er well?”
”Your Highness, the Emperor is well.” The lady helped Virtuous Consort Shu rise from the floored couch she had been sleeping. ”Her Highness was just having a bad dream and should not fret, remember you were feeling tired and decided to take a short afternoon rest?” She tried to calm her down.
”Send someone to the dragon palace and make sure he is well.” Virtuous Consort Shu straightened her robes.
Court Lady Park nodded toward one of the ladies-in-waiting kneeling by the door, who quickly stood up and left.
”It was the same dream again,” the Consort massaged the back of her neck, ”Empress Dowager was about to take away my son, wretched woman.” She punched the small table that stood in front of her.
”Your Highness!” Court Lady Park tried to silence her, if anyone heard her mistress she could lose her life because of those two words. Speaking unkindly about the royal family meant death.
”Is this not the truth?”
”Your Highness should watch her words,” Court Lady Park begged.
The Consort sighed and turned to knead her feet before giving instructions.
”Bring me a dish of water and massage my feet,” she gently patted her face and continued, ”and someone must fetch the mirror and comb my hair.”