Lover Number 5.5

Han Yasheng's presence in the room remained steadfast, her actions speaking louder than any words could convey. With a tenderness born of unwavering love, she carefully bandaged the prince's wounded hand and arm, her touch gentle and soothing. Despite witnessing the prince's self-inflicted pain, she chose to remain silent, understanding that sometimes the depth of one's suffering cannot be adequately expressed or understood through mere conversation.

As a palace maid, Han Yasheng had learned the art of discretion, knowing when to speak and when to hold her tongue. She had been taught from an early age to keep a distance from the dramas of the rich and powerful, understanding that their lives were far removed from her own humble existence. But Li Jie was different. He was the boy she had cared for since his birth, the child she had embraced as her own. He was the only person left in her life who truly mattered.

The pain etched on Li Jie's face tore at Han Yasheng's heart. How could she not care when her beloved Li Jie was hurting so deeply? She listened as he poured out his anguish, questioning why his mother couldn't comprehend his pain, why he couldn't move on from the scars left by his father's actions. Han Yasheng knew all too well the tales of the Emperor's erratic behavior, whispered among the palace maids, each story a testament to the unstable nature of the royal family.

Han Yasheng's mother had warned her about the perils of becoming entangled in the affairs of the royal family. She had cautioned her daughter to observe and remember but not to become consumed by their ever-changing whims. Yet, when Han Yasheng held the newborn prince in her arms all those years ago, something shifted within her. Li Jie filled the void in her heart, becoming the child she had longed for but could never have.

"My dear highness," Han Yasheng spoke softly, her voice laced with affection and concern. "The Empress means well, but she may not fully understand the depths of your pain." She longed to embrace Li Jie, to hold him tightly and provide the comfort he so desperately needed, but she hesitated, afraid of being rejected, afraid that her affection would not be reciprocated.

Li Jie's laughter pierced through the air, devoid of joy, a sound that cut Han Yasheng to her core. This was a laughter born of anguish, a laughter that revealed the fragile state of his mind. He spoke of the madness that consumed his family, acknowledging the shared instability that plagued them all. Han Yasheng wished for nothing more than to see Li Jie's laughter return, but this distorted version only deepened her own despair.

Li Jie confided in her, expressing his desire for forgiveness while feeling trapped in a cycle of haunting dreams and blood-stained memories. Han Yasheng's heart ached for him. She knew the depths of his pain, and she would do whatever it took to help him find peace. With open arms, she beckoned him, offering solace in her embrace, a maternal figure who would protect him at any cost.

In that moment, Han Yasheng defied the warnings of her mother, defied the expectations placed upon her as a palace maid. She embraced Li Jie, holding him close as he wept, releasing the weight of his sorrow into her caring arms. Tears streamed down her own cheeks, mingling with his, as she whispered soothing words of comfort. In this bond, in their shared grief and love, Han Yasheng found her purpose. Without Li Jie, life held no meaning, and she was determined to guide him through the darkness, to help him reclaim his shattered spirit, and to show him that family could be found in the most unexpected places.

In that moment of vulnerability and despair, Li Jie's eyes were finally opened to the true family he had been overlooking. It wasn't solely the blood ties or titles that defined family, but the unconditional support and love he found in those who surrounded him.

Huang Baozhai, with her uplifting spirit, had always been there to brighten Li Jie's darkest days, providing him with a glimmer of hope when he felt his lowest. Huang Yimimg, without questioning or judgment, offered a comforting presence that allowed Li Jie to find solace in her unwavering acceptance.

Then there were Alfredo and the Orphic Order, a devoted group of protectors who shielded him from harm's way and cared for him when danger loomed. Their loyalty and dedication demonstrated the depth of their commitment to his well-being.

And lastly, there was Han Yasheng, the unwavering pillar of support who tended to his wounds—both physical and emotional—time and time again. In her embrace, Li Jie found a mother's love, the love that had been absent in his own family.

Overwhelmed by the realization that he had been searching for family in all the wrong places, Li Jie's emotions overflowed. He broke down, his cries echoing the anguish that had been building inside him for far too long. In an instinctive motion, he sought refuge in Han Yasheng's arms, allowing himself to release the weight of his pain, pouring out his heart in desperate pleas for comfort.

Han Yasheng held him tightly, her touch a soothing balm against the wounds that ran deep within his soul. As Li Jie sobbed uncontrollably, Han Yasheng whispered gentle assurances, her voice a beacon of reassurance and warmth. In that intimate embrace, their tears mingling, she affirmed her unwavering presence, her commitment to be there for him through every trial and tribulation.

"Mom... Mom!" Li Jie's broken cries echoed, his voice raw with longing and the need for maternal love that had been denied to him. Han Yasheng, her own tears streaming down her cheeks, tightened her embrace, providing the comfort and stability he craved.

"Shh..." Han Yasheng's voice trembled with emotion as she lovingly stroked his hair, offering a silent promise of unwavering support. "I'm right here... I will always be here for you, my dear Li Jie."

In that moment, surrounded by the love and understanding he had been yearning for, Li Jie began to realize that family was not limited to blood relations. Family could be chosen, found in the genuine connections formed with those who stood by his side in times of darkness. And in the arms of Han Yasheng, he finally discovered the true meaning of unconditional love and the strength it could provide to overcome even the deepest of wounds.