Chapter 16: As You Wish

Yingran was momentarily petrified, her senses numbed by the unfolding chaos. She couldn't fathom what was happening, as if the very heavens were collapsing.

Outside, the thunder roared, tearing the sky open to allow the torrential rain to fall even more forcefully.

"Move quickly! Keep up!" urged a soldier beside them.

The abrupt onslaught of the weather had startled Lady Rong. She felt a subtle pain in her abdomen, cold sweat streaming down her forehead, all obscured by the rain.

She couldn't afford to collapse. Lady Rong stared at her daughter, tightly gripping her sleeve. The worry for her daughter was evident; if Lady Rong were to fall now, what would happen to Rongran? What about the child still unborn in her womb?

At that moment, whether it was an illusion or not, Lady Rong strangely felt a lack of bodily pain. She let the rain soak her, moving forward with difficulty.

The courtyard of the Rong residence was vast. Usually, the women in the rear courtyard would use a side entrance for convenience.

Unaware before, Lady Rong and the others now traversed from the rear courtyard to the main gate, realizing the considerable distance involved.

Upon reaching the main gate, numerous individuals had already been escorted there. Male members of the Rong family, including Old Master Rong, who went out for daily affairs, weren't among them. They likely had been taken to the dungeons long ago.

Oddly, Lady Rong's figure was absent too. Later, it was casually revealed at a brothel that when the soldiers entered, unable to endure the humiliation, Lady Rong took a step ahead.

Following Lady Rong, Rongran and the others were loaded onto a carriage. As they gazed at the 'Rong Mansion' sign, now growing distant with each passing moment and sealed with an official notice, Rongran seemed to have just regained her composure, silently shedding tears.

"Don't be afraid, Rongran. Mother will protect you," Lady Rong embraced Rongran, shielding her from the rain.

Unnoticed, tears streamed down Lady Rong's face, mingling with the rain. Rongran understood, but since then, she had not seen her mother cry again.

"Madam, these are family members of the traitors. Ordered to serve as courtesans, you must watch over them," said the leading soldier to a heavily adorned woman before him, taking the opportunity to discreetly pinch her.

The woman, in her early thirties, adorned in luxurious fabrics, with elaborate hairpins accentuating her charming face and ample bosom, invited intrigue. The soldiers couldn't resist contemplating her allure.

Unperturbed by the liberties taken, she leaned against the soldier, delicately brushing his chest with her white fingertips, whispering, "Rest assured, dear sir. This lady knows her duties well."

The soldier, intoxicated by her fragrant scent, already lost in fantasies, cleared his throat, realizing they were on official duty. Turning to his subordinates, he commanded, "Dismissed!"

Turning back to the woman, he whispered, "After we're done, I'll come find you." With that, he pinched her again.

She giggled, "Farewell, gentlemen. Take care."

As the group departed under her soothing words, the bolder ones, driven by desire and daring, stole glances back, daydreaming of a rendezvous with her.

As they vanished into the distance, the woman abruptly shed her previous coquettish demeanor.

Turning back to those behind her, she ordered, "Confine them together. Secure all items in the room to prevent desperate acts."

"Understood."

A group of burly men, bare-armed, shoved Rongran and others toward the attic.

Reaching the end of the corridor, they entered an inconspicuous room. From the outside, it appeared mundane, a place one would assume stored miscellaneous items.

The woman, trailing behind, her dress raised slightly, steps graceful, was suddenly drawn to two fresh red smears on the ground.

Squatting down, she touched a trace of the marks, rubbing it between her fingers, then sniffed. "Vivid color, strong rust aroma," she analyzed.

Her gaze suddenly sharpened. She feared someone among them had taken their own life. If death occurred here, she wouldn't be able to explain herself.

Throughout history, the rule for consigned courtesans was that officials shouldn't consort with them. Yet, soldiers faced no such restriction. Therefore, those sentenced to serve as courtesans usually had two fates.

There are typically two destinies for those consigned to such a fate: firstly, they are sent directly to military camps to satisfy the soldiers' physiological needs, and secondly, they are dispatched to brothels. The operation of these brothels is often controlled by officials in the imperial court, with a portion of the profits handed over to the state treasury. However, these matters are never openly discussed.

Moreover, those forced into such roles must first serve the soldiers as their initial clients. If, during this period, anyone resorts to self-harm, the brothel bears the full responsibility.

With these thoughts in mind, Liniang quickened her pace, entering without hesitation. Her eyes surveyed the people in the room.

However, everyone was dressed in uniformly colored provocative attire, making it challenging to distinguish among them.

Suddenly, Liniang noticed a woman concealed behind the others, wearing dark-patterned provocative clothing made of exceptional fabric. Liniang immediately suspected this woman.

Typically, those consigned to such a fate cared more about their lives than their purity. Only those who considered themselves exceptional ladies would contemplate desperate measures.

As Liniang approached the woman, she realized her assumption was incorrect.

Before her stood a pregnant woman, and upon closer inspection, Liniang noticed the inner side of her provocative attire stained red.

When Liniang examined the woman's expression, although pale and devoid of color, she stood resolute. Her hands were concealed behind her, as if protecting something.

Curious, Liniang leaned over and discovered a tearful young girl. Observing this scene, Liniang's heart felt a sudden pang, and her breath became constrained.

"Someone, fetch a midwife quickly!" Liniang turned to the men and instructed.

"Find two maids and settle this woman in a clean room."

"Madam, I can do it. I am the personal maid of our family's lady. Please allow me to take care of her as well," Chuntao immediately knelt before Liniang, pleading.

Liniang glanced down at Chuntao, nodding before leaving the room, finally able to breathe more easily.

Two maids soon approached, assisting Lady Rong to an adjacent room. Chuntao followed, and a small figure trailed behind—Yingran.

Seeing this, Liniang grabbed Yingran, saying, "Your mother is likely in labor. Wait here."

Yingran was about to protest, but upon seeing Liniang's stern expression, she realized the gravity of the situation. Fearing to provoke Liniang, she obediently stood by the door, though her view inside was obstructed.

Ignoring her, Liniang sat alone on a bench by the railing, silently accompanying the young girl in front of her.

Soon, footsteps echoed on the stairs. As the visitors entered, Liniang identified two sturdy midwives, likely summoned for the occasion.

Behind the midwives trailed a man carrying a medicine box over his right shoulder. He stopped at the door, nodding respectfully to Liniang.

Yingran, astonished, glanced between Liniang and the male physician. It surprised her that Liniang had also sought a doctor.

It should be noted that physicians rarely ventured into such establishments. If a woman in such a place fell ill, she had to seek medical help on her own, and some physicians might refuse to treat her.

With these thoughts, Yingran knelt down to express her gratitude to Liniang and the physician. Liniang, however, paid her no attention, seemingly absorbed in admiring the scenery elsewhere. She even casually adjusted the hairpin on her ear.

At the same time, agonizing cries emanated from the room. One after another, they persisted until it seemed the strength had drained away, and the sounds gradually subsided.

Yingran, anxious and with a heartache, pounded on the door, calling, "Mother! Mother! Mother, you can't leave Rongran alone!"

As her cries diminished, they became almost inaudible, as if directed toward Lady Rong or perhaps herself.

Yingran, overcome with grief, sat at the door, sobbing uncontrollably. Suddenly, the door swung open, revealing Chuntao.

Without even glancing at Yingran on the floor, Chuntao urgently pulled the physician toward the room, exclaiming, "Sir, my lady is still bleeding!"

As Chuntao spoke, she led the physician into the room, where Lady Rong lay. The physician, realizing the severity of the situation, hastened his steps, going straight to Lady Rong's bedside.

On the bed, Lady Rong appeared as delicate as a floating thread. The physician promptly opened his medicine box, taking out a strip of cloth containing neatly arranged silver needles of various thicknesses.

With swift movements, he inserted the needles into Lady Rong's arms. As he worked, Lady Rong seemed to exhale a sigh of relief, slowly opening her eyes. Upon seeing the person in front of her, she spoke slowly, "Sir, I beg you, save my child, please~"

"Lady, please rest assured. I will do my utmost to ensure the safety of both mother and child. I hope you won't speak such disheartening words. Focus on the delivery," reassured the physician.

"Thank you, sir~" Lady Rong said, followed by another round of excruciating pain. "Ah!~~"

"Quickly, go and bring some water and food for your lady," the physician instructed Chuntao, turning his attention away. He then wrote a prescription for aiding childbirth and handed it to another servant, instructing them to prepare it promptly.

"Yes."

Unable to contain herself any longer, Yiran rushed into the room, kneeling by Lady Rong's bedside. She incessantly wiped the cold sweat from Lady Rong's forehead with her sleeve.

"Mother, you must endure! You can't leave Yiran behind~" Yiran cried while wiping.

Seeing her daughter's tearful appearance, Lady Rong felt a bitter pang in her heart. Simultaneously, she sensed a continuous flow of strength within her body, silently exerting force.

"Wah~~Wah~~"

With the newborn's cries, the midwife joyfully exclaimed, "It's born! It's born!"

The midwife then cleaned the baby, swaddled her, and presented her to Lady Rong.

Smiling with joy, she said, "Congratulations, madam, it's a girl." However, as soon as she finished speaking, the brightness in her eyes dimmed.

It was a girl—a cause for celebration that the ordeal was over and both mother and child were safe. However, it was also a misfortune for the girl to be born in such a place.

Lady Rong, overwhelmed with joy, wept tears of happiness, gazing at the tightly wrapped infant. In her heart, she silently prayed, 'My lord, I have preserved your legacy!'

Then, she reached out to embrace Yiran's head, planting a gentle kiss. She also kissed the swaddled infant, smiling through her tears.

"Congratulations, madam, mother and child are safe. I will now write a prescription for invigorating your qi and replenishing blood to help your recovery," the physician suddenly spoke.

"Thank you, sir. Your kindness, Yiran cannot repay," Yiran knelt down and bowed to the physician, then turned to the two midwives and bowed again.

"All is well. Autumn Water, Winter Plum, escort the midwives and the physician," Liniang entered and instructed.

"Yes."

"Lady, please this way~"

"Sir, please follow me~"

The two maids escorted the midwives and the physician separately, leading them out.

Observing this, Lady Rong attempted to sit up to express her gratitude, but despite using all her strength, she couldn't manage it.

"Enough, I understand your thoughts..." Liniang paused, then turned to Yiran and said, "Your mother is fine now. Go to the kitchen, keep an eye on your mother's medicine, and bring it when it's ready."

Without hesitation, Yiran rushed out, inquiring about the location of the kitchen and heading in that direction.

"Thank you! But now, I can't offer a decent token of appreciation," Lady Rong said.

"Don't say that for now. I don't need to know what trouble you've gotten into. Saving you is just out of pity," Liniang replied casually, as if uninterested.

"I understand, but my family..."

"I don't care. Take care of yourself. When you're healthy, repay the cost of medicine. That's all I ask," Liniang interrupted before Lady Rong could finish her sentence.

Lady Rong, hearing Liniang's words, fell silent for a long time. She understood Liniang's implicit message about repaying the debt.

"If you can't bear it, think about your two daughters," Liniang emphasized the words 'two daughters' as a reminder.

"No!" Lady Rong exclaimed immediately.

"I know, but I beg you to spare my daughters. They are still so young," Lady Rong said, choking up.

"This place is what it is. With your looks, earning enough for three people shouldn't be difficult," Liniang turned away, speaking without looking at Lady Rong.

"Though the words from Li Niang may seem to bear the cloak of indifference, only she harbored the truth within her heart. Behind the veneer of calmness, a tempest of emotions surged, a complex symphony concealed in the depths of her being.

In the theatre of her expressionless countenance, emotions played their clandestine roles, crafting a narrative only known to the solitary director within. Each glance, each pause, carried the weight of untold stories, carefully guarded in the chambers of her soul.

For her, the façade of detachment was a shield, shielding the vulnerabilities that danced in the shadows of her resilient spirit. While the world perceived her as an enigma, she grappled with the poignant melodies of her own existence."

"Alright! But can you keep my daughter with me?" Lady Rong, with closed eyes, spoke slowly.

"I'll grant your request," replied Liniang.

After uttering these words, Liniang walked out of the room without looking back. She couldn't bear to stay in that room for another moment.

As she reached the doorway, she whispered softly to herself, "The world is harsh, something we, small women, can't endure. She is, and so am I." With a bitter smile, she walked away without turning her head.

In the room, Lady Rong was left alone, lying on the bed in a daze. After a while, she heard Yiran pushing the door open.

"Mother, the medicine is ready. Drink it quickly; it will make you feel better once you've had it."

While speaking, Yiran blew on the spoonful of medicinal liquid and touched it with her lips to ensure it was warm. She then held it up to Lady Rong's mouth.

Lady Rong, looking at Yiran in front of her, felt an increasing bitterness in her heart. Yiran was still so young and would have to endure hardships with her.

"Yiran, you've grown up," Lady Rong said, brushing Yiran's hair away with her hand and managing a faint smile.

"Yes, Yiran has grown up. Yiran will take care of Mother like Father did," Yiran spoke with determination.

Hearing these words, Lady Rong couldn't hold back her emotions any longer. She embraced Yiran, wiping away the tears that had welled up in her eyes.

"Lady, this servant, Autumn Water, and this servant, Winter Plum, were instructed by Mistress Liniang to attend to you during your postpartum recovery," two soft-spoken girls entered the room and spoke. "Also, the wet nurse that Mistress arranged is on her way."

Hearing this, Lady Rong became even more conflicted. Yiran was still so young, and now she would have to bear the burdens of life with her.

"Lady, we are at your service," said Autumn Water, the girl who looked tender and gentle.

"Yes, Lady, please don't hesitate to instruct us," added Winter Plum.

"Thank you," Lady Rong replied, and the two girls nodded before proceeding to tidy up the room without saying much more.

"Mother, the nursemaid will be here soon. You should rest and recover," Yiran suggested.

As the room began to get busier, Lady Rong sighed quietly. She wondered how she could protect her daughters in the harsh reality they faced.

"Madam, this servant, Autumn Water, and this servant, Winter Plum, will be taking care of you during your postpartum recovery as instructed by Mistress Liniang," Autumn Water, the gentle-looking girl, said.

"Yes, Madam, please let us know if you need anything," added Winter Plum.

"Thank you both," Lady Rong replied, and the two girls nodded before efficiently continuing their tasks.

"Mother, let's give the baby a name," Yiran suggested.

Lady Rong, thinking of her husband's past expectations and fondness for this child, replied, "Xin. Let's call her Rong Xin."