life and death (III)

Lady Cui finally starts having contractions in mid August. She is screaming with the delivery ladies helping her and her old wet nurse is t"here too to encourage her. Li Jun return from the trade union early when the servant rush there to inform him of the news. Everyone is at the courtyard waiting for the good news. Except for the children who are in school, most of the girls are at home. The light become dark and Lady Cui is still inside. One of the wet nurse come out and said that it seems like the baby is not coming out. We might need to get the physician to come here. LI Jun despatch the servants to go look for a proper doctor. In the end, they have no choice but to head to the royal physician bureau. After a long time, in the mid morning a royal physician comes rushing in. Lady Cui at this time is already quiet. The wet nurses all refused to say a word to the people who are standing outside waiting for good news. 

"You highness" He bow to Li Jun. 

"Speak! What is going on?"

"The child is stuck in the canal. We would need to cut open the stomach to remove the child."

"Then do it! Why are you so slow?!"

"You highness! The child might be dead after so long deprive of oxygen. It would be a miracle if the child can live but if so, there will be damaged to the body of this young one. Please prepare yourself, your highness. "

Li Jun slam his hand on the marble table. 

"Go save the mother then..."

"As for the mother..." 

"Speak!!!"

"She is beeding too much. I am afraid she can't live long..."

"Save them!!! You are a physician !!!" The old physician jump and bow. He wipe his forehead and rush off to the room. LI Mei who heard this is already sobbing. Consort Wu pat the girl gently. Banou too feel sad. Why did a joyful event become a sad event.. They all sit around and wait till dawn. Finally at dawn the physician comes out the room in silence with the wet nurse behind. She is holding a child wrap in cloth. The child isn't screaming nor crying. 

"Your highness... the child... " He tear. Li Jun walk to the child. As if the child is asleep, he touch the cold cheeks. His body is blue and skin is all winkled. 

"This little one had passed away in the womb of Lady Cui before she had contracts. That's why it is a long birth."

"Lady Cui..."

"I am afraid she won't be living long too but it is best that no one tells her of this poor child. Let her go in peace is the best thing we can do for her."

The physician bow low together with the wet nurse. 

Inside the bedroom, Lady Cui is very pale. She is all white. Her eyes are blood shot red. She try to smile when she see LI Jun. 

"Did you see our child? Is it a boy?"

"Yes he is."

"Where have they bring him to?"

"He needs to clean up and be feed. You now have to take care of yourself."

"I give birth a son for you. That is wonderful. He will be growing up well like the rest of the boys in the family."

"Yes he will."

"Why are you crying my prince?"

"I am happy and i am sorry to make you suffer." He hold her hands tightly. 

"I never suffer when i am with you. If i can, i want to have more children with you. Once i am well after the three months confinement, i service you again. So that my chances are bette to give birth again. Our children will have my talents in literary. They will never let you down."

"Don't talk so much. Now rest. Don't think too much. We will leave the rest in the future, my lady." He give her a gentle kiss. She smile and giggle. 

"I dont' know why am i feeling so tired. Maybe i will just sleep for awhile." 

He smoothen her hair, she close her eyes with a smile. That is the last time, Li Jun will talk to her. 

A big coffin comes into the mian hall and Lady Cui and the baby is place inside. The funnel is done in a grand style. Everyone is dress in white. Li Mei is sitting alone and burning papers for her mother and the little child. The funeral is held for three days and they carry the coffin to the royal burial grounds. They will be place right next to the other two concubine who passed away recent years. 

After the funeral, Li Jun did not talk much. He is just walking around like a zombie. He even did not turn up for work. He spend his days in his library in the mansion. Consort Wu find him drawing and painting each concubines. He hang up the painting of the three ladies. He stare at each of them and begin to think hard. He smile and put down his brush. He walk out of his library to look for food. Now he have straighten his thought, he know what to do and what he should have done.