The Legend of Concubine Su

On this picturesque spring afternoon, the sun, like a benevolent elder, gently caressed the earth with its warm and gentle rays. The wispy clouds, as if expertly crafted, were perfectly distributed across the sky, allowing sunlight to filter through and bathe every inch of the Imperial Garden. This already breathtakingly beautiful imperial back garden was now shrouded in a dreamlike golden veil, shimmering with brilliance and captivating.

Su Jingyue, the beloved and renowned Imperial Concubine, was like a jade radiating a gentle glow, her graceful and charming demeanor akin to a spring breeze. At this moment, she leisurely strolled along this winding and poetic path, her figure graceful and her steps light and elegant, like a dancing fairy descending to earth. Her every smile and frown exuded an innate elegance, and her every gesture revealed a graceful demeanor.

As her beautiful eyes wandered, a poetic scene unfolded before her: voluptuous blossoms burst forth in dazzling brilliance, resembling a shimmering patch of rosy clouds on the horizon; lush, verdant branches intertwined and shaded each other, creating a vibrant, lush canvas of verdant beauty. Each flower seemed to carry its own spirit and legend. With their uniquely graceful and ingenious gestures, they silently imbued the solemn palace with an indescribable tenderness and a vibrant energy. A gentle breeze wafted past, bringing with it waves of refreshing fragrance that lingered on the nose, captivating the senses. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on Su Jingyue's stunning face, accentuating her with the otherworldly air of a fairy.

Before she knew it, Su Jingyue arrived before a tranquil and elegant pavilion. She slowly approached, her delicate hands gently caressing the ancient, exquisite guqin (Chinese zither) placed there. As her nimble fingers danced, a melodious melody flowed from the strings like the gurgling of flowing water. This enchanting melody, like the gentle gurgling of a mountain stream, quietly shattered the tranquility of the surroundings. Furthermore, this enchanting music seemed to possess a magical power, effortlessly piercing the towering palace walls and guiding Su Jingyue's thoughts to the distant horizons. There, she held the beautiful dreams and ardent anticipation of the past, as well as her endless yearning for a free life and inner peace. However, this tranquility was short-lived. The sound of light footsteps shattered the silence. Su Jingyue looked up and saw Qi Jiaojiao, the concubine of the imperial guard Lin Fei, slowly entering the garden, supported by her maid. Qi Jiaojiao was dressed in a simple palace dress, her belly slightly bulging, clearly pregnant. Her face was filled with the glow and happiness of motherhood, the joy and anticipation of welcoming a new life.

"I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine. May you live a thousand years!" Qi Jiaojiao, with delicate steps, slowly approached Su Jingyue. She knelt on both knees, leaned forward, clasped her hands before her forehead, and respectfully bowed to her. Her movements were graceful and dignified, each detail revealing her reverence for the imperial family and respect for Su Jingyue's status. Her voice trembled, as if she feared her words and actions might offend the noble Imperial Concubine.

Su Jingyue's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile as brilliant as a blooming spring flower. This smile was like the warm sun in a gentle spring breeze, gentle and warm, easily dispelling any hint of chilliness. She parted her rosy lips and spoke softly, "Please rise quickly, Concubine Qi. Your complexion is rosy and radiant, and I'm sure the baby is safe and sound. The birth will surely be smooth."

The two chatted happily, their words full of intimacy, and the whole scene seemed particularly warm and harmonious. But who could have imagined that something unexpected would happen? Suddenly, Qi Jiaojiao felt a warm liquid flowing down her legs. In an instant, her once fair and rosy face turned as pale as paper, completely devoid of any color.

Su Jingyue was quick-witted and immediately noticed something was wrong. She took a closer look and knew it all: Qi Jiaojiao was probably about to give birth! So, she acted decisively and shouted to the palace maids, "What are you still standing there for? Send for the imperial physician immediately, and arrange for Concubine Qi to be carried back to my chambers to await her birth!"

In Su Jingyue's magnificent palace, suffused with the delicate scent of incense, Qi Jiaojiao endured a thrilling birth. The midwife stood nervously by the bedside, repeatedly shouting at the palace maids to quickly boil more hot water. Her voice was shrill and urgent. At the same time, she urged Qi Jiaojiao to exert all her strength in a tone filled with encouragement and anxiety.

Time flew by like a fleeting horse. An hour passed, then another... The long wait seemed endless. Though Qi Jiaojiao's clothes were already drenched with sweat, she gritted her teeth and persevered, each effort draining away the last ounce of her strength. However, fate often played tricks on her. After such a long and agonizing time, Qi Jiaojiao still couldn't give birth. She was now utterly exhausted, her body teetering on the brink of collapse, as if a gentle breeze could blow her to the ground.

Finally, the midwife, apprehensive, emerged from the delivery room. She approached the anxious Su Jingyue and tremblingly declared, "Your Majesty, the situation is truly dire. I'm afraid we must choose between saving the mother or the child." Su Jingyue was momentarily stunned, a look of disbelief covering her face. She had never imagined things would come to this, and the harsh reality was simply unacceptable. Recovering, she clenched her fists, her eyes determined, and addressed the midwife, "I demand, at all costs, that both mother and child be safe!" Faced with Su Jingyue's resolute attitude, the midwife sighed helplessly and shook her head gently, promising to do her utmost, though the ultimate outcome was uncertain.

Not long after, the experienced, serious-looking midwife hurried out of the delivery room once again. Her once-clean hands were now stained with crimson blood, as if she had just experienced a thrilling life-or-death struggle. She approached the pale Su Jingyue and spoke gravely, "Your Majesty, the Concubine is experiencing severe hemorrhage. The situation is extremely critical! We are powerless to save her, and we can only save one of them. Please make a decision quickly, Your Majesty!"

Hearing these words, Su Jingyue's heart felt like it had been struck by a heavy hammer, instantly shattering. Her eyes widened, a look of disbelief and horror on her face. Horrifying images flashed through her mind, making it almost impossible to breathe. She had never imagined such a tragedy would befall her. Every life was precious; whether it was an unborn child or a wife on the brink of death, she was unwilling to abandon them. Yet, at this moment, she was forced to face this utterly difficult decision.

At this critical moment, Su Jingyue bit her lip tightly, trying to control the surging emotions in her heart. She took a deep breath, and then replied firmly in a trembling voice, "Protecting...protecting the master is the most important thing!" Although her heart ached as she said this, she knew that only by ensuring the master's safety first could there be a glimmer of hope for the future.

However, it seemed that fate had no mercy on this kind yet helpless imperial concubine. As everyone waited with bated breath, a palace maid slowly emerged from the delivery room, carrying a tiny baby in her arms. But at the same time, they also brought heartbreaking news—Qi Jiaojiao had passed away. This sudden blow was like a bolt from the blue, catching everyone off guard.

Lin Fei gazed at the delicate, fragile baby in his arms, tears streaming down his face like a broken dam. His eyes were filled with despair and sorrow, as if the entire world were crumbling. Beside him, Su Jingyue, as if all her strength had been drained from her, slumped limply in her chair. She stared blankly into the distance, her eyes filled with emptiness and bewilderment. Endless grief surged over her like a tidal wave, completely drowning her; deep remorse followed her like a shadow, leaving her in agony. She knew that despite her utmost efforts to salvage everything, she was ultimately powerless to avert this cruel and unforgiving fate.

At that moment, the entire palace was immersed in grief. Everyone mourned the passing of this gentle concubine and prayed for the young princess, who had lost her mother at birth. Su Jingyue silently made a wish: May there be no pain and separation in heaven, and may every life receive the respect and care it deserves.