Conquering the Emperor

Ren got off the bed and began pulling my arm for me to get up. I sat up on the side of the bed with my legs dangling down as I watched Ren walk off to fetch me a robe. I looked down at my disheveled clothes and realized that I couldn’t possibly walk outside dressed like this.

“Wear this,” Ren said as he handed me a deep red silk robe.

Thankfully, due to its dark color and thick fabric, the robe provided enough cover for me to look presentable. I quickly put it on and after inspecting myself in the mirror and adjusting my hair, I was ready to venture out of my own bedroom.

“Come on, Rin,” Ren said a little impatiently as he took my hand into his in a firm grip.

I followed behind Ren on shaky legs as he semi-dragged me behind him towards the door of my bedroom. Did the sound outside just get louder or was it just my own imagination?

When Ren opened the door, I gasped in shock. There were so many people gathered in front of my bedroom door. Auntie and many maids were there. There were also eunuchs dressed in court uniform, none of the that I recognized. My mind couldn’t phantom what they wanted from me so early in the morning.

Their faces were clearly shocked when Ren and I appeared. Everyone’s eyes were wide and round like the full moon and their mouth hung open. I didn’t understand what was going on and why these people were having this reaction. After all, aren’t I the one who should be shocked to see so many people gather in front of my bedroom door?

“Good morning, crown prince. We have been searching for you…”

“The guards to your palace said that you didn’t return last night…”

“We didn’t expect that you would have spent the night in the inner court…”

“We look everywhere for you until a guard informed us that you seemed to be heading in the direction of the White Lotus palace last night…”

So many Eunuchs spoke up all at once and it was purely chaotic.

“This is a pleasant surprise! You should have let me know that Your Highness will be staying so that I could better prepare for your stay,” Auntie said with a big smile her on face before bowing low.

All that ruckus was because the people in the palace couldn’t find Ren? Perhaps since it was late in the morning and Ren was still missing that everyone looked all over for him. Honestly, it wasn’t so late in the morning. How early did Ren usually started working anyways?

“I don’t recall that I have the obligation to report where I spend my nights…” Ren’s cold voice cut through the loud conversation that was taking place.

Without knowing what to say in response to Ren’s cold words and tone, everyone bowed their head low instead. I watched with slight confusion at the scene that was unfolding in front of me.

“The emperor has arrived! Make way! The emperor has arrived!”

A loud voice of an eunuched announced the arrival of the emperor. Suddenly the tension in the air rose and my body froze in shock at the sudden arrival of the emperor. Why is he here? This was no place for the emperor to be…

Everyone else around me had the same reaction, all except for the man that was standing next to me. Ren just smiled and began laughing softly to himself. He was clearly finding what was taking place amusing. I watched Ren in disbelief as he squeezed my hand and began laughing louder.

“The emperor has arrived,” the eunuched announced again as the emperor along with his entourage of high-ranking court officials came into view.

Everyone was crouched down on the floor with their head bowed low, their forehead touching the floor as the emperor strode along the hallway leading to my bedroom. I can’t believe this is happening. I gulped as bowed to show my respect. I did not miss the fact that I was still in my nightgown, and I was not dressed in anyway to be greeting the emperor. I glanced at Ren who was having a hard time controlling his own laughter.

I wondered how he could find the current situation funny or what he found so funny about it all…

“Good morning, crown prince,” the officials all said in unison as they bowed towards Ren.

“What a pleasant surprise to find you here, Ren,” the emperor said, grinning meaningfully at his son.

I felt the emperor’s eyes on me, and I felt uncomfortable. Sensing this, Ren squeezed my hand lightly to comfort me and reassure me that everything was going to be just fine. I kept my head bowed low, not daring to move any part of my body.

“I honestly never thought that you would grace us with your presence right here in my inner court,” Ren replied smoothly.

“Indeed. For someone who has always avoided his own inner court like the plague, I surely did not expect to find you here…and quite early in the morning,” the emperor said pointedly.

“Why did you personally come looking for me? Did anything urgent happen?” Ren asked.

“Nothing, really. I just couldn’t miss the opportunity to greet my son after he’d spent his first night in his inner court,” the emperor said happily.

“If that’s the case then you’ve seen all there is to see. If you’ll excuse us, Lady White Lotus still feels tired…” Ren said as he began turning around.

“Yes…and you should take the day off. I’ll have the officials take care of all your pending duties,” the emperor said followed by a joyful laugh.

“Thank you, father,” Ren replied flatly as he opened the door to my bedroom and ushered me inside.

The door closed firmly behind us, and I could resume breathing normally again. I heaved a loud sigh when Ren and I were finally alone and away from the presence of the emperor. Ren led me to the bed where we sat side by side, my hand still in his.

--To be continued…