From CEO to Concubine

Not even the presence of the emperor could prevent Jinshen Hall from breaking out into a small commotion. It wasn't just the concubines who whispered to each other with incredulity. The imperial relatives and even the servants were just as shocked by this sudden declaration.

Not once in all five years of ascending to the throne had the emperor ever played such obvious favourites. All the jealousy and hatred that the harem had once directed towards Gracious Consort Yao for obtaining the emperor's occasional invites to play chess were simultaneously turned onto Noble Lord Yue instead.

Yan Zheyun's heart threatened to leap out of its cage. The sudden rekindling of hope was an overwhelming feeling that left him light-headed. He felt like a gambler who had gone all-in only to run up against a royal flush. He had been so sure that the emperor was going to leave him alone to face the embarrassment of showing up for an unappreciative audience.

But then the emperor had folded unexpectedly and now, Yan Zheyun was the undisputed winner of this hand.

[Don't get ahead of yourself,] he warned himself, after realising he could hear how hard his heart was beating in his ears. [This could mean anything. He might want to question you on your past or interrogate you on your intentions. Hell, he could just want a new palace musician.] But it was impossible to calm down.

"His Majesty is setting out!" Head Eunuch Cao announced. The emperor's entourage prepared to take their leave as the rest of the hall rose to send him off with a curtsy or bow. No matter how dissatisfied the other concubines were with this outcome, there was nothing they could do but watch him leave. Instead, they reserved their anger for the 'culprit' and Yan Zheyun could feel a lot of poisonous glares directed his way.

As well as a slimy, invasive stare coming from where the princes sat with their families.

Earlier on, at the start of the banquet, everyone had mingled around and Yan Zheyun hadn't been able to tell who was who amongst the foreign faces. But now that the guests were sitting in order of rank, there was no mistaking the identity of the man leering at him from the table next to the sleepy ninth prince, whose wet nurse was valiantly attempting to coax to his feet.

A whole new scumbag. 'The Other Prince'. Yan Zheyun had assumed that he wouldn't be as difficult to deal with since he hadn't done more than look at Yan Yun in the novel. This was even less than what Liang Ming had attempted…right?

But now that Yan Zheyun was on the receiving end of this treatment, he realised just how naive he'd been. This wasn't just looking, he did not doubt that in the mind of the newly minted Scumbag 3, he'd already been stripped bare and laid out like a feast.

It was disgusting. Yan Zheyun looked away from that uncomfortable gaze. He wanted to head back to his seat and 'watch' the rest of the performances as he deliberated what to do later on when he was finally summoned before the emperor. He wasn't sure whether the emperor would expect anything from him or not. From the way his entire inner palace seemed to thirst after him with a vengeance, Yan Zheyun was starting to wonder whether His Majesty had some sort of unspeakable ailment that none of the imperial physicians dared to speak about.

Such as…erectile dysfunction.

But in the event that he was expected to provide his services in bed…although he had once told Sun Momo that he knew how to serve another man in bed and had also looked through the educational scrolls the other instructors had insisted that everyone in Zheshan Palace memorise, Yan Zheyun had no practical experience.

So what if he'd been 25-years-old pre-transmigration? He hadn't even found the time to strategise coming out to his parents and friends, let alone start a relationship that would eventually lead to sex.

He sighed. He had an estimated two hours or so to psych himself up for it.

"Well?" the dowager said with an impatient wave of her hand. She seemed to stare past Yan Zheyun like she couldn't stand the sight of him. "Why are you still standing there like a mute?"

"…" He was waiting for her permission, wasn't he? Bowing, he was about to retreat to his table when a eunuch walked briskly up to him. Yan Zheyun recognised him as the eunuch who had previously made the ranking announcement at Zheshan Palace.

The eunuch bowed first to the empress dowager, then to Yan Zheyun.

"His Majesty has sent this servant to deliver his message," the eunuch said with a polite smile. "He sends for Noble Lord Yue's presence now." He stepped aside and held out an arm to signal that Yan Zheyun should proceed before him. "Little Master Yue, please come this way."

Yan Zheyun felt his mind short-circuit. This was…a lot sooner than he'd anticipated. Through pure muscle memory, he bade the empress dowager farewell, thoughts so distracted that he was unable to focus on the reactions around him…oh yes, it would be unwise to leave Hua Zhixuan on his own, since Yan Zheyun would be inaccessible this evening, there was a high chance that the other concubines would vent their frustrations on him instead.

Xiao De made to follow him but Yan Zheyun stopped him with a small shake of his head. He gazed at Hua Zhixuan meaningfully, pleased that Xiao De was quick enough to catch on, shifting over to stand next to Shuangxi instead.

He gave Hua Zhixuan one last reassuring smile before walking out.

"This servant congratulates Little Master Yue." Once outside, the cold breeze was a refreshing change to the stifling heat of the hall. Its harsh bite on Yan Zheyun's cheeks was sobering. Later on, he was going to have to keep all his wits about him. No matter how blindsided he felt, he had to conceal it from the emperor's sharp gaze.

Before he could shiver, the eunuch was signalling for a cloak to be brought over. It wasn't the same one that Yan Zheyun had worn during the walk over, which should still be with Xiao De. Instead, it was a heavy black one with a glossy sable collar, of such an unsuitable length that it trailed past his feet and onto the stone pathway underfoot.

Yan Zheyun had a similar oversized cloak back in his chambers.

"Thank you, please accept this in return for the well-wishes." Months in the inner palace had taught him the importance of keeping money on him. He slipped a silver ingot into the eunuch's hands.

"This servant is unworthy." But he accepted the reward with twinkling eyes.

"May this concubine know Gonggong's noble family name?"

"Little Master holds this servant in too high a regard, this servant's ignoble family name is Zheng."

Instead of a long dreary hike back, there was a carriage waiting for him. It was more ornate than any Yan Zheyun had seen before and the instructor momos had taught them about this before. It was the 'Spring Favour Carriage' (1), which was used to escort the lucky concubine to the emperor's residential palace. To Yan Zheyun, its golds and jewels were tacky. But he supposed the ostentatious embellishments were the best way to convey the prestige that went along with riding in it.

The wheels of the carriage clattered over the stone road beneath. This was the largest avenue in the inner palace, which led straight up to Qianqing Palace. No one else besides the servants was around to witness this procession but the noise was audible enough that Yan Zheyun imagined they could be heard by the other concubines who were sitting in their empty boudoirs in the palaces en route.

He smiled wryly. Who was he to look down on their jealous wrangling? There was nothing wrong with hating the other lovers of their husband. Yan Zheyun could subscribe to this wholeheartedly. He was raised in a society that acknowledged the sanctity of marriage as being between two willing individuals. Even cheating was a big no-no for him, let alone one-sided polygamy.

By the time they reached Qianqing Palace, the initial euphoria had faded away, replaced by a quiet fatalism. This was his best option, he reminded himself firmly, and at least he wasn't going to have to lie beneath some unattractive old man. He'd entered the palace knowing that his plans would fly in the face of all his principles surrounding relationships. It made no sense to back down now when he was closer than ever to success.

As a mere concubine, Yan Zheyun was not permitted to dally in the main chambers of Qianqing Palace. Instead, once stepping out of the carriage, he was led through a series of side doors to a small hall that contained a magnificent bath. The room resembled an open-air atrium and the moon was visible over the perfumed water. Rose and osmanthus petals floated on its crystal surface and Yan Zheyun wrinkled his nose at the idea of pampering himself like he was at one of those spas his mother always dragged Lixin to.

Eunuch Zheng must have noticed Yan Zheyun's distaste because he laughed a little. "Begging your pardon, Little Master," he said. "The other servants used the standard preparation when arranging this bath for you. Should you have other preferences, just send word ahead next time and this servant will be sure to make suitable arrangements for you."

This was a demonstration of goodwill, an auspicious suggestion that Yan Zheyun's favour would last for longer than just one night. Yan Zheyun had his reservations about that but he accepted the offer graciously.

The bath was significant though. If he were just here for a chat, or worse, to be thrown into torture chambers, there was no need to take him through the formalities for serving in the dragon bed. Two young eunuchs approached him to assist him with disrobing.

It had taken him weeks to get used to dressing in front of Xiao De. Even then, he was reluctant to allow Xiao De to remove his undergarments for him. Similarly, he tolerated their help until he was in nothing more than a thin white silk robe.

"That's enough." He pulled away from their hands, ignoring their protests as he stepped into the water like this. The temperature was just right, hot enough to soothe his muscles, especially the slight burn in his calves from the exercise early on.

The servants exchanged uncertain glances. "T-Then Noble Lord Yue, would you require assistance with this?" One of them carried a tray over to Yan Zheyun, on which three lacquered canisters sat, one with a painting of two goldfish swimming around each other, another with two colourful mandarin ducks roosting together, and the last with two intertwined willow branches.

…he heard the message loud and clear.

Ancient lubricant, at least the kind used in the inner palace, had far better packaging than their modern counterparts. They smelled better too. But no matter how posh they were made out to be, Yan Zheyun would never get used to the idea of preparing himself in front of a whole host of servants. His cheeks heated up at the mere thought, especially since it wasn't just eunuchs in the bath hall with him. Even though they were keeping their distance, two pretty maids were standing at the entrance too. He'd noticed them sneaking him shy looks ever since he'd walked in and it only served to make the situation unbearably awkward.

"This concubine doesn't require any assistance," he muttered. "For anything. Leave me be."

Perhaps Eunuch Zheng took pity on him because he ushered all the servants out and was even kind enough to shut the door behind him after he left.

Yan Zheyun made quick work of cleansing himself. Then, with one last deep fortifying breath, he grabbed a random canister and popped its lid off.

The scent of peaches wafted out again. He wasn't sure if there were different flavours and frankly, was too nervous to care. Hauling himself out of the water he settled down on a nearby divan, which was possibly here for this very reason.

There was nothing to it. The longer he took, the higher the odds of someone bursting in to check on him and catching him in the act of stretching himself out.

It wasn't too long before he was cleaning his hands on a damp towel, ears burning as he fidgeted awkwardly, unsure how to feel about the strange slickness down behind. He'd known he was gay since high school but had never seriously considered himself in either position before. Sex had always appeared very messy to him, especially for the receiving partner, and he was feeling that more so than ever now.

Eunuch Zheng was waiting for him just outside when he popped his head out.

"Ah! Little Master!" he exclaimed upon seeing Yan Zheyun's dripping robes. "Quick, remove those before you catch a cold!" He gestured for the other servants to bring forth a large, thick blanket. It was spun from soft silks and padded for comfort. They wrapped it around Yan Zheyun just as he gritted his teeth and let his last covering drop to the floor with a wet thump.

"Deputy Eunuch Zheng," one of the young eunuchs stammered. "We haven't done Noble Lord Yue's hair…"

So he was a deputy eunuch. Yan Zheyun had guessed on first sight that he was important but now had proof that he was second only to Head Eunuch Cao.

Eunuch Zheng assessed Yan Zheyun, who blinked back at him. He felt foolish with his arms pinned to his sides, his head sticking out from one end, resembling the filling of a sushi roll wrapped up tightly with seaweed.

"Quickly," he decided. "It wouldn't do to keep His Majesty waiting."

"If Little Master Yue could just bear with us for a moment…" The maids rushed up with a bowl of floral rice water, which they dipped sandalwood combs into before pulling it gently through the long black strands of his hair. Yan Zheyun stood still and let them complete their task. The host body wasn't much taller than them, which made it simpler. He stared past them at a long corridor that was framed with decorative pillars on either side, as well as carved wooden lattice panels that provided a sense of privacy. There were many sets of curtains too and the carpet underfoot was softer than any in Zheshan Palace.

Although, he soon remembered that he wouldn't have the opportunity to walk on it himself.

"…Zheng Gonggong!" he couldn't help the exclamation that escaped from his mouth when four eunuchs approached him once Eunuch Zheng gave the signal. They presented him with a respectful bow before hoisting him up onto their shoulders like a sack, carrying him in a solemn procession that reminded Yan Zheyun of coffin bearers.

Except, the corpses in those coffins usually weren't wriggling around naked in a blanket.

"Please bear with the customs, Little Master," Eunuch Zheng said.

The instructor momos had described the entire ritual from the arrival of the carriage to the completion of the night in detail before. But the actual experience left Yan Zheyun reeling from embarrassment. He shut his eyes to maintain the last shreds of dignity, waiting for them to sneak him into the foot of the dragon bed so that he could crawl beneath the emperor's covers and begin his duties.

But upon entering the emperor's bedchambers, the ritual was interrupted.

A cold voice called out, "Leave him there."