From CEO to Concubine

The morning harem assembly at Changchun Palace always felt like the prequel to war but the strain coursing through the atmosphere was more pernicious than ever when Yan Zheyun stepped through the opened double doors and into the main chamber where Noble Consort Li typically held court. 

Although Gracious Consort Yao, during his visit yesterday, had very kindly told Yan Zheyun to rest if required, Yan Zheyun had attended to him after a bath. They'd sparred for hours over the chessboard whilst engaging in idle conversation and Yan Zheyun had been impressed both by Gracious Consort Yao's skill level, which was far above his, and grateful for the useful information Gracious Consort Yao had been generous to impart. Yan Zheyun had once again been struck by the notion that Gracious Consort Yao's relationship with the emperor was different from the rest of the concubines. He hadn't been able to detect any hint of jealousy in Gracious Consort Yao's attitude towards him. This was either the product of impressive acting skills or he just didn't care. 

There were plenty of others to do the caring on his behalf. 

"Look who finally decided to show up."

Yan Zheyun ignored the bitter remark from Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang—oh no, wait. It was Imperial Concubine Zhang now, wasn't it? But Yan Zheyun couldn't recall hearing her name when the eunuch announcing all the inner palace promotions had made his rounds. The safest bet was to ignore her by acknowledging Noble Consort Li instead. Even if this caused upset to Zhang Whatever-Her-Rank-Was, any fuss that she kicked up would be a show of disrespect. 

Noble Consort Li was seated at the end of the room, her cushioned chair a centrepiece of the low dais that it was on. Maids flanked her on either side as well as two short braziers, which kept the room a comfortable warm. A long decorative carpet rolled out from her feet to the entrance, a beautiful spring scenery of flowers and birds woven on a sky blue background. On either side of the carpet were two long rows of chairs, where concubines would sit according to their rank. Once space ran out, the remaining concubines who were of too lowly rank would have no choice but to stand behind their more prestigious big sisters and brothers. 

Everyone was still arriving in dribs and drabs, with the newcomers rushing in earlier to avoid being called out for being late. The higher-ranked concubines weren't all present yet. Gracious Consort Yao, as far as Yan Zheyun knew, was still asleep judging from how little hustle and bustle had been emitted from the main house when Yan Zheyun had departed for the long walk over. 

He copied the others that had reached shortly before him, walking up to the dais and presenting Noble Consort Li with a bow. Unlike her quick dismissal of the other concubines, however, Noble Consort Li gave him a thorough once over before nodding in satisfaction. 

"This consort is pleased to finally have the opportunity to speak with Lord of Handsome Fairness Yue," she said. "I have heard so much about your beauty and had the chance to admire your talents only recently. Now that I've seen you up-close, I can tell that the rumours have done you no justice." Her smile was benevolent. "I trust that all has been well with you ever since you've moved into the inner palace?" 

Yan Zheyun inclined his head politely. "Thanks to Noble Consort Li Niangnniang, all is well with this concubine." His manners were impeccable but whether she caught his subtle jibe or not, only she would know. 

Thanks to Noble Consort Li, he'd developed a persistent cough for most of the last two months that was only starting to improve now. Thanks to Noble Consort Li, his lower back ached from a muscle injury that had been inflicted on him by Sun Momo when she'd forced him to practise bowing by holding an awkward position for hours on end. 

Gracious Consort Yao had provided Yan Zheyun with a brief rundown of the higher-ranking concubines in the harem. He acted like he was behaving on a whim and Yan Zheyun still hadn't managed to guess his agenda. But the thoughtful insights he'd added were helpful. Through him, Yan Zheyun learnt just how badly Noble Consort Li desired the title of empress, which should have been hers if not for the fiasco with the Tian Fu Star. The same star that now shone merrily in the sky with a brightness that the state preceptor had attributed to Yan Zheyun. 

It didn't matter that stars were just glowing plasma held together in a spherical shape by their own gravity. The Tian Fu Star's reemergence meant that Noble Consort Li was destined to see Yan Zheyun as an enemy, which made him even warier of the jewellery box she was now beckoning for one of her servant girls to present to him. 

The girl bobbed her curtsy before unlocking the box and revealing a metal bracelet embedded with an opaque cyan gemstone that wasn't so garish that he would be able to use that as an excuse to not wear it. 

"This bracelet was gifted to this consort on my wedding day to His Majesty," Noble Consort Li explained with a soft wistful sigh. Her quiet reminiscing was sentimental but also served as a reminder to everyone listening that as the previous crown princess, she was the only member of the harem to have a legitimate marriage to the emperor, even if he'd denied her the position that was rightfully hers. "Two nights ago, you fulfilled your duties for the first time and should be lauded for the merit. This consort has decided to bequeath this bracelet upon you as a reminder of your union with His Majesty." 

The maid held out the box and gave Yan Zheyun a kindly smile. "This servant congratulates Lord of Handsome Fairness Yue!" 

Yan Zheyun didn't accept it straight away. Instead, he deepened his bow towards Noble Consort Li. "This concubine thanks Noble Consort Li for the magnanimous gesture but I was only doing what was required of me and am undeserving of such a reward." 

From behind, he heard Zhang Whoever sullenly mutter, "Who are you putting on your false modesty for?" 

He didn't react to that but the concubine who sat in the first seat of her row did. 

"Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang," that concubine said levelly, "have you not learnt the consequences of stirring up trouble with that tongue of yours?" 

Oh, so she was still at her old rank while everyone else below 'Imperial Concubine' had been promoted? How interesting. Yan Zheyun hadn't forgotten the lovely welcome she'd given him back when he'd been new to Zheshan Palace. He waited for someone else to be gossipy enough to elaborate on why this had happened to her. 

And of course, the harem wouldn't disappoint. Imperial Concubine Hui, whom he also recognised as Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang's companion, reached out and placed a comforting hand on her arm. "Little Sister, Noble Consort Dou is right to chastise you, you should thank her for the reminder! Only the heavens know how His Majesty found out about the visit we paid to Lord of Handsome Fairness Yue upon his arrival…" 

Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang's cheeks heated up under the intrusive gaze of the many pairs of eyes that were watching her. She could read the gloating in the eyes of the other concubines, even that bitch Yan Yun who was pretending to be so high and mighty when she just knew that he was secretly revelling that his tattle-tale tactics had worked! 

She pointed an accusatory finger at him. "All this concubine did was tell you off a little for your presumptuousness! Big Sister Hui can back me up! But Yan Yun, you're arrogant enough to paint me in a bad light in front of His Majesty and make me lose my promotion—"

"Please be fair, Lady Zhang," Yan Zheyun interjected smoothly, not forgetting to limit the depth of his bow now that they were only one rank apart. "You accusing me of slander without any evidence is laughably ironic." His words were so galling that her face turned an alarming shade of red. 

"Audacious!" she cried, forgetting where she was in a moment of heat. "How dare you speak to me—"

"Enough!" 

Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang jumped as Noble Consort Li's shout cracked through the air like a whip. 

"Zhang Qian, you've been told time and again by Noble Consort Dou to behave with decorum and still you remain so stubbornly set in your ways!" Noble Consort Li's attention was on the stumped Lady of Bright Deportment but Yan Zheyun's gaze was drawn to the small upward tilt playing at the edges of Imperial Concubine Hui's lips. 

This here was a person whose only fear was that there would be peace on earth (1). If Imperial Concubine Hui hadn't opened her mouth earlier, Noble Consort Dou's admonishment might have reined in Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang's spirited temper successfully. 

Noble Consort Li's lecture was still ongoing. "You were already in the wrong for going over to Zheshan Palace in the first place," she declared. "How improper is that for a lady? You're lucky His Majesty granted you clemency and that your punishment is so mild! And yet you remain ungrateful and cause a ruckus out of jealousy towards Lord of Handsome Fairness Yue!"

"Niangniang," Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang wailed, her eyes red-rimmed as she shot a hateful glare towards Yan Zheyun. "You know why this little sister went to Zheshan Palace—"

Imperial Concubine Hui chose that moment to speak up on her behalf. "Noble Consort Niangniang," she said with an unhurried curtsy. "This imperial concubine was present that day too and would be willing to share in the punishment meted out by His Majesty to be fair. But please don't blame Lady Zhang anymore, she is just distraught from jealousy—"

"It's not out of jealousy!" Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang snapped. "I just can't stand how this ex-slave provokes us by flaunting the favour that His Majesty shows towards him! Just because he was summoned doesn't mean he should skip morning assembly or use a sedan!"

[This is exactly what it means to get shot while lying down.] (2)

Before Yan Zheyun could defend himself, Wu Yusi's voice piped up from the line of girls standing behind the chairs. She curtsied as she said, "Noble Consort Li Niangniang, please don't be harsh on Big Sister Zhang. Even though Lord Yue had His Majesty's permission for the privileges he enjoyed, who here can be completely free of envy about his good fortunes?"

The room fell silent. She kept her lashes lowered meekly but her reputation for being spoilt far preceded her and made this display comical. "Besides, Big Sister Zhang might have acted rashly but her words aren't all wrong." She made a show of hesitation. "This little sister once had the opportunity to live in the same household as Lord of Handsome Fairness Yue and…has seen what he can be like when a little favouritism is shown towards him…" 

A wave of murmurs washed over the chamber. 

Noble Consort Li pinched the bridge of her nose. "Everyone here belongs to His Majesty," she said at last. "This consort will let it go this time around but I want no more disharmonious talk about each other going forward, do you all understand?"

"Yes, Noble Consort Li." 

She motioned for Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang to take her seat again. "As punishment for the racket you made, this consort expects ten copies of the heart sutra by tomorrow evening. Perhaps this reflection will help you to cool down and think before you act." 

Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang's mouth twisted in dissatisfaction but couldn't contradict the order. 

"Yes, Noble Consort Li," she gritted out. 

With that, the noble consort's gaze landed on Yan Zheyun once more, softening to radiate a sense of sincerity that he didn't trust. But he knew what was expected of him and crafted a shy, grateful smile for her. 

"Okay, that's enough excitement for the day." She motioned for the maid with the jewellery box, who was still waiting after this prolonged delay. 

This time around, Yan Zheyun knew that he had no choice but to accept it, otherwise he would cement a reputation for himself of not showing the appropriate respect to the noble consort after she dissipated this argument for him. If he didn't know better, he'd think that the entire confrontation that had just occurred was a very elaborate trap. 

"This concubine thanks Noble Consort Li Niangniang for the gift." He plucked it out of its holder and snapped it on his left wrist, the cold touch of the metal reminding him of the watch he used to wear there but there was an obvious difference, of course. One was a timepiece, the other might be a time bomb. 

The smile Noble Consort Li gave him was bright as the other concubines around paid lip service by admiring how elegant the bracelet looked on his fair arm. 

"This consort is glad that it looks so good on you," she said teasingly. "It'll be a waste if you just keep it in storage, make sure you wear it often!" 

"As Niangniang commands," Yan Zheyun replied and was finally allowed to take his seat next to that easily insulted Lord of Bright Deportment Chen. He rolled his eyes at Yan Zheyun but Yan Zheyun didn't mind. In fact, he was pleasantly surprised that he hadn't attempted to pour oil over the fire to make it burn even more fiercely. 

This first assembly of Yan Zheyun's finally dragged to an end five minutes or so after Gracious Consort Yao showed up. It was more dreary and pointless than any board meeting his father had ever forced him to sit through and he couldn't wait to excuse himself, hightailing it out of there as soon as he could. 

Once back in the relative privacy of his chambers, he snatched the bracelet off and tossed it onto the table where it clattered noisily. He eyed it like it was as dangerous as a poisonous snake. 

Xiao De, who was folding Yan Zheyun's winter cloak, startled and came over to see what the matter was. 

"Little Master?" 

Yan Zheyun looked at him expressionlessly.. "I need you to pass a message to your godfather for me."