From CEO to Concubine

"Lord Yue, His Majesty has been waiting for you." 

Yan Zheyun inclined his head. "This concubine thanks Head Eunuch Cao for guiding me in."

This morning, he'd received yet another summons to join the emperor in his study. Yesterday, he'd spent an entire day grinding ink next to the emperor and doubling up as an ornamental piece in Tianlu Pavilion. Perhaps the emperor had felt a bit of guilt for making this supposedly spoilt favourite of his hang around at his beck and call because he'd offered Yan Zheyun a seat on a nearby divan after lunch. 

They'd eaten together in a small side chamber that had been prepared precisely for His Majesty to take a quick break from his work for meals. Yan Zheyun didn't have to see Head Eunuch Cao's astounded expression when he'd been instructed to set an extra place to know that this was unprecedented. 

That lunch would easily rank in the top three of the most awkward Yan Zheyun had ever experienced in his life. The instructor momos had taught him about imperial table etiquette and he'd intended to follow it to a tee but the emperor hadn't allowed him to stand on ceremony. They hadn't spoken much, the emperor still engrossed in a particular set of memorials that had captured his attention. Yan Zheyun hadn't read those memorials over his shoulder but judging by the aura of sombreness that had draped itself around the emperor like a mantle, they were of serious concern. 

It didn't help that Yan Zheyun kept wanting to ask the emperor why he'd broached the subject of the imperial examinations. Whilst it would be futile for him to attempt to make that jump from the inner palace to the morning court, this didn't mean that it was likewise impossible for Hua Zhixuan, who had the talent, the inclination, and no familial criminal record. From the sounds of it, the emperor had either been testing Yan Zheyun yet again or he'd truly felt sympathy for the sons that had their political careers cut short when they'd been sent in to serve as his concubines. 

But the atmosphere had steadily turned stifling under the growing ire of the emperor at whatever was on his mind and it just wasn't the best time to bring it up again. Yan Zheyun had been relieved to return to Yuyang palace. Even the chance to peruse the emperor's extensive book collection couldn't make up for being high strung the entire afternoon, watching and waiting to see whether the emperor would lose his temper over whatever was troubling him. 

This must have been the reason behind the saying 'being close to the sovereign is like being close to a tiger'. Even something as innocuous as assisting him with scholarly tasks could morph into a perilous endeavour. 

Yan Zheyun had mistakenly thought that his blue sleeve duties would be a one-time thing. After all, he couldn't see the allure of having someone hanging around in his near vicinity while he was trying to rush work. Back when he'd been working with tight deadlines on projects in his father's company, the thing he'd hated the most was to be disturbed while in mid-thought, sometimes by something as simple as his secretary returning a file to its place. 

He'd assumed that everyone would be the same. 

And yet, here he was again. 

But this time, before he could walk in, Head Eunuch Cao stopped him gently, the worry on his face evident in the tight pinch of his forehead. 

"Lord Yue, this old servant must warn you, His Majesty is in a poor mood today after a night of restlessness." 

Yan Zheyun's lips pursed. Was Head Eunuch Cao telling him this on purpose? The emperor had been angry yesterday too but that hadn't been caused by a lack of sleep. At any rate, what was the appropriate response? He didn't dare to inquire too much in case it seemed like it was prying but if he didn't ask at all, would that appear too uncaring? 

"Is His Majesty all right?" was what he settled on. Simple enough to express his concern but not so curious about the details that he would come across like he was fishing for details. Without express permission, asking for specific information about the emperor's ailments was a crime punishable by death. Yan Zheyun might have detested Sun Momo but that didn't mean he hadn't memorised that long list of rules she'd provided him. 

Head Eunuch Cao sighed. "This servant advises Lord Yue to be conscientious later." 

"Thank you, Cao Gonggong." After a moment's hesitation, Yan Zheyun added, "If His Majesty didn't have a good night's sleep, would it not be possible for him to take a nap now?" The culture of afternoon naps had started in ancient times and he knew that it was applicable in this world too. Hua Zhixuan was a huge advocate of it and his enthusiasm for it had been contagious. 

The fervency in Head Eunuch Cao's gaze had Yan Zheyun taking a half-step backwards. 

"If Lord Yue manages to convince His Majesty, this old servant will forever be grateful." 

"…" Something told Yan Zheyun that this most powerful eunuch's gratitude would not be so easily earned. 

The figure behind the desk was once again all in black. The thunderous expression on his face affected his surroundings. Even the painting of the unrecognisable mythical creature behind him, which had appeared rather benevolent to Yan Zheyun yesterday, seemed to be baring its sharp teeth in malice today. 

"This concubine-subject pays his respects to Your Majesty." 

With a curt wave, the emperor dispensed with all formalities and Yan Zheyun went up to the desk again to check on the ink levels. They weren't alone this time, however. 

In an unobtrusive corner of the room, two maids were lighting a huge bundle of incense in a ceramic censor on a display shelf. Yan Zheyun frowned. From what he'd seen so far, the emperor was very partial towards this particular scent. He could detect the same sandalwood that had permeated the air in Qianqing Palace. The quality of incense that was used in the places the emperor frequented was probably of imperial grade and it was true that the smoke was very faint and white as compared to the ones he'd seen his fellow concubines burn back in Zheshan Palace. 

But that didn't change the fact it might be bad for the lungs. He recalled reading an article in the news about this in the past, which said that it was a toss-up between whether breathing in too much incense smoke would increase the risk of respiratory cancers or not. Even if the risk didn't exist, the burning smell triggered an itch in the back of his throat. He recalled the emperor's foul mood and tried to stifle his cough but it slipped out anyway. 

The emperor paused midway through his writing and looked up at Yan Zheyun. 

Yan Zheyun would kill for a lozenge right about now. No matter how much he tried swallowing his saliva, the scratchiness in his throat soon became unbearable and he let out another small cough in dismay. 

"This concubine-subject apologises for distracting Your Majesty." Ever since the recurrent bouts of illness Yan Zheyun had suffered back in Zheshan Palace, his lungs, which had already been weak, were even more susceptible to irritation now. 

"Come here." 

A memory of dark curtains, a large bed, and a man seated on its edge flashed in Yan Zheyun's mind. He squashed it down as quickly as it arose and walked over to place his hand in the emperor's outstretched palm. Large, warm fingers wrapped around it, thumb stroking over supple skin. 

"You're unwell?" he asked. Although he still looked a little aggravated, the furrow between his brows had smoothed out somewhat now that he was no longer preoccupied with the work he'd been glaring at earlier. 

Yan Zheyun shook his head. "This concubine-subject is fine, the smoke is a little uncomfortable, that's all." It would be rude to clear his throat for fear of jarring the precious imperial ears so Yan Zheyun tried to tolerate the growing itch even though it felt like it was expanding outwards to unbearably to prickle on the surface of his skin. 

A cup was pushed in his direction. The emperor removed the lid to reveal a steaming cup of tea. 

Yan Zheyun's lips parted in surprise. The white porcelain matched the bowl used to hold the tangyuan that had been gifted to Yan Zheyun during the solstice. This was the second time he was being permitted to use the emperor's personal crockery. 

As though he could read Yan Zheyun's hesitation, the emperor commanded, "Drink. Some customs are unnecessary and shouldn't be observed to the detriment of your health." 

Yan Zheyun couldn't agree more. He murmured his thanks and picked the cup up with both hands, relishing in the warmth that spread through the contact. 

"Your Majesty, would you consider going for a short walk?" he asked, once he'd taken a soothing sip. The tea was light and fragrant, and Yan Zheyun fell in love with it instantly. "This concubine-subject is aware that Your Majesty is very busy but sometimes a break might be what's needed to clear the mind for new, productive ideas." 

The emperor's dark eyes were intent. "Is that what Yan Yun believes?" 

"Hm?" Yan Zheyun didn't understand the suddenness of this question. But he answered nonetheless. "Most of the time," he said honestly. "Once in a very long while though, Yan Yun uses it as an excuse to be lazy." He swapped to referring to himself by name since the emperor had done so first. It made their relationship sound more familiar and Yan Zheyun was happy to encourage that. 

He'd expected to be admonished for that childish admission or for the emperor to decline him with a 'this sovereign has the lives of his civilians in his hands and cannot afford even a moment's respite'. So he was stumped when the emperor stood up. 

"Y-Your Majesty?"

The emperor raised an eyebrow. He was already halfway to the door and the maids in the room had ceased in their tasks to curtsy as they sent him off. "What's Yan Yun waiting for? Did you mean to go for a walk around this study?" 

"…" Yan Zheyun hurried after him, trying to match his long strides with his shorter legs. Ah, how he missed his original height. Poor malnourished Yan Yun had fallen far behind on the bell curve but now that he was a favoured master with access to better food, he was going to try his best to grow a couple more centimetres in the few short years he had left. 

As they passed a gaping Head Eunuch Cao, the emperor paused suddenly. "Cao Mingbao, air the study out and tell the servants to reduce the quantity of the incense," he ordered. 

Yan Zheyun's heart did that traitorous flip again. He lengthened his breaths to try and calm its annoying fluttering. 

[Don't be presumptuous. It might not be for you. With him, it could mean anything.] 

They didn't leave the premises of Tianlu Pavilion. Xiao De had accompanied Yan Zheyun this time and was waiting near the entrance, a simple cloak with a white fur trim draped over one arm. The emperor signalled for him to bring it over and Xiao De helped Yan Zheyun back into it before bowing respectfully to their retreating backs as they headed out. 

Yan Zheyun made a beeline for the white marble bridge that arched over a large lotus pond. The dried greenish-brown stalks were dead at the moment but instead of rendering the place ugly, it lent it a forlorn beauty. The crisp air was a lot less stuffy but not necessarily better for his lungs and he wrapped his cloak tighter around his torso to try and ward off as much of the chill as possible. 

The emperor rounded to his other side and leaned against the stone bridge walls. He was tall and broad enough to block most of the breeze blowing from that direction and Yan Zheyun huddled slightly closer to him to try and steal some of the warmth he seemed to radiate. 

"Is Yan Yun's mind clearer now?" the emperor asked wryly. "This sovereign fears that if we remain out here for too long, it'll soon become addled by a feverish fog." 

"…Yan Yun appreciates Your Majesty's concern." He tucked his chin into the fuzz right below it and tried to disguise another cough. His throat was still a little itchy but at least the feeling was less persistent now. "More importantly, is Your Majesty's mind clearer now?" 

The emperor hummed. "Not too bad," was his verdict. "This sovereign increased the amount of incense today to alleviate a headache but your suggestion seems effective too." 

Yan Zheyun's brows knitted together slightly. "The incense is from the Imperial Medical Bureau?" he asked before realising this wasn't something he should be making enquiries about. He bowed immediately. "This concubine-subject has overstepped—"

"It's fine." The emperor brushed it off. "Medicinal incense is commonly used in all palaces, it's not a big secret." 

Something about this bothered Yan Zheyun but he couldn't place exactly what it was that sat at odds with him. "Does the incense help Your Majesty?" He wasn't sure whether the emperor would let him but he reached up with tentative hands to press his fingers lightly against the emperor's temples, then more firmly when he didn't receive an admonishment for his bold behaviour. The gentle massage seemed to be calming and he felt the emperor relax into his touch after a long second. 

"Not as much as capable officials who sincerely wanted to share this sovereign's burdens would," the emperor muttered. 

This was a chance to test the waters. It would be risky to bring it up at this juncture, when the emperor was so bothered by the affairs of the state. If Yan Zheyun came across as too opportunistic it could backfire against him, especially since he was certain he didn't have the emperor's trust. But if he didn't try his luck now, there was no saying when he would next be able to. Every year Hua Zhixuan spent cooped up in the inner palace was one less year for him to expand his influence to the morning court. 

"Your Majesty's woes remind me of a poem," Yan Zheyun said softly. 

"Oh?" The emperor sounded amused. "Let's hear it." 

"Only if a mountain does not shirk its earth and stone can it grow tall, only if an ocean does not abandon its current can it flow far and wide. Just like the Duke of Zhou, I am willing to honour able and virtuous scholars in the hopes that all heroes under the sky will pledge allegiance to me." (1) 

He knew that this poem existed in this world because he'd discovered it in the recesses of Yan Yun's memories too. 

The emperor reached up to take Yan Zheyun's hands. He was gentle as he lowered them away from his face. "You're comparing this sovereign to Cao Cao?" (2)

Yan Zheyun had been very careful to choose this poem only after confirming that The Romance of the Three Kingdoms hadn't been written. That novel had portrayed him as a villain and influenced later operas to depict him as an evil schemer. This negative portrayal wasn't born yet in this world, otherwise, Yan Zheyun wouldn't have enough heads on his neck to make such a comparison. 

He lowered his gaze down to their intertwined fingers. "Yan Yun believes Your Majesty to be capable of surpassing our predecessors and that Your Majesty will be assisted by those with great talent...should you choose to accept them into your court." 

After saying his piece, Yan Zheyun fell silent. The emperor didn't speak for the longest time, the silence that stretched between them like a horrifying wait before his turn at the gallows. He didn't meet the emperor's eyes because he wasn't sure what emotion would be reflected in his own. 

"You told this sovereign yesterday that you had no inclinations towards the court, so you can only be asking for one person." The emperor's voice was expressionless when he finally said something. 

Yan Zheyun's heart had lodged itself in his throat. "If Your Majesty knows who Yan Yun is referring to, you must know that he was number two in his qualifying exams. Your Majesty's attention belongs to the country and you have no time to spare for any one individual. Yan Yun is but a concubine and has the time to regret Your Majesty's potential loss of a good official." 

Long fingers tilted Yan Zheyun's chin up. The emperor's eyes were like an endless abyss. He'd heard somewhere once that the eyes were the windows to the soul but whenever it came to the emperor, Yan Zheyun found that he couldn't read anything in their dark depths. 

"You pity him?" the emperor asked. 

"I find that it's a pity, Your Majesty," he replied hoarsely. "These two emotions revolve around pity but they are not the same. First-class Attendant Hua doesn't need pitying, he needs a chance to prove his worth." He forced himself to hold the emperor's terrifying gaze, the skin on the back of his neck prickling. He was playing a very dangerous game, one that could get him killed before the end of the day if the emperor chose to interpret it as an attempt to meddle in court affairs. 

He gambled anyway. The emperor was a wise sovereign, Yan Zheyun didn't believe he couldn't see the benefit to be gained.

"Will Your Majesty grant him one?"