From CEO to Concubine

He wandered back to Yuyang Palace in a daze. The back of his robes were soaked in a cold sweat, the damp fabric plastering itself against his clammy back and making him shiver. 

"Little Master, what's wrong?" Xiao De's worried voice sound vague and muffled as though Yan Zheyun's ears were filled with cotton. 

"I'm okay," Yan Zheyun muttered. He truly was, he just needed a bit of time to get over how daring he'd been just half an hour ago. Now that the adrenaline had worn off, a belated fear was creeping to grip him in its insidious claws. 

What did the emperor think? Yan Zheyun was still alive, which was a promising sign, but the emperor hadn't invited him to return to the study with him after their short walk. Instead, he had neatened the ribbon fastening Yan Zheyun's cloak together before commenting on his frail health and gently dismissing him to return home for some rest. He hadn't scolded Yan Zheyun. More importantly, he hadn't answered Yan Zheyun's question. 

His head hurt so he willed himself to stop dwelling on the matter. He would figure out a solution if and when the emperor stopped summoning him to Tianlu Pavilion but there was no use ruminating about the possibility now. 

Eunuch Huan was supervising the other servants in the courtyard, who were making arrangements for the new outdoor furnishings to be put up in preparation for spring. His eyes widened in surprise when he caught sight of Yan Zheyun but he led the other servants in a respectful greeting anyway. 

"Please dispense with formalities," Yan Zheyun said. He detached Xiao De's supporting hold on his elbow as he stepped over the raised threshold of the main entrance. 

"Lord Yue, Lord of Bright Deportment Chen and First-class Attendant Hua are currently visiting my master, would you like to join them?" 

Yan Zheyun had actually been contemplating following the emeperor's instructions to 'rest' and going back for a nap. But now that he heard that Hua Zhixuan had abandoned bedrest to hang out with the gracious consort, he changed his mind and headed over there instead. 

The three of them were seated in a side chamber that was too simply decorated for an owner of consort status. But Gracious Consort Yao seemed right at home as he lazed on a long divan with a chessboard propped up on a low table in front of him, Hua Zhixuan curled up on a cushion on the floor by his feet, his mouth uncharacteristically pulled into a solemn frown as he fiddled with a back piece and pondered his next move. His lips were still paler than normal and now and then a quiet cough would escape from them.

[Between the both of us,] Yan Zheyun thought wryly as he stifled a cough too, [the right wing of Yuyang Palace should be renamed Yuyang infirmary.] But apart from the persistent signs of mild illness, Hua Zhixuan was a lot more energetic than he'd been two days ago. 

At a nearby table, Lord of Bright Deportment Chen propped his chin up in his hands and scowled at the chess-playing duo in malcontent. Upon the door eunuch's announcement of Yan Zheyun's arrival, he glanced up sharply, sneer replacing his sulk as he gave Yan Zheyun a disgruntled once-over. 

"How nice of Little Brother Yue to finally find the time to join us, were you not summoned to accompany His Majesty again today? Why grace us with your presence?" 

Yan Zheyun ignored his jibe to greet Gracious Consort Yao first, just as Hua Zhixuan started to rise to pay his respects to Yan Zheyun too. This complicated hierarchical exchange of greetings wasn't something they bothered with in the privacy of their chambers but since they were amongst unfamiliar people at the moment, there was an unspoken agreement between them to obey the rules so no one could call them out on it. 

But Gracious Consort Yao clearly didn't have the same concerns. He placed a firm hand on Hua Zhixuan's shoulder to prevent him from standing up and waved Yan Zheyun's attempts to bow aside flippantly. "Save all that nonsense for when you finally decide to attend morning assemblies again," he drawled, an amused gleam in his eyes as he studied Hua Zhixuan's face intently. "Although judging by how hale and hearty this little rabbit here looks, you'll run out of an excuse soon enough." 

Yan Zheyun tilted his head. "This concubine doesn't know what Gracious Consort Yao means. Attendant Hua still looks under the weather to me, it wouldn't do to keep him away from rest for too long." He pointedly avoided admitting that they did indeed plan to use Hua Zhixuan's injuries and illness to avoid the morning assemblies. 

Hua Zhixuan's gaze was confused as he looked at Yan Zheyun inquiringly. No doubt he was wondering why Yan Zheyun had returned so early. But Yan Zheyun just shook his head slightly in response. Now was not the time to mention his conversation with the emperor to Hua Zhixuan. He might not even do so later in the privacy of his own chambers, not before he had a better idea of how the emperor felt about letting Hua Zhixuan serve as an official. There was no need to get Hua Zhixuan's hopes up for nothing. 

He took a seat on a stool opposite Lord Chen, who was making loud harrumphing noises to attract his attention. Giving Lord Chen a patient smile, Yan Zheyun acknowledged his superiority with a polite incline of his head and a neutral, "this little brother greets Big Brother Chen." While Yan Zheyun referred to Hua Zhixuan often as Brother Hua, the word he used was 'Xiong', which was a courteous form of address between male friends that portrayed them as equals. But he purposely used 'Gege' with Lord Chen to match the saccharine 'Didi' Lord Chen insisted on calling him. It was overly familiar, a mockery of the closeness that the female concubines liked to exhibit with each other, and judging by the sickly green shade Lord Chen's face had taken on, Yan Zheyun wasn't the only one repulsed by it. 

Discomfited by Yan Zheyun's artificial friendliness, Lord Chen struggled to find some fault to nitpick at, to help him regain some semblance of control. "Took your long enough to remember your manners, heavens know who you're putting on all these airs for." 

Yan Zheyun smiled modestly. "Naturally, it's all for Big Brother. Yun Er is so glad Big Brother noticed."

Hua Zhixuan choked on his laughter and had to be soothed by Gracious Consort Yao's comforting pats on his back when this triggered another coughing fit. 

"Chen Qi, if you get any more sour, we're all going to be drowning in the vinegar seeping out of your skin," Gracious Consort Yao said, shooting Lord Chen a warning glance. "Behave and be nice or go back to your house and throw a tantrum there but don't ruin anyone else's day, you know what is expected of being a resident of Yuyang Palace." 

…was there a separate manual for that? Yan Zheyun might have missed the memo. But Lord Chen clearly hadn't because he retreated into his prickly shell, staring vehemently at the table like he was hoping to set it on fire with the burning rage in his gaze. 

"This concubine just thinks it's unfair is all," he mumbled. "We've all of us been stuck in the inner palace for so long, even Big Brother Yao hardly gets any time with His Majesty, and then suddenly this slave comes along…" 

"In response to Lord Chen," Yan Zheyun interrupted. "I'm not a slave anymore. I also find it very endearing that you expect life in the inner palace to be fair." His tone implied that this wasn't the compliment it sounded like. 

"How dare—"

"Enough, both of you," Gracious Consort Yao said tiredly. "You're distracting the poor little rabbit from his game, he was struggling half a shichen ago but now his every move is a veritable disaster." 

Hua Zhixuan's cheeks burned. "Gracious Consort Langjun," he protested. "Zhixuan already told you that my chess skills are mediocre—"

"You're being too humble, if your chess skills are mediocre, Chen Qi here should copy some scriptures to atone for the pain he inflicted upon me for months with his horrendous strategies."

Lord Chen bristled at that blatant insult but Yan Zheyun was preoccupied with something else. 

Hua Zhixuan referred to himself by name? He'd become so close to the gracious consort in such a short time span? Was this of his own volition or had the gracious consort encouraged it? 

Maybe he was studying them too intently because Gracious Consort Yao looked over suddenly, a sly knowing twinkle in his eyes when their gazes met. For a second, Yan Zheyun thought he was going to tease Yan Zheyun for looking too long, perhaps toss in a flirtatious comment or two to lighten the atmosphere. 

Instead, Gracious Consort Yao breathed in deeply and said, "Just two days and already you're starting to smell like His Majesty." His grin widened. "If one didn't know better, one would think you were in the dragon bed instead of the dragon study." 

…there it was, the flirtatious comment Yan Zheyun had been steeling himself up for. It just wasn't in the context he'd anticipated. 

He was fairly sure that his cheeks matched Hua Zhixuan's and Lord Chen's now, three bright red tomatoes blushing like inexperienced virgins at the thought of anything remotely sexual, even though Yan Zheyun had been bold before, had relied on every last ounce of his imagination to charm the emperor in bed before—but—but that was all private! Why was Gracious Consort Yao bringing it up?! 

This wasn't the same as his friends chatting about porn actresses at great length, this was him as the star of the show and he really didn't want to be talking about it! 

"Is it the incense?" he said, deliberately ignoring the insinuation. "This concubine has noticed the emperor's preference for this scent."

He heard Lord Chen's sullen mutter of, "Showoff." But he focused instead on Gracious Consort Yao's thoughtful hum. 

"Now that you mention it, His Majesty had always preferred sandalwood to the precious dragon essence incense (1) offered up as imperial tribute. But in recent times, he does seem to be using it more and more frequently." 

Yan Zheyun's leaned an elbow on the table and propped his chin up on it, using his fingers to conceal the slight frown tugging on the corners of his mouth. 

——————————

An intricate pink and yellow cloisonne cup smashed against the wall and shattered into uncountable fragments. Hot tea splashed out and the maids stationed nearby trembled where they stood but didn't dare to dodge for fear of bringing the wrath of their mistress down upon them instead. 

"That little slut has really gone too far!" Zhang Qian seethed. "How could he refuse Big Sister Hui entry into Tianlu Pavilion?! And after Big Sister Hui was so thoughtful as to boil a share of the soup for him too!" 

Across from her, second-class Attendant Wu nodded viciously. "Lady Zhang is right, this little sister must warn, that Yan slave has always been good at taking a mile after being given an inch, Big Sisters, you must all watch out for him!" 

Hui Shuxian looked on as the both of them riled each other up with little effort on her part, her thick lashes hiding the glint of amusement in her gaze. She'd thought that one Zhang Qian was a heaven-sent blessing already but Zhang Qian had been assigned to live with Noble Consort Dou instead. Noble Consort Dou had never participated in the power struggle of the harem and had an eagle-eye for trouble so the extent to which Hui Shuxian dared to manipulate Zhang Qian was limited. Luckily, this new spoiled brat from the Wu Family had moved into Xueyu—Snowy Wing—Pavilion, which Hui Shuxian was the head of. 

She had to thank Noble Consort Li for gifting her such a useful new pawn. 

Shaking her head, Hui Shuxian placed a placating hand on Zhang Qian's arm. "This big sister knows that you're upset on my behalf but Little Sister Zhang should try and calm down." She didn't chastise her for ruining yet another cup, just requested that the maids replaced it. Her good temper made Zhang Qian guilty for her outburst. 

"This little sister apologises for breaking Big Sister Hui's beautiful cup," she said contritely but her dissatisfaction  lingered stubbornly on her face despite her best efforts to hide it. "But there really, something needs to be done about that Yan slave, otherwise, are we meant to tolerate having him outshine the rest of us in front of the emperor? What a joke!" 

Hui Shuxian let out a dejected sigh. "Big Sister understands," she murmured. "I was just worried for His Majesty's health, you know how he works so hard for the country and doesn't have a close feminine companion to take care of him, the soup was the least I could do…" 

Attendant Wu clenched her fists. "The Yan slave is too much of a bully," she gritted out. "Even though this little sister has just moved into Xueyu Pavilion, I already know that Hui Niangniang is excellent at preparing medicinal recipes. His Majesty surely would have enjoyed Niangniang's soup, if only that Yan slave hadn't been so arrogant as to dismiss it!" 

Whether His Majesty would have enjoyed it or not, Hui Shuxian didn't care. When she'd brought the soup over to Tianlu Pavilion, she'd already been expecting to be rejected because she'd purposely chosen to drop by after learning from her informants that Lord of Handsome Fairness Yue was currently accompanying the emperor. Sure enough, she'd been turned away and now her good 'sisters' were up in arms in indignation on her behalf. 

They were so busy feeling sorry for her—or laughing at her humiliation inwardly, perhaps—but no one knew that she counted yesterday's visit as a resounding success. 

A rueful smile painted her lips. "It is what it is," she murmured. "As all of you know, when one has the favour His Majesty, one can do whatever one wants…" She let an envious tone steal into her words. "You all heard about what happened that night at Changchun Palace with the handkerchiefs. Even if it isn't presentable, as long as His Majesty likes it, even a washcloth can become an imperial brocade." She let out a small gasp and covered her mouth, tossing Attendant Wu an apologetic look as though she just realised she'd said something hurtful. 

"This big sister forgot that Little Sister Wu also participated in the handkerchief sewing this time around," she said. "I'm sure that Little Sister Wu was very talented, what did you present to His Majesty?" 

"A love knot," Attendant Wu mumbled despondently. She couldn't be blamed for it. After so many days, the only concubine apart from Lord Yue to receive any praise for their sewing was Talented Lady Zhao. But at least she had the abilities and good family standing to back it up, unlike the undeserving slave who now lorded it over the rest of them. 

Hui Shuxian tutted pityingly. "Don't worry, Little Sister Wu, this big sister is sure that you will have more opportunities to shine in the future." 

"This little sister hopes that Hui Niangniang's auspicious words will come true." 

She nodded fondly, feeling satisfied at how her relationship with Attendant Wu was developing. When Attendant Wu had first been placed in Xueyu Pavilion, Hui Shuxian had been concerned that a troublesome character was about to inflict itself upon her peaceful palace. Although she had finally reached imperial concubine rank, it hadn't been through any merit of her own. Her father was just a lowly 'Upper Seven' imperial physician and the only reason why she'd been allowed to serve as a concubine to the crown prince was because he had the foresight to worm his way into the good graces of the then empress. She owed her current luxuries to the dowager's occasional assistance. 

But this didn't change the fact that she was of a humble background. Compared to Attendant Wu's lineage from the old noble clans, she was barely better than a commoner. It was just fortuitous that this silly Attendant Wu was so fixated on her hatred for Lord Yue that she didn't have any energy left to fight against anyone else. 

"If you ask me, this Yan slave must be a fox demon," Attendant Wu bit out. "That's why he can so shamelessly seduce every single man he comes into contact with. Niangniang doesn't know, until now, this little sister's brother is still so enamoured with him that he is wasting away at home, unable to perform his duties to the state! If it weren't for that whore, my brother would be able to dedicate himself wholly to assisting His Majesty in wise governance!" 

Hui Shuxian nearly laughed out loud at that. She didn't say that she thought Attendant Wu was delusional, that any fool stupid enough to ruin their bright future for a pretty face wasn't going to get very far in politics anyway. 

"If Little Sister says so," she replied evenly.. "Then it must be so. If this Lord Yue is truly a fox demon in disguise, then surely he would require more than just His Majesty for sustenance? This concubine has to wonder…"