From CEO to Concubine

With the arrival of the peach blossom came the arrival of the inevitable parties held in the imperial gardens for the concubines. When he'd been a young scholar making waves amongst the literati back in his hometown, Hua Zhixuan had received many an invite to attend such outdoor gatherings beneath the raining trees. He'd delighted in attending every one of them, accompanying this xiongtai's (1) guqin with his dizi or critiquing that xiongtai's painting with the knowledge gained from his tutors. 

After all, revelling in music alone cannot be compared to sharing in the enjoyment as a whole (2). 

Or so Hua Zhixuan had thought. Upon entering the inner palace, he had swiftly changed his mind. Mengzi's teachings were hardly applicable in an environment where one was surrounded by others who wanted nothing more than to chew each other up and spit out just the barest of bones. 

The pavilion in this side wing of the imperial gardens was spacious and airy, with fine gossamer curtains that fluttered in the sweet fragrant breeze. Low tables, covered with long silk runners, were placed on the sides, with a little space in the middle for anyone who chose to demonstrate their talents. At the head of the ensemble sat Noble Consort Li, with Noble Consort Dou on her right and Gracious Consort Yao on her left. 

Hua Zhixuan pointedly didn't look in their direction but still, he could feel amused glances that landed on him occasionally, never long enough to attract unwanted attention but just teasing enough to send a slight ripple through his emotions like when the tips of a dragonfly's wings brushed against the surface of a pond. 

He shook his head to try and free it from these errant thoughts. Lately, the gracious consort had become more and more unusual around him, such that even Hua Zhixuan, who had never participated in—in courtship in his life, couldn't ignore some of the more telling signs. 

It was so scandalous that it was terrifying. Hua Zhixuan couldn't understand how things had swiftly degenerated into this. He'd been so grateful for the gracious consort's assistance when those despicable concubines from noble backgrounds tried to set up a trap for Brother Yan. As such, he'd happily agreed to provide his company every time the gracious consort requested for it after, had been excited, even, at the prospect of improving his chess game through consulting with such a masterful player. 

That was until that one evening, he'd placed a piece down—always black because the gracious consort insisted he made the first move every time—and the euphoric surge of victory had barely begun to course through his veins before it was consumed by the predatory gaze that had burned into his own from across the board. It was so unlike the flippant flirtatiousness that Hua Zhixuan was used to dismissing as part of the gracious consort's personality that he'd stiffened up in shock like a frightened mouse. 

After that, Hua Zhixuan hadn't dared to answer a summons from the main house anymore. Who was he kidding? That wasn't the sort of look a 'big brother' in the inner palace should be directing at a 'little brother'. If someone else had seen, if someone else had wanted to create chaos out of it, their lives would be the pettiest thing on the line. Hua Zhixuan wasn't sure what Gracious Consort Yao's family background was but he couldn't afford for his father and mother to suffer for such a shameful reason! He might not care much for the rest of the Hua Clan but his parents had made countless sacrifices for him to be able to afford to study. He might be a young master from a fallen branch but they hadn't given up yet, had showered him with the best that they could muster and hung their big dreams of revival on him. 

…and now, Brother Yan had told him that perhaps, just perhaps, his family's hopes hadn't been completely dashed by his entering the harem. That the emperor hadn't openly rejected the idea that Brother Yan was audacious for even mentioning in the first place. 

Hua Zhixuan couldn't risk losing this opportunity. It meant more than the world to him. Thus, he'd ignored the way his heart traitorously beat a little faster every time he thought about Gracious Consort Yao and focused instead on his more important companions, such as Brother Yan. 

Speaking of which…

Today's gathering was by no means as formal as the imperial banquets that were held with such fanfare in the great halls. Apart from the high-ranking concubines, everyone else was seated as they pleased, and Hua Zhixuan had chosen a quiet corner next to Brother Yan, who was leaning on the bannister and staring out at the artificial lake pensively. Surrounding its bank was an exquisite orchard of peach blossoms but even as they coyly unfurled their magnificence for all to behold, they still paled in comparison to this beautiful friend of his. 

Even if he hadn't had any disrespectful ideas towards Brother Yan, Hua Zhixuan couldn't help but admire his visage. Before entering the inner palace, he'd heard ugly rumours about the ex-prime minister's son, reduced to resorting to cheap seduction tactics to haul himself out of a life of slavery. Hua Zhixuan had privately had his doubts; Yan Yun's reputation as a budding scholar had reached far and wide even before he'd taken the imperial examinations and Hua Zhixuan didn't believe that someone with such strength of character could be as cheap and base as they described him to be. 

And Hua Zhixuan hadn't been proven wrong. Despite the ornate finery that the other concubines had decked themselves in today, despite only donning a simple white robe and with stray petals in his hair, Brother Yan alone was ethereal in the golden sunlight, while the rest of them remained mere mortals. 

Although, this wandering fairy had been troubled for weeks now but hadn't chosen to share his thoughts with an increasingly concerned Hua Zhixuan. 

"Brother Yan?" he murmured, scooting over to press their knees together in a subtle show of solidarity. "Would you like to go for a walk amongst the trees?" Brother Yan often appeared wrapped up in an aura of distraction nowadays, chin propped on the back of his hands as he gazed into the distance like he was searching for something out of reach that Hua Zhixuan couldn't see. Sometimes, the deep pools of his eyes would freeze over with a sharp iciness that reminded Hua Zhixuan of their days back in Zheshan Palace, where the harsh bullying that honed the gauntness in Brother Yan's cheeks and the blade in his ambitious gaze. 

But things were supposed to be going well now, right? Brother Yan was the only concubine with the honour of meeting the emperor daily. This was the sort of preferential treatment that even empresses didn't often receive. 

So what was the matter? 

Hua Zhixuan knew better than to ask now. He nudged Brother Yan gently with an elbow when he failed to garner a response, finally startling Brother Yan out of his daydream. 

"Brother Hua?" Brother Yan murmured, the lucidity returning as he focused on Hua Zhixuan's concerned face. "What's the matter?" He didn't seem to realise that he'd been out of sorts for days and Hua Zhixuan hesitated before setting it aside for another time. He didn't want to pry if Brother Yan didn't want to share, but if this went on…

Unfortunately, even though they were content to have their private conversation, not everyone could resist the opportunity to stir up trouble. Every morning assembly was already a tiresome exchange of barbed insults and Hua Zhixuan couldn't understand why they couldn't just give it a rest for something as pleasing as a spring blossom viewing. 

"Look at what a rare visitor we have today. How kind of Lord of Handsome Fairness Yue to finally join us after so long." Hua Zhixuan recognised the speaker as Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang, a beautiful concubine who loved decking herself out in bright colours, reminding Hua Zhixuan of the poisonous snakes and toads he'd read about in travel annals to the jungles in the southwest. 

Languidly, Brother Yan turned to regard her, his long hair spilling over his shoulders as he shrugged his cloak tighter around his shoulders. Despite the welcoming warmth of the spring sun, his body was still worryingly chilly and the imperial physicians that the gracious consort had sent for had said that it would take months of nurturing with appropriate herbal remedies to rectify it. 

Hua Zhixuan handed him a hand warmer and received a soft thanks in return. 

"Yan Yun doesn't know what Lady of Bright Deportment Zhang means," Brother Yan murmured. "I've attended every single morning assembly after Attendant Hua's recovery." He let out a quiet cough and pressed slow circles into one temple with slender fingers. 

Hua Zhixuan frowned. Was Brother Yan not well again? 

Noble Consort Li gave everyone an appeasing smile. "It's such a lovely day today," she said calmly. "Let's not argue over nothing. Lord Yue, you've been called to attend on His Majesty often, this consort trusts that you have been fulfilling your duties well?" 

Brother Yan's response was cursory. "In response to Noble Consort Niangniang, Yan Yun has." 

Lady Zhang's expression soured. "Who knows what sort of duties he's been carrying out?" she muttered, not bothering to lower her voice by too much. This brought on a round of mocking giggling. 

Hua Zhixuan glanced uneasily over at Brother Yan, who appeared unaffected. He didn't even seem to be present anymore, heart elsewhere even though his body was in attendance. 

Noble Consort Li picked up on this. "Lord Yue? Where has your mind wandered off to?" she asked, seemingly lighthearted in her teasing. "Just one afternoon away from His Majesty and you're already so dejected? What about the rest of us brothers and sisters?" 

Imperial Concubine Hui, who had always given Hua Zhixuan an uncomfortable feeling, chipped in with a bell-like laugh. "Niangniang is right," she said gaily. "Lord Yue, if we didn't know better, we would think that you were showing off." 

Not so far away, Liang Ruhan and Fu Cui had started listening in on the conversation too. Hua Zhixuan hadn't had to deal with them ever since he moved into Yuyang Palace but the sight of them was still nauseating and he spent as little time in their vicinity as he could. Recently, Liang Ruhan had been more subdued due to the competition he faced from Beautiful Lord Guo but it was obvious from the way he glared openly at Brother Yan that he hadn't seen the error of his ways. Rather, he'd just found someone convenient to blame. 

"Hui Niangniang," Liang Ruhan drawled. "You hadn't had the good fortune to see firsthand just how enamoured His Majesty was with our dear Lord Yue here." 

"Indeed," Fu Cui quickly concurred. "One cannot help but wonder just how amazing a dancer Lord Yue is, to hold His Majesty in such thrall." 

The Wu Family's daughter, whom Hua Zhixuan recognised as the one who had confronted Brother Yan in the  Small Plum Garden a while back, let out an exaggerated sigh as she fiddled with the bracelets on her arm. "Brothers and Sisters don't know, of course, Lord Yue's dancing cannot be compared to, he was trained by the best, after all." 

"Oh?" This sparked a chorus of interest. "Who was Lord Yue's dance teacher?" 

Second-class Attendant Wu shot a triumphant look at Brother Yan. "Would Lord Yue care to share?"

Hua Zhixuan bristled. Why did it matter who taught Brother Yan to dance?! Even if the dance style Brother Yan had learnt was not befitting a scholarly gentleman, anyone present with a modicum of brains would realise that Brother Yan hadn't been in any position to refuse. And yet, instead of compassion his plight, they chose to use it as a means of hurting him!

So this was what it was like to be ambushed from ten sides (3)? Hua Zhixuan couldn't allow this to happen, he had to support Brother Yan, even if it meant offending all the children of these various noble clans in one go. It was only right, after Brother Yan had gone to lengths to rescue him. 

He opened his mouth to retort but a hand seized him by the wrist and tugged, gently but firmly. 

Brother Yan cocked his head. His youthful looks were beguilingly charming but as per normal, whenever he spoke to these concubines, the words that he chose were precise like fine needles that went straight for their weakest points. 

"Yan Yun's dance teacher is Ye Dynasty's Zhao Feiyan," he announced lightly. "I trust that everyone has heard of her?" 

Attendant Wu scoffed. "Only the most expensive whore in the capital." She eyed Brother Yan meaningfully. "No wonder her instructing was so effective." 

"Ye Dynasty's Zhao Feiyan? Is her dancing truly as spectacular as they say?" The new speaker was Lord of Bright Deportment Chen, who often sulked in a corner of Gracious Consort Yao's house eyeing their chess games beadily after his multiple losses. At first, Hua Zhixuan had been wary of the antagonism he'd shown towards Brother Yan but after a few terse days spent together, he'd quickly realised that Lord Chen was all bark and no bite, and…he couldn't even bark as effectively as Brother Yan…it was almost pitiful. 

Brother Yan inclined his head. "Yan Yun has had the opportunity to be moved by Miss Yu Lan's skill—"

He was loudly interrupted by Lady Zhang's dismissive retort. "No matter how reputable her dancing, a girl from the flower streets is still a girl from the flower streets," she said, to resounding agreement from the small group of newer concubines who surrounded her. "How many Zhao Feiyans can become empress? At the end of the day, Zhao Feiyan was a lowly dancer and no one ever forgot her humble background, even after she entered the inner palace." Her eyes bore into Brother Yan's. "What a cheap nickname for a cheap woman." 

Brother Yan met her gaze steadily. "Careful, Lady Zhang," he murmured. "That nickname you look down so much on might just be as precious as your honourable title." 

The effect Brother Yan had on her was instantaneous. Lady Zhang's cheeks flushed red as she slammed a hand down on her table, toppling her plate of apples over and sending them rolling across the pavilion floor. Hua Zhixuan shook his head. Even after only a few months of acquaintanceship, both Brother Yan and he had already figured out her temper. She was the easiest to provoke and hence, the easiest to play like a puppet on strings.

Everyone manipulated her as and when they needed. She was just too foolish to see it. 

"How dare you!" she cried out. "Noble Consort Li Niangniang, look at how insolent this Yan Yun has become! Now that His Majesty favours only him, he has grown so arrogant that what little respect he had for his superiors is completely lost!" 

Noble Consort Li's brows furrowed. "This is supposed to be a peaceful gathering," she admonished. "Lord Yue, your manners are unbecoming." 

Brother Yan lowered his eyes to the ground. "Yan Yun has been falsely accused," he mumbled, hunching in on himself. It was such a change from his blatant display of aggression just a snap of the fingers ago and Hua Zhixuan found himself reeling too. 

…was it just him or did Brother Yan remind him a bit of a pond of white lotuses? Pure and innocent on the surface but…still waters run deep. 

"Niangniang," Brother Yan continued earnestly. "Perhaps few are aware but Miss Yu Lan's title of 'Ye Dynasty's Zhao Feiyan' was first bestowed upon her by His Majesty, the late emperor. Yan Yun didn't mean to insult Lady Zhang, it was just my intention to protect her by warning her that her words were of utmost disrespect." 

He chewed on his bottom lip and glanced at Noble Consort Li in concern. "Yan Yun is ignorant but Sun Momo was such an excellent instructor and under her guidance, Yan Yun has memorised the palace rules well." 

Lady Zhang paled. She rose shakily to her feet and stepped towards Noble Consort Li like she was seeking out protection. "Niangniang," she said, voice trembling, but Brother Yan interrupted her, just like she'd done to him earlier on. 

Hua Zhixuan felt the ungainly urge to crow in delight. He swallowed it back down and chastised himself for almost indulging in such unbecoming behaviour in public. 

"Niangniang," Brother Yan said more loudly. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but any act of disrespect towards the late emperor or any of the imperial forefathers is punishable by caning?"