News traveled quickly and everyone heard that the newly conferred Imperial Consort Lan had fainted from an illness and the Emperor is staying at her palace to nurse her.
The concubines were green with envy and silently applauded Imperial Consort Lan for her scheme. They had thought that Imperial Consort Lan is actually not sick but made herself faint so as to trick the Emperor into staying with her. The Emperor is a kind and loving husband. If he were to see one of his wives collapsed, he would definitely stay with her. Yes, it must have been Imperial Consort Lan taking advantage of the Emperor's kindness.
As the smell of vinegar drifted around the harem, the inner chambers of Imperial Consort Lan were peaceful. The Emperor sat beside the sleeping Consort and held her hand gently in his as he gazed at her pale face.
She must have suffered a lot. It is all my fault.
The Emperor blamed himself as he thought back to the bullying which he turned a blind eye to. It must be because he did not help her, not even once, that she resents him.
Remembering the last words she uttered before she fainted, the Emperor frowned. He did not hear properly and vaguely remembered that she said she was protecting someone or something. The Emperor shook his head, he really could not hear her last words.
"It's alright, Xuan-er. From now on, I will protect you." The Emperor bought her limp hand to his lips and placed a chaste kiss on it before leaving for the morning court session.
Imperial Physicians were summoned and they gave Imperial Consort Lan the best treatment they could. They have all learned how important Imperial Consort Lan is to the Emperor after the incident with Imperial Physician Ye and they did not dare to neglect their duties.
The Emperor personally observed the treatment process and fed the medicine to the sleeping Consort whenever he could. The Emperor even bought all of his documents to Imperial Consort Lan's palace to work on them as he observed her condition. This behavior baffled the entire harem. Never had the Emperor done this for anyone, not even for the Empress.
Imperial Consort Lan had managed to cause outrage while she was unconscious. The head eunuch had advised the Emperor about this potential problem but he waved it off saying that he would protect Imperial Consort Lan should any crisis arise. The head eunuch could only bow his head and go along with his master's will.
It was only after 3 days that Imperial Consort Lan's eyelashes fluttered feebly. The Emperor was reading documents and it was the maidservant that spotted her mistress waking first. She called out immediately, "mistress?"
The maidservant's words caught the Emperor's attention as he snapped up from his document and went to Imperial Consort Lan's side. Seeing her eyes opening slowly, he heaved a sigh of relief and happiness. Swiping away a few loose strands of hair from her face, he called her name softly.
"Xuan-er?"
Imperial Consort Lan tilted her head a little to the side to see who was calling her and the Emperor came into view. Her groggy mind slowly became clearer and she widened her eyes before she quickly sat up straight to greet the Emperor. However, she sat up too sudden and knocked her forehead against the Emperor's chin.
The Emperor hissed at the sudden impact while Imperial Consort Lan held her head in her hands as she rubbed the spot that made contact. Tears leaked out of the sides of her eyes as she bit her lips, trying not to make a sound as she endured the pain but the Emperor noticed and replace her hand with his on her head. Rubbing gently on the painful spot, he chastised her gently.
"Don't sit up so quickly, your body is still weak."
Imperial Consort Lan widened her eyes at his statement. 3 days? She peeked at the Emperor under her long eyelashes before she shifted her head away from his hand. Scooting away from him, nearer inside the bed, she folded her arms neatly as she bowed.
"Your Highness," she greeted. Even if she is sick, she still needs to pay her respects. The Emperor waved off her politeness, "there is no need for Xuan-er to do this, you are still sick."
"This Consort thank the Emperor for your kindness," Imperial Consort Lan did not relent and still kept her current behavior which made the Emperor somewhat annoyed.
"Servants, notify the kitchens to cook some light porridge for Imperial Consort Lan." The Emperor decided to give in for now as he does not want to argue with her when she is sick. He knows how stubborn she can get and he does not want to spoil their relationship even more than what was left between them.
The Emperor sighed. It was his fault that Xuan-er is treating him this way. Who would not? After all, he was blind and abandoned her with an empty title of a noble lady for the past few years and there is no shortage of bullying she has suffered. It was only when she fought for herself in front of the deposed Empress did the Emperor finally saw what he did not before. That confidence, wits, and anger underneath that mask.
"So even the emotionless Noble Lady Lan can get angry at someone." The Emperor had thought back then which is why he gave her the chance to explain herself. Which she did magnificently. How scary Imperial Consort Lan is, the moment she decided to fight back, she managed to bring down the Empress and an Imperial Consort.
Shaking his head, the Emperor returned to the desk in the inner chambers where he made it into his temporary study and took up another document to read. Imperial Consort Lan eyed his movements but did not comment. Based on the state of that table, she could deduce that the Emperor had stayed with her throughout the 3 days and she let out a sigh.
The Emperor's ears perked and he gave Imperial Consort Lan a questioning gaze. Imperial Consort Lan smiled at him and did not say anything but this time the Emperor directly asked her. "Why is my Consort sighing? Are you not happy that I am staying here?"
Imperial Consort Lan maintained her smile but, in her mind, she wanted to swing her fist at the Emperor so badly. Shaking her head, she answered him. "Please don't jest, your Highness. This Consort is thrilled that your Highness is with this Consort."
The Emperor narrowed his eyes at the way she blatantly lied to him. Putting down his document, he went over to stand over her.
"I understand that you hate me because I did not help you over the past few years but I would like to make amends with you from now onwards. Would my Consort forgive me and rebuild our relationship?"
"Rebuild our relationship?" Imperial Consort Lan raised her eyebrow delicately.
"In other words, I would like it if Xuan-er lowers down her guard around me. I would like to talk and spend time with Xuan-er, not Imperial Consort Lan." The Emperor gazed at her sincerely.
Imperial Consort Lan frowned as she faced the Emperor. "It seems like there is some misunderstanding, your Highness."
"A misunderstanding, you say?"
"This Consort does not hate you nor dislike you," Imperial Consort Lan explained.
The Emperor broke into a smile at her words. Xuan-er does not hate me? Here I am, worrying over something that is not true.
"Is that true? Then why did you treat me so coldly?" The Emperor frowned as he thought of the treatment he received the past few days.
Imperial Consort lowered her head and did not answer. The Emperor sighed and took her hand into his. "I have told you to speak to me normally, there is no need to follow the rules when I give you permission."
"Does that mean that even if this Consort reply honestly, your Highness would not blame me?"
"Of course, feel free to speak up." The Emperor did not see the smirk of Imperial Consort Lan for that one moment after his statement.
"In that case, this Consort shall answer your Highness truthfully." The Emperor nodded happily and gestured her to continue.
"The reason why I treat your Highness that way is not because you did not help me or favor me. Rather, I would prefer you not to favor me. This would attract unwanted attention and cause me much trouble. I just don't have any romantic feelings towards your Highness. To me, you are almost like a stranger and unlike uncouth women, I don't throw myself at strangers no matter how rich or how high their status is."
The Emperor stared at her, wide-eyed. He was still trying to process her words when she continued.
"Also, to your Highness's previous question, I sighed because I sense incoming trouble. I don't really care if your Highness wishes to stay in my palace but I worry about what will happen afterward. Those concubines and consorts would not stay silent at this favoritism and they would come at me the moment your Highness leaves. I do have time but that doesn't mean I want to waste my time on them. I do have wits but I can't be bothered by their cheap tricks and antics. This is an annoying situation which I wanted to avoid in the first place which is why I stayed low all these years and now it's all for naught."
Imperial Consort Lan felt refreshed after saying out her true feelings and smiled widely at the Emperor. This is the first time she has smiled genuinely after entering the palace and it has been years. It felt great, truly.
Meanwhile, the Emperor sat beside her, frozen in place as he listened to every single word she said.
Prefer not to favor her.
No romantic feelings.
Like a stranger.
The Emperor groaned as he finally understood what is going on in his Consort's mind. It has all been a misunderstanding on his part. He had thought that all women in the world would fight for his attention, for the status of the Empress and for the wealth and authority. He is the Emperor. He does not lack women but this particular consort of his, sitting before him, is saying that she does not feel any affection for him. Where should he place his dignity?
Burying his face into his hands, he blushed in shame at his own assumption and misunderstanding before turning to face his Consort. Imperial Consort Lan tilted her head sideways with a smile and asked, "your Highness?"
"ugh, I cannot believe this." Seeing her real smile for the first time, the Emperor felt himself crumble and wished nothing more than to hug her and kiss her. This is the first time he had felt this way for another person and he is at a loss of what to do. If she was like the other women in the harem, he would not have to worry about anything. They would throw themselves on him after all. But, no. If Imperial Consort Lan is like other women, he most likely would not feel this way.
Giving her a helpless look, he decided to start from the basics. "Is it fine if I call you Xuan-er?"
Imperial Consort Lan shrugged, "your Highness is the Emperor. Can this Consort say no?"
She really does not care, does she? The Emperor thought helplessly.
"I understand. Rest well, Imperial Consort Lan. I shall return to the Main Hall since you have woken up," the Emperor could not resist but pat her on her head gently before he left her palace. Imperial Consort Lan eyed his retreating back as she thought back on his response. She then giggled.
"Looks like he can be cute too," Imperial Consort Lan muttered.