For the next several days, the emperor began appearing in Yu Chen's courtyard with increasing frequency. Sometimes, he would arrive in the afternoon, interrupting Yu Chen's half-hearted attempts to plan his escape with teasing remarks and quiet conversations. Other times, he would drop by unannounced in the evenings, lingering longer than necessary and forcing Yu Chen to remain alert and cautious.
He's doing this on purpose, Yu Chen thought one evening as the emperor reclined lazily on the chaise in his chambers, sipping tea while watching Yu Chen fumble through pleasantries. Why can't he pester one of the other consorts?
What made it worse was the subtle intensity of the emperor's attention. The way his gaze lingered, how his teasing often brushed against the line of propriety, left Yu Chen feeling flustered and off-balance. He's playing with me, Yu Chen thought, both indignant and... confused by the odd fluttering in his chest whenever the emperor's teasing grew too intimate.
It was well past midnight when Yu Chen's chambers, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, were disturbed by the sound of the doors sliding open. Yu Chen crouched on the floor near his bed froze with a length of gold-threaded fabric clutched in his hands. His heart leapt into his throat as he turned to see the silhouette of the emperor stepping inside.
"Chen'er," came the emperor's smooth, commanding voice. It held no surprise, as though he had expected to catch Yu Chen in the act.
Yu Chen scrambled to his feet, hastily shoving the fabric behind him with what he hoped was a disarming laugh. "Your Majesty! What an... unexpected honor."
The emperor stepped further into the room, his gaze sweeping over the furnishings before settling on Yu Chen. "Zhen was restless and thought to visit," he said casually. "It seems Zhen's timing is fortunate."
Yu Chen stiffened, his mind racing. Fortunate for who, exactly? "Your Majesty is too kind," he said smoothly, though his tone carried a hint of sarcasm. "This humble one was merely... tidying."
The emperor's brows arched, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Tidying? At this hour?"
"Yes," Yu Chen said quickly, nodding as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "Tidying is an excellent way to clear one's thoughts. You should try it sometime."
The emperor chuckled, stepping closer. "Zhen has others for such tasks. But tell Zhen, Chen'er, what thoughts weigh on you so heavily?"
Yu Chen's mouth opened, but no sound came out as the emperor's eyes flicked past him to the lacquered box partially hidden beneath the bed. Without hesitation, the emperor moved past him and crouched down to retrieve it.
"Your Majesty, wait!" Yu Chen blurted, reaching out instinctively before freezing as the emperor lifted the lid.
The contents gleamed faintly in the moonlight: gold-threaded fabric, rare spices, and the jade hairpin resting atop the pile. The emperor's fingers brushed over the hairpin before lifting it with deliberate care.
"Zhen remembers this," he said softly, his tone unreadable. "A gift for Chen'er."
Yu Chen swallowed hard. "Yes! It's... precious to this humble one. A treasured reminder of Your Majesty's kindness."
The emperor turned the hairpin over in his fingers, his gaze returning to Yu Chen. "Kindness? Or is it a token for some hidden plan?"
Yu Chen stared at him, his pulse hammering. "Your Majesty jests. This humble one would never—"
"Never?" the emperor interrupted, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Then why does Chen'er collect so many valuables? Planning a trade? Or perhaps an escape?"
Yu Chen clenched his fists at his sides, forcing a shaky smile. "This humble one merely treasures them as mementoes. Life in the palace is fleeting, after all."
"Fleeting," the emperor repeated, his tone faintly amused. He stood, the hairpin still in his hand. "You are skilled with words, Chen'er. Almost too skilled."
Yu Chen's cheeks flushed with indignation. "Your Majesty flatters me. I'm merely a consort, not a court scholar."
"And yet, you speak like one," the emperor said, stepping closer. He reached out, tilting Yu Chen's chin up with his free hand. "Lying doesn't suit you."
Yu Chen's breath caught as the emperor's fingers lingered, his dark gaze locking onto his. For a moment, neither spoke, the tension between them thick and heavy. Why is it always like this? Yu Chen thought, frustration bubbling beneath his nerves. He's just a man. A very annoying, very attractive man. NO. Not attractive. Just annoying. Definitely annoying.
The emperor's lips curved into a faint smile, as though he could hear Yu Chen's thoughts. "Zhen wonders," he said softly, his thumb brushing over Yu Chen's jawline, "what else you're hiding."
"Nothing!" Yu Chen snapped before he could stop himself. Then, realizing his tone, he added hastily, "Your Majesty has an active imagination."
The emperor laughed, a deep, rich sound that sent an unwelcome warmth through Yu Chen's chest. "Perhaps," he said, releasing Yu Chen's chin and stepping back. "But Zhen will uncover the truth, one way or another."
He placed the hairpin back in the box and turned toward the door, his robes swishing softly. "Rest well, Chen'er," he said, glancing back with a knowing smile. "Zhen will see you tomorrow."
As the door closed behind him, Yu Chen collapsed onto the edge of the bed, his heart pounding. This man will be the death of me.
He glanced at the lacquered box, still partially open, and groaned, burying his face in his hands. I need to escape before I lose my sanity.
**********************************************************************Han Changhua paced the polished floor of her chambers, the silk hem of her robes whispering against the tiles with each step. Her expression was as dark as the storm brewing in her heart. News of the emperor's frequent visits to Yu Chen had reached her ears, and each word had stung more than the last. The humiliation burned like acid. That lowly vixen dares to monopolize His Majesty's favour while I, the Imperial Noble Consort, am left to endure ridicule in silence!
Her fists clenched at her sides, the delicate embroidery of her sleeves trembling with the force of her rage. A maid stood motionless by the wall, her head bowed so low it seemed she wished to vanish entirely from sight. The sound of a door creaking open broke the tense silence.
"Elder Sister," a smooth voice drawled, carrying a hint of amusement. "If you pace any longer, you'll wear a hole clear through the floor."
Han Changhua turned sharply, her cold gaze landing on her brother, Han Changxu. His tall frame was wrapped in a robe of fine dark silk, his sharp features alight with an amused smirk as he leaned casually against the doorframe.
"Do you not know how to announce yourself?" Changhua snapped, her tone biting. "Or have you forgotten the respect owed to your elder sister?"
Changxu stepped into the room, inclining his head with a mockingly elegant bow. "My sincerest apologies, Elder Sister," he said, his voice smooth. "I was merely concerned. Your summons was urgent, and I wondered what grave matter has disturbed your usual composure."
Changhua's eyes narrowed, her tone cold as winter frost. "Grave, indeed. I require your assistance."
His smirk widened. "Assistance? From me? That is rare. I must admit, you have piqued my curiosity. What manner of trouble have you encountered?"
"Not trouble," she corrected sharply, her voice low and controlled. "An opportunity."
Changxu arched a brow, stepping closer with a calculated grace. "An opportunity, is it? Then I am eager to hear more. Pray, enlighten me, dear sister."
Changhua's voice dropped to a whisper, venom dripping from her words. "I want you to get rid of Bai Yu Chen."
Changxu's smirk faltered for a fraction of a second before it returned, sharper than before. "Ah, His Majesty's favoured consort," he said softly, his tone tinged with mockery. "What a curious request. Could this, perhaps, be motivated by your... waning influence, Elder Sister?"
"Do not mock me," Changhua hissed, her composure fracturing for a brief moment. She took a deep breath, forcing her expression back into its usual elegance. "That little vixen's rise is a threat not just to me, but to our entire family's standing. His Majesty's attention is a prize that must be guarded jealously, and if Bai Yu Chen continues to thrive, it will come at the cost of my position. Of our position."
"And what is it you expect me to do?" Changxu asked, folding his arms across his chest as his tone turned curious. "Shall I challenge him to a duel? Or perhaps have him spirited away by the night wind?"
Changhua ignored his mockery, her tone sharpening like a blade. "You are attending the royal hunt, are you not? Accidents happen during hunts. A stray arrow, a startled horse... The possibilities are endless."
Changxu's gaze darkened slightly, his playful air giving way to something far more serious. "An unfortunate accident during the hunt," he murmured. "How delightfully subtle. And what, pray tell, do I gain from taking this risk?"
Changhua's lips curved into a cold, calculating smile. "If you succeed, I will ensure Father grants you the position you covet so dearly. Commander of the Guards."
Changxu's eyes gleamed with interest, though he maintained a carefully neutral expression. "A tempting proposition," he said slowly. "And all you require is for me to orchestrate a simple... mishap?"
"Yes," Changhua said, her voice steady and unwavering. "Something clean. No suspicions, no loose ends."
Changxu let the silence stretch, savouring her anticipation. Finally, he inclined his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Consider it done."
As he turned to leave, Changhua watched him with a satisfied gleam in her eyes. Her fingers tightened around the silk handkerchief she held, and her thoughts turned to Yu Chen. Your days are numbered, little fox. Let us see how you fare when His Majesty's favour is no longer your shield.
Han Changxu moved through the palace corridors with an air of calculated calm, his sharp mind constantly turning over the complexities of his plan. He had learned long ago to tread carefully in a palace where every misstep could lead to ruin—or worse. While his sister, Han Changhua, had sparked the idea, it was up to him to ensure the plan was executed with the precision and discretion that their family's survival demanded. Entering the harem was out of the question. Even with his sister's position as the Imperial Noble Consort, stepping foot in the women's quarters would be considered a grievous offence, punishable by death under the emperor's unyielding laws.
Instead, his scheming began in the outer court, where whispers carried weight and alliances could be forged behind veils of civility.
A quiet tea house outside the palace grounds served as a neutral location, where the risk of prying eyes was minimized. Changxu sat in a shadowed pavilion, sipping tea as he waited. His expression was calm, but beneath the surface, a storm of thoughts brewed. If that lowly Bai Yu Chen produces a male heir before my sister... He suppressed a shudder. It will not just humiliate our family; it will solidify his position irrevocably.
When Jiang Wuyi arrived, his expression carefully neutral, Changxu rose and offered a polite bow. "Lord Jiang, I am honoured by your presence. Thank you for agreeing to meet."
Wuyi inclined his head but did not sit immediately. "Lord Han, your summons was intriguing. I hope the matter justifies the risk."
"It will," Changxu assured him, gesturing toward the cushions opposite him. "Please, sit. I believe you will find this conversation to our mutual benefit."
Wuyi settled into the seat, his piercing gaze fixed on Changxu. "Then let us not waste time. What is this opportunity you speak of?"
Changxu leaned forward, his voice lowering to a conspiratorial tone. "The emperor's favour toward Bai Yu Chen threatens the balance of power within the harem. My sister, as the Imperial Noble Consort, has suffered greatly because of his rising influence. But it is not only my family that stands to lose. Your esteemed sister, Lady Jiang, has also been overshadowed, despite her rank and contributions."
Wuyi's brow furrowed slightly, though his expression remained guarded. "Go on."
"The danger lies in the future," Changxu continued, his tone deliberate. "Bai Yu Chen's favour is a threat to every noble family in the empire, for he lacks what we all possess—ancestry, standing, and loyalty through blood. Yet, His Majesty's obsession with him could lead to something disastrous: if that vixen is the first to give the emperor a male heir, our families will be eclipsed. No noblewoman will be able to compete with a mother who bears the future crown prince."
The words hung heavily in the air. Jiang Wuyi's fingers tightened around his teacup, his expression darkening. "You speak of a dangerous possibility."
"It is more than a possibility," Changxu pressed. "The emperor's attentions have been singular, and Bai Yu Chen shows no signs of losing his favour. If this continues unchecked, he will not just be a consort; he will become untouchable. The royal hunt provides us with an opportunity to end this threat before it grows beyond control."
"And how do you propose we achieve this?" Wuyi asked, his tone sharp.
Changxu's lips curved into a faint smile. "The hunt is unpredictable by nature. A stray arrow, a startled horse, an unfortunate fall—it happens every year. We need only arrange for Bai Yu Chen to find himself... in the wrong place at the wrong time."
"And what do you expect of me?" Wuyi asked, his gaze narrowing.
"Your resources," Changxu replied smoothly. "Your sister has access to the inner court, and your family controls key elements of the hunting grounds. With a little coordination, we can ensure this... accident occurs seamlessly."
Wuyi considered his words, his expression unreadable. "And if this plan fails? If suspicion falls upon us?"
Changxu's smile didn't waver. "It will not. Bai Yu Chen is a commoner with no family or allies to defend him. Even if questions arise, the emperor will have little reason to protect someone so easily replaceable."
"And what of the emperor's wrath? His Majesty does not forgive easily."
"That is why the plan must be flawless," Changxu replied. "My sister and I have taken every precaution to ensure there are no loose ends. All you need to do is lend your support."
Wuyi's fingers tapped against the table as he weighed the risks. Finally, he nodded. "Very well, Lord Han. If you can guarantee the safety of my family, I will provide the necessary resources."
Changxu inclined his head, his smile deepening. "You have my word. Together, we will ensure the emperor's favour returns to where it belongs."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Author's Corner.
Hello readers. Here is a new chapter for u.
Stay safe, comment, and vote.