Li ZeChen threw Ye Ming to the ground and looked at him condescendingly. After a long while, he spoke through gritted teeth: "Why didn't you refute her, are you really admitting to having given her offence!"
In his heart, he understood Ye Ming's temper very well, how was it possible for him to have offended a harem woman? He was definitely framed by that Concubine Liang, but he would rather kneel than explain himself!
Ye Ming prostrated himself on the floor, then slowly pushed himself back upright to kneel stiffly in front of Li ZeChen. He said calmly: "Yes, this minister is but the Emperor's male pet. To kneel before the imperial concubine was only proper, and I have given her offence. What the imperial concubine said was true."
Note: 臣 (Chén) – First person pronoun used by ministers or officials.
Li ZeShen stared at the submissive man in front of him, feeling as if the blood in his veins had turned to ice.
This was what he had threatened Ye Ming with, but the knife of threat had turned around to cut himself bloody instead.
Ye Ming wasn't done yet, he respectfully pressed his head to the floor and said: "Your Majesty, please decree the punishment."
Punishment? Li ZeChen suddenly laughed humourlessly.
You are right, I turned you into my male pet, I forced you into this situation, but you still don't understand….. or you're only acting as if you don't. I just wanted you to know, that all you need to do is nod your head, and this whole situation could have been easily resolved.
I am your monarch….. why are you so quick to obey in all else, except for this one thing?
Are my feelings for you so repugnant to you?
Li ZeChen suddenly felt very powerless. He had used all sorts of methods, from coaxing to coercion, to get this person to trust him, love him, depend on him, all in vain.
He had thought that after rising to become the Emperor, he could sweep away all obstacles between them. Instead…. the harder he tried, the further away he was from his goal.
Li ZeChen abruptly turned and left, slamming the door behind him!
*****************************
The eunuch waiting outside the door saw the storm brewing in Li ZeChen's eyes, and asked cautiously: "Where does His Majesty wish to go now?"
Li ZeChen clenched and loosened his fists, his gaze dark. He answered in a low voice: "To Concubine Liang's palace."
......
Concubine Liang had left after Li ZeChen had dragged Ye Ming back inside in a fit of rage.
Right now, she was sitting in her own palace, restless with unease. What occurred today had been completely out of her expectations. Does Li ZeChen care about that person, or not?
If he cares, why didn't he stop her? If he doesn't care, why was he so opposed to seeing that person kneel?
Concubine Liang had a bad feeling about this, it was possible that she had made a big mistake today. Although Li ZeChen's expression did not betray his thoughts, she worried that he may find her distasteful. She sorely regretted her brash arrogance today.
Mired in anxiety, she suddenly heard the eunuch announce the arrival of the Emperor.
The tea cup in her trembling hands was almost upended. This was the first time Li ZeChen has paid a visit to her palace! She got up in a panic to meet him, but Li ZeChen entered before she could do so. Concubine Liang immediately dropped into a deep curtsy: "This concubine greets His Majesty."
Li ZeChen studied the woman in front of him. She was indeed a stunning beauty. Carefully arranged on her knees, her trembling body was a sight fit to evoke pity.
Faced with this, a soft-hearted man would be reluctant to pursue the matter with her over such a trivial issue. But Li ZeChen had never been the soft-hearted sort.
Beauty was nothing more than a mask for a woman's inner ugliness. Li ZeChen grew up in the palace, he had long grown accustomed to the palace's inner intrigues and dirty affairs. What he tired of the most were these ugly, unscrupulous women. Since you have voluntarily entered the palace to achieve your desires, you should pay the price for it.
Zhen has given you glory for your family and a noble status for yourself, but you dared to make a move against zhen's beloved! You are overestimating yourself!
Note: 朕 (Zhèn) – First person pronoun used by monarchs.
Li ZeChen did not permit Concubine Liang to rise, and left her kneeling as he leisurely drank his tea. Only until the tea in the pot has cooled and the woman in front of him looked ready to faint, did he slowly lower the cup in his hands.
Concubine Liang clenched her teeth to keep from screaming. She wasn't stupid, Li ZeChen's affection for that male pet was now clear to her. She could only blame herself! Feelings of bitter regret and envy swirled in her heart. How was she to know that Li ZeChen cared this much for the male pet! He didn't even hesitate to personally come to Ye Ming's aid.
Li ZeChen gazed at Concubine Liang coldly: "Since beloved concubine seems to be rather busy these days, it's best if you stay here for some peace and quiet, and copy Lessons for Women a hundred times."
Note: 女戒 – Lessons for Women is a work by the Han dynasty female intellectual Ban Zhao. It outlines the four virtues a woman must abide by, proper virtue, proper speech, proper countenance, and proper conduct.
Having said this, he got up and left.
Concubine Liang wept and tried to plead for reconsideration, but was pulled back by two unfamiliar elderly maids, who told her coldly: "His Majesty has forbidden the concubine from leaving the palace, and instructed these servants to re-educate the concubine on the rules of the palace. Restrain yourself, you are an embarrassment."
Note: 嬷嬷 (Mā mā) – elderly female maid, sometimes a wet nurse as well. Usually a higher ranking female maid in the Palace that has some power and is in charge of enforcing the regulations of the Palace.
Concubine Liang watched helplessly as Li ZeChen left. She hasn't even done anything to Ye Ming yet, but ended up being punished this way. It really was too humiliating. Now, not only was she forbidden from stepping out of the palace, she has to re-learn its rules. She ground her teeth viciously, hate and fury churning in her heart.
......
Ye Ming was seated in his room, having watched the whole scene play out.
[Ye Ming: Tsk tsk tsk, how petty. Cruelly tormenting a beauty just for something this trivial.]
[888: He's taking revenge on your behalf, aren't you even a little bit grateful?]
[Ye Ming: I am very grateful ah! But I'm different from him, I've always had a soft spot for the ladies, women should be treated gently. All of her actions are caused by our love (YM and LZC), so there's no need to be so harsh on her.]
888 sneered, and couldn't be bothered with him anymore.
Ye Ming enjoyed a leisurely break, but his latest move seemed to have really hurt Li ZeChen's feelings. Days passed without Li ZeChen showing himself.
Ye Ming remained in the empty room. With the sudden absence of the emperor who used to try to feed him every day and work hard on him every night, it didn't take long for boredom to set in.
[Ye Ming: Big brother, you there? You there? You there?]
After awhile, 888 finally deigned to appear.
[888: What do you want?]
[Ye Ming: You've been ignoring me recently, aren't you afraid something could have happened to me? Wronged.jpg]
[888: I'm always concerned about your wellbeing, you are extremely safe right now, there's no sign of danger at all. Concubine Liang has been taught a lesson, the other concubines dare not seek trouble with you. Li ZeChen's not even coming over, what do you think could happen to you?]
[Ye Ming: I doubt Concubine Liang will forget this anytime soon, she suffered quite a huge loss and hates me to the bone. She'll definitely find a way to cause trouble for me! You can't abandon me ah!]
[888: I've been monitoring her, I'll let you know if anything happens.]
[Ye Ming: ...Oh, I see.]
[888: Anything else? If not, I'll be leaving then]
[Ye Ming: …..Can't you stay and chat with me for a bit? I'm so bored! Entertainment in ancient times is scarce, I'm turning moldy.]
[888: Sorry, the system is not obligated to accompany the host for a chat.]
[Ye Ming: ....]
After this, no matter how Ye Ming cajoled, 888 ignored him. He now regretted running his mouth off in the past, leading 888 to disdain chatting with him.
After a while.
[Ye Ming: I used to think that father air-cond and mother WiFi gave me life, but now I know I was wrong.]
[Ye Ming: The one who granted me life was the Great Lord Eight, your kindness shines on my life, your brilliance inspires awe, you are the bright light of the moon that guides me in the dark… Please let me follow in your great lead ba!]
[888: ...What is wrong with you???]
[Ye Ming: Play a game with me! QAQ]
888: F*ck.
Worn down by Ye Ming's perseverance and shameless flattery, 888 reluctantly agreed to play a game with him. But Ye Ming was a scum who only knew how to talk big and drag others down by playing dead, so that 888 came very close to flipping him off entirely.
After passing some time in this way, 888 finally reported some movement from Concubine Liang. It heaved a great sigh of relief, it was finally able to get rid of this cumbersome baggage!
It has been suffering ridicule from the other systems because of this sorry excuse for a host!
Of course, much later in the future…. when 888 suddenly discovered that Ye Ming had first class gaming skills, it angrily refused to turn on the pain shield for him. But that's a story for another day.
Concubine Liang slaved to finish copying Lessons for Women and had to sit through being lectured by the two elderly maids, before finally being permitted to leave the palace. She didn't dare seek Ye Ming out to cause trouble again, but her restless heart couldn't endure having being forced to swallow such a bitter pill. After much deliberation, she set off for the Empress Dowager's palace and told a highly embellished story of the Emperor's favourite male pet.
If the Empress Dowager is the one to strike, that male pet would definitely not escape!
The Empress Dowager had never been particularly concerned about this son of hers, and had never shown him much care. But hearing of the excessive favouritism for the male pet with no regard for the protocols of rank, to the point of neglecting the other concubines, agitated her.
This is a serious matter concerning the succession of their lineage! If this was permitted to continue, who knows what troubles it will stir. She finally issued a summons for Ye Ming.
Ye Ming observed all this with a sly smile.
If no one took any action, Li ZeChen would continue to avoid seeing him, how could he (YM) allow this? There's no other way for him to lure Li ZeChen out!
And so, when the elderly maids from the Empress Dowager's palace came to summon him, he did not put up any resistance.
The Empress Dowager was a middle aged woman, her looks were not extraordinary, and she was not of noble birth. If it wasn't for her having given birth to a son, she would have been buried with the previous Emperor's death. She wasn't particularly intelligent either, and so was easily swayed by Concubine Liang's goading.
Note: 陪葬 (Péizàng) – The ancient China practise of burying gifts, food, servants, wives, etc with the dead ruler, as property to accompany the ruler in death. Servants (and sometimes wives) were put to death before being entombed together.
She eyed Ye Ming with a frown filled with scorn: "So, you're the Emperor's new male pet?"
Ye Ming respected her as Li ZeChen's mother, and as the Empress Dowager, naturally this would be of concern to her. But he could not help feeling humiliated by the blunt question.
Ye Ming's silence convinced her further of the truth of Concubine Liang's words, this male pet must be heavily favored by the Emperor to display such unseemly arrogance. Her voice rose harshly: "Ai-jia is asking you a question!"
Note: 哀家 (Āi jiā) – The first person pronoun used for empresses whose emperor has passed away. In short, they refer to themselves as 'this widow/this mourner'.
Even though Ye Ming has accepted the role of a male pet, he could only do so in Li ZeChen's presence. He would never be willing to openly acknowledge this identity in public. Better to die in this courtyard, then suffer a lingering death under the public's scornful gaze.
Note: 凌迟 (Língchí) – the slow process, the lingering death, or slow slicing, and also known as death by a thousand cuts, was a form of torture and execution used in China from roughly 900 CE until it was banned in 1905.
He lifted his head reluctantly and said, "No."
It was beyond the Empress Dowager's expectations for Ye Ming to deny this! Shockingly, this person had obviously climbed into the dragon's bed, but had the audacity to refuse the title of a male pet, he must have been spoiled rotten by the Emperor! Sudden fury rose in her: "As a male pet, you should know your own duties, don't you know how important a son is to His Majesty? It's fine if you relieve the Emperor's boredom every now and then, how dare you try to monopolise His Majesty, do you understand your wrongs?"
Note: 龙床 (Lóng chuáng) – dragon bed, aka the emperor's bed. During the days of Imperial China, the Emperor of China usually used the dragon as a symbol of his imperial strength and power.
Ye Ming gazed at the furious Empress Dowager and calmly replied: "I did no wrong."
Note: Ye Ming used the normal "I" as in "Wǒ" instead of "Chén" aka "this minister" that he usually uses around Li ZeChen.
He had never wanted to stay here, much less attempted to monopolise the Emperor, but these people will never believe him.
The Empress Dowager was enraged beyond belief by his words, this insignificant male pet is really crazy! Hopping mad, she finally gave a furious order: "Drag him out, give him 30 beatings with the stave, let this arrogant fool learn the rules of the palace!"
Note: 大板 (Dà bǎn) – The victim is usually held/tied face down to a long wooden stool, and the behind will be beaten by large wooden staves. Injuries can be crippling and cause death if the punishment is prolonged. If you want to know more, google 打板子.
As Ye Ming was dragged out, the corners of his mouth curled up in a self deprecating smile.
His words were carefully chosen. There were no lies, but the Empress Dowager would definitely think that he was deliberately provoking her, and would not permit his presence to continue confusing the Emperor.
Since he couldn't commit suicide, if the Empress Dowager were to kill him, all the better. He shouldn't be blamed for this, right?
How could the Empress Dowager possibly tolerate his existence, it was only a matter of time.
Ye Ming was pressed down onto a stool, he closed his eyes and waited for the board to strike his body…. suddenly, screams sounded from his side! He blinked and looked up to see a sword stabbed through the shoulder of the execution eunuch who had been standing next to him. The eunuch fell, and the board hit the ground with a muffled clatter.
Everyone was stunned silly by the scene, their heads turned to look in the door's direction, and suddenly plastered themselves to the ground!
Expression dark and cold as a knife, Li ZeChen strode in!
During the period of his absence, he could not bring himself to face Ye Ming, and hence did not pay him (YM) a visit, but he still paid attention to the news delivered to him of Ye Ming's wellbeing. Upon receiving the news that Ye Ming had been summoned by the Empress Dowager, he was ready to come snatch him away to spare him (YM) further embarrassment.
But he understood his mother well, she would not dare strike against one of his own, and hence he had not hurried over. Who would have thought he would arrive to a scene of Ye Ming being held down in the yard in preparation for a punishment. Stricken with fear of not being in time to prevent it, he struck the guard with his sword and flung him away!
Li ZeChen hurried over to Ye Ming and lifted him up to lean into his arms. He asked anxiously: "Are you hurt?"
Ye Ming didn't think that Li ZeChen would show up so suddenly. Being held in Li ZeChen's arms in public view, he was too ashamed for words.
Li ZeChen's emotions had been in chaos from anxiety. After calming down a bit, he realised that Ye Ming was not injured, and was relieved. He swept a cool gaze over the people around them. Seeing this, everyone flattened themselves to the ground and shivered. Even the eunuch who had been stabbed didn't make so much as a whimper!
The Empress Dowager had not expected this, her expression fell when she came out: "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of this?"
Li ZeChen was livid with rage, but in actual fact, apart from when facing Ye Ming, he had always been able to conceal his emotions, and had never revealed his weaknesses to others. Towards his mother in public, he maintained a respectful front, and said slowly: "Your son has heard that mother brought one of my people here, so I came over to have a look. How has he offended you?"
Note:
儿臣 (Er chén) – first person pronoun employed by a male sovereign when speaking to an empress mother, queen mother, empress dowager, queen dowager. Er as in child/son, chén is the same as the address that Ye Ming uses to refer to himself as "this minister/this official".
您 (Nín) – LZC addresses the dowager with a polite "you".
The Empress Dowager looked at the blood spattered on the ground, and thought that, for the sake of this person, Li ZeChen acted in violence in her palace. It wasn't that she couldn't bear the sight of blood, but it was clear that this person was his raw nerve that she absolutely could not touch. How could a mere male pet explain this? Regret rose in her like bile.
But at the same time, her worries grew. After Li ZeChen ascended to the throne, he has never visited the harem, he doesn't even have a single child, how can his addiction to this male pet bode well? She swallowed her pride and said bitterly: "Ai-jia has nothing to say about Your Majesty's favour for him, but what about the other concubines? You have to visit them sometimes, it is the responsibility of the Emperor to ensure an heir for the continuation of the lineage."
The words stirred Li ZeChen's impatience, but he replied faintly: "Understood, if there's nothing else, your son will take his leave."
The Empress Dowager glared at him furiously, but did not dare detain him. She could only watch as Li ZeChen took Ye Ming away, before turning around with a sinking expression: "Summon Concubine Liang over!"
It seems that she had been used as someone else's borrowed knife today!