Outside one of the many palaces in the Imperial City stood three figures before a carriage.
Prince Zhou Yuan smiled gently at the two, his brown eyes gentle. The new Emperor, Zhou Jian matched his smile.
"I'll miss you brother, have a safe trip. Hopefully your guards will be sufficient in case of an attack."
Laughing lightly at Zhou Jian's concern, the younger brother shook his yead.
"Why so negative? Don't send me off with such worries."
"Alright, my bad. But do be safe."
Wang Tao, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke when the two's conversation came to an end.
"Zhou Yuan, return soon."
The prince's smile widened despite the few words.
"I will, say bye to Madame Wei and Old Minister Wang for me."
Seeing Wang Tao nod, Zhou Yuan bowed slightly before turning and climbing into the carriage.
.
.
In the Emperor's study room, Zhou Jian sat at his desk, looking at his right minister from time to time. The tall man was seated in front of him, propping his head up as he went off into a daze.
Wang Tao stared at his emperor and imprinted every detail for the hundredth time. Zhou Jian had long silky black hair, gold phoenix-shaped eyes, a chiseled jawline, aquiline nose and bronze skin. The man was incredibly handsome in every lifetime.
Slowly blinking, Wang Tao met the man's eyes. Zhou Jian, noticing that his minister had snapped out of it, asked,
"Can you check for Chen Xiang's general identity in this world? I have a feeling that I should know beforehand."
"Mmm, sure."
Vanishing, Wang Tao went off to see the guardian and inquired about it. Shortly after he returned with a sour expression and whispered,
"A concubine."
"Concubine?"
"Concubine."
Zhou Jian's expression sank as he realized what that meant.
If he remembered correctly, originally, the crown prince died from an assassination forcing the second prince to take the throne as their father was already old and dying. That would mean that the original Chen Xiang was Zhou Yuan's concubine.
Most likely, the original had been hurt by other concubines in the harem which would be the reason for Chen Xiang taking over. In that case, as he was now Emperor, he would have to take in concubines for the same to happen, allowing his lover to enter the world.
Throughout his five years of reign, Zhou Jian hadn't taken any concubines as he had someone he loved already.
Zhou Jian also realized the cause for Wang Tao's mood change. Wang Tao was in love with him so it would of course hurt him to see Zhou Jian married or with a harem.
Despite having seen the two be a couple for so long, Zhou Jian and Chen Xiang never married in the two lives as Chen Xiang had died early. Thinking of all this, Zhou Jian declared,
"I don't want to."
"Huh? Then how would Chen Xiang come here?"
"I'm not sure…"
[ Sigh…He's really so loyal. I don't understand why Chen Xiang doesn't love him. I..I kind of hope he never does so maybe Zhou Jian would…No, no! Stop! You're here to help the two. You can't think like that! ]
Despite his complex inner thoughts, Wang Tao's face remain calm.
"If you don't do it then you won't see your love so what will you do?"
"..."
"Taking in concubines isn't marrying them. Not yet at least. You could also just dismiss them all once Chen Xiang arrives."
"But-"
"No buts. If you don't then what else can you do?"
Zhou Jian stared at Wang Tao before asking in confusion,
"...You're…fine with this?"
Wang Tao froze and his fingers trembled slightly. Of course he wasn't okay. It upset him just to think about it but he promised to help the man with his love life so he was pushing it.
Zhou Jian noticed his friend's expression and knew that he himself disliked the idea.
"Fine, I'll do it. But I'm only taking about three, the original Chen Xiang and the ones who hurt him. That way when Xiang er takes over he can get his revenge."
Zhou Jian finally stated reluctantly and asked Wang Tao to tell him who the perpetrators would be. He then began to prepare for their selection.
[ I should probably send Yuan a letter. ]
.
Two months later, a young man lay on his bed as his eyes fluttered open, revealing a light brown color. His peach blossom eyes took in his surroundings as he clenched his hand in pain. His system had just transferred the original's memories and he was now scrolling through the plot.
_______
In this world, Chen Xiang was the second son of Left Prime Minister Chen and a ger. His mother was the abandoned first wife of Minister Chen and had passed away when he was five. His father had a concubine, Madame Shu, who he doted on dearly. He had his first son, Chen Yang, and third son, Chen Zing, with her. Chen Zing was also a ger.
Madame Shu would gloat and boast about her preferential treatment to Madame Ling and her sons would follow her. Chen Yang was often with his father, learning from him while Chen Zing spent his time as a spoiled young master and often bullied the original Chen Xiang out of jealousy.
When Zhou Yuan became Emperor, both Chen Xiang and Chen Zing were selected as concubines after a petition from the court. Zhou Yuan was unprepared for the position of Emperor and the sudden death of his older brother made him emotionally unstable, becoming an easy prey to the scheming Chen Zing.
Using his acting, Chen Zing posed as a young innocent boy and gained Emperor Yuan's love and affection, comforting the man after stressful days with officials.
Soon after being promoted to consort, Chen Zing decided to poison the original Chen Xiang, causing him to become infertile. He then accused his half brother of various things and had him banished to the Cold Palace. There, the original fell into depression and killed himself.
__________
[ Host…There's an update on the world info. ]
[ Huh? What is it? ]
[ Apparently crown prince Zhou Jian didn't die and is emperor and Chen Zing hasn't won any of his affections. Emperor Jian does not interact with any of his concubines and there are only three this time. ]
[ Zhou Jian? So he's here again. What about Chen Zing? ]
[ Chen Zing is still a concubine but because he couldn't win over the Emperor, he poisoned the original earlier than before. ]
[Mmm, I see. That's good. ]
[ Why? ]
Chen Xiang ignored his system. He thought this situation was good since he didn't want to get pregnant while doing the deed.
He hated children to the core. They were annoying and whiny, plus they needed way to much attention.
A servant entered the room shortly after and helped him get dressed. Chen Xiang smiled brightly at her, blinding the girl with his beauty.
[ Form now on, I'll be known as the kind and sweet Chen Xiang instead of gloomy and quiet as the original was. ]
He observed himself in the mirror.
He had long black hair, light brown peach blossom eyes, pump red lips and snow white skin. After he was dressed, he decided to take a stroll around the Imperial palace to familiarize himself.
Just as he arrived at a small lotus pond, he heard a voice call out to him.
"Chen Xiang? What are you doing out here?"
The transmigrator turned his head only to come face to face with Chen Zing, followed by an entourage of a few maids and an eunuch. The youth was quite good looking, with a round face, doe like blue eyes and long black hair.
[ No wonder his act worked in the original plot, his face is the embodiment of innocence. ]
A smile bloomed on the concubine's face, much to the shock of his brother.
"Greetings brother, I was just getting some fresh air as I haven't been feeling well lately."
Although unable to comprehend Chen Xiang's surprising change in aura, the latter part of the sentence caused satisfaction in Chen Zing. Hiding his smirk behind his sleeve, his eyes showed concern.
"I see, but perhaps sleep will be better. I wouldn't want you to be unwell much longer, it quite worries me."
In other words, stay in your little courtyard and don't cause me trouble.
Controlling himself, Chen Xiang maintained his expression, pretending to be oblivious to the hidden meaning.
"I'll take your advice into account brother, but in truth I feel much more comfortable in the open."
The blue eyes twitched slightly at the term of endearment but Concubine Zing continued to ignore it.
"Then I won't disturb you further."
Returning the bow, Chen Xiang watched as Chen Zing walked away. After wandering around the courtyard a but for appearances sake, he retired to his quarters.
The following day, by about noon, Chen Xiang dressed himself specially for his task today. Once finished, he in hope of bumping into the Emperor.
Soon he came across Emperor Jian sitting in the pavilion while playing chess with Minister Wang Tao. As he walked towards them, Wang Tao who was facing Chen Xiang looked up and whispered,
"Your lover's here."
Wang Tao pointed behind him. Zhou Jian's eyes brightened and he quickly turned around.
Laying eyes on the approaching boy, he held back a smile upon recognizing the soul. Ordering a servant to bring an extra chair, the Emperor greeted his beloved.