While the Western Empire may be unmatched in terms of strength, they were never on par with empires in the east in terms of entertainment and the arts. Many cultivators and martial artists of a certain caliber had never ending life spans. What human wouldn't seek pleasure to alleviate the mundaneness of everyday life, especially if that life were to last hundreds of thousands of years? The eastern empires lacked strength compared to their western counterparts, so they sought to cultivate their arts and entertainment industries. Through this, they lured in the powerful big shots of the west and formed connections with them. While they themselves weren't to be feared, their backers were enough to ward off prying eyes, eager to take over their territories.
While the Emperor didn't have any leverage over the prince, he had decided to lure him in with dancers from Heaven's Pagoda. Who didn't know Heaven's Pagoda? It was an influential hall that housed the most talented of dancers and musicians in the world. In the East, it was the most influential power, even on par with some of the most powerful Empires. The powers behind the Pagoda weren't simple. Many never dared to slight the dancers and musicians from the Pagoda, lest they incur the wrath of one of its backers.
At the Emperor's signal, numerous dancers waltzed in the hall. Only the Emperor would know how much effort he had put in to simply acquire these dancers for a half hour dance. Even as the ruler of a large country, he was unable to summon dancers from Heaven's Pagoda at his whim. As the ladies filled the hall, the Emperor's eyes flashed with pity. They were all very beautiful. Even one of the dancers was on par with at least three of his most favored consorts. Their appearances were neat and well maintained, and their beauty was breathtaking. As an appreciator of beauty, the Emperor found it a pity that he couldn't take one of the ladies as a concubine or consort in his Palaces.
It seemed that in this world, power was everything. The prince's eyes flashed as a servant placed a cup of expensive wine on his table. The cup was made of the finest porcelain and engraved with intricate designs. While the Tian Empire lacked strength, their products were of excellent quality. It wouldn't hurt to engage in trade with them. It was a pity that the Emperor had taken what was his. As for the dancers, the prince wasn't tricked by this obvious ploy. He already held someone dear to his heart so these dancers couldn't move him. But maybe if he were another prince, he would be tricked. Many bigshots, especially men, were controlled by their lust and desire. On the surface, Heaven's Pagoda seemed like a respectable dance and music hall, but in reality, it was an exclusive prostitute house. Both men and women alike were traded as pawns in order to secure connections with these bigshots. The waters of Heaven's Pagoda were dangerous and deep. It was better for him to not not engage in such foolish behavior. The prince's eyes momentarily glided in the Emperor's direction; at the sight of the Emperor being entranced by the dancers, the prince shook his head slightly. He might be the Emperor of a big country, but he was muddleheaded.
During the welcoming party, the consorts and concubines had all been rendered to background characters. Occasionally, the Emperor would tease the Empress, but as a man who lusted after beauty, how could he not delegate all of his attention towards the dancers of Heaven's Pagoda? But Consort Yan was glad for the Emperor's lustful nature. On those few dinners she had been invited to, the Emperor had repeatedly reprimanded her in front of his consorts and concubines. She didn't wish to be humiliated in front of the man that she loved.
Once the festivities were over, the Emperor turned towards the prince and donned a smug grin. "We trust that the prince had a good time?" The prince's fists clenched. This was the difference between a monarch and a future monarch. He was asserting the dominance that the title of Emperor gave him. While the prince didn't have to feign respect, in this matter, he was helpless. No matter how dumb the Emperor appeared to be, he still held authority over him. As a prince, he had to treat the Emperor politely and refrain from baring too much of his claws. The prince stood and cupped his hands. "This prince enjoyed the banquet. On behalf of my mother and the Western Empire, I thank you for your accommodation." However, at the very least, he was allowed to use his mother's name. At the prince's words, the Emperor snorted slightly, satisfied that he vented his grievances, and beaconed him over. "I'm sure we have a lot to discuss in my chambers."
On the opposite side of the hall, Consort Yan's ears perked up at the sound of the prince's voice. It was still as deep and gentle as she remembered. However, it now held an authority and bore a regal air that it hadn't in the past. This person was unfamiliar to her, and for the second time, she was reminded of their statuses. She listened as the prince stood and walked towards the Emperor, and with each step, he drifted further and further away.
***
As a ruler, the Emperor had treated himself with lavish gifts from around the world. While the Empress' Palace was grand, the Emperor's Palace was of a completely different caliber. At his core, the Emperor was a man who cared only about himself. This selfishness of his extended towards everyone, even his "beloved" Empress. As a man he was petty and as a ruler he was vile. He wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice anyone if that meant he could reach his goals. As the prince walked through the Emperor's Palace he marveled at the sight. He wouldn't describe himself as vain, but who didn't like shiny things? The walls of the Emperor's Palace were practically encrusted in gold. While he marveled in his heart, his face remained stoic. As a prince, despite being a young man, he had a good handle over his emotions.
"Yan Qiuyue," the Emperor silently uttered. The prince's eyes widened slightly. The Emperor had stopped walking once he reached his chambers and turned his head. The muddle-headedness of before had all but disappeared; in its place was a calm that was unprecedented. At this look, the prince frowned. The Emperor wasn't as muddleheaded as he seemed, but this was only to be expected. While the power of the Tian Empire had stagnated and was failing to catch up with the other eastern empires, its trade industry seemed to advance every year. While still developing, it was quite profitable and funded all of the Emperor's lavish spending.
It didn't surprise the prince that the Emperor knew this secret. While the prince might be capable of sneaking into the country undetected, it was almost impossible to sneak into the Palace unscathed. The Emperor must've acquiesced to it. In reality, the father of Consort Yan's child was the prince. He had met Consort Yan and fell for her, but in the Tian Empire, his powers were displaced and he was separated from his guards. He went to retrieve his powers and wanted to escort Consort Yan back to his country and marry her, but he heard of her forcible marriage to the Emperor. In his anxiety, he had checked on her in the Inner Palaces. On his way back, he had stumbled upon a drunk Emperor and knocked him out on his way to Consort Yan's courtyard.
This was the Emperor's plan? He had found out about him getting engaged and decided to take his fiance as a bargaining chip? It was rumored that he fell for Yan Qiuyue's beauty, but no matter how lustful the Emperor was, it was almost impossible for him to marry a woman capable of bringing calamity to his country. What if the drunkenness was a ploy to determine whether or not the prince cared for her? And the Emperor's cold treatment of Consort Yan was to lure the prince into the Palace? As these thoughts flashed through the prince's mind, he drew his sword and pointed it towards the Emperor. He was enraged. All of this was deliberate action on the Emperor's part. The dancers were merely a facade to gauge the prince's receptiveness towards attractive women. Seeing that it failed, the Emperor wanted to fall back on his initial plan: using Consort Yan and the prince's unborn child as bargaining chips.
The Emperor was silent. He had summoned away his guards and personnel and quietly stood. The sword was placed adjacent to his neck, but rather than panic, he retained the calm air of a ruler. The Emperor knew that this plan was risky. One move and the prince would declare war upon the country. But he had no choice. On the surface, the Emperor was a vile and repulsive ruler; he was a lustful man that only chased after beautiful women and neglected his affairs. But in reality, it was all a deliberate act. Every gesture and leer, every minute expression and every emotion that flashed across his eyes was an act. Rather than greed, it was desperation that had forced him to resort to this method. If it weren't for them, he would have never been put in this position, and his parents would have never died. Pure, unadulterated hatred filled his eyes at the thought. The prince faltered briefly; it seemed as if the Emperor had hidden himself deeply. He lowered his sword and spoke. "Tell me why. What do you need?"
The Emperor raised his head and stared directly into the prince's eyes. Rather than the usual ignorant look that he typically displayed, his eyes shone with intelligence. It was clear that the Emperor was a hidden diamond in the rough.