Zhihao strode through the palace halls, the usual rustle of silk robes muted by the quiet tension that clung to the walls like a thick fog. The court meeting had gone as expected—he had set the ministers against each other, ensuring their attention was focused anywhere but on him. But the kingdom's situation was growing more precarious by the day, and even Zhihao could feel the pressure building.
He had barely returned to his chambers when a servant appeared at his door, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty, the harem awaits your visit. You have not yet paid your respects since your ascension," the servant said, his voice deferential but firm.
Zhihao stilled, suppressing a groan. He'd been avoiding the harem, preferring to focus on military and court matters, but he knew he couldn't delay forever. The concubines were as much a part of the political landscape as the ministers, and Xu—the queen bee of the harem—was rumored to have half the court in her pocket. It would be foolish to ignore the power struggles happening under his own roof.
"Very well," Zhihao said, standing and adjusting his robe. "I'll make my visit... discreetly."
As the servant bowed and left, Zhihao sighed. I need to get this over with. The harem was its own battlefield, full of manipulation and subtlety, much like the court—but with more perfume and veiled insults. If Xu had as much influence as the rumors suggested, it would be dangerous to leave her unchecked.
But Zhihao wasn't planning on announcing himself. He would observe in secret first, get a feel for the dynamics before making any moves. With his plan set, he donned more modest robes to blend in with the palace staff and made his way toward the harem.
Meanwhile, Mei was making moves of her own. Over the past few days, she had quietly sowed seeds of doubt among the concubines, targeting those who were most fearful of Xu's control. Linghua had already started coming around, and Mei could see the cracks forming in Xu's seemingly impenetrable facade. But there was still more work to do.
Today, Mei had her sights set on Concubine Hua. Quiet and calculating, Hua stayed out of the power plays, content to remain neutral. That made her both a potential ally and a potential threat—if Mei could sway Hua, it would tip the balance further in her favor.
Time to make my move, Mei thought, adjusting her robes before heading toward the garden pavilion where Hua often spent her afternoons.
As she made her way through the winding palace corridors, Mei's mind was entirely focused on strategy. She had to be careful. Xu's grip on the harem was slipping, but Mei couldn't afford any mistakes. She needed to build her alliances quietly, subtly, until Xu was isolated.
Her thoughts were interrupted, however, when she noticed a figure moving through the shaded walkways near the entrance to the concubines' courtyard. Dressed in plain robes, the figure moved with purpose, though trying to remain inconspicuous. Mei's eyes narrowed as she focused on the man's posture—something about it was... familiar.
"No way..."
Her heart skipped a beat, disbelief flooding her as she recognized the walk, the way he carried himself. She quickened her pace, her mind racing.
"Aaron?" she called, her voice low but urgent.
The figure froze, stiffening at the sound of his real name. Slowly, he turned, and as his eyes met hers, they widened in shock.
"Evelyn?" His voice was incredulous, his expression mirroring her own disbelief.
For a moment, neither of them moved. The air around them felt heavy, as if time itself had stilled in that instant. Mei's heart pounded in her chest, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. Aaron—Zhihao—was standing in front of her, in this absurd palace, wearing royal robes as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
It was Zhihao who broke the silence first, his eyes narrowing in realization. "Wait... Mei?"
Mei blinked, then snapped out of her stupor. "You're the king?"
Zhihao's expression shifted into something between exasperation and amusement. "And you're a concubine?"
"Don't remind me," Mei groaned, shaking her head. "What the hell is going on?"
Zhihao quickly glanced around, motioning for her to lower her voice. "Shh, not here. We can't be overheard."
Mei followed his gaze, noticing a few servants nearby. She cursed under her breath, realizing how reckless she had been. They couldn't afford to draw attention, not now—not with so much at stake. She gestured for him to follow, leading him to a more secluded area of the garden, hidden from prying eyes.
Once they were alone, Zhihao let out a long breath, running a hand through his hair. "I can't believe it. I thought I was the only one."
Mei crossed her arms, her eyes still narrowed with suspicion. "Same. How did you end up here?"
Zhihao shook his head, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "I woke up here. One minute, I'm in Seoul; the next, I'm being crowned king of this ridiculous kingdom."
"And you didn't think to try and find me?" Mei's voice was laced with accusation, though there was a hint of relief in her tone.
Zhihao raised an eyebrow. "Oh, right, because it's so easy to track down a concubine in a palace full of people trying to kill you."
Mei glared at him, but the tension between them was already dissipating. It was just like old times—their bickering, their teasing. It was as if no time had passed since they last saw each other.
"So, what's your grand plan?" Mei asked, her tone softening slightly. "You've always got one."
Zhihao's smirk returned. "I've been keeping the ministers busy, pitting them against each other. They're too busy squabbling to focus on me. And I've got the general on my side—sort of."
Mei's eyebrows shot up. "General Tian Yi?"
"Yeah, him," Zhihao said, clearly enjoying the surprise on her face. "He's a bit of a hard-ass, but I think he's starting to realize I'm not as clueless as they thought."
Mei snorted. "Clueless isn't the word I'd use. Manipulative, maybe."
Zhihao grinned. "And you? What's your big move in the harem?"
Mei's expression darkened slightly. "Xu's got most of the concubines under her thumb, but I've been working on undermining her. Slowly. It's... exhausting."
"I can imagine," Zhihao said with a chuckle. "You were never one for subtlety."
Mei rolled her eyes. "Says the man who's probably been flirting with half the court."
"Only the important ones," Zhihao replied with a wink.
Despite herself, Mei couldn't help but laugh. It was ridiculous—here they were, trapped in some strange new world, forced to navigate palace politics and survive power struggles, but at least they weren't alone. That, at least, was a small comfort.
"So," Zhihao said, his voice growing serious. "What's the plan now?"
Mei straightened, her mind already shifting back into strategy mode. "You keep playing the court. I'll deal with the harem. Between the two of us, we can keep them off-balance long enough to figure out what the hell is going on."
Zhihao nodded, his usual playful demeanor fading as he considered her words. "Agreed. But be careful. The court's dangerous, but the harem... it's a different kind of battlefield."
Mei smirked. "I'll be fine. Just make sure you don't get yourself assassinated before I have a chance to gloat."
Zhihao chuckled, shaking his head. "Wouldn't dream of it."
They stood there for a moment, the weight of the situation sinking in. It wasn't going to be easy, but now that they were together, it felt a little less overwhelming. They had always been a team, even when they fought like siblings. And now, in this strange new world, that bond was going to be their greatest weapon.
"Alright," Zhihao said, clapping his hands together. "Let's get to work."
Mei nodded, her eyes glinting with determination. "Let's."