#Imperial Concubine always Takes Revenge

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: Rise from the Ashes (2024)

Gifs of Intro & Ending of cdrama "Rise from the Ashes"

EP01-04 | Reborn from flames, new lease on life | [Rise From the Ashes 小亭台]

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5i3e3N8llk

[abbyfmc]

Yandere eunuch! headcanons:

-Eunuchs were palace servants, especially imperial palaces, and were treated as servants. They were the only men in an imperial harem apart from the emperor, with the small difference that they were of a much lower rank and were also castrated.

Here we will see several situations in which our protagonist today develops with his senpai, in different situations.

-Warnings: There will be mentions of kidnapping, murder, stalking and probably +18 stuff. The obsessive or criminal behaviors mentioned here should NOT be performed in real life.

If you are a servant: 1.1 -It can be your superior or your inferior, depending on your rank. 1.2 -If you are his superior, he will have a lot of respect and admiration for you, and would call you by your rank and nickname. 1.3 -If he is your superior, he will demand your respect and admiration. He will not tolerate you paying attention to another. 1.4 -He will always be there for you, no matter what. 1.5 -He will not tolerate another servant or superior mistreating you. He will feel anger, helplessness and sadness for you and he will find a way to get revenge sooner or later. 1.6 -If he is punished, he will appreciate that you deign to heal his wounds and in fact, the simple fact of knowing that you wanted to help him will make them hurt less. 1.7 -If you are punished with… spanking for example, he will come to heal your wounds and help you treat them. Whether he himself punished you or not. 1.8 -He probably asked the emperor to marry you to him. He would follow you everywhere with the topic, and when you are his wife not to mention. 1.9 -

*If you are a noble lady, concubine or consort: 2.1 -He would be frustrated, since you married the emperor and not him. 2.2 -He will want to work for you in your palace. 2.3 -He will maintain your palace and clean it as you like. 2.4 -Do you want to kill a consort or a prince? He will gladly help you. 2.5 -It will take care of your health as the most precious thing. It will check your food, drinks and everything you use. 2.6 -If you become pregnant by the emperor, he will take care of you with a bitter feeling in his chest, since he knows that he could never have a child with you because he is a eunuch. Plus he hates that your heart isn't his. 2.7 -If he is very evil, he will try to give you a miscarriage and blame it on someone else, or he will try to make you fall out of favor with the emperor. 2.8 -He will accept all your punishments. From whipping and forced labor to kneeling in X place for X amount of time. 2.9 -He would watch you while you sleep under the pretext of taking care of you. 2.10 -Otherwise, He would help you take care of your pregnancy and seek all the help necessary to assist you during childbirth. 2.11 -He would do all your errands without question, no matter how dangerous they were, even if you were locked in your palace.

In any other situation, if you were in love with him, he would be very happy.

Obviously you would have a romance hidden from everyone.

He would kill anyone who hurts you or have a superior punish them in some way.

He will appreciate everything from the biggest gift to a small smile.

If you have children with the emperor, he will take care of the children as if he were the father; secretly of course.

He will appreciate you teaching him how to read and write if he didn't already know it before.

If he is very crazy and daring, he will lock himself with you in your palace and let you know that you are his. It doesn't matter that he is a castrated eunuch, since he can still (according to him) use his fingers and his tongue on you.

He will always follow you everywhere.

Is there a trip? He will gladly accompany you.

He will not tolerate any disrespect towards you. He would be capable of hitting other maids and lesser eunuchs for not calling you correctly by your rank, nickname or name.

If you committed crimes, he will blackmail you with that to have you for himself somehow. No, he won't confess them unless it's (as I said) to have you. And he won't confess your secrets either, no matter how much others torture him. -Fin. What do you think?

[mydaylight]

The thing that I appreciate the most about Story of Minglan is how pro-active its female characters are. It’s not just a show meant to highlight the exploitation and vulnerability of women in the context of the Song Dynasty society (although we certainly get to witness that); but one that lets their fierceness and determination and agency shine. It’s so remarkable that the majority of the plots in the show are centred around women and resolved by women. Even when it comes to the case of antagonists like Lin Qinshuang, Xiao Qin-shi, Old Madam Wang, the empress dowager etc, they are imposing figures with complex motivations that contribute to all the important developments. When little Minglan gets orphaned, it’s Hualan’s advice to Wang Ruofu that appeases the Wei family and Old Madam Sheng who steps up to take Minglan under her wing when her own father wouldn’t. When Molan has an affair, it’s up to Wang Ruofu and Old Madam Sheng to take the initiative to speak to the Liang family about a possible marriage. When Gu Tingye proposes marriage to Yu Yanhong, it’s her mother the one who needs to give the final approval and in the end cuts him off. When Qi Heng gets threatened, again it’s Princess Consort Yong pulling the strings. Consort Rong decides to murder the Yong Family (the family of the prince about to inherit the nation, mind you) to get revenge for the rape and death of her younger sister. Shulan’s divorce is negotiated by her own mother and grandmother, and not her father. When Auntie Kang is killed, it’s Old Madam Wang the one going to imperial palace to scheme against Tingye. Minglan gives up on ever expecting her father to give her justice so she steps up and takes extreme measures to get revenge for her mother’s death, and her contribution is what helps Yanran, Shulan, Kang Zhao’er, Zhang Guifen, and finally Old Madam when she gets poisoned. Even Concubine Wei, who always insisted on keeping a low profile, was ready to go to the Kaifeng Court to prove Xiao Die's innocence (so you see where Minglan gets it from). And Lady Bai was ready to divorce her husband and walk away with her children after finding out how she was used. Even that small moment of Mingyue asking to have her family’s slave contracts returned to them so she can escape being forced to become a concubine to a man she doesn’t like is so satisfying to see. It’s just so great to get a show like that that’s not just trying to make a point about the suffering of women, but actually lets its female characters be active participants in their own stories and take control of their lives instead of being subservient to male character, or reducing them to the role of the love interest or a passive sufferer.

[innerpalaces]

THE PRINCESS WEI YANG - 189 PART 1

CHAPTER 189: Visiting Relatives in the Palace

Yuan Ying inherited the beauty of the Yuexi imperial family and the calmness of the Guo family. Although he was born into the imperial family, he did not have too much arrogance and had a good temper. He always smiled and was very approachable. But in Li Wei Yang's view, he is a very interesting person. If she saw it right, there was clearly a domineering aura in this man's eyes, and he definitely wasn't an ordinary person. What he said to her that day was actually a warning to her not to harm the Guo family no matter what her purpose was. Moreover, this kind of concern is not because he is worried that his power will be damaged, but because he is sincerely protecting his relatives. In a sense, such a man is obviously more responsible than the ruthless Tuoba Zhen.

If she followed Gracious Consort Guo's wishes and married Yuan Ying, it would give her an even stronger tie to the Guo family, and for her, she would be closer to her enemies. If it were in the past, she might not hesitate to use all means to seek revenge, even risking herself. But now, for some reason, she did not have this kind of thought.

Consort Guo looked at Madam Guo and said with a smile: "Originally, these words should not be said in front of the children, but you and I are both candid people, so we might as well just say them out. Although Yuan Ying is my son, you have also watched him grow up, and he has not contracted any of the bad habits of those aristocratic children, and if he dares to bully Jia'er in the future, I will definitely deal with him."

Li Wei Yang showed a surprised look. Gracious Consort Guo actually said it so clearly... But, dealing with Yuan Ying? She glanced at the smiling tiger opposite and shook her head inwardly.

Madam Guo understood what the Gracious Consort meant. After all, everyone knew how strict she was in disciplining Yuan Ying. Once upon a time, Yuan Ying secretly snuck out of the palace. At such a young age, he knew how to ask for leave from the Imperial Tutor, so he only hid it from Gracious Consort Guo. When Gracious Consort Guo found out, she thought he was being a playboy so she ordered her guards to bring him back to the palace. The princes in Yuexi are different from those in Dali. If a prince here makes a mistake, even his own mother cannot beat him casually. There will be a special companion to take the beating for him. But Yuan Ying's reading companion was Guo Dun from the Guo family. It was absolutely impossible for Consort Guo to touch him, so she beat Yuan Ying severely without a second thought. Gracious Consort Guo is different from those delicate palace concubines. She comes from a family of military generals. Due to poor health since childhood, the eldest princess Chen Liu specially invited the best masters to teach her martial arts. After entering the palace, her martial arts training was abandoned, but the foundation was still there, and she was unambiguous in fighting people. Poor Yuan Ying was beaten, but he refused to say what he was doing outside the palace. Gracious Consort Guo became more and more angry, breaking the bamboo sticks, and finally even alerted the Emperor. Yuan Ying lay in bed for half a month without even groaning. When others came to see him, he still had a smile on his face.

It wasn't until Consort Guo's birthday a month later that she saw a white jade Guanyin given by Yuan Ying and realized that her son had prepared a birthday gift for her. While feeling regretful, she also lamented her son's stubbornness. In fact, Yuan Ying could have told everything, but he prepared the birthday gift to give his mother an unexpected surprise, so he insisted on his original intention and refused to tell the truth. From this incident, one can understand that Yuan Ying has an extremely strong side in his character.

At this moment, when Yuan Ying heard Consort Guo's words, he kept a moderate smile on his face, but his eyes looked thoughtful.

Li Wei Yang was nervous seeing his gaze. She had a premonition that Yuan Ying would agree to the marriage, even if it was just to marry her home and watch her. Does she seem so unreliable? She has obviously said repeatedly that no matter what she does in the future, she will try her best to take care of the Guo family. But it was obvious that the other party was very suspicious and did not trust her.

Madam Guo did not expect that Gracious Consort Guo would talk about this, and sighed in her heart. This sister is good at everything, and she also looks shrewd in front of outsiders. How come she is completely defenseless when she comes to family. If she mentions it privately, couldn't the two of them make some plans and matches up the two children? Being so hasty now, she's afraid Jia'er will be unhappy.

In fact, Madam Guo is willing in her heart, because she loves Guo Jia so much and is afraid that she will be even a little wronged in the future. However, her daughter will eventually get married, and she cannot keep her for the rest of her life. But if she marries someone else, if her life does not go well, wouldn't she feel heartbroken to death? Only Yuan Ying is different. For one thing, Gracious Consort Guo is his sister-in-law, and she has a very good relationship with her, and she has a protective personality. When Jia'er is married, she will never face any difficulties from her mother-in-law. Secondly, Madam Guo has watched Yuan Ying since she was a child. He is capable and has a good personality. She has never seen him lose his temper... No matter how you look at this kind of husband, you feel that he is good.

It's a pity that Yuan Ying was born in the imperial family. If in the future... Madam Guo is a little selfish in her heart. She would rather her daughter not have glory and wealth, but just have a peaceful life. So, she smiled and said: "Look at you, you are so anxious, Jia'er has just come back!"

Since she didn't immediately decline, and also tactfully postponed the marriage, Madam Guo's words were also very artistic. Consort Guo was very smart and understood as soon as she heard it. She nodded and said, "Yes, you mother and daughter have just reunited. You must be reluctant to marry her off now. We might as well talk about it later." As she said that, she turned to look at her son and said: "I just want you to be close, do you understand?"

There was a commanding tone in her words, obviously she was joking. Yuan Ying immediately laughed, glanced at Li Wei Yang, and said: "Son understands."

There was a hint of a smile in his eyes, but Li Wei Yang lowered her head and deliberately pretended not to understand.

Gracious Consort Guo looked at the two people and felt that this was more and more likely to be the case, so she said to Madam Guo: "I have already taken care of things. You will stay in the palace this time."

Li Wei Yang was slightly surprised when she heard this. It is not allowed to stay overnight in the Dali Palace... Even if it is a female family member, it is the same, but now it seems that there is no such rule in the palace in Yuexi. Seeing the look of surprise on her face, Gracious Consort Guo smiled and said: "It's taboo if you are an outsider, but you are my closest relatives. I have already explained to His Majesty that I will keep you here for a few days. What's wrong with this?"

Li Wei Yang just smiled, and Madam Guo already agreed: "Then I thank You Majesty." Although she said this, she was actually ready to stay in the palace temporarily, and she even put a suitcase in the carriage at the back. It's just that she forgot to explain it to Li Wei Yang.

Madam Guo thought for a moment and then asked: "According to the rules, we should pay our respects to Empress Pei and the other consorts."

When Gracious Consort Guo heard her mention Empress Pei, her smile suddenly cooled down and she said, "Sister-in-law, my status in the palace is second only to Empress Pei. You don't need to see the other consorts at all. As for Empress Pei, she has already said, as long as the concubines and their relatives enter the palace, they only need to go through the proper procedures and there is no need for her to meet each of them."

These were polite words, but it was obvious that Consort Guo deliberately "complied with the rules". Li Wei Yang laughed. This aunt's personality is really tough enough.

Gracious Consort Guo led them to eat, but the dishes were very ordinary. Gracious Consort Guo saw that Li Wei Yang did not show any particular surprise. She nodded secretly and was more satisfied with this future daughter-in-law. She took the initiative to explain: "Jia'er, the dishes in the palace are too luxurious and expensive. I still like these folk dishes best, don't mind it."

Li Wei Yang just smiled: "What do you mean, your majesty? I often hear my mother talk about it at home. Your majesty loved to eat the fried meat with alfalfa and Sixi meatballs the most. Although they are ordinary dishes, they are the most heartwarming."

The Guo family are very charming and have a very happy family life. No wonder Consort Guo is unwilling to forget her life before she was married. Li Wei Yang understands this very well.

Seeing that she spoke so appropriately, Madam Guo was relieved. But Yuan Ying, who was a table away, raised his head and glanced at her. Now, he felt that he could not see through this girl more and more. Of course, for a prime minister's daughter to climb up and attach herself to the imperial family and eventually obtain the title of princess, not to mention Dali, probably no one else in the entire world had accomplished such a thing. So he always felt that she was very scheming and needed to be guarded against to avoid doing anything detrimental to the Guo family in the future. But now when he looked at her words and deeds, she is ordinary but very sincere, not like a scheming and sweet-talking woman at all. Maybe, he is too worried...

Yuan Ying lowered his head and stopped looking at Li Wei Yang.

"Yes, the dishes on this table are really what your majesty used to love." Madam Guo said.

"That's right!" Consort Guo didn't say that she specifically ordered four or five more dishes because her relatives were coming.

Li Wei Yang glanced at the dishes on the table and thought in her mind that she heard that Empress Pei liked to be extravagant, while Gracious Consort Guo was very simple. They were two extremes. No wonder they disliked each other.

After lunch, Yuan Ying left. He usually had his own errands, and it was rare to stay for so long. Madam Guo watched him go, and for some reason she looked back at Li Wei Yang with a strange expression on her face.

Li Wei Yang deliberately pretended not to see her eyes, and her face was calm.

At this time, Consort Guo stood up and said, "Let's go for a walk."

It is normal to need to stroll after lunch, but Consort Guo's so-called walk is just to accompany Madam Guo and Li Wei Yang, walking from the east end of the yard to the west end, chatting while walking. Li Wei Yang had gone for a walk in the Imperial Garden in the Dali Palace and it can be seen that many rules in the two countries are different. If Madam Guo hadn't instructed her in advance, Li Wei Yang might really be unsure of what to do.

The two noble ladies were walking in the yard, but Li Wei Yang stood on the steps, looking at the red walls and blue and white stone bases on both sides, thinking to herself, Gracious Consort Guo grew up in such a friendly family as the Guo family, but she had to throw herself into a hell that eats people without spitting out bones. She has to spend the rest of her life in such a deep palace... I really don't know how she survived. Li Wei Yang had already tasted this kind of experience in her previous life, and she hates this endless waiting, so she doesn't want to go through it again. Yuan Ying was indeed a good marriage candidate, but it was a pity that he was from an imperial family and would have a lot of troubles in the future, so she was unwilling to take another risk. Therefore, she had to pretend that she didn't notice Madam Guo's expectations.

At this time, Gracious Consort Guo looked back at her and suddenly said: "Jia'er is really bored staying with us. Let the palace troupe perform a show and let's have some fun."

Consort Guo had good intentions, and Li Wei Yang couldn't refuse, so the troupe quickly set up in the Gracious Consort's yard. They were all singing some happy ending dramas, which in fact were all boring, but one also has to pay attention to one's mood when watching a drama. Consort Guo had a cheerful temperament and got along well with her sister-in-law, so the atmosphere was very harmonious.

At this moment, Grand Prince Xu Yuan Lie had entered the palace. 

Of course, he cannot go to see Li Wei Yang blatantly. Officially, he entered the palace to play chess with the Emperor. The old eunuch Zhang Zhong led the way for him while secretly sizing up the newly appointed Prince Xu. Speaking of which, the previous Grand Prince Xu was indeed deeply loyal to His Majesty and has never offended the Imperial Will. At least, before the currentEmperor ascended the throne, there were people who thought about supporting Grand Prince Xu to become Emperor. However, he never had that intention and instead devoted himself to assisting the current Emperor. Compared to the arrogant Commander Pei, it was countless times better. Therefore, whether in the court or in the palace, he had to be respected.

However, everyone thought that the empire's more covetted title would be inherited by the eldest son of Grand Prince Xu, but suddenly such an illegitimate son appeared. Eunuch Zhang glanced at Yuan Lie secretly and saw those amber pupils, which were very dazzling.

Yuan Lie glanced around and saw Eunuch Zhang's stunned eyes, and asked: "What is Eunuch Zhang looking at?"

Eunuch Zhang spoke cautiously: "Your Highness is very imposing and has the demeanor of the old prince. He is really better than his predecessors. I can't help but feel happy for him when I look at you..."

Even if you are the world's best liar, no one will believe this. The corner of Yuan Lie's mouth raised slightly, with a hint of warmth: "Oh? Really?"

Eunuch Zhang was murmuring in his heart. He always felt that Yuan Lie's appearance was very similar to a certain person. Who was it? A vague shadow flashed across his mind, and his heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he glanced at Yuan Lie subconsciously. No, absolutely impossible!

"Eunuch Zhang must be an old confidante next to His Majesty. I heard that he served Princess Qixia back then." Yuan Lie said casually.

Eunuch Zhang's eyelids twitched. He glanced about and saw that there was no one around. He breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly: "Your Highness, I know that you are a person favored  by His Majesty, but there are some things in this palace that are taboo." No matter if it was because of the Emperor or the Empress, no one was allowed to mention that person, but Yuan Lie actually spoke of her without any scruples.

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[bang-tan-bitches]

Title: Beloved

Word Count: 17.4k

Rating: M

Genre: Drama/Thriller/Smut

Warnings: Yandere Behavior, Violence, Blood, Character Death, Emotional Manipulation, Hint of Dubious Consent, Unprotected Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Cream Pie, Oral Sex (Female Receiving), Mild Dirty Talk 

Pairing: Emperor!Yoongi X Reader

Summary: Court was just a game of politics after all. And you intended to win

Written By: Admin B

Note: This was entirely inspired by Daechwita and everyone should thank A for indulging my madness and encouraging me

“Are you even listening to me?”

 You jerk at the sound of your younger sister’s voice, the long carriage ride has made you sleepy. You glance over at her and give her an indulgent smile, “I’m sorry, darling. I can only listen to you wax poetic about his Imperial Highness’ esteemed looks for so long before I lose interest.”

You can’t help but laugh when Ara snaps her fan closed and tries to hit you with it, but you block it with your own fan.

“Stop or you’ll wrinkle your dress!” You giggle, “Then what will his majesty think of you?!”

She sits back in her seat, but you can see her eyes are shining with laughter. She looks positively breathtaking in her pale pink ceremonial dress. Her hair is beautifully styled with pearls and ribbons laced throughout. Her maids really made her as eye catching as possible. When the decree was first announced that all single ladies of marriageable age were invited to the palace on behalf of the imperial princess to find a bride for his majesty, you were concerned. You know Ara had fallen hopelessly in love with the emperor the one and only time she saw him, having begged father to take her to court with him two years prior. Ever since then she had this fairy tale dream in her head that they were meant to be together and you were terribly afraid of her getting hurt. 

“He really is beautiful,” her eyes are dreamy as she glances out the carriage window, “did I tell you how his hair is so pale that it practically shines like moonlight?”

“Yes, yes,” the sarcasm clear in your voice, “He is the most handsome and benevolent ruler our land has ever seen!” 

“He is,” you sister insists, “even with the scar!”

“He has a scar? I thought that was just a rumor.” You look out the carriage window to see how far you are from the palace. The ride seemed longer than usual, but that could have just been your boredom with the topic. You had no interest in politics - not that that had stopped your father from teaching you - and avoided going to court as much as possible. You had never even been in the presence of the emperor or the imperial princess. Ara had no interest in politics either, but that didn’t stop her dreams of becoming Empress.

“Oh! It’s not a rumor!” Your sister straightens her posture, “There’s a scar that covers his right eye! He got it during the great war when he was still the crown prince.”

“Why didn’t he -”

“Why didn’t he have the Imperial healers treat him and remove the scar?” Your sister cuts you off before you can finish your question, “He wanted a reminder to never show leniency. He was betrayed by some of his own men that weren’t loyal to the crown. He slaughtered not only the betrayers, but also their entire families.”

You furrow your brows and fix the long sleeves of your ceremonial dress, uncomfortable with the emperor’s apparent brutality, “Sounds cruel.”

“It’s not cruel. He had to ensure that no one would try to get revenge. He was protecting our kingdom from those that would try to take it!”

“Of course, of course,” you placate your sister and roll your eyes at her fervent defense of his highness.

“Don’t roll your eyes, I’m terribly sorry everyone can’t be as noble as your dear Namjoon.”

You frown, “First of all, he is Lord Kim and he deserves your respect. Secondly, he isn’t my dear anything. Nothing has been finalized. There has only been talk of marriage, but no contracts are in place.”

Ara scoffs, “Everyone knows he absolutely adores you. His eyes get all big and his cheeks turn bright pink whenever he sees you.”

You smile wistfully and look down at your lap, “He is rather adorable.”

“Mmmhmm and if it was up to him you would already be married and probably with child.”

“Ara, it is impolite to discuss such things.” You scold gently, “What if someone overheard you?”

“Who?” Ara dramatically looks around the carriage before resting back against her seat, “Who can possibly hear us? There is only me and you in this carriage. No one is going to hear us.”

“Still, you need to be appropriate, you cannot slip up at the palace.”

You both sit in silence for a moment, Ara with closed eyes gently fanning herself while you contemplate how to bring up what’s been weighing heavily on your mind. Your younger sister was spoiled and had always gotten her way, even you were guilty of indulging her every whim. You were terribly worried that she would not adjust to court life well. Your understanding was that the women could be even more vicious than the men and you needed to prepare her.

You chew your lip before deciding to broach the delicate topic, “I heard another rumor about your emperor.”

“Mmm… what’s that?” Ara opens one eye to look at you.

“I heard,” you lean forward and lower your voice, “that his harem is… extensive.”

Ara pouts adorably, “It is. Apparently he has over 300 concubines.”

“300? That has to be an exaggeration. No man would want 300 concubines. Although,” you continue quietly, “he is the emperor and a large harem would show off his wealth and power. Does he have a favorite among them?”

“Ugh,” you watch Ara’s eyes darken in anger, “Concubine Nam In-Suk. She is his favored concubine and I heard the only reason she wasn’t named his empress is because Imperial Princess Min would not allow it.”

“Why would the emperor care what his elder sister thinks?” You already know the answers to all these questions, but you hope that asking them will help Ara realize what she needs to do to secure her place as empress. The carriage starts to slow, you were almost to the palace and wouldn’t have much time alone to prepare her going forward and no time alone once you’d arrived.

“She is his advisor and closest confidant. He trusts her with everything.”

“Ara,” you grab your sister’s hand and give her a meaningful look, “It is very important that you gain the favor of Imperial Princess Min. If you have her blessing, you will not be denied. Most of the silly girls will be striving for Emperor Min’s attention, not realizing that the imperial princess is making the final choice.”

Ara nods her head, determined. “I will gain her favor.”

“Also,” you know she will hate what you are about to suggest, but it has to be done, “You need to become friendly with Concubine Nam.”

“Never!” Ara gasps and tries to pull away, “As soon as I’m chosen as empress I will make him disband his harem!”

“Ara, you cannot!” You lean close and let the severity of your demand bleed into your tone, “You must become friendly and show you are not a threat.” 

“But I am a threat…” she pushes her lip out in a pout. 

You squeeze her hand, “I know, darling. But court politics are not that different from bedroom politics. He will not get rid of his harem just because you demand it. If Concubine Nam thinks she can manipulate and play you, she will be less of a threat. She has his ear and his favor. Let them think you are stupid little girl with stars in her eyes. It will bend them to your will.”

 “But,” Ara’s voice is quiet, “I want him to love only me.”

“Oh my beloved Ara,” you hold her close to you, “these things take time. Once you bed him and provide an heir, you will secure your place at his side. He will have to love and cherish only you. How could he not?”

Her smile is blinding when the carriage stops outside the palace gates. 

-0-0-0-

“Relax,” you whisper, “you are the most beautiful lady here. You have nothing to fear.”

Ara releases her bottom lip and nods subtly. When you had arrived at the palace earlier that day, you were welcomed inside to a large hall filled with other single young ladies and their chaperones, all from the most prominent families in the kingdom. Imperial Princess Min herself greeted everyone and announced that a welcome banquet would be held that evening. You were then ushered to your rooms where you could refresh yourselves before the evening. The Daisy Courtyard would serve as your temporary home for the next few weeks. It was a smaller courtyard, but it was beautiful and secluded and you were thankful to learn that it was nowhere near the concubine courtyard. 

It was almost impossible to remember how quiet the courtyard was now. 

Now, in the palace banquet room awaiting the arrival of the emperor for what felt like hours with the crowd growing more restless by the minute, you dearly missed the seclusion. Imperial Princess Min was present, drinking wine and enjoying the performance of the dancers brought in for entertainment. If she was upset with the late arrival of her brother, her face did not show it.

The music abruptly stops and everyone quiets down. The large golden doors at the back of the room are opened and an imperial servant steps in, placing their fisted hand over their heart, they bow and announce, “His Royal Highness, Emperor Min Yoongi, 37th Emperor of the Min Dynasty.”

Everyone immediately bows, giving reverence to the Emperor. He is dressed in the darkest black with gold dangling from his ears, neck, and fingers.  His blond hair is pulled up into a high topknot and a black headband is across his forehead. 

You notice a beautiful woman trailing a few steps behind him. She is covered in diamonds. They glitter from her shiny black hair down to the long train of her bright purple ceremonial dress. The dress itself is decorated in patterns of golden tigers, matching the pattern of the emperor’s black robe.

By the clenching of Ara’s hands, you realize that this must be Concubine Nam. You discreetly nudge your sister and mouth for her to relax. 

The emperor takes his seat on his golden dragon throne, while his favored concubine sits obediently at his feet. His presence is overpowering and you can feel his displeasure radiating throughout the room.  

“So… I was told that one of you will be this emperor’s bride and empress consort.” Emperor Min’s voice is deep and controlled, but the underlying fury is unmistakable. You can feel his eyes trail over the room, “Do you really think that one of you will enrapture this emperor? Do you truly believe one of you will become my chosen?”

Everyone is deathly silent, afraid of angering his highness even more. You can feel his penetrating gaze stop on you. You did not dare look upon the face of the emperor. You knew the rules of the court. You keep your eyes lowered and wait for his eyes to move past you. 

They don’t.

You can still feel him staring at you and after several silent minutes you hesitantly look up and meet his eyes. You feel your breath catch in your throat. He is startlingly beautiful. His features are delicate but his scar provides him a hint of roguishness that accentuates his already extraordinary beauty. 

His gaze is intense and you can feel his angry aura disappear to something unreadable. His dark eyes are burning with something as a devilishly handsome smile spreads across his face.

You quickly lower your eyes and ignore the chill down your spine and the heat spreading across your face. You now understand how your sister could be so enraptured with one look. 

The emperor laughs, startling you into looking again. He’s staring at his sister and smiling. You can see Concubine Nam’s face screwed up, but staring at the floor. You look away quickly before he can feel your stare. His voice is filled with warmth and something else, something unsettling, “Maybe this emperor will finally meet his bride amongst the ladies here today. Rise and enjoy the welcome feast.”

Immediately servants present platters of food to the various tables and the music starts again. You ignore the burning gaze you feel on you and direct your attention to Ara.

“Make sure you eat. You have to be strong if you plan to carry the next heir of the kingdom.” You add more food to her plate.

“Yes, yes,” Ara giggles and pushes your hand away, “I could feel him staring in our direction. Did you feel it too?”

You force a smile, “Of course. How could he not stare at you. I told you that you were the most beautiful lady here.”

When it’s your turn to introduce yourselves to the royal family, you make sure to keep your head low and only make eye contact with Imperial Princess Min once you’re allowed to rise. Next to you, your sister does the same, following your example, even as you feel the hot eyes of the emperor on you once again. Ara pays a pretty compliment to the Princess, and you smile proudly when the Princess laughs delightedly and asks for your names. 

“Oh, I remember you. And your father.” Princess Min says, a delicate finger resting on her bottom lip. She shares a look with her brother and you can feel the hateful eyes of Concubine Nam on you and your sister. You ignore her. You needed Ara to win over Princess Min before she won the hearts of anyone else. “I look forward to getting to know you once again. Both of you.” 

You smile, and bow again before moving on to let the others greet the royal family. 

Ignoring the heavy weight of Emperor Min’s gaze, you try to keep your sister distracted and engaged during the remainder of the banquet. For every goblet of wine your sister has, you make sure she also has a goblet of water. You don’t want her embarrassing herself in front of the other eligible ladies. You relax once the emperor’s gaze is no longer focused on you and take the chance to glance towards the throne, noticing the emperor in a deep discussion with his sister. The imperial princess has a strange smile on her face and is nodding her head along to whatever his highness is saying. You also notice that Concubine Nam is nowhere to be seen.

“Where did Concubine Nam go?”

“What?” Ara quickly looks around the large hall, her voice tinged with excitement, “Concubine Nam? His highness must have sent her away.”

"Strange..” you take a delicate bite of the fresh dumplings brought out by the servants, smiling a bit at how excited Ara is to find her possible rival missing, “I thought she never left his side.”  

“Well…” Ara is interrupted by the arrival of an imperial maid. The maid bows her head respectively and holds a silver tray with a folded golden parchment.

You grab the parchment and slowly open it, quickly read the contents, fold it and place it back on the tray. “Please tell your mistress we accept.”

The maid bows and scurries away. You watch her go and keep a calm mask on your face, even as your heart is racing. You knew the point of these banquets and festivities was to find the Emperor a bride, but to receive an invitation so quickly… You notice many of the young ladies in attendance are watching and you refuse to show any sort of emotion. 

Court was just a game of politics after all. And you intended to win. For Ara. 

Ara grabs your hand under the table where no one can see, “What was that about?”

“Ara, did you bring that pretty pale green dress that grandfather gifted you for your birthday last year?” You take a sip of your wine, and keep your tone low.

“Of course.” Ara nods her head and grabs some fruit slices from one of the platters on the table, but by the tenseness of her shoulders, you could feel her excitement. You would have to instruct her on how to hide it better. 

“Good. Wear it tomorrow.” You squeeze her hand, “we are invited to the morning meal with Imperial Princess Min.”

-0-0-0-

Imperial Princess Min’s courtyard and private rooms are absolutely gorgeous. Everything is draped in golds and pastels and smells of the fresh flowers that are placed throughout her rooms. The three of you sit at a finely crafted table in her pavilion, the only sounds are the bubbling of the large fountain nearby and the tinkling of the platters of food as they are placed upon the table before you. 

“Thank you for joining me this beautiful morning.” Princess Min smiles sweetly at you both, once you rise from your bow, gesturing for a maid to pour tea, “I do hope you enjoy the meal.”

“We are honored to be invited by her majesty for a meal. Thank you.” You bow your head reverently and sit in the chair the maid has pulled out. 

“Yes, thank you, your highness.” Your sister follows suit. The plates are quickly set with delicious smelling food, but you can only sip your tea, taking your cue from the princess who has barely glanced at her plate. 

“Tell me,” Princess Min takes a dainty sip of tea, “Are you enjoying your time at the palace?”

“It is very beautiful here. We are forever indebted to the emperor and the imperial princess for allowing us to visit.” You keep your voice soft and your sister nods along, her cheeks slightly puffed with the food she has in her mouth.

“And your rooms…” Princess Min continues, directing a maid to put some kimchi on her plate, “are they to your liking?”

“Yes your majesty. The Daisy courtyard is beautiful. Thank you for gracing us with such lovely lodgings.”

The princess inclines her head briefly and smiles, “What do you think of the emperor?”

“Oh, he is wonderful. The best ruler our empire has ever seen.” Ara gushes enthusiastically, “May our emperor live ten thousand years!”

You and Princess Min share a small smile, both seeing that Ara is completely infatuated with his highness. You take a small bite of the delicious food on your plate as Ara continues to praise the emperor. 

“And you?” Princess Min interrupts your sister and turns her gaze on you. Her dark eyes are so similar to her brother that it catches you off guard for a moment, “What do you think of the emperor?”

You didn’t understand why but you feel like your answer holds more weight than your sister’s. You lick your suddenly dry lips, smile demurely at the imperial princess and respond as blandly but nicely as possible, “His highness is a most generous and benevolent king.”

“That he is.” Princess Min smiles and glances at your sister, “And what are your thoughts on his harem?”

Your sister is quiet for a moment and you can see her struggling with finding what she wants to say, you gracefully answer for her, “I’m sure my sister would be most grateful to have others help serve the emperor.”

“Yes!” Ara nods eagerly, “I am most grateful that the emperor has many to keep him company.”

Princess Min hides a giggle behind her hand and you tilt your head, curious what could make the Princess giggle like that. 

“Indeed. You may be grateful for the… help.”

Your eyes widen but Ara continues to look confused. You share a look with the Princess before she continues, “My brother, the Emperor, has a… healthy appetite.” 

As if summoned by your discussion of him, your meal is interrupted by the arrival of a servant stepping into the pavilion, “His Royal Highness, Emperor Min Yoongi, 37th Emperor of the Min Dynasty.”

You and Ara quickly place down your chopsticks and stand from your seats to bow properly. 

“You may rise.” The emperor’s voice is deeper than you remember. He is dressed in an informal black robe patterned with crimson lotus flowers. Thick golden necklaces rest against his collarbones and his pale hair is pulled up into another topknot. You notice that his long, golden earrings aren’t as extravagant as the ones he wore the night before. You and Ara quickly return to your seats.

“Here is my darling sister.” The Emperor gently kisses Princess Min’s cheek before sitting in the empty chair that is placed directly across from you by a servant. “I hope you do not mind if I join you three for the morning meal.”

“Imperial Brother I can see right through you.” Princess Min giggles, “You just want to look at my pretty company.”

You feel your breath hitch when the emperor locks eyes with you, a dangerous smile pulling at his full lips, “Can you blame me? I cannot remember the last time I’ve been so enchanted.”

Princess Min smiles and glances between you and your sister, “The sisters are true beauties.”

“Indeed,” The emperor's eyes flicker to your sister before focusing back on you, “It’s refreshing to know that a father did not exaggerate his claims of his daughters’ virtues.”

"Our beauty does not dare compare to the Imperial Princess." Your sister answers perfectly, the flattery clear in her voice. You see the smile spread across Princess Min’s face, clearly pleased with Ara’s answer. 

Princess Min and Ara chatter for a while, the emperor occasionally joining the conversation, but his burning gaze never leaves your face. If anyone else notices his attention on you, they dare not mention it. You stay quiet, trying not to draw any attention away from Ara. You are proud of your sister, she is so poised as she engages in conversation with the royals. You were worried she would freeze up, or even worse, prattle on incessantly about nothing. You motion for a servant to refill your teacup and are startled when the emperor waives the servant away, refilling your cup himself. “Please, allow me.”

Everything stops around you at his actions, even the servants seem to freeze in place. You glance at your sister and the imperial princess, both completely in shock at the emperor’s generosity. Although you notice the imperial princess has a look of unbridled delight in her dark eyes.

“Thank you, your grace.” You incline your head and keep your face impassive. Only years of training drilled into you by your tutors prepared you for this. A lady must always be composed and even though you feel like your heart is going to beat out of your chest, you keep calm. You have no idea why his eminence would pour your tea as if he was your servant, but did not dare question his actions. 

The silence lasts longer than is socially acceptable and when you dare to look at him, the emperor’s eyes are already focused on you. You can feel Ara’s eyes darting between the two of you, but you can only focus on the emperor. He opens his mouth to say something when your meal is interrupted by several maids rushing into the room. His eyes release you from your trance as he looks away. 

You tell yourself that you’re grateful for the interruption. 

“Your highness!!!” They all drop to their knees once they see the emperor, their heads touching the ground, “Your highness you must hurry. Concubine Nam has collapsed!”

You glance at the maids in alarm and look back at the emperor, his brows furrowed, “Have the imperial healers been summoned?”

“Of course, your highness.” The head maid answers, rising from her bow. You realize that they must have been the personal maids of Concubine Nam. The other maids remain on their knees, foreheads pressed to the ground. 

The emperor turns away from the maids and takes a sip of his tea, dismissing them without words. You watch the head maid bite her lip before taking a step forward, “Please your highness, she is calling for you.”

You can see the displeasure on the emperor’s face. His eyes are angry, but the anger fades when he looks at you. He stares at you for a moment as if he’s waiting for your approval. You swallow and glance at the maids before meeting his gaze, “Your highness, please forgive this lowly maiden for speaking out of turn, but your beloved needs you. You should be at her side.”

“My beloved?” His voice is filled with mirth, and you wonder what is so humorous.

“Yes, your majesty.” You continue, licking your lips. His eyes follow your tongue. “Everyone knows she is your favored concubine. She needs you. You must attend to her.”

“You’re right.” His smile disarms you, again causing your breath to catch. “I must do what my beloved asks of me.”

With a swirl of his black robes, he is gone. The maids and his personal servants trailing behind him. 

The silence left by the emperor’s abrupt departure is broken by the tired sigh of the Imperial Princess. “I apologize for Imperial Brother.”

“No, no,” you immediately respond, seeing a forlorn expression on the princess’ face, “It’s alright. Concubine Nam needs him. I do hope she is alright.”

“Yes, hopefully it is nothing serious.” Your sister cannot hide the distaste in her voice at the mention of the concubine.

“Oh, it’s nothing serious.” The princess laughs scornfully, “Concubine Nam always pulls some sort of devious trick whenever she thinks my brother’s attention might be taken away from her.”

You glance in the direction the emperor disappeared, “Does she?”

“Yes. It’s pathetic.” 

You choke back a giggle when the princess rolls her eyes and instantly feel yourself relax. 

“She thinks she has my brother wrapped around her finger. Always throwing a tantrum or faking some sort of illness.” She sneers and shakes her head, looking at you as if confiding something, “Several months ago, when I first spoke to my brother about finding a potential bride, I thought for sure that she would do something then, but it looks like the little bitch was just biding her time.”

“That is terrible.” If Ara is shocked at the vulgar language used by the princess, her face doesn’t show it. She is calm and poised and while you know she has a million questions she wants to ask, she is keeping her composure until the two of you are alone in your courtyard. “Hopefully his highness sees through her tricks.”

“She’s not half as clever as she thinks she is. He knows exactly what she is doing, but he indulges her.”

“I’m sure his majesty has his reasons,” you smile at the princess, “have faith in your brother.”

Princess Min stares at you, a contemplative look on her face. You don’t know what she is looking for, but after a few quiet moments she smiles beautifully, “Yes. Of course, you’re right. I have faith in the emperor. He was chosen by the gods to rule our kingdom.”

“May he live ten thousand years.” Ara says solemnly. You and Princess Min murmur in agreement.

“Still,” Princess Min’s voice is resolute as she gestures for a maid to refill her tea cup, “Concubine Nam cannot be trusted. Be careful.”

You sip your tea, pushing thoughts of the emperor’s dark eyes to the back of your mind and wonder just how much danger your sister is in.

-0-0-0-

When you return to your courtyard, servants are rushing around packing your trunks..

“Excuse me,” you feel bad interrupting one of the maids, but you have no idea what is going on and can’t help but fear the worst, “what is happening?”

“My lady,” the maid bows her head, “we have orders to move you and your sister to the Golden Bell courtyard.”

You frown and watch the servants continue to carry out your things, Ara clutches your hand, “On whose orders?”

“His Royal Highness.”

“As you were.” You dismiss the maid and turn towards Ara. You can see the excitement in her eyes. She’s practically vibrating. You nod for her to follow you out to the main yard where an imperial carriage is waiting to take you to your new courtyard.

“Sister,” She whispers, “The Golden Bell Courtyard. That’s closer to Imperial Princess Min’s private courtyard.”

“I know.”

-0-0-0-

The Golden Bell Courtyard is stunning. The main yard is filled with the fragrant Golden Bell flowers and the rooms were at least twice the size of your previous courtyard. Ara is practically giddy with excitement as she throws herself down on the large bed in the room you chose.

“He must already be in love with me.” 

“Why wouldn’t he be?” You were surprised Ara was able to contain herself until the servants left. 

“Everything is so luxurious.”

“It is.” You sit yourself at the fancy dressing table in the corner of the room and check your reflection in the bronzed mirror, “You should get used to this.”

Ara giggles and snuggles into the soft bedding. You watch her through the mirror and smile at her behavior. She was still so young and you wish you could shelter her forever. You still worried about her marrying into the imperial family, but you felt a little better knowing that Imperial Princess Min seems to have warmed to her. “You need to thank his majesty at tonight’s banquet.” 

“Of course.” Your sister smiles and throws a soft goose feather pillow in the air, “I will make sure to thank him for his hospitality.”

-0-0-0-

Unfortunately, Emperor Min is not at the banquet that night. In fact, you were informed, for the next fourteen days he would not be attending any of the events Imperial Princess Min had scheduled.

You can tell the princess is upset. Her smile seems a little more strained and while she is able to handle everything as a hostess should, you can tell she is very stressed about whatever the emperor is currently handling. You have a strong suspicion it is related to Concubine Nam, but it is not your place to ask questions so you remain quiet. You do, however, try your best to help where you can, becoming a steadfast and loyal companion to her majesty, continuing to have meals with her whenever she requests and spending many afternoons in her pavilion with her. She would ask your opinions of the young ladies from the different households and tell you about what would be required of the empress consort. As the days moved along, the princess dismissed more and more of the potential brides for his majesty until only a handful were left. You were pleased that Ara seems to be the favorite.

You sit across from the Imperial Princess. She sent you a note at the morning meal requesting you to join her in her plum blossom garden this afternoon. You can tell the princess is upset. Her lips are pursed and her fingers are white as she grips her cup of tea tightly. You're afraid the delicate cup might crack. 

“Your majesty’s plum blossom garden is beautiful. It must be the most fragrant and lovely plum blossom garden in all of the empire.”

Imperial Princess Min gives you a soft smile. She dismisses the servants and they step back so they are out of hearing range, but close enough to see if her highness requires anything.

“Concubine Nam is with child.”

You are silent for a moment. You keep yourself composed and don’t dare show your thoughts on your face. Your mind is frantically trying to process what this means. How could this have happened? What does this mean for Ara? 

You swallow and gently speak, “Princess Min, please forgive this simple one for questioning, but I thought it was against the imperial law for a concubine to bear children?”

“It is.” Princess Min throws her tea cup on the ground in anger, two imperial maids rush over to clean up the shattered mess and prepare another cup of tea for her majesty. Once the servants step away, the Princess continues, “She stopped drinking the herbal tea the day my brother agreed to find a bride.”

“Will Concubine Nam be punished?” You don’t look at the princess when you ask, you focus on the full cup of tea in front of you.

“If she is punished, it won’t be until after she gives birth.” Princess Min takes a small bite of sweet cake, “The little bitch thinks the emperor will make her his empress consort.”

“Will he?” 

“No,” Princess Min gives you a reassuring smile, “He will choose someone most deserving.” Her eyes shift as she stares at you until you feel you have to look away. “He’s been diligently working on preparing everything for his chosen consort. That and this unfortunate incident with Concubine Nam has kept him busy.”

You feel relief to know that Concubine Nam’s schemes do not seem to be working. And from the knowing smile the princess gives you, you feel elated that Ara will definitely be chosen as the consort. “What of the child?”

“The child will be recognized as a prince of the kingdom, but not an heir. Only the Empress can provide an heir.” Princess Min still looks unhappy, “I hope this won’t affect things going forward.”

It almost sounds like a question, as if she’s asking you if it will affect things. But you know that can’t be. You release a breath you didn’t know you were holding. This news will be upsetting to Ara, but not all is lost. This can still be salvaged. She could still marry and become the empress. Her child will still be the rightful heir. “No, I’m sure my sister will love any child that his highness produces.”

“Oh, yes, of course your sister would.” Princess Min gives you a curious smile, her dark eyes shining as if she’s amused. She takes your free hand in hers, “I hope I can request your confidence in this matter.” She says and gives your hand an almost too tight squeeze, “This must not be told to anyone.”

“Of course,” You nod your head solemnly, “I won’t say a word.”

 -0-0-0-

The Emperor continues to absent himself from any events involving the possible consorts for the next several days. Even though it had yet to be announced, you knew he had already decided on an empress consort, therefore he did not need to attend any of the lavish events and parties his sister had scheduled. Though as the days progress and nothing more happens, you grow more and more concerned over Ara’s position until finally you are moved again to an even larger, more extravagant courtyard. 

The Mugunghwa Courtyard. 

The Mugunghwa Courtyard was reserved for the empress consort and is located directly next to the emperor’s private courtyard. The servants treat you and your sister like royalty, you are given the same respects the emperor and his sister are provided. Ara is enjoying the envious glares she receives from the other ladies and you allow her to enjoy her victory, but remind her to be polite and courteous to the servants because they will be her eyes and ears to what is happening in the other courtyards(including the harem).

Soon after you’re comfortably moved into the Mugunghwa Courtyard, the gifts begin arriving. Some days when you return to your rooms after the festivities, you find fresh Mugunghwa flowers on your bed. One morning you wake up and find a bottle of sweet perfumed oil. You know that it isn’t uncommon for a groom to bestow gifts upon his bride’s family, but you’re a little uncomfortable as the days progress and the gifts become more elaborate. Silk slippers, golden hairpieces, diamond necklaces… it’s all too much. Ara has also been receiving small gifts, flowers and oils. You don’t know why, but you don’t mention the jewelry or clothing to her. 

You continue to spend time with Imperial Princess Min, her personal servants would invite you, and only you, to have a private audience with her almost daily. Once, you asked her where the emperor was, as you had not seen him since breakfast almost a week ago. She had smiled at you as if you’d said the one thing she longed to hear, and informed you he’d been out of the palace. Taking care of business. But assures you that he would return soon. 

“If you would like, we can invite him to breakfast again.” She takes your arm and giggles, as if breakfast with her brother is against the rules. “But I might get jealous if my soon-to-be sister pays more attention to my brother than me.” 

Your heart soars at her words. This is practically confirmation that Ara will be chosen!

She keeps you updated on the goings on with Concubine Nam. The child is growing strong, and Concubine Nam has already started showing a small bump on her otherwise perfect body. While you never wish harm on anyone, you cannot hide your small sense of satisfaction when you're told that Concubine Nam is visibly distraught over the fact that the emperor has not once visited her since she collapsed.

You are still very concerned about Ara finding out about the pregnancy. You have kept your word and stayed silent on the matter, but you know Ara’s bubble of happiness will burst once she is made aware. You spend many of your days touring the multiple gardens of The Mugunghwa Courtyard in contemplation, trying to decide if you should tell Ara what is happening. 

You’re taking a leisurely stroll in the hibiscus garden when you suddenly feel like you’re being watched. This happens most days when you’re alone in the gardens, but no one is ever around so you dismiss it as your imagination. You startle when you hear the emperor’s deep voice call your name.

You spin around quickly and meet the burning gaze of the emperor. He’s dressed in his signature black robe, but this one is patterned with dark blue koi fish. His pale hair is pulled back in a low ponytail with a black headband across his forehead. Today he is wearing one long golden earring and a heavy golden choker around his throat. 

You briefly wonder if he would adorn his Empress in so much gold. 

“Your highness!” You immediately remember yourself and bow low.

You are still bent low and staring at the ground when you see a long black robe come into view. You feel a gentle finger under your chin and your head is tilted up until you’re standing again and staring directly up into the emperor’s perfect face.

He continues to stare at you, his eyes swirling with emotion. His finger moves from your chin to rub along your bottom lip and your eyes close involuntarily. He leans closer and you can smell the clean scent of his skin. You feel his breath on your lips…

The sound of a throat clearing jolts you. You snap your eyes open and immediately step away from the emperor’s personal space. Emperor Min is glaring heatedly at a eunuch who is standing several feet behind him. The eunuch looks apologetic, but you are grateful. 

“Your majesty, are you also here to tour the gardens?” You can feel your cheeks heat and you absentmindedly smooth out your dress. “The hibiscus garden is especially fragrant this time of year.”

His eyes are gentle when he looks at you. He gives you a soft smile, “No. I am here to see you.”

“Me? I do not know what I have done to deserve your attention. How can I help his majesty?”

Emperor Min’s voice is serious, “You deserve more than my attention. You deserve everything.”

You turn away from his penetrating gaze, focusing on a nearby flower, “Your highness has been very kind to me and my sister. I cannot thank you enough.”

“Do not thank me.” The emperor chuckles, “I am a king. I always have an ulterior motive.”

You realize he is most likely speaking of Ara. As Ara’s elder sister, you know you have the most influence over her and her opinions. He is trying to gain your favor so she will be more likely to accept his suit, but he must know that Ara is already in love with him. Princess Min would never keep that information from him.

“I have a gift for you.”

“Another gift?” You look up at his handsome face, “I couldn’t possibly accept anything else. You’ve been so generous already.” 

Faster than you can blink, his face is so close to yours, you can feel the brush of his lips as he speaks, his hand on your chin and eyes locked with yours. 

“I am the emperor. It is my divine right to give what I want, and to take what I want. Do you understand?” 

You blink and quickly lower your eyes, unable to bow your head, “Yes, your highness.” 

He moves away and you catch yourself before you can stumble from the suddenness of it all. 

“Eunuch Ki.” Emperor Min gestures and the eunuch steps forward holding a small wooden box, golden dragons painted on it. Eunuch Ki opens the box and you cannot stop your gasp when the contents are revealed. A beautifully hand carved jade bracelet is nestled within. You can see that your name is engraved in it along with the symbols of beauty and love. 

Emperor Min holds out his hand, waiting for you to give him yours. You place your hand in his and watch quietly as he gently pushes up the sleeve of your dress. His hand is so much larger than yours and you shiver when his thumb gently rubs along your wrist.

Eunuch Ki hands him the bracelet and he tenderly clasps it around your wrist. 

“Perfect.”

 You feel something inside you stir, “It’s lovely.” 

 “Not as lovely as the wrist it adorns,” he meets your eyes, “it becomes you.” 

You know you should pull away, part of you desperately wants to pull away. But he is the Emperor, and you know better. 

“Ara loves her gifts too!” You blurt out, trying desperately to control the way your heart is pounding. 

His face scrunches in thought and he tilts his head, “Ara… yes. Your sister. I’m glad she enjoys her gifts as well.” He raises your hand, flips it in his, and places a kiss on the inside of your wrist, lips brushing the cool jade beads. “Don’t take it off.” He commands, before leaving you alone once more. 

-0-0-0-

After that, you did not go into the gardens alone, always making sure Ara or Princess Min is with you. While you never did run into the Emperor in the gardens again, you still sometimes felt his burning gaze on you, but when you looked around, he was never there.

Today, you and Ara are staying in your own courtyard. You feel that both of you need a break from court. You know you certainly do. You have already had your morning meal in your rooms and were currently relaxing in one of the many drawing rooms. You smile as Ara pricks her finger again on her needlework. “Be careful Ara. A lady's hands should be soft and delicate.”

You can’t hide your laughter at the adorable glower she gives you. “Why do I have to do this? When I’m empress, I’ll have the royal seamstresses do this for me.”

“It’s a good skill to have and maybe your husband would want a personalized gift from you.”

Ara pouts but doesn’t say anything else. You sit in comfortable silence, her trying to embroider and you snacking on small sweet cakes. The days seem to be getting slightly cooler and you were appreciative. You didn’t know how long this consort selection was going to take, but you were already longing for home. You had written several letters to your father, letting him know of Ara’s progress and wanting to hear any news from home. You were hoping maybe your marriage to Lord Kim would be finalized, but unfortunately, there was no news about that. Your father seemed to avoid mentioning Lord Kim at all. As for Lord Kim himself, you sent him a few brief letters asking after his health and wellbeing, but had yet to receive a response. He was normally very quick to reply to your letters, but you brushed off his lack of response due to the fact that he must be very busy.

Your musings are interrupted by the arrival of several imperial servants and a finely dressed eunuch. They are carrying two large golden trunks and place them down in front of you and your sister. The eunuch steps forward and bows low.

“My ladies,” You recognize the eunuch as the emperor’s most trusted servant, Eunuch Ki, the one who was at his side in the hibiscus garden, “His Royal Highness would be most pleased if the mistresses would accept his gifts.”

You and Ara share a look and you quickly stand from the soft, golden sofa, “Thank you, Eunuch Ki. We are honored to receive gifts from his eminence.”

The large golden trunks are opened and you can hear Ara’s gasp of delight. The emperor has provided each of you a ceremonial dress made of fine, silk fabric and beautiful hair ornaments. Ara’s dress is a gorgeous light blue patterned with silver butterflies. The matching hair ornament is a hair pin styled in beautiful swirls of silver and jade, a single butterfly resting on top.  

Your dress is colored a rich gold and patterned with black mandarin ducks, diamonds line the long sleeves and train. The matching hair ornament is also a hair pin, but it looks to be solid gold with two mandarin ducks resting on top of a bed of orchids made out of diamonds. You hesitate at the pattern on the dress, unsure if this is a mistake. 

“If it pleases the mistresses, his highness requests you wear his gifts to the Grand Banquet tomorrow evening.”

“Of course, we would be delighted.” Ara beams at Eunuch Ki when you don’t respond right away, your eyes still focused on the pattern on your dress. 

“Eunuch Ki,” you follow him to the entrance of the drawing room, your voice quiet so others cannot overhear, “I feel there might be a mistake.” You gesture to your dress and your eyes flicker towards an oblivious Ara.

Eunuch Ki eyes you for a moment, his look is heavy and almost pitying, “The Emperor does not make mistakes.”

You swallow hard and nod at Eunuch Ki, closing the door behind him and turn to look at Ara. She’s already holding the dress up against herself and admiring it in the mirror. 

The Emperor might not make mistakes, but you were beginning to think you had. 

-0-0-0-

You slowly make your way towards the courtyard of the imperial princess. After Eunuch Ki had left last night, you received a summons from the Imperial Princess. She requested you to meet her for afternoon tea the following day before the grand banquet. 

This side of the palace was oddly quiet. You knew that everyone was preparing for the grand banquet, so all the activity would be much livelier near the grand banquet hall. You had yet to see that hall, apparently it was large enough to hold all the noble families of the kingdom comfortably. 

When you enter her private pavilion, Imperial Princess Min is reclining on a giant resting sofa, a servant girl fanning her. 

“Your highness.” You bow your head reverently and wait for her to receive you.

She smiles beautifully and sits up, her dark eyes shining beautifully, as she holds her hands out to you, “I’m so glad you are here.”

“Your Highness flatters me.” You go to her, smiling as you take her hands in your own before releasing them to gesture to the ornately carved tea table in the corner, “Afternoon tea?”

“Yes, we have much to discuss.” Princess Min stands up and elegantly makes her way to the table, you follow obediently behind her. Once you are both seated, Princess Min gestures for a servant to pour tea.

“Are you excited for tonight’s banquet?” Princess Min takes a sip of her tea, “I’m so very excited and the banquet isn’t even for me.”

“Of course, tonight is a grand occasion. It deserves to be celebrated properly.” You swallow a sip of tea and look around the beautiful pavilion. “Thank you so much for the hospitality you have shown my sister and I. Your kindness will never be forgotten.”

Princess Min smiles at you and chatters about the drama currently happening in the harem courtyard, Concubine Nam was still holding hope that Emperor Min would choose her as his bride, while the other concubines were furious over her blatant violation of the rules. You listen and chime in when necessary, indulging in Princess Min’s love for gossip. 

“What would you do with Concubine Nam and the harem?” Princess Min asks you, her voice curious, “How would you handle this entire scandal?”

“Well,” You ponder over her question for a moment. She had asked you similar questions before, but usually about how you would handle this political issue or that. Never one quite so close to home. You take another sip of tea, deciding how to answer without offending her, “an example would have to be made.”

“What kind of example?” Princess Min tilts her head slightly, her dark eyes swirling with something, “if you had the power, what would you do?”

“If I had the power?” You gesture for a servant to pour you another cup of tea and laugh softly, “If I had the power, my husband would not have a harem at all.”

Princess Min stares at you, her eyes practically glowing, “No harem? A normal man would not agree to your terms.”

You smile, “I will not marry just any man. I will marry a man solely devoted to me.”

The Princess giggles beautifully, “I love your way of thinking.”

“Well,” you giggle along with the princess, “My way of thinking isn’t something that is approved of. Luckily for his majesty, Ara will gladly allow him his harem.”

The princess quiets down and gestures for a servant to place a small, sweet cake on both of your plates. Her smile is sweet, “Tell me…”

“Hmm?” You tilt your head in question and take a small sip of tea.

Princess Min’s voice is light and soft, “when are you going to stop playing ignorant?”

You still completely, your stomach bubbling with dread. You keep your face calm and composed, but your heart is beating rapidly. After a brief silence, you question, “Pardon? Whatever do you mean?”

“You’re a very clever woman, it’s why I like you so much.” Her sweet smile never leaves her face, but her eyes are dark and cold. “You know exactly what I mean.” 

“No,” You keep your voice firm, “I do not know what you mean at all.”

Princess Min’s smile widens, but her dark eyes are unsettling, “Did you enjoy Imperial Brother’s latest gift?”

You slowly set your tea cup on the table, “His highness gives the most thoughtful gifts, we are forever in his debt.”

“You know, he chose the pattern and colors himself.”

“About that,” you lick your lips before continuing, “Eunuch Ki gave me the golden dress by mistake.”

“Oh you are good. For someone who claims they have no interest in court or politics, that is. Though you need a little more training before you sit in on a council.” The Princess takes a bite of cake, her eyes flashing, “I don’t recommend playing dumb with me, however.” 

“I don’t know what you could possibly mean.” 

The Princess ignores your remark, “Have you heard of my betrothed? Prince Regent Jung Hoseok. He’s the general of the Imperial Army.”

“Of course,” your mind frantically tries to understand where the connection is, “He has helped the emperor win many battles.”

“Did you know that he was betrothed before?”

You shake your head, but don’t reply. You have no idea what this discussion has to do with the emperor’s gifts, but you didn’t dare interrupt or question her.

“He grew up in the palace here with Imperial Brother and I. My father, the emperor at the time, practically raised him as one of his own. He was Imperial Brother’s companion and also to be his general in war. I had been in love with him since I was very young. He was all I ever wanted.” Princess Min Glances off into the distance, as if she’s reminiscing, “For his outstanding work as the General of the Imperial Army, my father gifted him a marriage to a nobleman’s daughter... Lord Tokko’s only daughter, Yeong.”

Lord Tokko’s name was vaguely familiar to you, you had heard your father mention him a few times. As for his daughter, you had never heard of this woman, but by the tone of Princess Min’s voice and the frown on her face, you know it was someone that the princess did not like.

“The Prince Regent agreed to the marriage, he actually cared for her, thought himself to be in love,” The princess scoffs and takes a small sip of tea, “It was not hard for me to get my father to agree to have Lady Yeong come to the palace to serve as a friend and companion for me.”

“She was one of the kindest, sweetest, young women I had ever met.” The Princess locks eyes with you, “So trusting that even as she lay dying, it never crossed her mind that I was the one that poisoned her.”

You're quiet for several moments, trying to gather your thoughts. Your voice is a little shaky when you finally ask, “Why are you telling me this?”

Princess Min ignores you once again, “We thought the sickness had skipped my brother. It usually only manifests itself in the women in my family, my grandmother had it too, you know?”

“What sickness?” You are growing more alarmed. The Princess was revealing information and secrets that you should not know and you did not understand her reasoning.

Again, Princess Min ignores you, continuing her story as if she were a player on stage and you the enraptured audience, “He never showed any symptoms, not a care in the world for anyone but himself. The closest he came was Concubine Nam, but nothing serious ever happened with her. He would never make her his consort, so I knew she wasn’t the one.”

“Imagine my elation when you finally arrived. You have turned out to be all we hoped for and more.” Princess Min smiles at you beautifully, her dark eyes shining almost manically, “The moment he saw you, your fate was sealed.”

Before today, having Princess Min’s confidence made you feel warm and welcomed. Now you only feel dread. 

“I.. I...” You lick your too dry lips and stumble over your words, your composure crumbling in the wake of the Imperial Princess’ confession, “I am to be married to Lord Kim. My father is working out the contracts.”

“Lord Kim?” The princess giggles, “My brother wanted to strip him and his family of their lands and titles, but I was able to talk him back from that.”

“I don’t understand.” You feel cold all over.

“Yes, you do.” The princess gestures and a maid comes forward holding a silver tray, the princess grabs the small bundle of letters and tosses them on the table, “You’re lucky that I was able to intercept these before Imperial Brother read them. If he knew you were writing to another man, he would have Lord Kim beheaded.”

You’re quiet, staring at the letters you wrote to Lord Kim asking after his health. The letters he never received. Too much was going through your mind. What about Ara?

“My father-”

“Your father has already agreed and I was able to have Imperial Brother gift a marriage to Lord Kim.”  Princess Min’s voice is pleasant, as if she's discussing the weather, “Your sister will be his bride.”

You stand abruptly from the table, your chair clattering to the floor behind you. You feel shaken and terrified. You knew something was off, but you were hoping, praying, you were wrong.

“Please excuse me, your majesty.” You step back from the table, your eyes slightly glassy, “I need to rest before tonight’s banquet.”

“Please, call me Ji-Soo…,” The princess smiles at you, her dark eyes are filled with what you now recognize as madness, the same look found in the emperor’s eyes when he looks at you, 

“..We’re family after all.”

-0-0-0-

When you arrive back at your courtyard, your mind is still struggling to comprehend what is happening. You rush past the servants and lock yourself in your room. You stare at the beautiful golden dress laid out on your bed, the diamonds twinkling as if mocking you. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Ara is supposed to be empress.

You slide to the floor, your back against the door. This wasn’t supposed to happen. You stare at the dress, but your mind isn’t focused on it. You’re trying to think, trying to plan. What are you supposed to do? You don’t even entertain the thought that your father will save you. You have no choice. Emperor Min holds all the power. 

You don’t realize that hours have passed with you staring blankly at the dress until the servants knock on your door. “My lady, we are here to prepare you for the banquet.”

“I don’t need help to prepare. Please leave me.”

“My lady,” The voice of the maid is trembling, fearful, “The emperor insists.”

You swallow and stand, your legs shaky. You open the door and stare at the servants, they are terrified. Terrified of the emperor, terrified of his displeasure. You realize that you and them are not so different. No one has a choice. Everyone is subject to Emperor Min’s whims.

“Where is Ara?”

“She has already been prepared for the banquet.” Several servants rush in carrying a large washing tub filled with steaming water. The water is fragrant and several flowers are flowing on the surface. 

You watch a large dressing screen being set up around the tub, several of the servants bow low to you before quickly leaving the room. You look at them questioningly and an older maid steps forward, “Forgive us, my lady. We are under strict instructions and not allowed to help you undress or bathe.”

“What? Why?”

The maid licks her lips and hangs several white undergarments over the dressing screen, “The emperor made a new decree that it is a crime punishable by death for anyone other than the emperor himself to view the empress consort’s nude body.” 

It’s a jarring experience to be referred to as the empress consort. 

“It- it is not official.” 

You want to scream at them that this is wrong. That you’re not even betrothed, that this isn’t supposed to be you. 

They won’t meet your eyes. 

The jade bracelet on your wrist slides, warm beads against cool skin, and that’s when you realize all the mistakes you have made. You can’t stop the heavy weight you feel in your chest. You can feel your lips begin to tremble and your eyes feel watery. You don’t want to cry, but you know you should because you have the horrible feeling that once you are announced as the chosen empress consort at the banquet, the emperor will not let you out of his sight. 

The maid smooths over any imaginary wrinkles in the undergarments and gives you a pitying look, “Please get dressed in these once you are finished and we will prepare you for the banquet.” 

You’re left alone and you robotically remove your dress and undergarments. The water is hot and relaxing and it soothes your frazzled nerves. You lean your head back against the washing tub, you can hear the maids quietly talking behind the dressing screen. Your mind is racing. You are a smart girl. Your father has always praised your brilliance and forward thinking and lamented over you not being born a boy. You could figure this out. You could find a way out. 

There is obviously something seriously wrong with the Imperial siblings. The Princess herself confessed to murdering a love rival and the emperor has never shown any sign of this alleged sickness until now. Concubine Nam is carrying his child. You’ve already told Princess Min about your distaste of the harem. You refuse to have a husband that continues to keep a harem of concubines. 

But you know, you know, you could not refuse the emperor’s suit. You did not have any choice in the matter. While this is not the outcome that you nor Ara want, you know that your father will be pleased. All men want is power. They do not care for who they hurt or how they use their children like pawns. Your father will be the father-in-law of the emperor, his position and power will be secured.

The water is cold when you finally decide to step out of the washing tub. You resolve yourself to your future. Being the Empress Consort is not the worst fate you can have, but you were fearful of your sister’s reaction. She will hate you. 

You slowly put on your undergarments and step out from behind the screen. The maids eagerly rush you over to the large dressing table and sit you down. You stare at your worn reflection in the large, ornate mirror. 

Several maids kneel at your sides, dipping your fingers and toes in a dark paste. Other maids rub scented lotion onto your arms and legs. You watch through your reflection as the older maid rearranges your hair into an intricate updo, her skilled hands working effortlessly.

Your voice is a little hoarse when you speak, but you clear your throat and look at the older maid, “Will you be my personal servant?”

“Of course,” The maid gives you a warm smile, “His highness chose me personally to care for his bride.”

You give her a strained smile in return, neither of you mention the fact that the emperor chose servants that would be loyal to him. It wasn’t uncommon for a bride to bring a handful of trusted servants with them to their new home, but these aren’t normal circumstances. You would truly be alone here. “May I know your name?”

“Unso.”

“Unso.” You say the name carefully, “Please take good care of me.”

“My absolute pleasure.” She beams and gestures to your hair, the golden hairpin shining on top. The hairstyle is extravagant and more beautiful than any you have ever worn. The other maids clean the dark paste off your fingers and toes, revealing the nails to be stained a pretty red. Another servant brings a small jar of white cream and rubs it onto your face. You sit still as makeup is applied to your face. Your lips are painted a dark red and your eyes are lined with kohl. A small, delicate mugunghwa flower is painted in red and black between your eyebrows.

You stand and the maids help you dress in the beautiful golden dress. They take their time making sure everything is perfect. When you are fully dressed, the servants all stand back and stare at their hard work.

“Mistress is the most beautiful!”

“The Emperor has chosen well!”

“Her beauty is unparalleled!”

“An absolute vision!”

“His highness will be most pleased!”

The praises are interrupted by Eunuch Ki. He gives you a once over before nodding to Unso, “Excellent. Make sure everything is prepared as instructed.”

Unso nods her head and steps back.

“My lady,” Eunuch Ki bows low to you, “Please allow me to escort you to the banquet hall.”

You look around nervously, “But Ara-” 

“Your sister is already at the banquet.”

“I see.” You nod your head realizing you don’t have a choice, “I would be honored for Eunuch Ki to escort me.”

He gives you another low bow and turns to lead the way out of your rooms. Unso gives you an encouraging smile and you nod your head in return. Eunuch Ki leads you out of your courtyard to an extravagant imperial carriage. From the design and brilliance, you can tell that this is the emperor’s personal carriage. 

The ride to the grand banquet hall is quiet. You’re positive that you’re shaking in your seat. Eunuch Ki is watching you, but he doesn’t comment on your nerves. The carriage comes to a stop and the door is opened by an imperial guard. Eunuch Ki steps down first. You follow slowly behind him, all the servants and guards bowing in your presence. 

The long walk to the banquet hall seems to last seconds. You can feel sweat beading on your forehead and you are distractedly worried that all the servants' hard work on your face paint will come undone.  The closer you get to the hall, the louder the music and laughter from inside becomes. You can hear that it is a grand celebration and you worry for a moment that you are late. 

Eunuch Ki stops several feet away from the double doors. He gives you a sad smile and leans close to you, “An empress does not show fear. An empress does not show despair.”

You nod your head in understanding, straighten your back and hold your head high. You can feel your heart beating out of your chest; the expectations of the kingdom weighing on your shoulders. You can feel the sinking feeling in your stomach that Ara will never forgive you. You desperately hope she can understand. 

You do not have a choice. 

“Please open the doors.”

The large golden doors are heavy, requiring several servants to push them open. A loud chime is heard from the inside of the room. Eunuch Ki steps forward and announces your arrival, but you cannot hear him over the sound of the blood rushing through your ears. 

You step forward and you can feel all eyes are on you, but the only eyes you can focus on are the emperor’s. Dark, calculating, mad. He’s not dressed in his customary black, but gold. His ceremonial robes are a bright gold patterned with black mandarin ducks, matching yours. His long hair is unbound, a glittering crown is placed upon his brow. He is the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen. 

The room is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. You take several slow steps into the room and make your way towards the emperor. Before you reach him, Princess Min steps forward, a handsome man you recognize as Prince Regent Jung Hoseok at her side. The couple is dressed in matching colors. Royal blue and patterned with silver bats. Princess Min leans close to you and kisses both your cheeks. She pauses to whisper a quiet, “Good Girl,” that only you can hear. Prince Regent Jung gives you a low bow.

You bow in return to the Princess and her betrothed. The room is still deathly quiet. When you finally reach the emperor, he stares at you as if you are the only thing he has ever wanted. You prepare to bow, but Emperor Min stops you, “From this moment forward, you bow to no one.”

You swallow and nod your head. Emperor Min continues staring at you, his eyes swirling with equal parts happiness and madness. Eunuch Ki steps forward holding a golden goblet. You stare at the goblet and then look at the emperor in horror. This isn’t right. You realize quickly that this is no ordinary celebration banquet. 

This is a wedding. 

You quickly look away, desperately searching for Ara. Slim fingers grip your chin tightly, you can feel the cold metal of his rings pressing into your skin. Your face is turned back to the Emperor.

“Who is the king?” His voice is quiet, but firm, “Who is the boss?”

You stare into his cold eyes. He knows he has you trapped and he knows there is nothing you can do. While you want to believe that you had reconciled yourself with your fate, you had truly hoped that you had more time to find a way out. But there is no way out.

After a few moments, you nod your head in understanding and open your mouth to accept a drink from the goblet. Emperor Min takes the goblet from Eunuch Ki and holds it to your lips. His smile is gentle, but his eyes are filled with triumph as you drink.

The rice wine is sweet but you barely taste it. You swallow a large gulp and lick your lips. The emperor’s eyes darken as he watches you and his smile widens. He gently places the goblet into your hands and you carefully hold it up to his lips. He takes several large gulps, but never breaks eye contact with you. 

Eunuch Ki grabs the goblet from you and before you know what is happening, you’re in the emperor’s embrace. One of his hands cup the back of your head as the other holds you tightly by the waist, “Finally, you’re mine.”

His kiss catches you off guard and you close your eyes involuntarily. You know that kissing is improper for a wedding ceremony and should only be done in private, but no one would dare question the emperor. His lips are soft and taste of the rice wine you just drank. When his tongue gently coaxes your lips open, you do not resist. Your fingers grip his shoulders and you cannot stop yourself from melting into him. 

When he finally releases you, you steady yourself against him. You’re in a daze as the emperor leads you to the royal table. You stand quietly at his side as he raises a glass of wine in a toast, “To my new bride, your new empress!”

The hall is filled with thunderous applause and cheering. Your moves are robotic as the emperor instructs you to sit next to him. He fills your plate with all your favorite delicacies and pours you a cup of tea. The musicians start playing music again and the murmur of conversations start up around you. You glance around the hall and realize that all the eligible young ladies that were prospective consorts are wearing matching dresses. Light blue and patterned with butterflies. The same dress that Ara was gifted.

You look around for Ara and you find her seated between your father and Lord Kim. Your father and Lord Kim seem to be in a serious conversation. Ara looks calm and composed, but her eyes betray her. You can see her unhappiness and your heart aches. 

“Beloved,” You’re jolted by the emperor’s deep, somber voice, “Don’t worry about your sister. She will be taken care of. Lord Kim will make her happy.”

It takes you a moment to respond, but you do so quietly, “My sister’s only happiness will always be with the emperor.”

The emperor glances in the direction of your sister and then turns back to you, his smile is sweet, “You are a good sister, but it’s time you put your happiness first.”

You’re puzzled, “My happiness?”

“Your happiness.” Emperor Min kisses your lips softly, “To be my bride. To be my queen. To be mine.”

You stare at him incredulously, and realize he truly believes that you are happy being his bride. He really thinks you wanted this and were only holding yourself back for Ara’s sake. Princess Min gives you a knowing smile from across the table. You sit in a daze as the night progresses. The emperor would let no other serve you, but himself, constantly refilling your plate and cup.

You can feel the angry glare of Concubine Nam on you from across the hall and when you finally meet her gaze, you're startled to realize that she’s also wearing the same light blue dress, patterned with silver butterflies, that Ara was gifted. In fact, all the concubines are dressed this way.

Concubine Nam’s face is fuller and glowing beautifully. Her soft, demure persona would be more believable if her eyes weren’t filled with hatred. You’re secretly pleased that her plan to trap the emperor has failed. If she was smart, she would try to gain favor with you, but instead she will most likely plot to poison you. You give her a small nod of acknowledgement and she sneers in return before turning away. 

The night drags on and you're exhausted from trying to keep a happy facade. You catch your shoulders drooping more often than not, and even feel yourself lean against the emperor a time or two. 

When it is finally time to receive congratulations from the representatives from the noble families, you stay quiet at the emperor’s side. You smile when needed and murmur thanks when prompted. Everything feels unreal.  

When your family steps forward, you try to catch Ara’s eyes. She nods her head at Princess Min and bows low to you, “Your highness, many happy wishes on your marriage. May the gods bless you with healthy sons.”

Her voice is cold and you can see the hatred in her eyes. You grab her hand, “Ara please, you must understand.”

“Understand that my sister is a liar?” Ara raises her voice and pulls away from you, “Understand that she is a snake who planned this?!”

“Ara, no.” Your voice cracks and you can feel tears brimming in your eyes, your exhaustion and stress finally catching up to you, “You are my most beloved sister. I would never-”

“And yet, here you are.” Ara’s voice is mocking, “Empress.”

The scene your sister is making draws the attention of your father and Emperor Min, who were in the middle of a quiet conversation near you. Even Princess Min is frowning from where she is seated, obviously hearing the raise of Ara’s voice. 

“Enough.” The emperor’s voice is cold as he glares furiously at Ara, “You dare to show disrespect to your empress?”

“She tricked you! Can’t you see she tricked you?!” Ara ignores the dangerous aura surrounding Emperor Min, “It was supposed to be me! I am supposed to be your queen. I love y-”

“Guards. Detain her. Disrespect to the empress is punishable by death.”

You can see the fear on Ara’s face, she backs away quickly, but the guards grab her. Your father looks alarmed and even Lord Kim looks fearful for your sister’s life. You look at the emperor and grip his arm tightly, “Please, please do not punish her. She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”

“She dared to disrespect you. She doesn’t deserve to live.”

“Please,” You beg him, you look at Ara’s fearful face and close your eyes in dismay, you know she will hate you even more after this. You firm your resolve and open your eyes, “She’s only a child.”

You press yourself against the emperor, “She’s harmless. She knows that what we have is real. She knows that you love me. She’s only jealous.”

The emperor’s eyes soften as he stares at you. “And you? Do you love me?”

You glance at your sister, an apology in your eyes, before wrapping your arms around Emperor Min, “I love you. Only you.”

He kisses you deeply and waves away the guards. Once he breaks the kiss, you feel yourself sag against him in relief as Ara is released and your father ushers her away. You can feel Lord Kim staring at you and when you finally meet his gaze, you're taken aback by the devastation in his eyes.

His eyes flicker between you and the emperor before he turns around and follows after your father. You stare after him but the emperor blocks your view. You look up and meet his eyes.

“Your eyes are only meant for me. No one else.”

You nod your head, but don’t say a word. Emperor Min continues to stare at you for a moment longer, before he presses a soft kiss to your forehead. 

“Eunuch Ki.” 

Eunuch Ki suddenly appears at the Emperor’s side ready and willing to do whatever is asked of him and gives a low bow, “Your majesty.”

“Take my bride to rest.”

“At once, your grace.” Eunuch Ki gestures for you to follow him and you do so without another word. Once the heavy golden doors close behind you, you finally let the tears fall from your eyes. You cry silently on the long carriage ride back to the other side of the palace. Eunuch Ki looks uncomfortable and like he wishes to offer words of comfort, but has no idea what to say. 

You go to rub your eyes with the sleeve of your dress, but Eunuch Ki stops you and hands you a soft cloth, “Forgive me your highness, but your dress must be preserved for the royal archives, you must not dirty it.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” You give a sad hiccup laugh and look out the carriage window. You realize quickly that you are not headed to the Mugunghwa Courtyard, but to the Emperor’s private courtyard. 

“I thought the Emperor wanted me to rest.”

Eunuch Ki gives you a look, but doesn’t respond. When the carriage rolls to a stop, Unso is there to help you down from the carriage. If she sees the distress on your face, she doesn’t comment on it. She gives you a low bow and leads you into the Emperor’s lair.

His private courtyard and rooms are enormous. Everything is draped in silks of black and gold. When you finally reach the Emperor’s private chambers, you’re astounded. His bedroom has the largest canopy bed you have ever seen, covered in a mountain of pillows. There is a large wooden desk in one corner of the room surrounded with several shelves filled with scrolls. There’s two separate golden resting sofas, each larger than you have ever seen and even a large dressing table with a mirror, obviously for a woman to use. There are also large double doors leading out to a small, private hot spring.

You watch Unso bustle around the room, preparing things and beckoning you over to the dressing table. “Your highness, let me help you remove your makeup.”

You sit quietly at the table and let Unso gently wash your face. You watch her put a special cream under your eyes to bring down the puffiness from your tears. She takes her time undoing your hair and leaving it unbound. You meet her eyes in the reflection of the mirror, “How many women has he bedded here?”

She looks puzzled at your question, “His majesty has never brought any woman here.”

“Concubine Nam?”

“Never.” Unso’s voice is resolute, “His majesty has never brought any woman, harem or no, here. These are his private chambers.”

“I see.” You don’t know if she’s lying to you, but if she is, you appreciate it. You feel slightly better knowing you are the only woman to ever sleep in his chambers.

Unso opens a chest and pulls out a black silk robe embroidered with red mugunghwa flowers and lays it over the top of the dressing screen in the corner of the room, “Your highness, you should remove your clothes and put this on. I’ll make you some tea and then you can lay down and rest.”

You slowly make your way behind the dressing screen and painstakingly remove your wedding dress. You leave it in a heap on the floor along with your undergarments. You know there is no point in wearing them and while you are nervous and a little scared, you know the consummation is inevitable. 

You put the silk robe on, and gently tie the sash around your waist. When you step around the dressing screen, Unso has already prepared the bed by removing many of the pillows and replacing the black silk sheets with a soft, white one. The white sheet shines ominously in the low light of the lanterns. 

“Your highness, have some tea to soothe your nerves.” Unso has brewed some fresh tea, but the scent is different than any you have had before. You sit stiffly on the edge of the newly made bed and take a small sip of tea. The taste is slightly bitter, but soon you feel yourself relaxing. 

“What type of tea is this?” You ask as Unso refills your cup and urges you to drink more.

She pats your head and gives you a warm smile, “Don’t worry. It was requested by his highness to help improve your health.”

You nod and don’t question her. You assume it’s similar to what the harem drinks to prevent pregnancy. The emperor is still young and with the drama that Concubine Nam has caused, you doubt children were on his mind. Before you know it, you’ve finished the entire pot. 

Unso helps tuck you in bed, and turns down all the lanterns. The only light in the room is that from the moonlight seeping in through the heavy curtains. You can barely keep your eyes open and the last thing you hear before you drift asleep is Unso’s quiet words, “Rest well, your majesty. You will need it.”

-0-0-0-

You’re awoken by a soft noise. You sit up and look around but don’t notice anything out of place. You’re still alone in the emperor’s bed. You see a faint glow under a previously unnoticed door in the far corner near his large desk. 

You get out of bed and make your way to the door. It opens soundlessly and a large staircase is revealed. You slowly make your way up the staircase, being careful not to make a sound. At the top of the staircase is a large room. It looks like an artist’s studio. Numerous canvases line the walls, charcoals and paints scattered over several large wooden tables stationed through the room. 

You see half finished portraits of Princess Min and a few of the previous emperors. You step into the room, careful not to disturb the artwork. There are some more paintings of several gardens and fountains that inhabit the palace grounds. In the corner of the room there is a beautiful hand carved desk, slightly smaller than the large tables, covered with more artwork. When you get closer you realize the paintings and sketches are all of you. You in the dress you wore the first night you arrived, you smiling in Princess Min’s private pavilion, you taking a walk in one of the private gardens, you asleep in your private rooms. Hundreds of paintings and drawings of you. 

You see another canvas underneath, it's slightly worn with frayed edges as if it’s been touched frequently. When you pull it out you see it's a painting of you, but this one you recognize. Two summers ago your father had you and your sister sit for a family portrait. The artist was impeccable and it was one of the most accurate paintings you had ever seen of yourself, it was almost like looking in the mirror. You see that the painting is torn, your sister and father removed from the portrait.

“You’ve found my sanctuary.”

You startle at the emperor’s voice and drop the canvas as if you’ve been burned. He’s standing at the entrance of the room, he’s no longer dressed in the golden robe, but now his signature black. It’s tied loosely, so the smooth pale skin of his chest is visible. His blond hair is loose and his crown is gone. 

“You’re quite the artist.” You gesture around the room, “but I notice there is no artwork of your concubines, of your beloved Concubine Nam.”

The emperor glances around, taking in his artwork as he steps further into the room, “Are you jealous of In-Suk?”

You frown at the use of her first name, but do not deny his accusation, “I do not like the thought of my husband bedding other women.”

“There are no other women.” Emperor Min slowly makes his way over to you, “You’re the only one that matters.”

You glance back at the desk littered with portraits of you, your eyes stopping on the torn family portrait, “How long have I been the only one that matters?”

He smiles, “Does it matter?”

“Yes.” You keep your voice calm and composed, “It matters to me.”

Emperor Min stands close to you, his fingers trailing over the artwork on the desk, “I had no interest in marriage. Lords and other noblemen constantly throwing their daughters at me. Your father is no different. Going on and on about Ara and how wonderful and virtuous she is.” He smiles wryly, “I finally got him to shut up by feigning interest.”

The emperor gently picks up the torn family portrait, “Imagine my surprise when he brings me this. A beautiful family portrait. I ask him about you and he immediately tells me about what a beautiful and doting older sister you are to Ara. How ever since your mother died, you have helped raise her. How you love her more than anything.”

He sets the portrait down and grabs your hands, gently turning you to face him, “I knew then that you would sacrifice everything for your beloved sister. I also knew that I needed to get you into the palace. Once you were here, you could not deny me.”

“But I was supposed to marry Lord-”

“Never say his name again.” Emperor’s Min’s voice is hard, leaving no room for discussion, “I am your husband. He is nothing.”

“Of course,” Your voice is quiet, you hesitate for a moment before you continue your questioning, “But… but Princess Min set up the consort selection. She told me she had to practically beg you to agree.”

“My beloved wife.” Emperor Min cups your face affectionately, his previous sour mood at the mention of Lord Kim completely gone, “You’re too trusting. She poisoned her companion, do you really think she would not lie to help her brother?”

“But Ara-”

“Ara will forgive you.” He presses a soft kiss against your lips, “Or she won’t. It does not matter.”

“But-”

“Is it really so bad being Empress?” Emperor Min presses another kiss to your lips, his fingers tangle in your unbound hair, “Being Mother to the country?”

“No-no, I am grateful to your majesty.” You shiver at his touch, grasping his shoulders as he presses himself against you.

“Yoongi.” He places more kisses down your lips and chin, “Call me Yoongi.”

“Yoongi!” You gasp when he softly bites your neck.

You feel him reach behind you and push everything off the large desk, the sound of canvases and painting supplies hitting the floor echoes throughout the room. Yoongi picks you up and sits you on the large desk, his lips never leaving your skin.

“You’re all I’ve ever wanted.” His mouth is muffled by the skin of your neck, his lips and tongue trail lower. You feel hot all over and cannot help but shiver when his hand yanks the collar of your robe down your shoulder. “My beautiful queen.”

Your fingers clutch at the silk fabric of his robe, holding him closer to you. You don’t stop him when he undoes your robe, his hot fingers trailing down the skin of your abdomen. “Beloved, will you show me?”

You wordlessly lean back, letting the open robe slip down your arms, baring your nude body to his view. His eyes are burning as he drinks you in. “Absolutely Exquisite.”

Yoongi leans over you, pressing himself between your thighs, and kisses you deeply. His tongue licks into your mouth with desperation. His hands are shaking as he grips your hips, and you quickly free yourself from the sleeves of your robe.

He breaks the kiss to trail his mouth down your neck and chest, his hot tongue swirls around your exposed breast before suckling the nipple. You can’t stop your moan, your whole body jerks at the feeling. “Y-Yoongi!”

“Say it again.” Yoongi’s voice is filled with desperation as he kisses down your ribs, “Say my name again.”

“Yoongi.” You whisper and your stomach clenches when he kisses lower, his wet tongue trailing over your abdomen. You’re so aroused, you can feel your wetness coating your thighs, but you can’t bring yourself to be embarrassed. 

“I have never seen a more beautiful woman.” Yoongi presses a soft kiss below your belly button, “The country has never had a more beautiful empress.”

“Your highness flatters me.”

“No.” Yoongi’s firm voice startles you and when you meet his eyes, they are burning with madness, “This emperor loves you. Only you.”

You shiver at the look in his eyes and nod your head in return, “Yes. Of course.”

Yoongi presses another kiss to your abdomen, his large hands gripping your thighs as he stares at you, “Will you deny your king?”

“Never.”

The smile he gives you is equal parts beautiful and dangerous, his dark, dark eyes overflowing with adoration for you, “Good girl.”

Your breath catches when he spreads your thighs apart and leans forward, his mouth inches away from your wet, pulsing cunt. “I wonder if you taste as succulent as you smell.”

You feel your pussy throb at his words and you lean your head back against the desk, your eyes closing in anticipation. You find his crude words more arousing than you ever thought possible. Your heart is beating so fast and you can feel sweat beading on your forehead. While you have never been intimate with a man, you were no stranger to self pleasure. You just never imagined your first experience with a man would be the emperor of the entire nation between your thighs, waiting to pleasure you. The heady rush of excitement is making you dizzy.

You tense when Yoongi presses the flat of his tongue against your juicy pussy. His tongue is hot as it licks a slow stripe up to your clit and you both release a throaty groan when he sucks your clit into his mouth.

You don’t realize you’re holding your breath until you get light headed from lack of oxygen. You're shivering all over and you feel a tight pressure in your stomach. Your entire body is tuned to Yoongi’s mouth, every lick and suck of his tongue has you soaring. 

“Better.” He whispers between licks of your swollen clit, his fingers shaking as he holds your thighs apart, “You taste so much better than anything I’ve ever had before.” 

You press your hand into your mouth to bite down on, trying to muffle your moans. Your other hand scrambles for something to hold onto before tangling in his long, soft hair. 

You press your heel into his back, but if Yoongi is bothered, he does not show it. He’s completely focused on devouring you. You bite your hand hard to cover your squeal when his hot fingers gently probe your cunt. He reaches up to pull your hand out of your mouth, his fingers gently stroking your wrist around the jade bracelet, “Do not dare hide your pleasure from me.”

He places your hand on his head, near your other hand already grasping his hair, and encourages you to use him as you please. A long, thick finger slips inside you and you cannot stop yourself from clamping down, your hips automatically rolling up into his face. 

“That’s it, my beautiful girl,” Yoongi continues to flick your clit with his tongue, “Ride my face.”

Your fingers grasp his head, holding his mouth against your aching cunt. You’re throbbing and dripping and you know you are going to come soon. You can feel the release building deep inside you. Yoongi presses another finger into your dripping hole and you can feel yourself trembling. He’s completely focused on you and your pleasure, his mouth working nonstop to help you reach your peak. 

You sit up slightly and meet his dark gaze, his eyes are brimming with satisfaction. You grip his hair hard and press his face against your dripping cunt. You’re so close you’re practically vibrating with pleasure. 

He twists his fingers and you're coming. You release a soundless gasp and can’t stop yourself from gushing all over his fingers. Yoongi moans at the taste of you, his mouth eagerly trying to swallow every drop of your release. You collapse on the desk, your orgasm still thrumming through your body. 

You barely catch your breath when he’s hovering over you, your release glistening on his lips and chin. He kisses you deeply, making sure you can taste yourself on his tongue. You can feel his body trembling as he undoes his robe and you cannot figure out if he’s nervous or excited, or a combination of both.

He breaks the kiss to look at you and your stomach flutters at his gaze, so full of yearning and affection, you’re no longer sure why you ever thought about denying him. You hadn't even realized something was missing from your life, he was missing from your life, until this moment. You weren't just doing this out of a sense of duty. Because you were his wife. Because he was your husband. You wanted this. Desperately. More than you’d wanted anything up until this moment. 

Full of your realization, you push his robe off his shoulders and spread your legs wider, allowing him to press himself completely against you. He’s hot and hard, pulsing between your thighs. You shiver at the feel of him, your sticky cunt still dripping from your orgasm. You look at him, his cheeks flushed pink, his forehead and chest slightly sweaty, his hair a tangled mess. His scar looks less intimidating in the low light of the lanterns.

“You love me?” You don’t realize you have said the words out loud until he stares at you, his dark, dark eyes burning.

“More than anything.” 

It’s intoxicating knowing you have this beautiful man confessing his love to you. He is the most powerful man in the entire world and he loves you more than anything. You can’t help the ugly feelings of jealousy bubbling in your stomach, knowing other women have seen him undone like this. Knowing that Concubine Nam has had him like this is unacceptable. 

“I want them gone.” You shift forward slightly, the head of his thick cock catching on your entrance. You feel so hot between your legs, your cunt aching to be spread open by him. 

“Who?” He sounds confused, distracted. His whole body is trembling, holding himself back from thrusting up into you.

“Your whores.” You roll your hips and feel him sink a few inches inside you, you hold your breath and try not to tense up at the intrusion. “I will not have a husband that has a harem. I want them all gone, especially that bitch Nam. I can’t stand the thought of anyone else seeing you like this.”

“Yes,” You feel more than hear him gasp, his forehead pressing against your shoulder, “Anything you want.

“You’re mine.” 

Your whispered declaration causes something inside of him to snap. You’re unprepared when he pushes completely inside of you. The burning stretch of his thick, heavy cock leaves your breathless. He groans into your chest, barely giving you a moment to adjust before he’s thrusting in and out. Every roll of his hips has you clenching around him. His lips press soft kisses into your skin between pants of yesyesyes and all yours. You’re soaked and shaking, your fingers clutch his shoulders, trying to anchor him against you. He’s so thick and so large, you swear you can feel him in your stomach.

“My Empress, My Goddess,” Yoongi whispers reverently into your skin, “I will give you everything.”

“Yes,” You press yourself closer to him, ignoring the feel of his ringed fingers bruising your hips, “All I want is you.”

Every thrust of his hips brings you closer to the edge. You’re quivering around him, so close you can almost taste it. You shudder when he releases your hip, his fingers gently rubbing your swollen clit, causing you to pulse around him. “That’s it, my beloved girl. Come for me.”

Yoongi softly pinches your clit and you explode. His tongue licks up your throat, his mouth swallowing your quiet cries of pleasure. You clench down and feel him gasp against you, his body shuddering uncontrollably. The pulse of his cock inside you floods you with warmth.

You close your eyes and hold him against you, trying to catch your breath. Your heart felt like it was going to beat out of your chest. You slowly run your fingers through his hair and smile when you realize he’s still buried inside you.

He sits up and stares at you. You can see your reflection in his dark eyes. Your hair is disheveled and your lips are swollen. You can see your eyes are hazy with pleasure and several love bites adorn your neck and shoulders.

“My beloved bride.” Yoongi smiles at you affectionately, his fingers gently brush your hair back from your sweaty forehead, “I will never let you go.”

-0-0-0-

When you awaken you’re alone in the emperor’s bed, his side is cool, as if he’s been gone for hours. You’re sore all over, your husband spent most of the night inside of you, making you come over and over again until the early morning light.

You wrap the wrinkled white sheet around you and stand on shaky legs. You slowly make your way to the door and call for Unso. She appears immediately, almost as if she was waiting for you.

She helps you sit at the dressing table and goes about opening the curtains. Based on the sunlight entering the room, you can tell it is already early afternoon. Several maids clear the used bedding from the bed, and replace the sheets with clean silk ones. 

“Where is the emperor?” 

“His majesty wanted his bride to get enough rest, he would not let anyone disturb your highness.” Unso ignores your question and pulls a black dress patterned with golden dragons from the wardrobe. She hangs it over the silk dressing screen along with several undergarments.

You watch her through the mirror as she orders servants to prepare bath water for you. You can tell that something is amiss by the way Unso will not meet your eyes and the maids scurry about as if they are terrified of you.

“Your highness,” A younger maid bows low and holds out a fresh cup of tea, “your tea?”

You take the cup from the trembling maid, it’s the same bitter tea from the night before. You take a small sip, “Unso, where is my husband?”

“Your majesty, you must drink your tea, it is good for your health.” Unso comes out from behind the dressing screen, “Come take your bath, it will soothe your sore muscles.”

“No,” You set the mostly full cup of tea on the dressing table and stand up, “Bring me my robe.”

“Your majesty, you cannot go out in only your robe!” Unso’s voice is shocked. “It is improper!”

“Fine,” You make your way behind the dressing screen and put on your undergarments, “You will help me dress and then you will take me to my husband.”

Unso and several maids help you put on the stunning black dress. You’re ushered to the dressing table where you are adorned in diamond jewelry. Unso styles your hair with a jeweled dragon hairpin. Lotions and creams are rubbed into your face, neck and arms. 

Once you are deemed presentable, you follow Unso and several servant girls to the throne room. When you reach the large doors, Eunuch Ki looks alarmed to see you and quickly bows low, “Y-your highness! What are you doing here?”

 “Eunuch Ki,” You nod your head in greeting, “I came to see my husband.”

“I see,” Eunuch Ki shares an undecipherable look with Unso, “His majesty is conducting important business, he has asked me to inform you that he will join you in his rooms later for the evening meal.”

“Open the doors.”

“Please your majesty, you need to rest.” Eunuch Ki tries to placate you, “Let me take you back to the emperor’s courtyard or even to see Princess Min.”

“Open the doors. Now.”

Eunuch Ki looks helplessly at Unso before nodding his head. The guards slowly push the heavy doors open.

The smell is the first thing that hits you. The thick coppery scent of blood. You slowly step into the room and gasp in horror. The floors and walls are covered in blood. It looks like an entire massacre took place here. You walk further into the room and ignore the way the blood soaks into your silk slippers, seeping between your toes.

Eunuch Ki follows quietly behind you. There are several servants scrubbing the floors and walls, trying to remove the pools of blood around the room. You ignore them all, your eyes are completely focused on the emperor. He’s staring at a small golden box in his hand. A bloody sword rests near his feet. 

“Yoongi.” You whisper the words quietly, but his head snaps up immediately, his eyes focusing on you. 

“Beloved.” His eyes light up when he sees you, a beautiful smile spreading across his face. He rushes eagerly towards you. You realize he’s wearing a black robe, patterned with golden dragons, the same design as your dress. The only difference is his robe is stained with fresh blood. His hair is pulled up into a topknot, his black headband in place. Small drops of blood stain his cheeks and neck. He presses the golden box into Eunuch Ki’s hands before cupping your face, his fingers still wet with blood.

“My beautiful bride,” His voice is light, happy, “everything is perfect now that you are here.”

“Perfect?” You whisper and let him take your hands, leading you towards his throne. The golden dragon throne looks intimidating in the blood soaked room. The closer you get to the throne, the stronger the scent of blood becomes. You feel light headed, your stomach churning at the smells permeating the air.

“I.. I need to sit down.”

Yoongi looks at you concerned and immediately has you sit on his throne, “Are you alright, my love? Do you need some tea?”

“No,” You sit quietly. You feel sick, you feel sweaty, you can barely catch your breath, “I just need a moment.”

You close your eyes trying to center yourself. You know something terrible happened here, there is so much blood it looks like a battlefield. You're grateful that the bodies have already been removed, you don't know how you would have handled a room full of corpses. You take a few deep breaths and open your eyes, meeting Yoongi's bright gaze.  

“I have a gift for you.” Yoongi takes the golden box from Eunuch Ki, “I wanted to surprise you with it this evening, but you are here now. My beautiful girl.”

You stare at the golden box stained with blood. You take it from Yoongi with trembling hands. Yoongi is vibrating with excitement next to you. You can feel the pressure behind your eyes signaling that you are about to cry. You blink repeatedly, holding back your tears.  

You slowly open the box and stare at the contents. Yoongi holds your hands around the golden box, making sure you can’t drop it. You swallow the scream bubbling in your throat and meet his eyes. Dark, crazed, unhinged eyes overflowing with love for you. Love and madness.

You look back at your gift. Dead, lifeless eyes stare back at you. Concubine Nam’s eyes. Yoongi kneels obediently at your feet, soaking his robe in more blood. Blood from Concubine Nam. Blood from the rest of the harem. 

You can’t stop the tears from dripping down your cheeks. 

“They are all gone. Just like you asked.” Yoongi stares at you with reverence, his eyes sparkling, “I told you I would do anything for you.”

[alicehattera03]

the Fall.

Athanasia de Alger Obelia, a name fit for an emperor, and yet the child rots away in the darkness of a palace meant for concubines. Once, it had been filled with the scent of iron, blood splattered upon its dingy walls, for the emperor who had usurped the tyrant Anastasius had made it so. 

“It would have been better if you had never been born!” 

Athanasia stumbled back, her gem eyes that she had always been so proud of gone wide and unseeing as her father glared at her while yelling for the guards to keep Jennette safe but to take her away- to get her ready for execution. 

Athanasia’s mouth opens, as if in awe, but a terribly distraught expression overtakes her face, her eyes alone portraying her feeling of deeply rooted anguish. 

Why? 

Why was it never her? Why would it never be her that father looked upon with fondness? Why was it never her that father gifted gardens to just because she liked a certain flower? 

Why was it that her father, the one who was the hero of the people, was the cruelest to her, his child?

Craving that single glance, a single word of affection, a small phrase that meant he cared about her- all of it- she slid to the ground. Her mana, the imperial mana that had never manifested in her even though she was an Obelia, didn’t stir; even though her death was written down in stone. 

She was never loved. She would never be loved. 

How wretched she was, even though she was a princess, supposed to be miles above those less fortunate than her in name, but at the cost of her misery? 

Unworthy of everything that could have ever been mine. 

“I do hope you still think I should have never been born, father. Otherwise, I think my heart might hurt after your death.” 

Her tears shone as bright as the crystal heart that rattled within the blackened chains that grasped it tight, and it was as unfeeling as a fae’s beatific laughter. 

“I won’t ever let you forget who your only child is, father. It has always, only ever -been me.” But something as hard won as the throne should have been nothing but triumphant for the unloved princess, but Athanasia cannot speak any further.

Her throat all but closing up, her cheeks flushing with a faint red shade that some might interpret as sadness, but was anything but- it was fury. 

“This was not my revenge, father.” The sword struck down onto the once mighty emperor, the one who had now fallen due to the false. Gold spurted into the air. 

“It was nothing more than letting time run on, and it welcomed me into its hardwon embrace.” Bright blue sparks lighting up the darkness in the shadows of the throne.

And all went quiet, for even the weeping had been silenced in the great palaces of the Empire of Obelia.

[evehere]

Chapter 7 of Yearning willow

2.0 Ji Baihua

Yearning willow masterpost! 🍃

Mo Ran punched the wall so hard that it trembled under his fist.

How dared he!? The fucking waste of a space the man was, he dared to call himself a doctor!? Son of a bitch! Ass-licking bastard! He remembered the man’s fawning face and calculating eyes—he had been the one to attend Chu Wanning while they were married. Chu Wanning’s state when he entered the prison was for sure related to this man’s “care”!

Mo Ran pressed a hand to his mouth, trying to control his rapid breathing. The fucking rat… Mo Ran had half a mind to chase after him and let him taste the edge of his sword! He would do the people a favour if he just killed the conniving rat! Disgusting bag of fleas!

His hands pressed into tight fists. Mo Ran was trembling hard from the sheer rage he was feeling right then, hearing his heart beating furiously in his eardrums.

As the saying goes, rats and snakes nest together, he thought darkly, his eyes darting to the western house he knew was at the other side of the courtyard. He could always just light the nest on fire and get rid of all of his problems. A dark, wicked pleasure arose in his chest at the idea, imagining already the screams and the pleas for mercy.

As if Mo Ran had any mercy left in his body. They had taken it away when they took Chu Wanning from his side, so now they’d pay. Everyone would pay. Now that he knew what was going to happen and how, no one could stop him! He’d destroy their lives just like they had destroyed his. He’d stomp them under his feet and have them beg him on their knees!

Since Mo Ran didn’t get a good end, they would have to follow him to hell! He’d made them taste the same desperation, the same impotence and helplessness he had suffered while they wished for a death that wouldn’t come.

He’d… he’d…

Wait.

Mo Ran stopped his train of thought.

He recognised this darkness, this voice in his head that persuaded him to follow his basest, most violent desires.

Fuck. Of course, he had just woken in this body. Last time, it had taken a few days to clear his system out, though he didn’t remember exactly how many. Days blended together when one was imprisoned in a prison cell.

When was the last time he had been in the snake’s nest?

Mo Ran pressed his hands on his face and took a deep breath. And another. And another. He controlled his breathing, counting each inhale and each exhale, calming his mind until he no longer felt his heart beating wildly in his chest. When he lowered his hands, he no longer resembled a demon on earth, though ambers of rage still flickered in the depth of his eyes.

Revenge would have to wait until he made sure that whatever he did wouldn’t splash dirt or blood on Chu Wanning. His husband didn’t need those stains on him.

His only goal this time around was to make sure Chu Wanning got out unscathed of the mess Mo Ran had made.

Mo Ran observed his husband again for a long moment, before placing his exposed hand back under the covers. He tucked the quilt securely under his body so he wouldn’t shake the quilt off if he kicked his legs while he slept.

Chu Wanning’s breathing was still just as laboured as before, and his colour hadn’t improved one bit. Worriedly, Mo Ran put a hand on his feverish face, pushing the lone strands of hair away from his forehead. His palm was so big that it almost engulfed the elegant lines of his husband’s face when he pressed tenderly his hand against his cheek.

His thumb caressed Chu Wanning’s cheekbone, light as a feather. Whatever he did, he’d have to be careful, but his mind wasn’t in the right state to make sensible decisions. First, he’d have to look for a reliable doctor for him. He knew Chu Wanning wouldn’t die from this—after all, he had survived long enough to accompany him to prison—but Mo Ran wouldn’t take any chances with his health.

Any other plan could wait. From now to his impeachment there were four, almost five years. He had time to take measured steps, to remove the pests that plagued his home. Whatever he did, he had to ensure Chu Wanning’s safety first.

Besides… there was something wrong. Mo Ran felt irked. As if he was being observed. He scoured the bedroom, but they were alone.

Before Mo Ran could think about it further, voices reached him from outside the room.

“Ji-xiaojun! Ji-xiaojun! Where are you going!? Please stop, these are furen’s rooms! You can’t behave like this here!” A girl’s voice exclaimed. It started far away, but it quickly reached the doors, just like the noise of several sets of footsteps.

“Out of my way,” a man’s cold voice answered, “as if you cared about furen and his dignity. Don’t you dare lecture me.”

Mo Ran rose. Here comes one problem, he thought, squinting his eyes.

There was a shadow reflected on the white paper of the door. Someone was leaning on the door, holding it closed.

“Please, Ji-xiaojun, furen is sick! You can’t just barge in here!”

“How would you know if furen is sick? You were on your way to Honglian House from the servants’ quarters. Now, get away from the door or I’ll have Xiarong[1]drag you away,” the man said. He didn’t raise his voice, but the steeliness of his voice vowed for the intent behind his words.

Mo Ran had enough. His frustration and his anger hadn’t even receded completely, and now these lowlifes dared to quarrel right under his nose. In two strides, he got to the door and opened it with force.

The maid at the other side almost fell back at the sudden loss of her support, barely catching herself on the door frame on time.

“What is this ruckus?” Mo Ran asked, staring harshly at the maid.

“Houye!” the young man and the maid exclaimed almost at the same time. However, the maid’s voice was heavily tinged with fright, whereas the young man’s reflected a deep surprise.

There was an entire entourage outside, but Mo Ran’s eyes fell on the girl on the floor first. He recognised the maidservant as the first rank maid in charge of Honglian House, a slender and pretty young girl, no older than twenty, with high cheekbones and thick lips.

“Where have you been until now, huh?” Mo Ran berated her, his anger burning anew at the sight of her. “Do you think that Nanping Manor is feeding you for free!? Fucking useless bitch!”

The girl fell to her knees, her head hanging low.

“X-Xinjing[2]is sorry, houye, I-I was…”

“Get to work! Don’t let me catch you loafing on your job again or else I’ll flay your skin off! Do you understand me!?”

“Y-Yes, houye,” the maid said, scurrying in.

Mo Ran stood there, trying to get a rein of himself. He shouldn’t have yelled right in front of so many people.

Well, everyone knew something had changed, since he had carried Chu Wanning out of the shrine and he had chased the doctor out, so he could just break the cracked pot and think of a countermeasure later.

The group was led by a young man wearing his hair in the half-updo that was customary among the men who married in deference to their husbands—concubines, or, like Chu Wanning, the one in submission in a marriage between men. The young man’s face showed his astonishment at his behaviour, though his raised eyebrows and almost bulging eyes didn’t cover his handsome features.

Mo Ran instantly recognised his slightly raised peach-blossom eyes, which gave people an impression of anger, and fine eyebrows, with a cinnabar dot on his brow.

Ji Baihua.

Immediately, Mo Ran relaxed his shoulders a tiny fraction. He had almost forgotten about this man—his harem had grown so much at the end of his life that he no longer kept count of those he didn’t favour. But he had some memories of him, because when Nanping Manor had fallen in his first life, Ji Baihua was one of the few who had remained. Mainly because he had nowhere to go.

This was a man he could trust not to stab them in the back: Ji Baihua was a concubine lady Wang had sent him, a man loyal to Xue Manor and, subsequently, to Nanping Manor.

While he was reminiscing, Ji Baihua had overcome his astonishment and lowered on one knee to greet him properly. Behind him, a maid and a young boy followed suit and an old man with a doctor’s case kowtowed to him, pressing his forehead to the ground, so Mo Ran could only see his grey bun on top of his head.

“Greetings, houye,” they said.

“Rise,” Mo Ran said, keeping his voice tone brisk and short, as if his presence annoyed him. If he suddenly changed his attitude towards Ji Baihua out of the blue, people would think he had gone mad overnight. “What are you doing here?”

Ji Baihua didn’t get up. Instead, he lowered further and dropped his head low.

“I noticed furen didn’t look wellyesterday morning, when we paid our respects to him. Since houyelet him out earlier magnanimously, I acted on my own and invited doctor Ren Kang[3] fromthe Imperial Academy of Medicine. I dare supplicate houye to…”

Doctor Ren Kang!

“Please, come inside, doctor Ren,” Mo Ran said, interrupting Ji Baihua, who threw him another confused look.

Mo Ran didn’t see the sheer bewilderment in Ji Baihua’s eyes, because he had stepped forward to support the doctor as he rose to a standing position. Doctor Ren was an old man in his fifties, with a head full of grey hairs and hooded eyes. He looked exactly the same as he did in Mo Ran’s memories—though the one Mo Ran had met in his first life was a few years older.

“This humble one greets houye. May a thousand blessings be with you, houye,” the doctor said with a steady voice and bowing deeply, with an attitude that was neither overbearing nor servile.

“I’ll have to trouble doctor Ren with furen’s health,” Mo Ran said, pulling him inside without looking at Ji Baihua twice.

Without further ado, they stepped inside. Ji Baihua rose slowly, and, accompanied by his maid, he followed them inside.

Xinjing was picking up some of the mess around Chu Wanning’s bed, creating enough free space so she could put a thick cushion on the floor next to the bed for the doctor to kneel on.

“Leave,” Mo Ran told her, expressionless, as the doctor took out his tools.

The servants were already used to the sudden changes in Mo Ran’s instructions—gods knew that he had become volatile and temperamental beyond recognition after Shi Mei’s death. However, Xinjing’s mouth twitched.

“But who will serve if Xinjing leaves?”

She regretted her words as soon as they left her mouth, as she glimpsed the fury that rose again in Mo Ran’s eyes.

“The servants in this household are becoming more and more capable as each day passes,” Mo Ran said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “They dare question their master’s decisions now. If you must know, isn’t Ji Baihua right here to serve furen and me?”

Xinjing fell to her knees again, ready to apologise again, but before she could say a single word, Mo Ran interrupted her.

“Ji Baihua,” he said, his voice cold and sharp as a sword. Behind him, he heard clothes rustling, and his concubine’s face appeared in his field of vision. “Lend me your boy.”

“Yes, houye.” The other man called, “Xiarong!”

“No, no, houye, please have mercy! Houye, please have mercy!” Xinjing exclaimed, her face white as chalk and her voice trembling with fear. She kowtowed repeatedly, knowing this wouldn’t end well for her.

An agile boy leaped in the room in seconds and bowed to Mo Ran.

“Drag her out to the courtyard, and slap her face twenty times! I want her kneeling outside until midday,” Mo Ran said, without batting an eye. “Let everyone know that if anyone dares to laze around and question my orders, this is what will happen to them!”

“Yes, houye!” The boy said, proceeding to drag the girl out by her underarms.

Xinjing trashed around, trying to stop him to no avail. The boy was more than used to heavy jobs and had no trouble taking her out.

“No, houye, please, have mercy! Xinjing is wrong, this servant knows it! Please, houye!”

Her screams followed them all the way out, until the sound of the first slap reached them, and her cries for mercy turned into pained yelps and sobs.

“One!” the boy called out from outside.

Mo Ran acted as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. To put in order Chu Wanning’s house, he would set an example to start with. No one would dare to disregard his care for the short term, but this wasn’t the way to go in the long run. Whether his rage at his husband’s state of inattention of neglect had set the punishment higher, was a whole another issue that Mo Ran, honestly, wasn’t much bothered about.

The doctor had been working on getting his tools out with steady hands, without batting an eye. He was truly an unwavering man—others in his place might be already trembling.

Returning to his post beside the bed, he saw Ji Baihua throwing a meaningful glance to his maid, who cleverly took his hint and left the room, closing the door behind her just as another cry of pain reached them.

“Two!”

***

Ji Baihua observed everything, even though his expression didn’t change. The marquis was behaving… unusually today. Unusually to say the least—terrifically wrong would be more exact. It was as if… as if he wasn’t the same person.

Just yesterday, there had been yet another ruckus in Honglian House, which ended with the furen serving a punishment in the shrine yet again. Though Ji Baihua didn’t know what had caused their argument this time, he had perceived no anguish from houye at furen’s discomfort the day before. He had announced loudly for all servants to hear that furen had to stay three days in the shrine and no one was allowed to bring him food until his time was up.

Then, he had gone straight to Rong Jiu’s rooms. That son of a bitch never missed an opportunity to seduce the marquis to his rooms, and an angry houye was a houye in need of an outlet.

A night at Rong Jiu’s rooms. That was all that happened.

Ji Baihua couldn’t wrap his head around what could have transpired during the night. He knew better than to expect the little bastard to open his mouth to plead for furen’s case. If anything, Rong Jiu mastered the art of adding firewood to the fire and pouring oil into the flames.

On the surface, nothing had changed. The marquis was just as fickle as ever, as his words to the maid had proved, and equally mercurial and unpredictable.

However, he had brought his husband out of the shrine—Ji Baihua almost hadn’t believed it when his maid told him she had bumped into houye screaming for a doctor for furen. He was allowing a doctor to attend to him. Ji Baihua was ordered to stay. And the marquis himself was staying.

Just these were enough to make Ji Baihua’s mind swarm with turbulence and befuddlement. Though he had married into Nanping Manor for less than a year, he had seen and heard enough to know a few things. First, the marquis hated furen. Second, the marquis disliked Ji Baihua. So for him to ask a doctor to attend to furenand to ask him to stay…

Yet he was used to hiding his emotions, so none of his questions or his surprise showed on his face. Instead, he helped the doctor by placing furen’s hand on the wrist cushion and a silk handkerchief on the bony wrist. Sensibly, he stepped where he could wait on them without being a nuisance.

Now that the door was closed, not a peep from outside could be heard. All the houses in Nanping Manor were soundproof, which was a blessing because the concubines’ rooms were next to each other. Ji Baihua would rather live without hearing Rong Jiu’s voice at nights. Or anyone else’s.

Unlike him, the marquis had taken a seat close to the bed, and everything from his frown and pursed lips to his tapping foot spoke of impatience and a deep anxiousness.

Doctor Ren was one of lady Wang’s old friends and clients. Lady Wang sold herbs and medicinal plants to many doctors in the capital, and among them, she spoke highly of doctor Ren’s abilities and discretion—to be an imperial doctor, and a successful one after two decades to top, one had to have more than just vast knowledge and abilities.

When Ji Baihua heard furen had been punished to the shrine despite his illness—truly, the man could try to fool everyone, but Ji Baihua had a trained eye for illness—he sent a note to the doctor, to ask him to be prepared to come to Nanping Manor. Lady Wang had asked him to take care of furen, so Ji Baihua would do his best, including calling the best doctor he knew.

Though he couldn’t have imagined that the time would come so soon.

Doctor Ren stayed silent for a long time, taking furen’s pulse. Then, covering his fingers with the handkerchief, he examined furen meticulously, from his eyes, to his mouth and tongue, to the nail beds on both hands.

While the doctor worked, Ji Baihua inspected the room discreetly out of the corner of his eye. It was the first time he was in furen’s bedroom, since concubines usually gathered at the entrance hall of Honglian House. As the second largest house in Nanping Manor, HonglianHouse was separated into five spaces. The central one was the entrance hall, at the western side was his bedroom and at the eastern side there was a study, with a calligraphy table and a guqin stand, though the guqin was absent.

The entire house was a mess. Usually, the maidservants kept a minimum order, but whenever furen was absent for any reason, the servants would slope off to the servants’ quarters or the kitchens. Honglian House was a beautiful house, decorated with rosewood furniture with red as an accent, very elegant against the heavy cream curtains that separated each space in the house and the simple ink paintings displayed on the screens. Just that… everything had the mark of wear, some more visible than others, and there was so much clutter everywhere that he could barely see any of the furniture and the carpet—Ji Baihua sighed to himself that to get so much clutter in just a couple of days… was truly a feat on its own.

Though the painting on the other side of the house was very much visible from where he stood. Ji Baihua turned his sight away from it, uncomfortable.

However, the doctor started asking them some questions, so Ji Baihua’s inspection ended.

“Has furencomplained of dizziness, shortness of breath, weariness or palpitations?” He asked first, with his brow slightly furrowed. Though he wasn’t looking at the marquis, it was clear it was him he was asking.

“I-I don’t know,” the young man said, turning at Ji Baihua.

“Furen hasn’t complained of anything… he doesn’t talk much about himself either.”

The doctor hummed, saying nothing.

“How long has he been this pale?” He asked then, observing the back of furen’s hand.

“I don’t remember,” the marquis murmured, looking yet again at Ji Baihua.

“He has always been this pale since I married in, more than half a year ago.”

“Does he have injuries?”

The marquis turned really red when the doctor asked a last question, but yet again the doctor was met with an “I don’t know”.

After the third question, the doctor asked no more, probably knowing that no matter what he asked, he’d be met with half-assed answers like Ji Baihua’s. Or worse, another “I don’t know” from the marquis. If he pressed too much, embarrassment could easily turn into anger with arrogant people like the marquis, and people like doctor Ren and Ji Baihua knew that well.

Neither Ji Baihua nor the marquis made a sound if the doctor didn’t talk first, letting him work in silence. Still, when the water clock marked that a quarter had passed, the young man was defeated by his impatience.

“How is he, doctor?” He asked with tone Ji Baihua had never heard from him.

So the fierce Taxian general did know of the word “fear” after all.

“Furen’s health has visibly worsened since I last checked on him five years ago,” the doctor said unhurriedly, taking out a needle from a linen case filled with long and bright silver needles. With gentle but firm hands, he punctured the patient’s index finger and observed the drop of blood.

“You have attended him before?” The marquis asked, his voice reflecting the same surprise Ji Baihua was feeling.

The doctor nodded, without pausing in his work.

“I was appointed to care for Chu-furen’s wounds after the last battle at the northern borders.”

Ji Baihua tensed up at the mention of it, his eyes immediately looking for the marquis’ reaction. To his utter astonishment, there was almost no change in the young man’s expression.

The battle at the northern borders five years ago was the battle that had taken the first furen’s life—the biggest, most off-limits taboo in Nanping Manor.

Lady Wang had warned Ji Baihua: never mention the battle, never say a word about Mu-furen, Shi Mei. Two years ago, a servant with a big mouth had lost his life when he had dared say that doctors like Mu-furen should have never gone to the battlefield. The marquis had him caned to death.

This time, there was no wave, no change in the marquis’ expression.

Ji Baihua couldn’t help a shiver. Something had happened. Something huge and drastic. What could have caused this change in the marquis? He didn’t know what or why, but it made him feel cold inside.

He should have come prepared for surprises, because the marquis’ next words left him dazed anew.

“He was wounded?”

Both the doctor and Ji Baihua stared at him. Thankfully, they were men with excellent control over their expressions, or else they’d be gaping open-mouthed at him. Still, doctor Ren couldn’t help raising his eyebrows, wrinkling his forehead.

Ji Baihua wondered if it was some twisted joke, but the sheer turmoil and perturbation he saw on the marquis’ face convinced it wasn’t.

“He… he was.” Ji Baihua couldn’t help saying. Immediately, houye’s incredulous gaze froze him on his spot, but his own disbelief was stronger this time. “E-everyone in the capital knows that the former war counsellor Chu was stabbed in the chest and that he almost died on the battlefield.”

When the war ended, storytellers had a busy time telling and retelling how war counsellor Chu Wanning had turned the tides in the last battle, almost sacrificing his own life for the people of his country. Chu Wanning had got a great “loyal” reputation—facing his dying pupil, Shi Mei, and the greater good, he had chosen the latter.

“The sword grazed his heart,” the doctor said, getting back to his work. “It was a miracle he survived.”

Some said a few years later that Chu Wanning should have died on the battlefield. A hero like him should have died a dignified death, instead of suffocating surrounded by four walls all day long. Before, Ji Baihua couldn’t have cared less. After marrying Mo Ran, in the depth of his heart, he agreed with those people.

The marquis was speechless for a long moment afterwards. Ji Baihua supposed he could understand why he hadn’t heard of it right after the war, since his first husband had died in the same battle that had wounded Chu Wanning. But what about the years after?

The silence extended for too long. Ji Baihua didn’t dare look at the young man directly. There was a sense of loss, some sort of helplessness, as if he was a lost child, that made it unbearable to look at him now. He supposed he wouldn’t know if Ji Baihua was looking at him anyway, because he kept his eyes fixed on his husband’s unconscious face.

The doctor finished his examination and turned to Mo Ran.

“From what this humble one has seen in the examination, Chu-furen’s health is still suffering from the aftermath of his war wounds. The base of his health isn’t as it was before the war, and he has been afflicted by a qi stasis around his old wound, as well as a consumptive ailment that affects his blood.”

Ji Baihua nodded to himself, agreeing with the diagnosis. Furen had never taken well convalescence.

However, the marquis merely wrinkled his brow, confused and lost around the medical terminology.

“What does that mean?”

“Chu-furenlost a lot of blood and sustained a great injury during the war,” the doctor explained patiently. “This humble one warned him it would take more than a year to recover, even if he followed my instructions, which I see he didn’t. Though his body isn’t as weak as he was then, his blood and qi deficit hasn’t been recovered.”

“Is it serious? Is it… is it life-threatening?” The marquis asked with apprehension.

The tightly knit brow and the concerned angle of his mouth were so foreign on his face that Ji Baihua couldn’t help stare at him for a moment.

“Chu-furenshouldn’t go on like this, but there’s no immediate threat to his life. I’m sure this fever isn’t a one-time occurrence, and it’s a manifestation of the weakness that plagues his heart. It’ll go down with rest, cold compresses and a tonic to bring the fever down. His body needs rest, which is why he isn’t waking up. This humble one will write a prescription to remove blood and qi stasis and promote blood circulation, and send a tonic to build up his energy and nourish his blood. Furen should take them for at least half a year. I’ll come by to check up on furen every day until his fever ceases,” the doctor said, taking out paper and ink to write a prescription.

The marquis nodded as well, mumbling to himself. His whole body was hovering over his husband’s, as if he couldn’t bear the distance between them. There was a confused, hurt look in his eyes. Ji Baihua looked away.

For a while, they waited in silence as the doctor wrote the prescription. Impatiently, the marquis stood up to read what the doctor was writing.

“What does he usually eat?” The doctor asked off-handed, but he immediately realised that they wouldn’t know the answer, so he continued smoothly, without a pause. “He should have plenty of rest and have good meals. Especially non-vegetarian dishes. All kinds of meats, eggs, liver and whatever furen likes, but keep a good balance with vegetables and fruits. Fresh, not pickled or dried.”

The marquis nodded at each instruction the doctor threw at them with a concentrated expression. Ji Baihua wondered if he was really remembering all the little details the doctor was telling them. Usually, this would be the work of furen’s closest maidservants, but one was sick, and the other was currently receiving twenty slaps.

It didn’t matter, he sighed. He was paying attention just as well, since he was the best candidate to take care of furen. Even if the marquis had a change of heart, his official duties kept him out of the house most of the day.

“I think he was in pain earlier,” the marquis mumbled. “Why was that?”

The doctor’s gaze was blank when he looked up from what he was writing. Ji Baihua could understand what he was thinking, because he was asking himself the same question: if the marquis didn’t even know if his husband had any injuries on him, why would he know if his unconscious husband was in pain??

“This humble one would need to have a look at it,” the doctor said politely. “Where would be the pain?”

Indeed, Ji Baihua could see why lady Wang, a healer of exceptional ability herself, admired this doctor.

The marquis’ question started another examination. Indeed, when the doctor moved his leg, there was a visible wince on furen’s face, even though he was still unconscious. After a few moments, the doctor turned to him.

“May this humble one ask Ji-xiaojun to get a first batch of medicine with this prescription? I want to make sure the preparation is done well.”

Ji Baihua was bright enough to understand the meaning behind his words: leave, please. Whatever the doctor did and said next wasn’t meant for him. Most likely, the doctor was trying to preserve Mo Ran or Chu Wanning’s dignity, by not letting a concubine know what afflicted furen.

Without saying a word, Ji Baihua took the prescription with both hands, bowed to the marquis, and left.

To live well as a concubine, curiosity was a hindrance.

***

When Ji Baihua left, the doctor knelt in front of Mo Ran again, with his head low.

“This humble one has a rough idea of what may be the ailment that plagues furen. Only one exploration is needed to confirm my diagnosis,” he said. “May this humble one request permission to see furen’s knees?”

Mo Ran’s mouth twitched, an instant dislike arousing in his heart at the idea of another man seeing Chu Wanning’s body. How very brave of doctor Ren to request to be left alone with a very volatile marquis and his unconscious husband… if Mo Ran lashed out at his words, there would be no one near to save his hide, he thought with a snarl.

“No!”

“Please reconsider, houye.”

Mo Ran almost lashed out, ready to kick a doctor for the second time in the day, before he caught sight of the earnest sincerity in doctor Ren’s face.

He had seen this expression before.

When he had been at his lowest, none of his past power remaining, this man had treated him with the professionalism and sincerity. Even then, he had treated Chu Wanning with utmost respect, though no rule forced him to.

Mo Ran’s hand formed a tight fist on his thigh.

“Alright,” he said, gritting his teeth.

The doctor got to work immediately. There were no wasted movements in how he quickly uncovered Chu Wanning’s legs and rolled up the trouser leg. Too agitated to stay still, Mo Ran imitated what the doctor was doing on the other side, though he was much placated that the doctor made no contact with his skin.

As they rolled up his trousers, Mo Ran’s mouth felt as if he had swallowed sand when he saw patches of bruises on his husband’s shins, all the way to the knees. Some were still an angry red, while others were already turned blue and green. He didn’t need to be a doctor to know that the swelling in the joint wasn’t normal.

Chu Wanning, you dumb, stubborn man…

Mo Ran’s eyes took in the battered legs. Each of the bruises made his heart cry bitter tears in a way the injuries Chu Wanning had received in prison hadn’t. In prison, the sight of his injuries drew up his rage, his anguish and distress, but in this case, it brought a bitter taste to his mouth.

He had caused these.

Mo Ran stayed silent as the doctor worked, unable to turn his eyes away. First, he pressed his fingers lightly on the side of his knees—Mo Ran found no strength in him to find it inappropriate—and flexed the leg from one side to the other. Then, clicking his tongue, he took out an ointment and rubbed it on his knees with dextrous fingers. The ointment had a strong, pungent smell that tingled in Mo Ran’s nose.

“Furen’s knees have signs of blood stasis and damage to the inner structure. If this humble one isn’t mistaken, he must spend a lot of time kneeling,” the doctor said, picking out more ointment from the jar.

“What did you say?” Mo Ran asked, dumbfounded.

The doctor merely turned to look at one of the many calligraphy practices that laid on the low table.

“I suppose Chu-furen must practice very often.”

Mo Ran followed his gaze to the handwriting he was so familiar with. Chu Wanning’s calligraphy was strong and determined in the strokes, elegant and poised, following a structured and rigid style that Mo Ran had mocked more than once in the past.

It seamlessly brought to mind the image of Chu Wanning kneeling in front of his calligraphy table, in the study at HonglianHouse.

He used a classical piece of furniture, with short and overly decorated legs. It had been there when they had moved to Nanping Manor, and Shi Mei hadn’t used it a lot. However, Mo Ran didn’t have any trouble remembering the multiple instances he had seen Chu Wanning kneeling there, copying sutras and poems or practicing calligraphy. There had been few entertainments left for him as Mo Ran grew progressively unreasonable.

When they had married, Mo Ran had wished to make a statement, and he had forbidden any changes in the furniture and decorations of Honglian House. The thought now brought a wave of bitterness to his tongue.

Mo Ran understood that the doctor was giving him an excuse to get them out of their predicament. Most probably, the doctor knew that Chu-furen was ordered to kneel every once in a while, since Mo Ran hadn’t bothered to keep it a secret. It would be most embarrassing for Chu Wanning to let people know he knelt often enough to injure his legs.

People would talk about Chu Wanning, saying he didn’t know how to learn a lesson, to the point his knees had been injured from the many times he had been sent to the shrine. About Mo Ran, they’d say at most that he had gone a bit overboard disciplining his household. At the end of the day, they were still husbands, people would sigh, he should be more patient with him.

But the worst of the rumours and gossip would be Chu Wanning’s burden to bear. If he returned to the court, it could be used against him: he doesn’t even know how to correct his mistakes when his husband punishes him, how can he correct the other ministers at court?

At once, Mo Ran felt infinitely grateful that the doctor had dismissed everyone, including Ji Baihua. A hard and bitter fist constricted his chest when he thought of why his husband kneeling in the shrine, cold and alone, bearing the pain until his legs were damaged. His heart hurt as if it was being fried in a scalding pan, and his hand hovered on top of Chu Wanning’s knees, not daring to touch them.

“I’ll change his furniture,” Mo Ran mumbled when he noticed that the doctor was expecting some kind of answer.

“It would be best if he didn’t kneel for a while,” the doctor said tactfully. “This humble one will come by tomorrow and relay instructions to him as well. Meanwhile, his knees can be treated with cold compresses, just like his fever. Don’t let him stand for too long and don’t have him sit for too long. Knees can be tricky, and they might hurt with the cold, but don’t let him bed rest for long.”

Mo Ran just nodded to everything the doctor said, mumbling to himself as he memorised what he had to do. He took a seat on the edge of the bed and placed Chu Wanning’s hand under the covers again.

“Thank you very much, doctor Ren. I’ll have a gift sent along with your honorariums to your home,” Mo Ran said with all the sincerity he could muster.

“It was this humble one’s duty as a doctor, it’s not worth houye’s gratitude.” As a last thought, he added, “maybe the servants should add a stove.” The doctor cleared all his tools and looked to the door, ready to leave.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep you a bit longer and talk to you privately in my office,” Mo Ran said. There were things he needed to know.

“Of course, houye.”

“Please tell a servant to lead you to the office. I’ll be with you shortly,” Mo Ran said.

The doctor nodded and left, closing the door after him.

There was something Mo Ran wanted to know before he left.

A feeling of wrongness had plagued him since he had arrived in Chu Wanning’s room. There was something deeply troubling him, making his hair stand on end. He felt… observed. But then, Chu Wanning had taken all of his attention—there were few things more important right now than his husband’s health.

He stood slowly, and surveyed the room, taking slow steps as he examined everything. It took him only a couple of swipes at the room to discover what was amiss.

Shi Mei was looking at him from the other side of the room, as young and beautiful as ever, with a slight smile on his lips.

***

Wangyue was bored.

Suppressing a sigh, he rested his chin on his hand, leaning against the armrest. His deep blue robes pooled around his elbows with elegance, weighted down by the fox fur embroidered around his sleeve. His family sent him the latest and most exquisite fabrics, as it befitted a son from the Jiang family, but Wangyue couldn’t wear them without disrespecting furen—a concubine’s belongings shouldn’t exceed the rightful spouse’s—but even his worse robes were priceless. They didn’t bring any other joy to Wangyue, apart from the envious look in Rong Jiu’s eyes.

Rong Jiu, that boastful bastard, had excused himself from the morning greetings. The maid had said something along the lines of “utter exhaustion from serving houyelast night”.

Humph. Better for Wangyue anyway. Rong Jiu was a nasty little son of a bitch. Last month, he had scarred the face of a new maid ru-furen sent him.

Such were the actions of a man without self-confidence. He was one of the youngest among them, even though he had married in much earlier. Rong Jiu had no good-standing family to back him—no family at all, from what Wangyue knew—and no talents to speak of besides his whoring behaviour. His androgynous looks, while charming, were nothing special among the beauties their houye had seen. Besides, he was a man with no option of giving children to their houye.

No wonder Rong Jiu was afraid and jealous of Wangyue.

But there was truly no one to have a conversation with him after ru-furen ended the meeting. Again, Wangyue worked hard to suppress a sigh. It would be disrespectful.

The concubines sat according to their status whenever they were together. From the first-rank concubine all the way to the eight-rank tongfangs[4], everyone knew where they stood in Nanping Manor from where they sat.

In a spacious room with light green curtains and dark wood furniture, with the windows covered with the best “Moonlight paper” from the southern market, ru-furenheld the morning greetings. After everyone had gathered, they had taken their places next to their seat, bowing and kowtowing to her before being allowed to sit. Then, they stayed for an hour or two, listening to whatever she had to commend to them or just to chat idly. When it was furen who held the morning greetings, the dynamics were quite different, but in essence the same: all concubines listened to what ru-furen had to say about the household’s affairs and heeded her orders.

Ru-furen, as the only first-rank concubine, took the most honourable position in the left high chair of her hall in furen’s absence. Ru-furen was a young woman around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a bright gaze and white teeth, cloud-like hair and a face like a flower. Like her brother, a beauty hard to find, though no matter how beautiful she was, it was difficult to conceal her ice-like nature.

Wangyue knew her name, but he’d never utter it in her presence because her status was way higher than his own: she had the highest rank a concubine could hold in a harem, the elder sister of houye’s original pairing, and the one in control of all matters in Nanping Manor.

Mu Yanli.

“… are approaching the age. As their masters, we should think of a good outcome for them. Ask if anyone’s family has already found a match for them, and we shall arrange the termination of their indenture,” she was saying.

Ah, yes. The maidservants were reaching the age of marriage, especially the first-rank maids. Buying new servants in and letting old maids out was ru-furen’s recurring task. Errand boys and male servants were much easier to manage, as they usually stayed in the household.

“If I may, ru-furen…” a girl’s timid voice said next to Wangyue. With ru-furen’s nod, she continued, “Xin’er’s father found her a match in their village. She’d like to return home.” The maid standing behind her, Xin-er[5], immediately went forward and kowtowed to ru-furen.

Mu Yanli stayed silent for a moment, clinking idly her teacup’s lid with the rim of the cup. No one dared to speak while she was thinking, not a fly could be heard. Years spent as ru-furen in Nanping Manor made her role and status clear to the rest of them, and not even Rong Jiu could question her authority easily. Wangyue couldn’t help frowning a bit.

Next to him, the girl that had talked shifted in her seat. She was in her early twenties, with a pale, oval face and enticing big eyes, round like the moon.

She was one of the two third-rank concubines of Nanping Manor.

Among the concubines, from the second to fourth ranks there would seem as if they had been divided on whim, since they held the same authority in the household and they were all married in instead of indentured. However, there was a key difference between them, something that made Wangyue stand over them: their families’ status.

Second-rank came from high-standing families, second only to those concubines from the main spouse’s family.

Wangyue himself was the only second-rank concubine. Though he came from the prestigious Jiang family, he was the concubine-born son of the duke’s third cousin, so he had married out of his home instead of making a match as the main spouse himself.

There were only two third-rank concubinesin Nanping Manor, who came from respectable families with no titles and lower official pots. One of them had married in almost at the same time he had, a young man surnamed Ji sent by lady Wang—the only one besides ru-furen capable of holding a decent conversation with Wangyue and regretfully absent this morning. His maid told him he was serving at furen’s bedside, a common occurrence since they had arrived.

The one who sat next to him was Luo Xianxian, the most senior among the concubines. Wangyue held no feelings, neither like nor dislike, for the timid and soft-spoken girl.

Thankfully, there was only one fourth-rank concubine in Nanping Manor, who was moreover absent this morning, to Wangyue’s relief. Rong Jiu’s voice always gave him a terrible headache.

“Send a letter to your family,” ru-furen said directly to Xin-er, who watched her with wide eyes, “and ask them to come here with your fiancé. I will look into him and check his background. If he’s a suitable match, we’ll add two taels of gold to your dowry and let you back home in half a year.”

There was a short moment of shocked surprise from Xin-er’s part. Wangyue himself found it very generous. Most masters simply demanded to have the family pay for the maid’s indenture—if the family wished to have their daughter back, that is.

“My heartfelt thanks to ru-furen. Thank you so much!” Xin-er exclaimed, kowtowing three times to her. Then she shifted to Luo Xianxian and kowtowed three times again. “Xin-er thanks Luo-yiniang[6]! Xin-er won’t forget Luo-yiniang’skindness!”

Luo Xianxian blushed and hurried to make Xin-er stand again, with a pleased smile on her face.

“Every servant in Nanping Manor works hard and contributes invaluably to the household. Even if our master-servant relationship is due to end, we should guarantee that they have a good life after they leave this place,” ru-furen said, setting the cup next to her. “Servants who work well and remain loyal to us shall see their efforts rewarded.”

The rest of the servants in the room had been observing the proceedings out of the corner of their eyes, analysing the situation. At the slightest signal, ru-furen’s servants and a few of the ones standing in the back turned to her and said “yes, ru-furen” with a slight bow.

Wangyue turned a lazy stare at them. At the back of the room stood a few people with their backs glued to the wall. A couple wore better clothes than the rest of them, but they still had to keep their eyes down and their mouth shut.

There was a bunch of concubines indentured to the household, like his own maids. Among them, only Lin Chunhong[7]and Song Ying[8]had enough rank to sit with them, as they had been raised to proper concubines, even if their papers remained indentured. The tongfangs had to stand with the servants or were busy working somewhere else. Wangyue knew two of them, but he had heard that there were actually four.

Wangyue had realised soon after he had married in that for a noble household like Nanping Manor, the backyard was filled with quite many people with low backgrounds.

Such a difference was striking, even if it was fairly common to have more low-rank concubines than respected second-rank concubines like Wangyue. He assumed it was because furen had no family he could bring into Nanping Manor. Lately, he was changing his mind in the light of what he had observed from the cold and aloof man that lived in Honglian House.

“This will be all for today,” ru-furen said, bringing Wangyue out of his thoughts. “Please, keep in mind what I said today. Ling-er,” she called. One tongfangWangyue was familiar with turned and bowed to her. “Bring houye some refreshments a while later. It wouldn’t do if he were to fall ill as well.”

“Yes, ru-furen.”

As they left Cunju[9]House, the building at the left of the main house and right in front of Honglian House, they were met with the sight of furen’s first-rank maid kneeling at his door, her face swollen and reddened, with a split lip and blood dripping down her chin. She no longer cried as she had been when they first arrived to the courtyard, rather staring at the floor with a lost gaze and tears streaming down her face.

“I heard she lost a tooth,” his maid Feicui[10]muttered into his ear.

“Could have been worse,” Wangyue answered plainly.

The marquis had a terrible, but unpredictable temper. Sometimes he’d overlook blatant mistakes, while others he’d put to death a servant for a small infraction. For that reason, most servants tended to avoid him, letting his tongfangs serve him most of the time.

Servants knew better than to cross houye. What had happened? He wondered.

The concubines dispersed, either returning to their rooms in the backyard building, Liuyan House, or going to the gardens. Only Wangyue and a few servants lingered in the pathways around the courtyard.

Wangyue walked languidly, followed by his maid and his servant, observing Honglian House curiously. The imposing building in red wood and grey tiles remained the same as the day before, though the situation was changing. Rumours flew wild that morning during breakfast, that furen was on the brink of death and houye had allowed the doctor Ji-xiaojun had called to attend him. If he were to die, would ru-furen be instated as the new furen?

The doctor had arrived before the morning greetings had even started, but the door of furen’s home was still closed. Was he still inside? Would furen be really that ill?

Wangyue had no desire to get involved in any power play that happened at the household. His own position was secure: he was a concubine taken in with proper rites, his family supported him from outside, and houye favoured him enough to visit him once or twice a week. Only a fool would dare to do anything unnecessary.

Yet he felt troubled when he thought of furen. He remembered the cold and impersonal hands that had taken the teacup from him the first day he had married in.

But those same hands had picked up a baby bird from the floor days ago, in the middle of a storm, just to put it again on its nest.

“Feicui, search for that hundred-year-old ginseng we have in our storage and send it to Honglian House later,” he said, unable to fight down his own discomfort.

At that moment, he saw a familiar figure emerging from the opposite pathway, walking with decision towards Honglian House. A handsome man with a cinnabar dot on his forehead, clad in sky blue robes and long hair flowing behind him, followed by a maid holding a tray with a covered bowl.

Ji-xiaojun, Ji Baihua.

From afar, rooted in his place, Wangyue observed as he knocked on the door. To his surprise, it was houye who opened the door. After exchanging a few words he didn’t hear, houye took the tray from the maid’s hands and closed the door behind him.

The expression on houye’s face… that had been…

Wangyue covered his mouth with his long sleeve, hiding a surprised gasp. It was soon followed by a distraught frown and an inaudible sigh.

If upon contemplating the results, there’s regret at the actions committed in the past, why commit then in the first place? Wangyue kept his eyes locked on Honglian House’s door.

Yearning unwittingly will only break the willow branch.

[1] 夏榕 (xia4rong2): xia as in “summer” and rong as in “banyan tree”. [2] 欣婧 (xin1jing4). Jing as in "slender, modest". [3] 任康 (ren3kang1): ren as in surname Ren, kangas in “health, well-being, peaceful”. [4] To keep it simpler to non-Chinese speakers, concubines are divided in eight ranks (previously with the Chinese names). Don’t worry too much about what it would mean exactly in terms of rights and obligations, it will be explained in the fic. Just that obviously there’s more respect and honor for first rank, and 8th rank tongfangs are little better than servants. For those interested, they would correspond like this: 1st rank is 侧室(ceshi), 2nd rank is 贵妾 (guiqie), 3rd rank is 良妾(liangqie)，4th rank is 贱妾(jianqie)，5th rank is 妾室 (qieshi)，6th rank is 婢妾 (biqie), 7th rank is 陪房(peifang) and 8th rank is 通房 (tongfang). There’s a super-detailed and super helpful post here! (The post isn’t mine, but consider reblogging if you want to support the blogger!). You’ll notice that I skipped some, just so this was more understandable.A status or another usually depended in several factors that all had to be taken into account, it was much more rigid than palace harem status. Like, in a imperial harem, a servant can start as a eight-rank concubine and ascend to the top, but a tongfang won’t be raised to ceshi. A ceshi(and her family) would consider insulting to be married in as a qieshi, and so forth. Usually, a ceshi stayed a ceshi, and a pianfang stayed a pianfang, but the tongfang may rise to qieshi (official concubine, not a servant anymore) if her master likes her very much or she has a merciful furen. Ceshi and pianfangs are married in, so they can be divorced, but not sold, and tongfangs (and sometimes qieshi) can be sold (so no divorce to speak of). The power they had in the household usually grew and decreased with their status, but that’s only in theory, i.e. you don’t bully the concubine your husband is favoring right now. This will be all be explained as well in the fic, this is just a compilation of information. [5] 欣儿 (xin1er): xin as in “happy, joyous” and er as in “child” [6] 姨娘 (yi2niang): form of address for concubines with pianfang and qieshi status. [7] 林春红 (lin2chun1hong2): surname Lin, chun as in “spring” and hong as in “red” [8] 宋莹 (song4ying2): surname Song, ying as in “jade-like, lustrous and clean” [9] 存菊 (cun2ju2): cun as in “store”, ju as in “chrysanthemum” [10] 翡翠 (fei3cui4): feicui means “jade”

I hadn't posted this chapter in tumblr yet! I'm currently working on some style related things about my fic, so I may take a bit longer to post the next one. Hope you enjoy this one meanwhile!

[orsuliya]

Regardless of class, Wang Lin and Xiao Qi are alike, they are both determined, sober,well aware and have good insight into people's heart. And because the power struggle they were both almost die but they survived.

But why Wang Lin is still obsessed with power? He is still longing for the throne that already cost (almost) everything he had. I wished he will purely support Potato's child.

Alike in some aspects and yet so very different in others, which is why Daddy Wang kept miscalculating so badly when it came to his son-in-law. At the end of the day I think that Daddy Wang’s true equal was Daddy Emperor, but he certainly served as a credible foil to Xiao Qi. Yet any kind of true alliance was always impossible due to their wildly differing personal moral codes. And, sadly, so was any kind of true understanding, what with them both being prone to looking at people through the prism of their own morality.

Hmm, you ask why Daddy Wang couldn’t be satisfied with becoming Miracle Baby’s Regent. It is, indeed, a very good question and one I would dearly love to have an answer to!

*putting on my Watsonian hat*

I don’t think that Daddy Wang’s strict anti-Ma stance can be satisfactorily explained by the death of Concubine Han. I mean, yes, it’s a reason, but not the reason. Besides, if it was strictly about revenge, then Jinruo and - if my theory is true - Auntie Xu would bite the dust first. And yet it seems like Concubine Han’s shadow does weight on that marriage... but more on Jinruo’s side than on Daddy’s.

No, this insistence of ridding Cheng of the Ma scourge takes its roots from somewhere else. I think somebody spent a good portion of his life having a front-row seat to the sad, sad spectacle of Ma idiots screwing things up. There was a civil war before Daddy Emperor ascended the throne and he pulled through by the skin of his teeth and the grace of Daddy or Granddaddy Wang. This must have left an impression, that’s for sure.

After that it only got worse. Not a single competent Ma in the whole palace, no matter how much Wang blood they had running through their veins. Why, this Ma disease started to spread beyond the palace walls, what with Daddy Wang’s own son being a root vegetable. And seriously, the Zi generation must have been a visible downgrade from the previous one. Daddy Emperor and Jianning were at least somewhat competent? Zilu doesn’t count, Zilu was playing the fool and a mongrel besides, as far as blood purists were concerned. 

So now Daddy Wang - regardless of his own personal ambitions - had a choice. Put Miracle Baby on the throne, staking his own precious family reputation on getting him to adulthood... while having no guarantee that Miracle Baby wouldn’t turn out to be another dud. Which he would then have no clean way of removing, even if he even lived that long in the first place. We’re looking at fifteen to twenty years of regency here and Daddy Wang is no spring chicken.

But now, with Zitan going down hard and everything still in turmoil, Daddy Wang got his golden opportunity to change dynasties. And he came prepared. That counterfeit edict may seem such a small thing, but it would be enough to create a pretense of legitimacy strong enough to shore up Daddy Wang’s positions. Any but the strongest Ma princelings from faraway provinces would stop and wait to see if the capital accepted that edict. If so, then well, going against a more or less legitimate ruler is a bit harder than raising support for a righteous crusade against a bonafide usurper. Any prime contenders would have to strike now or go into plotting mode; if one chose to strike immediately and then got creamed by Song Huaien’s army, conveniently already at the capital and armed to the teeth, then that would only enforce Daddy Wang’s authority!

He’s got an army, a good chance of attaining an acceptable level of legitimacy and his only potential rival just said he is not interested and went home. Daddy Wang knows well that if Xiao Qi wanted the throne, he would already sit on it, even without that last demonstration of pure disdain towards the very idea. And if Xiao Qi doesn’t want the throne, then he could be convinced to just stay away permanently. The last time Xiao Qi came to the palace and fought against Daddy Wang’s ambitions... was because what Daddy Wang was doing was illegal as hell. And the imperial edict held despite all logical reasons to throw it away, so surely Xiao Qi must respect imperial edicts or at least the posthumous ones. Okay, not edicts themselves, the legitimate line of succession. Guess what, Zitan is done in Xiao Qi’s eyes, Miracle Baby is missing in action and ooops, nowhere to be found (wouldn’t you like to explain that to your sister, Turnip dearest?) and it looks like Daddy Wang is it, at least according to the long-mashed Potato.

Why, it would be a crime to waste such a golden opportunity! And it’s not like Daddy Wang hadn’t sacrificed enough to not feel justified in his attempt. To simply throw it all away? No way!

*putting on my Doylist hat*

The thing is, with drama!Xiao Qi not being the throne-grabbing book version and unlikely to ever stage his own attempt due to censorship reasons, the throne had to go to someone else. Pulling in a random Ma cousin at this stage doesn’t make sense, since there is no time to build him into a full character, whose ascension would leave the viewers satisfied. Zitan is finished and nobody can be that much of a Karma Houdini. Miracle Baby is pretty much it.

What reason would there be for a final showdown if Miracle Baby remained Daddy Wang’s Golden Ticket? Song Huaien suddenly deciding to go for the throne was a stretch already, even with the more difficult part of the coup (removing the incumbent dynasty) already completed. The matter of who is Regent is important, sure, but not all that showy. And it could be resolved via a round of negotiations. Go to Xiao Qi, show him the baby, read him Potato’s real posthumous edict and work out a compromise in order to keep everybody happy. It would make for a great tense episode! But not for a great finale...

Sorry, Daddy Wang, guess you have to die. At least you get to wear the bling-blingiest robe in the whole drama before you do. Oh hell, have a dramatic three-minute entrance too, why not.

[reallifesultanas]

Portrait of Osman II / II. Oszmán portréja

Origin and childhood

Osman was born in November 1604 as the son of the young Sultan Ahmed I and one of his concubines, Mahfiruze Hatun. The birth of Osman was a huge event for the empire, for before his birth everyone feared that Sultan Ahmed might not be able to have a child because of his poor health and young age. After the birth of Osman, Ahmed personally received congratulations from the pashas and they could kiss his hand. The pashas normally only had the opportunity to do so during religious holidays. The birth of Osman is interesting in other ways as well, for he was the first first-born prince to be born in the imperial capital ever.

His mother, Mahfiruze, was not Ahmed’s favorite concubine, however, she also seems to have given birth to more than one child. Most sources consider Prince Bayezid, who was born in 1612, to be Osman's younger brother. Shortly after the birth of Bayezid, their mother died. Ahmed's favorite concubine and Haseki, Kösem Sultan, tried to take the orphaned Osman under her wings. She also regularly took Osman along with her own son, Mehmed, for carriage rides, money distributions, and to the Old Palace when she traveled there to visit Safiye Sultan, Ahmed’s grandmother. It was noted that during these carriage rides, Osman showed himself to the commoners with great pleasure and distributed money to those in need. Kösem's motivation was not just to help and educate the orphaned Osman. Kösem wanted to protect her own sons by raising Osman as if he was her own child. She hoped Osman would not execute his half-brothers later if they grew up together. Kösem's idea was realistic and maybe she would have succeeded, but Ahmed intervened. The sultan did not like the relationship between his consort and his son, for he thought it was indecent and he knew the nature of Kösem anyway, so he tried to keep his son away from her. From then on, Osman could not meet Kösem the way he did, he could not spend time with her, only his governess and teacher stood by him.

The change

Sultan Ahmed had always been in poor health, but by the second half of the 1610s, it had deteriorated further until he died in November 1617. Osman was then 13 years old then. He was barely younger than Ahmed when he ascended the throne in 1603, so the idea of ​​him being sultan was not terrible. However, there was one factor that spoke out against him. The law of fratricide has for centuries obligated sultans to execute their own brothers when they got the throne in order to maintain order. However, Sultan Ahmed did not execute his half-brother, Prince Mustafa. This was very pleasing to the commoners and statemen, as they were more and more disgusted by the law of fratricide in the past decades. Precisely because of this, it was in everyone’s interest to start a new succession-system instead of inheriting from father to son. According to this, the eldest living prince must sit on the throne and the others must not be executed. And this eldest prince was not Osman, but Ahmed's younger brother, Mustafa. Mustafa, however, was mentally ill, so he was not really fit to rule either.

However, it was not only because of his age that Osman was an unsuitable candidate. Being an orphan and too young to have his own supporters, he was very isolated, he had no influential supporters. In contrast, Prince Mustafa had his mother, his brother-in-law, who were influential. And there was also the eldest son of Kösem Sultan, Mehmed, Kösem was the late Sultan’s favorite concubine, was influential and popular. And Osman was alone with his governess and teacher among such notable people with his 13 years. No matter how much his governess wanted and whether Osman tried to honor her with the rights of a mother, she could not become influential enough to help the prince on the merits.

Religious leader Seyhülislam Esad Efendi and the chief eunuch of the palace, Haci Mustafa Agha, finally convinced the people, divan and military officers that the best decision was to put the oldest prince, Mustafa, on the throne, as this could finally change the succession-system and forever end the law of fratricide. It seems that Osman never forgave this decision for the Seyhülislam and the eunuch.

Confusing enthronement

We know little about what happened to Osman during Mustafa's short reign. What is certain is that, along with his brothers, he also lived in seclusion at Topkapi Palace. Sultan Mustafa was completely unfit to rule, his mental illness becoming more and more serious so that eventually more and more people began to conspire against him. It was Haci Mustafa Agha, who had previously worked on his enthronement, who once again wanted to became a kingmaker. Mustafa Agha before a divan meeting locked Sultan Mustafa up in his apartment and immediately hurried for Prince Osman and introduced him to the divan as the new sultan. The coup succeeded, Mustafa was dethroned and locked up, and Osman became a sultan. Although it was Haci Mustafa who actually put Osman on the throne, the prince did not forgive him for not standing by him after Ahmed's death and immediately exiled the eunuch to Egypt, where he died a few years later.

Osman finally became sultan on February 26, 1618, during the aforementioned divan meeting. Adapting to the new traditions, he did not try to execute his uncle or brothers. Of course, he would not have had a chance to do so even if he would want, as he still did not have influential supporters. As an orphan, Osman could in fact only rely on his teacher, but Ömer Efendi was not particularly popular either in the divan or among the people. Osman had to make himself popular and gain supporters as soon as possible.

His reign

Osman's first activity was revenge and he also made efforts to stabilize the empire. At the same time as Haci Mustafa Aga was exiled, Osman also took away some of the duties of the Seyhülislam (and transferred most of it to his teacher, Ömer Efendi), severely restricting his activities. Osman's reason for it was the fact that Esad Efendi supported Mustafa over him in 1617. A similar fate befell former Grand Vizier Kayseriyeli Halil Pasha, second Vizier Sofu Mehmed Pasha, who were both dismissed. Although Davud Pasa, the brother-in-law of Sultan Mustafa, escaped the complete demotion, Osman was constantly hardened his life simply because of his kinship. These activities are a good illustration of the shortcomings of Osman. His decisions seem more like the sudden determination of an offended teenage boy than the deliberate decisions of a sultan.

It was also from his age and orphanhood that he had naively fallen into some people's trap. This is how former Admiral Güzelce Ali Pasha eventually became Grand Vezier. Osman did not even notice that the Pasha actually ruled in his place, Osman's words sounded only as an echo of Ali Pasha's words. Güzelce Ali Pasha also succeeded in removing Osman's teacher, Ömer Efendi, from the capital whom Osman held in high esteem and beloved. Ömer Efendi could not return from Mecca until March 1621, when Güzelce Ali Pasha eventually died.

At first, Osman was not a clearly hated sultan because, although many did not like him, the soldiers had not yet decided whether they liked him or not. The soldiers were impressed that Osman himself wanted to lead a campaign, but his inexperience, young age, and the heavily vacated treasury also nuanced this decision. It was planned to start the campaign in the spring of 1621. However, Osman did not feel his sovereignty strong enough to leave the capital while his younger brother, Mehmed (the son of Kösem), remains there. Osman (or his supporters) feared that in his absence, Kösem Sultan would put Prince Mehmed on the throne. A solution to this could have been if Osman had taken Mehmed with him to the campaign, but he had chosen a much more drastic solution. In January 1621 (exactly 400 years ago) he executed Mehmed. The resurgence of fratricide shook the empire greatly. Almost without exception, everyone condemned and even called the execution of the innocent prince a cowardly decision. Prior to the murder, Osman, of course, sought permission from Seyhülislam Esad Efendi, as it was necessary for all such executions. Esad Efendi called the execution unlawful, refusing to legalize it, no matter how violent Osman wanted it. Eventually, the sultan went to the second-highest religious nobility, the bribeable Kemaleddin Efendi, who gave permission for the execution.

To grow Osman's troubles a mini ice age reached the capital at this time, Istanbul was weighed down by 15 days of heavy snowfall. Thousands died as a result of the extraordinary weather, the Bosphorus was completely frozen, it was possible to cross between Beşiktaş and Üsküdar on foot. The people clearly saw the wrath of Allah behind the meteorological event, they believed that Allah wanted to punish Osman in this way for killing his innocent brother. Osman’s guilt in Mehmed’s murder is undoubted, but it is not clear whether it was his own idea or he was convinced by someone. The latter version is maybe more plausible, based on the fact that Osman himself regularly visited Kösem Sultan in the Old Palace after his accession, so he tried to maintain a good relationship with her, and Kösem tried not to annoy the young sultan to protect the lives of her own children.

Osman tried to gather supporters for himself at all costs, even by violance. He also made an attempt to do so when he married Seyhülislam Esad Efendi's daughter in March 1621, despite his father's displeasure. Through Akile Hatun, Osman thought he could chain the Seyhülislam to himself. This was especially needed after the execution of Prince Mehmed. Others believe he wanted to imitate his namesake, Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman House, who also married a daughter of a mufti. Their marriage was probably purely political and Akile never entered the harem. Others say the wedding was consummated and they had two children, Zeynep and Mustafa. Either way, this marriage was unusual, as the sultans had not married free women for centuries, especially those from such an influential family. Although Osman's goal with marriage was to consolidate his power, his popularity was greatly diminished by his marriage.

Famous campaign and return

Osman’s last hope for becoming a popular sultan was his campaign. It started in the spring of 1621 and the targets were the Kingdom of Poland and Lithuania. He left a grieving capital and a pregnant concubine in Istanbul. He could then hope that the grief of the people would be relieved and his concubine would give birth to his heir, which would make him popular.

Osman personally led his army, which exceeded 150,000. It was a very mixed army, as there were about 17,000 Tatars and 13,000 soldiers from Havasalföld and Moldavia in addition to the Ottoman soldiers. Osman's goal was to take Khotin, which seemed like an easy target, as it had an army of only about 65 to 70,000. However, despite the ideas, after more than a month and at least six attempts, the castle still did not fall. Osman made several bad military decisions at that time. The biggest of these was that he refused to admit the defeat, while it was clear that if they did not return home, they would not be able to winter there. And with that, he also risked the lives of his soldiers, which did not increase his declining popularity. Eventually, with great difficulty, he was persuaded to return to the capital.

In January 1622, they returned to the territory of the empire, where Osman behaved as if he had won a great victory. They held ceremonies, sent out letters of victory, and sought to glorify Osman, while the reality was merely a very ugly defeat and a plus battlefield to be supervised. On his way home, Osman spent a little time in Edirne, where he also invited his barely four-month-old son and his mother, Meyl-i Şah (or Ayşe). To show his glory, Osman ordered huge ceremonies where he presented some points of the campaign. Soldiers dressed up during these games mimicked the battle using real weapons. Osman, Meyl-i Şah (Ayşe), and their child, Prince Ömer, also attended the ceremony, which eventually culminated in tragedy. The details are still unclear, but it is certain that Prince Ömer died in January 1622 in Edirne during the ceremony. The four-month-old child was shocked by the sound of fired cannons and weapons and his heart stopped, according to some reports, while others said a stray bullet caused the prince's death.

The days of the end

After the failed campaign, Osman only became even more unpopular, and many also blamed him for the death of his son. While Osman blamed the child's mother, Meyl-i Şah (or Ayşe) and he did not allow her to return to Istanbul with him. The child's mother reportedly remained in exile in Edirne for a time (according to others forever) and later lived in the Old Palace. To this day, it is not known for sure whether Ömer's mother was Ayşe or Meyl-i Şah. It was Ayşe who held the rank of Haseki, which would suggest that she was the mother of the child, but it is still not certain at all.

Returning to the capital, Osman began to blame the Janissaries and other military formations for their defeat in the campaign. Wearing disguise he visited the cafes with his men, where he noticed which military leaders were present and said bad things about him, and then punished them. Osman also recognized how dangerous are the Janissaries, which is why, on the advice of the chief black eunuch, Suleiman Agha, Osman wanted to reform the army with Anatolian tribes and get rid of the Janissaries forever. Although rumors circulated about this for a long time, there was no evidence. Then, however, in the spring of 1622, evidence gradually emerged, through issued orders. Based on these orders, it really seemed like Osman wanted to reform the army and even relocate the capital to Cairo, Bursa, or Damascus. After his plan was revealed by Seyhülislam Esad Efendi and Dilaver Pasha, the Grand Vizier, they tried to persuade the Sultan to give up his intentions. However, listening to Suleiman Agha, Osman refused to leave his plans.

By May of that year, it was already clear to everyone that Osman wanted to go to Anatolia. Officially, the trip was explained by his intention to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca via Anatolia. The reality, however, was certainly that, with the help of the Anatolian beylerbeys and tribes loyal to him, he would create his new army and then return with them to end the Janissaries. For the already fiery Janissaries, this was plenty enough and they began a rebellion. The Janissaries and the common people first gathered in Hippodrome Square and then marched to Topkapi Palace. Among other things they demanded the death of the Grand Vizier, the Chief Black Eunuch, Suleiman Aga, and Osman's teacher Ömer Efendi. Osman was increasingly being alerted to the seriousness of the situation, but he did not take the threats seriously and refused to extradite the requested people. Because Osman was not really supported even inside the palace, at the request of the Janissaries, the gate guards immediately let them through, without bloodshed. The goal of the Janissaries with the burglary was to put their old sultan, Mustafa back to the throne. The fact that they wanted Mustafa back, a sultan who was once branded unfit to rule once, suggests several things. On the one hand, it shows well how unpopular Osman was when a mentally ill person was considered more suitable than him; on the other hand, it is likely that the Janissaries were also supported by influential forces such as Halime Sultan, the mother of Mustafa; but the rebellion also showed that no one could play games with the Janissaries without consequences.

After Osman learned that Mustafa was in the hands of the rebels he finally understood the seriousness of the situation, so he agreed to extradite the Grand Vizier and Suleiman Agha, who were immediately lynched by the mob. On the advice of the new Grand Vizier Osman tried to save his position by arranging a meeting with the leaders of the Janissaries to whom he wanted to give money as a bribe. With this, however, Osman only further angered the Janissaries. The sultan in disguise went to the Janissary leaders, where, however, the rebels exposed him. Ali Agha, who was with him and intended to carry out the Sultan's order, was immediately executed by the mob, and the new Grand Vizier, who was also present, had the same fate. The sultan was dragged around the capital in a car, wearing dirty clothes, deprived of wearing anything on his head. A sipahi soldier took pity on the bare-headed sultan and covered his head with his own turban. The sultan was tossed and beaten by the mob. Osman finally started to cry out of humiliation. Various descriptions and legends remain about the humiliations of the Sultan, but Peçevi, the most authentic and reliable source of the period, for example, refused to write details because he believed "these are things that are not appropriate for the pen to write down and not appropriate for the tongue to say.".

Last hours

After long torture, Osman was taken to the Mosque of the Janissaries, where the new Sultan, Mustafa, his mother, Halime, and his brother-in-law, Davud Pasha, were also present. Osman had hardened the life of Davud Pasa for years, who wanted revenge for it all. Halime Sultan had a similar dislike for him. It was for this reason that Davud soon visited Osman with a string and tried to execute him. In the end, however, the Janissary leaders did not allow the execution of Osman, as the assassination of a former sultan in a mosque was too much for them. Halime and Davud tried to convince them that if they did not kill him there and then, he could manage to escape and then execute them all. However, they failed to convince the leaders of the Janissaries. Thus, Osman was eventually taken to the Yedikule Prison and then strangled there with the Sultan's permission, but without a legal fetwa from the Seyhülislam.

According to legend, Osman fought so hard that the executioner (with Davud in the lead) beat him, paying special attention to his private parts, and then the helpless sultan was strangled. After his death, his body was mutilated, his ear was cut off, and was taken to Halime Sultan to prove that Osman was indeed executed. The murdered sultan was eventually buried in the mosque complex of his father, Sultan Ahmed, and lies at the feet of his father's sarcophagus. He died on the evening of May 20, 1622, at the age of 17 and a half. He was the first sultan to be executed and it was the first execution carried out on a member of a dynasty where the victim was killed with extraordinary brutality and then even mutilated.

Many factors may have contributed to his brutal death. Osman was just a teenager, without the proper experiences, he came to power too young. True, Ahmed I was of a similar age when he began his reign, but behind him there stood his mother, and there was no other heir instead. Meanwhile, there was almost no one behind Osman and he had several rivals. In addition, Ahmed’s advisors and himself had the right political sense so they were able to shape situations well, gaining people’s love. However, with the accumulation of errors, Osman constantly lost from his already not so big popularity. There was another factor that helped Osman get to the tragic end. Several contemporary sources have reported that the sultan dressed very simply and often behaved like the common people. And with that, he ceased to be an almost divine, admired creature that people expected from the Sultan. An interesting fact is that after the dethronement of Osman, the commoners were amazed by even the mad Mustafa, as he truly looked majestically, wonderfully in his fancy dress, as opposed to Ottoman, who, according to contemporary accounts, sometimes looked almost like a "vagabond." Osman thus became a victim of his age, his own nature, and circumstances. It is easy to judge him, as his faults are clear, but let us not forget that Osman was nothing but a gullible, orphaned teenage boy who made bad decisions and trusted in bad people.

Used sources: G. Piterberg, An Ottoman Tragedy: History and Historiography at Play; F. Ciçek - An Examination of Daily Politics and Factionalism at the Ottoman Imperial Court in relation to the Regicide of Osman II (r. 1618-1622); C. Finkel - Osman’s Dream: the History of the Ottoman Empire; Y. Öztuna - Sultan Genç Osman ve Sultan IV. Murad; N. Sakaoğlu - Bu Mülkün Kadın Sultanları; B. Tezcan - The Debut of Kösem Sultan’s Political Career; G. Börekçi - A Queen Mother at Work: On Handan Sultan and Her Regency during the Early Reign of Ahmed I; L. Peirce - The imperial harem; G. Börekçi - Factions and favourites at the courts of Sultan Ahmed I (r. 1603-17) and his immediate predecessors; S. Faroqhi - The Ottoman Empire and the World; C. Imber - The Ottoman Empire 1300-1650; F. Suraiya, K. Fleet - The Cambridge History of Turkey 1453-1603; F. Suraiya - The Cambridge History of Turkey, The Later Ottoman Empire, 1603–1839

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Származása és gyermekkora

Oszmán 1604 novemberében született az ifjú szultán I. Ahmed és egyik ágyasa, Mahfiruze Hatun fiaként. Oszmán születése hatalmas esemény volt a birodalom számára, ugyanis születése előtt mindenki rettegett, hogy Ahmed szultán gyenge egészséges és fiatal kora miatt talán nem lesz képes gyermeket nemzeni. Oszmán világrajövetele után Ahmed személyesen fogadta a pasák gratulációját és azok kezet csókolhattak neki. Ilyenre normális esetben csak a vallási ünnepek során volt lehetőségük. Oszmán születése más szempontból is érdekes, ő volt ugyanis az első első-szülött herceg, aki a birodalmi fővárosban jött világra.

Édesanyja, Mahfiruze nem Ahmed kedvenc ágyasa volt, azonban úgy tűnik, ő is több gyermeknek adott életet. A legtöbb forrás Oszmán édesöccseként tartja számon Bayezid herceget, aki 1612-ben született. Bayezid herceg születését követően nem sokkal édesanyjuk elhunyt. Az elárvult Oszmánt igyekezett szárnyai alá venni Ahmed kedvenc ágyasa és Haszekije, Köszem szultána. Rendszeresen vitte el Oszmánt saját fiával, Mehmeddel együtt kocsikázásokra, pénz osztásokra és a Régi Palotába is, mikor oda utazott Safiye szultánát, Ahmed nagyanyját látogatni. Feljegyezték, hogy ezen kocsikázások alatt Oszmán nagy élvezettel mutatta meg magát és osztott pénzt a rászorulóknak. Köszem motivációja nem csupán az árva Oszmán megsegítése és nevelése volt. Köszem saját fiait kívánta megóvni azzal, hogy úgy neveli Oszmánt, mintha az ő gyermeke lenne. Azt remélte, Oszmán később így nem fogja kivégeztetni féltestvéreit. Köszem elképzelése reális volt és talán sikerült is volna, Ahmed azonban közbe szólt. A szultán nem nézte jó szemmel a kapcsolatot kedvence és fia között, ez ugyanis szerinte illetlen volt és egyébként is jól ismerte Köszem természetét, ezért igyekezett fiát távol tartani tőle. Oszmán innentől kezdve nem találkozhatott nyilvánosan Köszemmel, nem tölthetett el vele időt, egyedül dajkája és tanítója álltak mellette.

A változás

Ahmed szultán mindig is gyenge egészségű volt, azonban az 1610-es évek második felére ez egyre tovább romlott, míg 1617 novemberében belehalt betegségébe. Oszmán ekkor töltötte be 13. életévét. Alig volt fiatalabb, mint Ahmed, mikor 1603-ban trónra került, így nem volt ördögtőlvaló a gondolat, hogy őt ültessék a trónra. Azonban volt egy tényező, ami ellene szólt. A testvérgyilkosság tövénye évszázadok óta kötelezte a szultánokat arra, hogy a rend fenntartása érdekében meggyilkolják saját testvéreiket, amikor elfoglalják a trónt. Ahmed szultán azonban nem végeztette ki féltestvérét, Musztafa herceget. A népnek ez igen kedvérevaló volt, hiszen kezdek megcsömörleni a testvérgyilkosság törvényétől. Épp emiatt, mindenki érdeke az volt, hogy az apáról fiúra való öröklés helyett egy más rendszer kezdődjön meg. Eszerint pedig a legidősebb élő hercegnek kell a trónt elfoglalni, a többieket pedig nem kivégeztetni. Ez a legidősebb herceg pedig nem Oszmán volt, hanem Ahmed öccse, Musztafa. Musztafa azonban mentálisan beteg volt, így tulajdonképpen nem volt alkalmas ő sem az uralkodásra.

Oszmán nem csak kora miatt volt azonban alkalmatlan jelölt. Mivel árva volt és túl fiatal ahhoz, hogy saját támogatói legyenek, igencsak elszigetelt volt, nem voltak befolyásos támogatói. Ezzel szemben Musztafa hercegnek ott volt az édesanyja, sógorai, akik befolyásos pasák voltak. És ott volt Köszem szultána legidősebb fia is, Mehmed, aki mögött a néhai szultán kedvenc ágyasa, a befolyásos és népszerű Köszem állt. Oszmán pedig egyedül volt dajkájával és oktatójával ilyen jelentős emberek között a maga 13 évével. Dajkája bármennyire szerette volna és Oszmán bármenynire is igyekezett az anyáknak járó jogokkal kitüntetni, akkor sem válhatott elég befolyásossá, hogy érdemben segíthesse a herceget.

A vallási vezető, Seyhülislam Esad Efendi és a palota főeunuchja, Haci Musztafa Aga végül sikerrel győzték meg a népet, divant és katonaságot arról, hogy a legjobb döntés a legidősebb herceget, Musztafát a trónra ültetni, hiszen így végre megváltozhat a trónöröklés és örökre leszámolhatnak a testvérgyilkosság törvényével. Olybá tűnik, hogy Oszmán herceg ezt a döntést sosem bocsátotta meg a Seyhülislamnak és az eunuchnak.

Zavaros trónralépése

Keveset tudunk arról, hogy pontosan mi történt Musztafa rövid uralkodása alatt Oszmánnal. Annyi bizonyos, hogy fiú testvéreivel együtt ő is elzártan élt a Topkapi Palotában. Musztafa szultán teljesen alkalmatlan volt az uralkodásra, mentális betegsége egyre jobban elhatalmasodott rajta, így végül egyre többen kezdtek ellene szövetkezni. A korábban trónra juttatásán dolgozó Haci Musztafa Aga volt az, aki ismételten királycsináló szerepben akart tetszelegni. Musztafa Aga az egyik divan megbeszélés előtt bezárta lakrészébe a szultánt és azonnal Oszmán hercegért sietett és őt vezette be a divan elé, mint új szultánt. A puccs sikerült, Musztafát trónfosztották és elzárták, Oszmánból pedig szultán lett. Bár Haci Musztafa volt az, aki tulajdonképpen trónra juttatta Oszmánt, a herceg nem bocsátotta meg neki azt, hogy Ahmed halála után nem mellette állt és azonnal Egyiptomba száműzte az eunuchot, ahol néhány évvel később elhalálozott.

Oszmán végül 1618 február 26-án vált szultánná a már említett divan gyűlés alatt. Az új hagyományokhoz alkalmazkodva nem próbálta meg kioltani nagybátyja vagy testvérei életét. Természetesen azonban erre esélye sem lett volna, hiszen továbbra sem voltak befolyásos támogatói. Oszmán árvaként tulajdonképpen csak tanítójára hagyatkozhatott, Ömer Efendi azonban nem volt különösebben népszerű sem a divanban sem a nép köreiben. Oszmánnak muszáj volt mielőbb népszerűvé tenni magát és támogatókat szerezni.

Uralkodása

Oszmán első tevékenysége a bosszúhadjárat volt és a birodalom stabilizálására is tett törekvéseket. Haci Musztafa Aga száműzetésével egy időben a Seyhülislam jogköreit is leszűkítette (és nagyrészét átruházta tanítójára, Ömer Efendire), tevékenységét erősen korlátozta, amiért ő is Musztafa trónra juttatását támogatta 1617-ben. Hasonló sorsra jutott a korábbi nagyvezír Kayseriyeli Halil Pasa, a másodi vezír Sofu Mehmed Pasa is, akiket lefokozott. Bár Davud Pasa, Musztafa szultán sógora a teljes lefokozást megúszta, de pusztán rokoni kapcsolatai miatt Oszmán állandó jelleggel megkeserítette életét. Ezek a tevékenységek jól mutatják Oszmán korából adódó hiányosságait. Döntései inkább tűnnek egy sértett kamasz, hirtelen elhatározásának, mint megfontolt szultáni döntéseknek.

Szintén korából és árvaságából adódott, hogy naivan bedőlt a behízelgéseknek. Így lett végül a korábbi főtengernagy Güzelce Ali Pasa a nagyvezíre. Oszmán észre sem vette, hogy a Pasa tulajdonképpen helyette uralkodik, Oszmán szavai csupán Ali Pasa visszhangjaként csengtek. Güzelce Ali Pasa elérte azt is, hogy Oszmán oktatóját, az általa igen nagyra tartott és szeretett Ömer Efendit eltávolítsa a fővárosból. Ömer Efendi 1621 márciuásig nem térhetett vissza Mekkából, amikor is Güzelce Ali Pasa elhalálozott.

Eleinte Oszmán nem volt egyértelműen gyűlölt szultán, mert bár sokan nem kedvelték, a katonák még nem döntötték el, hogy kedvelik vagy sem. A katonáknak imponált, hogy Oszmán maga kíván hadjáratot vezetni, azonban tapasztalatlansága, fiatal kora és az erősen megüresedett kincstár árnyalta ezt a döntését is. A hadjáratra 1621 tavaszán terveztek elindulni. Oszmán azonban koránt sem érezte hatalmát elég szilárdnak ahhoz, hogy elhagyja a fővárost, miközben nála alig fitalabb öccse, a 16 éves Mehmed (Köszem fia) ott marad. Oszmán (vagy inkább támogatói) félt(ek), hogy távollétében Köszem szultána trónra juttatja Mehmed herceget. Erre megoldást jelenthetett volna, ha Oszmán magával viszi Mehmedet is a hadjáratra, azonban sokkal drasztikusabb megoldást választott. 1621 januárjában (éppen 400 évvel ezelőtt) kivégeztette Mehmedet. A testvérgyilkosság újraéledése erősen megrengette a birodalmat. Szinte kivétel nélkül mindenki elítélte, sőt volt, aki gyáva döntésnek titulálta az ártatlan herceg kivégzését. A gyilkosság előtt Oszmán természetesen kérte a Seyhülislam Esad Efendi engedélyét, mint ahogy ez minden ilyen kivégzésnél szükséges volt. Esad Efendi jogtalannak titulálta a kivégzést, megtagadta, hogy legalizálja azt, akárhogyan is erőszakoskodott Oszmán. Végül a szultán a második legmagasabb vallási előkelőséghez, a megvesztegethető Kemaleddin Efendihez ment, aki engedélyt adott a kivégzésre.

Tovább tetézte Oszmán baját, hogy egy mini jégkorszak köszöntött be ekkor, Isztambult 15 napi erős havazás sulytotta. A rendkívüli időjárás következtében több ezren meghaltak, a Boszporusz teljesen befagyott, gyalog át lehetett menni Beşiktaş és Üsküdar között. A nép egyértelműen Allah haragját látta az időjárási esemény mögött, úgy vélték Oszmánt kívánja így büntetni, amiért megölette ártatlan testvérét. Oszmán bűnössége Mehmed meggyilkolásában kétségtelen, azonban nem egyértelmű, hogy saját ötlete volt vagy valaki nyomására történt. Utóbbi verziót erősíti, hogy Oszmán maga trónralépése után rendszeresen látogatta Köszem szultánát a Régi Palotában, tehát igyekezett vele jó viszonyt ápolni, Köszem pedig igyekezett nem bosszantani az ifjú szultánt, hogy ezzel is óvja saját gyermekei életét.

Oszmán minden áron igyekezett magának támogatókat gyűjteni, akár kényszerrel is. Erre tett kísérletet akkor is, amikor a Seyhülislam Esad Efendi lányát apja nemtetszése ellenére feleségül vette 1621 márciusában. Akile Hatunon keresztül Oszmán úgy gondolta, magához láncolhatja a Seyhülislamot. Erre Mehmed herceg kivégzése után különösen nagy szüksége volt. Mások úgy vélik, Oszmán névrokonát, az Oszmán Ház alapítóját, I. Oszmánt kívánta utánozni, aki szintén egy müfti lányát vette feleségül. Házasságuk valószínűleg csupán politikai volt és Akile sosem lépett be a hárembe. Mások szerint a nászt elhálták és született két gyermekük is, Zeynep és Mustafa. Akárhogyan is ez a házasság szokatlan volt, hiszen a szultánok évszázadok óta nem házasodtak szabad asszonyokkal, különösen nem ilyen befolyásos családból valókkal. Bár Oszmán célja a házassággal hatalmának megszilárdítása volt, népszerűségét erősen csökkentette, hogy a hagyományoknak nem megfelelő módon kötött házasságot.

Híres hadjárata és a visszatérés

Oszmán utolsó reménye arra, hogy népszerű szultánjá váljon a hadjárata volt. 1621 tavaszán el is indult. Hadjárata célpontjául a Lengyel és Litván Királyságok területét választotta. Gyászoló fővárost és egy várandós ágyast hagyott hátra Isztambulba. Azt remélhette ekkor, hogy a gyász visszatéréséig enyhül, ágyasa pedig világra hozza majd örökösét, amely népszerűvé fogja őt tenni.

II. Oszmán személyesen vezette seregét, amely a 150 ezer főt is meghaladhatta. Igen vegyes összetételű sereg volt ez, hiszen mintegy 17 ezer tatár és 13 ezer havasalföldi és moldvai katona is volt az oszmán katonák mellett. Oszmán célja Khotin bevétele volt, amely könnyű célpontnak tűnt, hiszen csupán mintegy 65-70 ezer fős sereggel rendelekzett. Azonban az elképzelések ellenére, több, mint egy hónap és legalább hat próbálkozás után a vár továbbra sem esett el. Oszmán több rossz katonai döntés is hozott ekkor. Ezek legnagyobbika volt, hogy nem volt hajlandó elismerni a vereséget, miközben egyértelmű volt, hogy ha nem indulnak haza, nem fognak tudni a területen kitelelni. Ezzel pedig katonái életét is kockáztatta, ami nem növelte egyre csökkenő népszerűségét. Végül nagy nehézségek árán meggyőzték róla, hogy térjenek vissza a fővárosba.

1622 januárjában értek vissza a birodalom területére, ahol Oszmán úgy viselkedett, mint aki hatalmas győzelmet aratott. Ünnepségeket tartottak, győzelmi leveleket küldtek szét és igyekeztek Oszmán dicsőségét híresztelni, miközben a valóság egy igen csúfos vereség volt csupán és plusz egy hadiszíntér, melyet felügyelni kellett. Hazafelé tartva Oszmán Edirnében időzött egy keveset, ahová alig négy hónapos kifiát és annak anyját, Meyl-i Şaht (vagy Ayşét) is magához hívatta. Oszmán, hogy dicsőségét fényezze, hatalmas játékokat rendelt el, ahol bemutatta a hadjárat egyes pontjait. Ezen játékok során beöltözött katonák valódi fegyvereket használva imitálták a csatát. Oszmán, Meyl-i Şah (vagy Ayşe) és gyermekük, Ömer herceg is részt vett ezen az ünnepségen, mely végül tragédiába torkollott. Máig tisztázatlanok a részletek, az azonban bizonyos, hogy Ömer herceg 1622 januárjában, Edirnében, az ünnepség során életét vesztette. A négy hónapos gyermek egyes beszámolók szerint sokkot kapott a dördülő ágyúk és fegyverek hangjától és megállt a szíve, mások szerint pedig egy eltévedt golyó okozta a herceg halálát.

A vég napjai

Oszmán a sikertelen hadjárat után csak még népszerűtlenebb lett, emellett sokan őt okolták fia halála miatt is. Oszmán pedig minden bizonnyal a gyermek anyját, Meyl-i Şaht (vagy Ayşét), ugyanis nem engedte neki, hogy visszatérjen vele Isztambulba. A gyermek anyja a beszámolók szerint egy ideig (mások szerint végleg) Edirnében maradt száműzetésbe, később a Régi Palotában élt. Máig nem tudni biztosan, hogy Ömer édesanyja Ayşe vagy Meyl-i Şah volt. Ayşe volt, aki a Haszeki rangot viselte, ez arra utalna, hogy ő volt a gyermek anyja, ám ez nem bizonyos.

Oszmán a fővárosba visszatérve a janicsárokat és más katonai alakulatokat kezdte hibáztatni a hadjáraton elért vereség miatt. Álruhába bújva embereivel a kávézókat járta, ahol kifigyelte mely katonai vezetők vannak jelen és mondanak rosszat róla, majd megbüntette őket. Oszmán felismerte azt is, milyen veszélyes társaság a janicsároké, emiatt, a fő fekete eunuch, Szulejmán aga tanácsára Oszmán Anatóliai törzsekkel kívánta megreformálni a hadsereget és a janicsároktól örökre meg kívánt szabadulni. Pletykák ugyan hosszasan keringtek erről, bizonyíték sokáig nem volt. Aztán azonban, 1622 tavaszán fokozatosan kerültek ki bizonyítékok kiadott parancsokról. Ezen parancsok alapján tényleg olybá tűnt, hogy Oszmán a hadsereget meg akarja reformálni, sőt még a fővárost is át kívánja helyezni Kairóba, Bursába vagy Damaszkuszba. Miután terve kiderült a Seyhülislam Esad Efendi és Dilaver Pasa, a nagyvezír igyekeztek meggyőzni a szultánt, hogy hagyjon fel szándékaival. Oszmán azonban Szulejmán Agára hallgatva nem volt hajlandó letenni terveiről.

Az év májusában már mindenki számára nyilvánvaló volt, hogy Oszmán Anatóliába akart indulni. Hivatalosan az utazást azzal magyarázták, hogy Anatólián keresztül Mekkába szándékozik menni zarándoklatra. A valóság azonban minden bizonnyal az volt, hogy a hozzá hűséges Anatóliai beglerbégek és törzsek segítségével új hadseregét létrehozza, majd velük visszatérve leszámoljon a janicsárokkal. Az egyébként is tüzes janicsároknak ez bőven elég volt és lázadást kezdtek. A janicsárok és a köznép először a Hippodrom téren gyülekeztek majd a Topkapi Palotához masíroztak. Többek között a nagyvezír, a fő fekete eunuch, Szulejmán Aga és Oszmán tanítója, Ömer Efendi halálát követelték. Oszmánt egyre többen figyelemztették a helyzet súlyosságára, azonban nem vette komolyan a fenyegetéseket és megtagadta, hogy kiadja a kért embereket. Mivel Oszmánt még a palotán belül sem igazán támogatták, a janicsárok kérésére a kapu őrök azonnal átengedték őket, vérontás nélkül. A janicsárok célja a betöréssel az volt, hogy Musztafa személyében újra a trónra ültessék régi szultánjukat. A tény, hogy az egyszer már alkalmatlannak bélyegzett Musztafát akarták trónra ültetni, több dologra is utal. Egyrészt jól mutatja, Oszmán mennyire népszerűtlen volt, ha egy mentálisan beteg embert is alkalmasabbnak tartottak nála; másrészt valószínűsíti, hogy a janicsárokat befolyásos erők is támogatták, mint például Halime Sultan, Musztafa édesanyja; de a lázadás megmutatta azt is, hogy a janicsárokkal senki sem packázhatott követkemények nélkül.

Miután Oszmán tudomást szerzett róla, hogy Musztafa a felkelők kezében van és végre megértette a helyzet súlyosságát beleegyezett, hogy kiadja a nagyvezírt és Szulejmán Agát, akiket a csőcselék azonnal meglincselt. Oszmán új nagyvezíre tanácsára úgy próbálta menteni helyzetét, hogy találkozót beszélt meg a janicsárok vezetőivel, akiknek pénzt akart osztani, ezzel lefizetve őket. Ezzel azonban Oszmán csak tovább bőszítette a janicsárokat. A szultán álruhában a janicsár vezetőkhöz ment, ahol azonban a lázadók leleplezték. A vele együtt lévő és a szultán parancsát végrehajtani szándékozó Ali Agát a csőcselék azonnal kivégezte és a szintén jelenlévő új nagyvezír is hasonlóan végezte. A szultánt egy kocsiban hurcolták körbe a fővárosban, koszos ruhákat ráadva, megfosztva attól, hogy fején bármit viseljen. Egy szpáhi katona megsajnálta a fedetlen fejű szultánt és saját turbánjával takarta el fejét. A szultánt a katonák és a csőcselék megdobálta, ütötte. Oszmán végül könnyekben tört ki a megaláztatástól. Különböző leírások és legendák maradtak hátra az Oszmánt ért megaláztatásokról, azonban a leghitelesebb korabeli forrásként használt Peçevi például megtagadta, hogy részleteket írjon, mert úgy vélte "ezek olyan dolgok, melyek nem illendők a tollnak, hogy leírja és nem illendők a nyelvnek, hogy elmondja".

Utolsó órák

Oszmánt a hosszas tortúra után a janicsárok mecsetjéhez vitték, ahol az új szultán, Musztafa, annak anyja, Halime és sógora, Davud Pasa is jelen voltak. Oszmán éveken át keserítette meg Davud Pasa életét, aki mindezért bosszút kívánt állni. Hasonló ellenszenvvel viseltetett ellene Halime Sultan is. Épp emiatt Davud hamarosan egy zsineggel és embereivel látogatta meg Oszmánt és megpróbálták kivégezni őt. Végül azonban a janicsár vezetők nem engedték Oszmán kivégzését, hiszen egy volt szultán mecsetben történő meggyilkolása sok volt számukra is. Halime és Davud is próbálták meggyőzni őket arról, hogy ha itt és most nem végeznek vele, könnyen lehet, hogy végül felülkerekedik rajtuk és mindannyiukat kivégezteti. Nem sikerült azonban meggyőzniük a janicsárok vezetőit. Így végül Oszmánt a Yedikule börtönbe vitették át, majd ott szultáni engedéllyel megfojtották.

A legenda szerint Oszmán olyan erősen küzdött, hogy a kivégőzi (Davuddal az élen) ezt megelégelve összeverték, intim területeire különös figyelmet fordítva, majd a magatehetetlen szultánt megfojtották. Halála után testét megcsonkították, fülét lemetszették, hogy ezt bemutatva bionyítsák Halime Sultannak, hogy Oszmán valóban meghalt. A meggyilkolt szultánt végül apja, Ahmed szultán mecsetkompelxumában temették el, apja szarkofágjának lábához. 1622 május 20-án este, 17 és fél éves korában érte a halál. Ő volt az első szultán, akit kivégeztek és az első olyan dinasztia tagján végrehajtott kivégzés volt ez, ahol az áldozatot különös brutalitással ölték meg, majd még meg is csonkították.

Brutális halálához sok tényező is hozzájárulhatott. Oszmán kamasz volt, megfelelő tapasztalat nélkül, túl fiatalon került hatalomra. Igaz, I. Ahmed is hasonló korú volt, mikor uralkodni kezdett, ám mögötte ott állt édesanyja, és nem volt helyette más örökös. Oszmán mögött nem állt szinte senki és több vetélytársa is volt. Emellett Ahmed tanácsadói és ő maga is megfelelő politikai érzékkel rendelkeztek, így alkalmasak voltak arra, hogy a helyzeteket jól alakítsák, ezzel elnyerve az emberek szeretetét. Oszmán azonban hibát hibára halmozva folyamatosan csak veszített amúgy sem túlzott népszerűségéből. Volt egy másik tényező is, ami a tragikus véghez segítette hozzá Oszmánt. Több korabeli forrás is beszámolt arról, hogy a szultán igen egyszerűen öltözködött és gyakran viselkedett úgy mint a köznép. Ezzel pedig megszűnt szinte isteni, csodált teremtménynek lenni, amit az emberek a szultántól vártak. Oszmán trónfosztása után még az őrült Musztafát is jobban tudta tisztelni a nép, hiszen a régi-új szultán igazán fennségesen, csodálatosan festett díszes ruháiban, szemben Oszmánnal, aki korabeli beszámolók alapján néha szinte úgy nézett ki, mint egy "csavargó". Oszmán tehát kora, saját természete és a körülmények áldozata lett. Oszmán felett könnyű ítélkezni, hiszen laikusok számára is egyértelműek hibái, azonban ne felejtsük el, hogy Oszmán nem volt más, csak egy hiszékeny, árva kamasz, aki rossz döntéseket hozott és rossz embereknek hitt.

Felhasznált források: G. Piterberg, An Ottoman Tragedy: History and Historiography at Play; F. Ciçek - An Examination of Daily Politics and Factionalism at the Ottoman Imperial Court in relation to the Regicide of Osman II (r. 1618-1622); C. Finkel - Osman’s Dream: the History of the Ottoman Empire; Y. Öztuna - Sultan Genç Osman ve Sultan IV. Murad; N. Sakaoğlu - Bu Mülkün Kadın Sultanları; B. Tezcan - The Debut of Kösem Sultan’s Political Career; G. Börekçi - A Queen Mother at Work: On Handan Sultan and Her Regency during the Early Reign of Ahmed I; L. Peirce - The imperial harem; G. Börekçi - Factions and favourites at the courts of Sultan Ahmed I (r. 1603-17) and his immediate predecessors; S. Faroqhi - The Ottoman Empire and the World; C. Imber - The Ottoman Empire 1300-1650; F. Suraiya, K. Fleet - The Cambridge History of Turkey 1453-1603; F. Suraiya - The Cambridge History of Turkey, The Later Ottoman Empire, 1603–1839

[kdram-chjh]

Cdrama: Rise from the Ashes (2024)

Full Version | The sweet and painful forbidden love with fake uncle | [Rise From the Ashes 小亭台]

Watch this video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClkYG8FK6pM

[thatbrightboy]

a bit of a read about homosexuality in Ancient Rome from Wikipedia because look, i’m a weak ass bitch for historical stuff like this and i love to incorporate it into my writing. these are kind of ‘cherry picked’ from the full page because i merely paste here what is relevant to robin. at the end you can find my own notes about this post.

here is part 2.

trigger warnings for (the mention of) pedophilia and rape.

Homosexuality in ancient Rome

Homosexuality in ancient Rome often differs markedly from the contemporary West. Latin lacks words that would precisely translate "homosexual" and "heterosexual". The primary dichotomy of ancient Roman sexuality was active / dominant / masculine and passive / submissive / feminine. Roman society was patriarchal, and the freeborn male citizen possessed political liberty (libertas) and the right to rule both himself and his household (familia). "Virtue" (virtus) was seen as an active quality through which a man (vir) defined himself. The conquest mentality and "cult of virility" shaped same-sex relations. Roman men were free to enjoy sex with other males without a perceived loss of masculinity or social status, as long as they took the dominant or penetrative role. Acceptable male partners were slaves and former slaves, prostitutes, and entertainers, whose lifestyle placed them in the nebulous social realm of infamia, excluded from the normal protections accorded a citizen even if they were technically free. Although Roman men in general seem to have preferred youths between the ages of 12 and 20 as sexual partners, freeborn male minors were off limits at certain periods in Rome, though professional prostitutes and entertainers might remain sexually available well into adulthood.

Male-male sex

Roles

A man or boy who took the "receptive" role in sex was variously called cinaedus, pathicus, exoletus, concubinus (male concubine), spintria ("analist"), puer ("boy"), pullus ("chick"), pusio, delicatus (especially in the phrase puer delicatus, "exquisite" or "dainty boy"), mollis ("soft", used more generally as an aesthetic quality counter to aggressive masculinity), tener ("delicate"), debilis ("weak" or "disabled"), effeminatus, discinctus ("loose-belted"), pisciculi, spinthriae, and morbosus ("sick"). As Amy Richlin has noted, "'gay' is not exact, 'penetrated' is not self-defined, 'passive' misleadingly connotes inaction" in translating this group of words into English.

Concubinus

Some Roman men kept a male concubine (concubinus, "one who lies with; a bed-mate") before they married a woman. Eva Cantarella has described this form of concubinage as "a stable sexual relationship, not exclusive but privileged". Within the hierarchy of household slaves, the concubinus seems to have been regarded as holding a special or elevated status that was threatened by the introduction of a wife. The relationship with a concubinus might be discreet or more open: male concubines sometimes attended dinner parties with the man whose companion they were. Martial even suggests that a prized concubinus might pass from father to son as an especially coveted inheritance. A military officer on campaign might be accompanied by a concubinus. Like the catamite or puer delicatus, the role of the concubine was regularly compared to that of Ganymede, the Trojan prince abducted by Jove (Greek Zeus) to serve as his cupbearer.

Pathicus

Pathicus was a "blunt" word for a male who was penetrated sexually. It derived from the unattested Greek adjective pathikos, from the verb paskhein, equivalent to the Latin deponent patior, pati, passus, "undergo, submit to, endure, suffer". The English word "passive" derives from the Latin passus. His sexuality was not defined by the gender of the person using him as a receptacle for sex, but rather his desire to be so used. Because in Roman culture a man who penetrates another adult male almost always expresses contempt or revenge, the pathicus might be seen as more akin to the sexual masochist in his experience of pleasure. He might be penetrated orally or anally by a man or by a woman with a dildo, but showed no desire for penetrating nor having his own penis stimulated. He might also be dominated by a woman who compels him to perform cunnilingus.

Puer delicatus

(pedophilia mention)

The puer delicatus was an "exquisite" or "dainty" child-slave chosen by his master for his beauty as a "boy toy", also referred to as deliciae ("sweets" or "delights"). Unlike the freeborn Greek eromenos ("beloved"), who was protected by social custom, the Roman delicatus was in a physically and morally vulnerable position. Some of the "coercive and exploitative" relationship between the Roman master and the delicatus, who might be prepubescent, can be characterized as pedophilic, in contrast to Greek paiderasteia. ( The boy was sometimes castrated in an effort to preserve his youthful qualities.)

Pullus

Pullus was a term for a young animal, and particularly a chick. It was an affectionate word traditionally used for a boy (puer) who was loved by someone "in an obscene sense".

Pusio

Pusio is etymologically related to puer, and means "boy, lad". It often had a distinctly sexual or sexually demeaning connotation. Juvenal indicates the pusio was more desirable than women because he was less quarrelsome and would not demand gifts from his lover.

Male-male rape

(rape mention)

Roman law addressed the rape of a male citizen as early as the 2nd century BC, when it was ruled that even a man who was "disreputable and questionable" (famosus, related to infamis, and suspiciosus) had the same right as other free men not to have his body subjected to forced sex. The rapist was subject to execution, a rare penalty in Roman law. Men who had been raped were exempt from the loss of legal or social standing suffered by those who submitted their bodies to use for the pleasure of others; a male prostitute or entertainer was infamis and excluded from the legal protections extended to citizens in good standing. As a matter of law, a slave could not be raped; he was considered property and not legally a person. The slave's owner, however, could prosecute the rapist for property damage.

Same-sex relations in the military

(rape mention)

The Roman soldier, like any free and respectable Roman male of status, was expected to show self-discipline in matters of sex. Augustus (reigned 27 BC – 14 AD) even prohibited soldiers from marrying, a ban that remained in force for the Imperial army for nearly two centuries. Other forms of sexual gratification available to soldiers were prostitutes of any gender, male slaves, war rape, and same-sex relations. Sex among fellow soldiers, however, violated the Roman decorum against intercourse with another freeborn male. A soldier maintained his masculinity by not allowing his body to be used for sexual purposes.

————————————————————————————————————————

(pedophilia mention)

In my personal view, Robin within the classic verse has been put to use for sexual favours for both his male and female masters. And this has been since he was probably around 13 years of age up until the age I currently play him as (which is ALWAYS 21/22 years old). He generally does not speak of it because it isn’t appropriate to, but this means that while in his default verse he always starts out as a virgin, this is not the case for this verse. I will not paint him as an expert on what he does for this verse, because he is not and most of his experiences have been very passive and with that I mostly mean literally sack-of-potatoes-passive. This is because the use of his body for these ends was for the pleasure of his masters and not for his own.

Since Robin is a slave and thus has no significant social standing, the fact that he takes the passive role is frowned upon but not scandalous. His female master might have tried for him to be a penetrator but it never happened, and no doubt it was an ongoing joke/mockery in his original household.

All the different roles mentioned above (concubinus, pathicus, puer delicatus, pullus and pusio) are either all basically applicable to his role in his households, or only one or a few are.

It must be said that Robin was always regarded as a beautiful boy and that very much played a part in his relationship with sex. He has gained certain privileges with this, but also a place in his household and a reputation, and it has left very little room for doubt on whether he is a dominant or submissive part of a sexual relationship. Which, again, isn’t seen as very desirable for a man. Even if Robin came out of servitude, this would always be an issue.

All that said, I do play him as very much in favour with his masters. He is good at the things he does (writing, reading, cleaning, playing some musical instruments & entertaining) and in a general sense, he will probably serve one household from birth until death unless he switches hands legally, or if he is set free by a master, which is not common.

Sex between Robin and other slaves (which could be house slaves or for example gladiators or entertainers) is not common and not usually encouraged, but it is a service he provides if his master so wishes. And he has probably been loaned away to help the war-effort, if you catch my drift.

I also keep the option of castration open, but I will elaborate on that in a different post.

[innerpalaces]

THE PRINCESS WEI YANG - 163 PART 2

CHAPTER 163: Death In The Night

When Li Wei Yang heard this, she suddenly laughed: "Consort Lian, do you want to imitate Empress Dowager Zhang?"

Empress Dowager Zhang was the concubine of Emperor Qing, the third emperor of the previous dynasty. After the death of Emperor Qing, Empress Dowager Zhang's three-year-old son He Di came to the throne. Because he was too young, the affairs of the government were entirely in the hands of Empress Dowager Zhang.

In the history books Li Wei Yang had read, Empress Dowager Zhang was described as a narrow-minded, selfish and mean woman who was bent on usurping the throne. In order to monopolize power, she didn't hesitate to slaughter dozens of noble families and thousands of people who were suspected of rebellion. However, in Li Wei Yang's view, Empress Dowager Zhang was smart, decisive, cautious, and adept at political maneuvering. She always used a heavy hand and heavy punishment to control the ministers, forcing them to demonstrate deep loyalty to her in order to avoid being persecuted.

It is precisely because this woman is so powerful that when He Di grew up, he was tossed between his paternal and maternal relatives and he suffered endlessly because of their fighting. After he took the throne, he wanted to changes things, dismissing many people who were favored by Empress Dowager Zhang and tried to re-appoint and promote some people who were dissatisfied with the Empress Dowager to become his confidants. At first, Empress Dowager Zhang felt unhappy with what Emperor He did, but after all, Emperor He was her biological son, so she didn't act immediately. However, after Emperor He killed one of the Empress Dowager's brothers, Empress Dowager Zhang finally decided to punish this disobedient son. She invited Emperor He to a banquet and when he arrived at the palace of the Empress Dowager, he was ambushed and captured, and was forcibly placed under house arrest. After that, Empress Dowager Zhang ruled on behalf of the emperor for twenty years, and for a time she had complete power over the imperial court and the opposition.

Consort Lian heard the words "Empress Dowager Zhang", and a glimmer of light flashed in her eyes, as if her thoughts had been seen through, and there was a hint of embaressment on her face: "You--" She paused for a moment, thinking that lying in front of Li Weiyang was useless, so she whispered, "That's right. And if you support me, I can also help you, no?"

Li Wei Yang said leisurely: "It is not impossible to assist the little prince to ascend the throne, but there is only one way."

Consort Lian seemed to have suddenly lost her goal since her revenge was completed, but when she looked the little prince later, she suddenly had an idea. If her son could take the throne, wouldn't she also be able to control the power of Dali? When the time comes, she can re-establish tombstones for her royal father, mother, and relatives, restore her family's name, and return to her true identity as Murong Xin. This is simply the best thing!

Furthermore, she is now at the height of her power, The Emperor is in decline, the Crown Prince has been deposed, and the two brothers Tuoba Zhen and Tuoba Yu are fighting to the death. Although the situation is chaotic, as long as she seized the opportunity, there is hope. Of course, she understood her own limits. Trying to snatch the throne from the two adult princes was tantamount to snatching food from a tiger's mouth. The only way is to wait until they fight to the death and find a way to profit from it... But the premise is that she must get Li Wei Yang's support. Hearing Li Weiyang's words, she was filled with joy, and said: "What is it? If it succeeds, I can promise you everything you want!"

She was so impatient that she seemed completely different from the cautious Consort Lian in the past. Li Wei Yang smiled and looked at her, her voice soft and without any emotion: "If you die."

Those three words caught her off guard made Consort Lian calm down as quickly as if a basin of cold water being had poured on her. Her heart was shocked. She opened her mouth but was unable to utter a single word. After a long time, she forced out a sound and calmly said, "If you don't want to help me, forget it. Why would you say such a thing!"

The smile on Li Wei Yang's face gradually faded, she stared at her and said: "Concubian Lian, you and I are friends, so I'll tell you the truth. If you show any intention of wanting the little prince to ascend the throne in front of His Majesty, or if you let others spy on your thoughts, you will only end up dead."

All of the blood left Consort Lian's beautiful face as she realized that Li Wei Yang was neither laughing at her wishful thinking nor joking, but was seriously warning her.

Li Wei Yang's faint smile spread across her lips, and her words were very clear: "I know you must be thinking in your heart that with the favor you have from His Majesty, there must be a way to persuade him, right? Or, you hope that both Tuoba Zhen and Tuoba Yu will be harmed, and your son can profit from it - but if one day His Majesty really wants the young prince to ascend the throne, the first thing he will do is to kill the mother and keep the son. "

Consort Lian's expression changed and she said, "What did you say?"

"If the young prince succeeds to the throne at a young age, then the power will inevitably fall into the hands of you, his mother. You are too young, and also female, so you will definitely need the help of your relatives. I know that you are the orphan of the Murong family, but aside from the main branch the Murong family also has side branchs. When you arrived in Dali from your hometown alone, you would not have been able to survive without the help of these people. If your son ascends the throne, you will definitely find ways to rely on them in order to protect yourself and him. In this way, one day there will be a huge number of imperial relatives, which will definitely have a great impact on the Tuoba family. Even if none of your relatives are left, how can the Emperor be sure that you, being so young and beautiful, will not rely on powerful officials and allow them to seize too much control? His Majesty would be too concerned about these things to let you live! As soon as you die, this potential hidden danger will disappear." Li Wei Yang said unhurriedly.

Consort Lian couldn't help but shudder strangely: "That is impossible. The little prince is so young. If there are no relatives around him, how can he survive in the palace?!"

Li Wei Yang never moved her gaze from the other party, her eyes very bright: "There are many high-ranking concubines in the palace who have no children——"

Consort Lian expression turned very ugly. Three of the four Consort positions were currently vacant. (t/n: Although the emperor would have many concubines and consorts, the harem had a very firm heirarchy. In most dynasties, beneath the Empress there would be the 4 Primary Consorts: Noble Consort, Pure Consort, Virtuous Consort, and Able Consort. In the absense of an Empress or if the Empress was ill, these consorts would take charge of the harem. Tuoba Zhen's adopted mother was the Able Consort and Tuoba Yu's mother was the Virtuous Consort before they died, which is why they had so much power.) The Emperor successively mentioned two concubines for promotion who were older and had been in the palace for a long time, one was Concubine Jing and the other was Concubine Kang, but they both had the same specific characteristics: they were very senior in the palace, but they were not favored and had no heirs. She said slowly: "Since he killed the biological mother, how can he give the child to an adoptive mother but not be afraid of these adopted relatives?"

Li Wei Yang smiled faintly: "If someone else raises this child, they are still outsiders with no blood ties. Even if this adoptive mother becomes the Empress Dowager, she can only enjoy a moment of power. What about ten years later? What about twenty years later?" From time to time, the good feeling between adopted mother and son sometimes fades. In the final analysis, Consort Lian does not understand that the so-called 'killing the mother and keeping the son' is not to guard against the mother herself, but the son. What is calculated is not family affection, but the human heart!

Consort Lian's face turned green and white, and Li Wei Yang smiled slightly. Without saying anything more, she knew that Consort Lian was actually a very smart woman, and she should understand what she meant. Instead of pursuing a castle in the air, it is better to grasp the situation in front of you and win a stable period of wealth for yourself and the little prince. The reason why Consort Lian had such an illusion was entirely because of the Emperor's love for her, but she had never really understood the Emperor at all. When he was happy, he treated her as a rare plaything and took care of her in every possible way; when there was a conflict, he would have no choice but to sacrifice her! Failure to see this clearly is just asking for death.

Consort Lian pondered for a long time, and finally understood. She sighed softly, her eyes flickered towards Li Wei Yang, a trace of dimness flashed in her eyes, and she whispered softly: "Thank you very much for reminding me, otherwise I would really get into trouble because of my complacency." She paused, "However, we must still eliminate the Third Prince by the root."

Li Wei Yang said lightly: "Of course I understand this."

Consort Lian sighed deeper, but she didn't know if it was for herself or something else.

When they returned to Cheng Fu Palace, everyone was surprised to see Lian Fei and Li Weiyang come back. Although they didn't know what had happened, they could not help but be more confused as they watched Consort Rou and the Ninth Princess leave one by one. After Li Wei Yang came back, she nodded slightly to Mrs. Sun. Mrs. Sun understood and returned her greeting.

Consort Lian walked to the front of the crowd, taking her own place, and knelt down again, continuing to mourn and cry. She looked like pear blossoms in the clear rain, so beautiful that people couldn't bear to look away. But at the same time, her expression made it seem as if nothing had happened. Li Weiyang smiled faintly. From the looks of it, it seemed that Consort Lian had already understood things.

After another half an hour, Tuoba Zhen and Princess Anguo came back as if nothing had happened. The Emperor gave them permission to return to the palace after attending the funeral, which meant that once they returned, they would face the fate of being imprisoned, and naturally they would not be too happy. However, Tuoba Zhen's face was calm, and he didn't look frustrated at all. Li Wei Yang could not help but admire him.

In this world, those who can truly supress their emotions and anger are either born with paralyzed muscles or have deep scheming minds. Most people can't help but behave strangely when faced with a huge blow, just like Princess Anguo's eyes full of hatred, but Tuoba Zhen didn't even look in this direction, as if he didn't care about it at all!

It's not that Li Wei Yang is unhappy about winning, it's just that when she wins, she only feels happy when she sees the other party crying or showing pain. It's a pity that these two expressions can't be found on Tuoba Zhen's face! This person is so elusive!

In the next three days, everything ended smoothly. When Old Madam Li left the palace, she felt dizzy and needed the support of Li Wei Yang and Jiang Yuelan to get into the carriage. It was really painful to be unable to eat meat for three days and have only vegetarian food, while also having to look extremely sad. Not to mention elderly and frail people like Old Madam Li, even Li Wei Yang's face was slightly pale.

Back at Li Mansion, it was already a dark night. There was some chirping of birds coming from the corridor outside the house, and Li Wei Yang felt a little dazed. In the silence, she could only smell a faint, heart-cleansing fragrance. Listen carefully, in addition to the chirping of birds, there seems to be the sound of night wind outside the window. A gentle cough suddenly sounded, which was a signal that there was a message.

Li Wei Yang smiled slightly. Knowing that the time had come, she opened the curtain and got out of bed, casually put on a coat, walked outside, and as expected saw Zhao Yue.

Zhao Yue whispered: "Miss, everything has been arranged."

Li Wei Yang nodded and put on all her clothes. When she turned around, she saw Zhao Yue looking like she was hesitating to speak.

Li Wei Yang didn't ask her, but patiently lit the candle and sat at the table, as if waiting for something. After a long while, Zhao Yue coughed lightly and said, "Miss, before you came back, the Third Young Master came in person twice to ask us to send someone to tell him when you came back."

Li Wei Yang was startled, but her tone was a little careless: "When we came back, the gatehouse was alerted, so he'll know about it. There is no need to send someone to tell him."

"The third young master seems to be very worried -" Zhao Yue said tentatively.

There was faint fire in Li Wei Yang's eyes, but her face was extremely calm, as if she had no reaction to this sentence: "I just went to the palace, there is nothing to worry about." Li Wei Yang slowly swirled her teacup, causing the water in it to spill out slightly.

Zhao Yue quickly went up and poured her a fresh cup of tea again. Then she said: "Miss, will they definitely come?"

Li Wei Yang just smiled, and there was a small flame in her dark eyes, which soon dissipated without a trace: "They will come." She deliberately angered Princess Anguo. If those people don't come today, either Princess Anguo has changed her temper, or she suddenly changed her ways. But - how could such a narrow-minded and selfish woman change so easily?

Zhao Yue blurted out: "What if our plan fails?"

Li Wei Yang seemed to have not heard anything, and just said lightly: "There are no such thing as if, it must succeed, and there is only this one chance."

"If the Third Young Master helps, the plan will go more smoothly." Zhao Yue said, raising her eyes and looking at Li Wei Yang: "Miss, why are you hiding from the Third Young Master?"

The topic returned to its original point. Li Wei Yang's hand could not help but squeeze the teacup tightly, but there was only a slight smile on his face, but the smile seemed to be infected with cold air: "What do you want to say? Didn't your true master want me to stay as far away from Minde as possible? Didn't he give you an order to get rid of me too if necessary? "

Zhao Yue's heart jumped suddenly, she lowered her face and said softly: "I don't know what the young lady is talking about..."

"No need to act in front of me! He will definitely seperate Minde and me, because he is his most beloved son, the only child born to the one woman he has ever loved. How can he see him living outside like this?" Li Wei Yang said lightly, as if talking to herself, but there was a bitter taste in her mouth. How could Zhao Yue understand the reluctance and sadness in her heart?! How could she bear to let Minde stay with her and trap him in this life?! She tried every possible means to avoid him, just to make him give up. It was best to go back to Yuexi immediately! The situation here will not get better, it will only get worse. What good will it do if Minde is involved in this muddy water?!

Zhao Yue only had a calm face, but her heart was already turbulent. Her vision slowly became a little blurry under the dim light. Then, she slowly said: "I know that the young lady is cold on the outside and warm on the inside. In the past, this slave girl always stayed with the young lady to complete my task, but when King Yan almost killed this slave girl and the lady took revenge for this slave girl, this slave girl made up my mind that I would never leave the young lady's side again in this life. Today, this slave girl is definitely not saying this for the sake of the third young master, but for the sake of the young lady."

The wind outside the window became louder and louder. Li Wei Yang held her breath for a moment. She looked at Zhao Yue in front of her. The other person's expression was so serious. Although Li Wei Yang never really regarded her as one of her own, Zhao Yue always stood by her side silently, and carried out every order she gave unswervingly. After being silent for a long time, Li Wei Yang looked slightly relaxed and smiled faintly: "Thank you very much, Zhao Yue." But what to do? I have already made up my mind.

Zhao Yue was thoughtful, and while they were talking, she suddenly pulled out the soft sword from her waist. At that moment, she abruptly sensed a danger. The danger was getting closer and closer, giving her a trembling feeling all over. She had also had this feeling when she first met the scarred man next to Anguo. The pressure was getting stronger and stronger. She smiled coldly, and suddenly her whole body was filled with murderous aura: "Miss, they are coming!"

The whole yard was extremely quiet, and the owner seemed to be asleep. The leader Jing Zhe observed for a while, then made a gentle gesture, and all four of them jumped into the yard. Their steps are very light, so light that no one will notice them. Before following Princess Anguo, Jing Zhe had planned hundreds of assassinations. The most thrilling one was when he led seventeen secret guards to ambush the rebel general Tang Di, killing more than 500 people in one night. Tang Di took the remaining men and horses fled in panic. They pursued Tang Di forcefully and backed him into the trap that had been set. As a result, more than 3,000 people were wiped out. From then on, he was carefully selected by Empress Pei and placed next to Princess Anguo.

The imperial army was guarding the Third Prince's house, but Jing Zhe and the other four people had been secretly protecting them outside the residence. After receiving the message, the first thing they did was to execute the order. Princess Anguo arrived in Dali, and for the first time she solemnly gave him an order to kill Li Wei Yang, the Princess Anping. This request is too bold. Although the princess has always been willful, she has never been so angry and even ignored the possible consequences of Li Wei Yang's death. This shows that Anguo has been driven crazy.

Although the Li family is heavily guarded, for Jing Zhe killing Li Wei Yang is as easy as stretching out his hand! Sure enough, he came in from the back door of Li Mansion, killed more than twenty guards, and entered the inner house practically unimpeded... Jing Zhe sneered, and with a flick of his long sword, the door creaked open and he walked in. He saw a person in the hall sitting with their back to him, seemingly reading a book with their head lowered. They were wearing clothes embroidered with peonies in gold and silver threads, rich and beautiful. Looking at the back, this person was undoubtedly the owner of the room. This task is really too simple! Jing Zhe cut off the woman's head with a swipe of his sword. However, there was no scream or blood. The figure fell to the ground with a plop. Her clothes and wig fell to the ground, revealing a beautifully dressed scarecrow. The golden straw emitted a strange black smoke under the candlelight. Jing Zhe took half a step back in surprise, quickly covered his nose, and said sternly: "There is an ambush, quickly run!"

Jing Zhe and the other four had just run into the courtyard when they heard a "ding" sound, followed by a scream. It turned out to be a steel arrow, which had nailed one of them to the door! Jing Zhe said angrily: "Quickly retreat!" At this moment, the second and third arrows were shot from nowhere. Each arrow was shining with a faint blue light. It was obvious that it was poisonous. Jing Zhe and the rest were very skilled. If it was a sword or spear, they would be able to easily fight against one hundred enemies. However, they couldn't see any enemies. They could only hear countless cold arrows shooting directly towards them.

Jing Zhe had only assassinated others in his life, and had never been treated like a turtle caught in an urn. He was furious at that moment. He danced with his long sword like a tiger, trying to find an exit as soon as possible to break out. However, the arrows were as dense as locusts and were extremely powerful. It actually shot the green bricks under his feet to pieces. With a "pop", an arrow shot into his shoulder, causing blood to splash everywhere. Jing Zhe grunted, leaving the other three people behind, and took the lead to rush to the wall amidst the dense rain of arrows! The long arrow followed and penetrated the tiles. There were whistling sounds, stirring up countless debris. Another arrow hit his back. His body trembled, and his movement was suddenly blocked. He had already reached the top of the wall. He had a chance to break out, but in an instant, he fell heavily from the high wall to the ground.

It was unimaginable for an expert of his generation to be able to overturned like this——

In the darkness, a cold voice rang out like a flower blooming in the night: "I want to live."

－－－－－－Digression－－－－－

Editor: People say that your heroine is omnipotent and that she is too smart to be human.

Xiao Qin: She was not a human in the first place, just an evil ghost crawling out of the cold palace. 

[valdsforest]

“The Wife is First” Novel Chapters Outline Book 1

SPOILERS BELOW!

Incomplete / Work in Progress

[Back to Main Page]

Book 1 (Chapter 1- 39)

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Arcs:

Jing Shao's Reincarnation

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1: Despair and Rebirth 

Jing Shao escaped prison with an injured Mu Han Zhang/Jun Qing on horseback and fleeing from the pursuers.

On a edge of a cliff JS asks JQ, if JQ has ever resent JS for everything that happen to him.

JQ answers back with, how could he have not, everything that. However JQ never could blame JS for it.

JQ dies in JS arms and JS vows that if there is an afterlife, he will spend his entire life to make it up for JQ.

JS jumps down the cliff with JQ in his arms before JS waking up in bed with a bruised JQ laying next to him with half-covered torn red robes.

Note: Some lore about the Social Structure of the Royal family.

2: Reparations

JS look at his journey to confirm if he reborned/time has turned back to his 19yo self.

JS helps JQ to bath and JS treated JQ’s wounds/bruises.

JS decides to take the outside of the bed and both went to sleep.

3: Well Matched (in Marriage)

Empress Wu ploted the marriage of JS because no Crown Prince was yet selected and to exclude JS from that possible selection.

JQ followed the traditions of the wife to gift the servants of JS.

JS ordered to his servant Dou Fu to select JQ a personal servant and imperial guard (meaning JQ can leave the estate at will).

JS puts on JQ’s hair ornament (tradition wife -> husband).

On the sedan, while JS messaging JQ’s lower back, JS advise JQ how to act in front of the empress.

4: Entering the Imperial Palace 

JS and JQ greets the emperor and empress with all the traditions of offering tea as well as gifts.

Emperor and empress noticed JQ being pale and dismissed them both.

JQ fainted for a brief moment as stepping out of the imperial palace before being carried by JS into the sedan.

JS called the imperial physician Jiang to examine JQ’s fever.

JS comfort and explain his action in the imperial palaces to JQ.

5: Fever

JQ meant a divorce if JS gets the position of Crown Prince, both end up arguing with each other.

JS feeds JQ the medicine as well as candies.

JQ suggests JS some ideas to gain/win some followers.

The second prince and his consort visits JS’s palace and JS greets his elder brother Jing Chen.

6: The Concubines Residing in the Inner Court

JC visits JQ in his bed chambers meanwhile JC’s consort drinking tea/conversing with JS’s consort (2nd wife). 

JQ’s got inform by the consort action by Lan Ting(JQ’s servant).

Song Ling Xin the second wife/consort of JS as well as 2 concubines (Yan and Li) paying JQ a visit.

7: Visting Parents

JQ gifts consort and concubines with hairpins (dowry). JS comes into the room with consort SLX next to him.

JS hugs JQ so that both could read the both together. JS explains to JQ what his relationships with his consorts is. JS kisses JQ’s hand and JQ flees into the bedroom.

JS and JQ on the way to visit JQ’s parents. JQ warns JS about not agreeing with any of his parents demands.

8: The Marquis’ Residence

JS tells JQ always to remind him of things or tell him important decisions. JS cuddles JQ before resting his head on JQ’s lap.

JQ’s parents and cousins greets them with kowtows and JS comforts/reinsures JQ with a firm hand grip.

JQ visits his father’s wifes and gifts them a box of teas. (JQ’s birth mother was missing which he goes to visit in her room.

JS talking with North Marquis about martial arts/swords.

9: Gifts of Thanks

JQ comforts his mother that he is being treated very well in the Princes manor.

On the way back to the Prince Manor, JQ was still thinking about his mother and JS pouts because of it. 

While JQ was trying to cheer him up before losing balance and JS catches him to cushion the fall.

JS tells JQ to not call him by his title but rather call him by his name. JQ calls him ‘Shao’ and JS feeling happy feels asleep clinging to JQ.

Yun Zhu introduces himself to JQ (his personal servant). JQ questions YZ about reading and YZ tells JQ about the study room.

JS wakes up late and JQ thanks him for the study room before JQ rans away.

10: Peach Blossom Wine

JS took JQ to the highest place of the pavilion and both drunk peach blossom wine.

JS asks JQ why he never learned martial arts and JQ answered that he fell into the pond during winter.

JS hugs and questions who pushed him before kissing JQ and vows to revenge him.

JS orders Jing Hao to investigate JQ’s pond incident.

Steward Yun reports to JS that Official Li Yanqing came looking for him.

11: Villa

JS already hears about the rumors which led to his death in his previous life.

YZ advices JQ to not give in on SLX demands as well as keeping the households account books and JQ calls for SLX to discuss about it.

SLX gives the arrangements of JS’s bedtime dates to JQ.

JS arrives at the Villa (summer residence) and asks for the commander Ren Feng to spar with him.

JQ noticed that JS left some military strategy book written by JS in the study room.

12: Serving at the Bedside

YZ reports to JQ about the SLX’s distribution of JS’s bedtime days, with new dates 15 days for JQ, 9 days for SLX and 3 days for each concubines.

Back home, JS get the reports from Steward Yun about the visitor Li Daren.

After dinner, JQ massages JS and notices that his shoulder was bruised from practice martial arts and ended up treating the bruises.

JQ discuss about letting SLX doing the households for a few more months. JS started to pout and flee to bed before explaining his opinion on the household matter.

JQ agrees to JS’s opinion then getting kissed by him before both falling asleep.

13: Salt Trade Certification

JS and JQ are waking up and JQ is telling JS (who didn’t wanted to get up) that he has an appointment with Li Daren today.

Concubines came to greet both and Concubine Rose felt unwell and felt almost into JQ’s laps (she was caught by JS).

JS doubted her and was thinking of past life’s occurrences. 

JQ asked Concubine SLX for the account books.

The three concubines discussed about JQ and JS’s divorce talking. 

JQ and JS talked about the JQ’s father salt certifications and went on a date at Immortal Assembly restaurant, plus both heard about the JS-rumours.

14: Green Plums

JQ spoke his worries about the rumors. JS impressed by JQ and hugged him.

Both visited the wine store of Maiden Mei.

Both took a walk at JS’s brother private peach blossom garden and continue the talk about JS’s rumors.

JQ injured his hand on the bamboo cup, JS put JQ’s finger in his mouth and JS kissed JQ with tongue.

JQ startled pushed JS away and JS felt on his butt.

15: Crazy

JS were prepared to take a bath and JS gave JQ the choice to bath with him or apply medicine on his wound.

JQ applied medicine after JS’s bath while both blushing.

Dou Fu brought the account books to JQ and JQ explained his servant YZ, why he want to check them.

After JS came back with talking to his brother with his eyes red, went to see JS and took him to the training camp.

At the arrival, JS fought with RF before leaving the platform from JQ’s instructions.

JS collapsed in JQ’s arms while whispering that JS’s brother told him the truth about his mother’s death.

16: Shortage of Money

JS worried about JQ’s health, and JQ tried to downplay it but ended up making JS only mad.

JS told his youths situation and JQ conformed JS by hugging.

JS dreamed about his mother and her miscarried.

JS kissed JQ after waking up.plus as punishment for JQ calling JS at his title, JQ decided then calling him ‘little spoon/xiao shao’.

Steward Yun reported to JS about JQ’s falling into the pond matter.

JQ’s brother Mu Lingbao pushed JQ into the pond and JQ ended up sick for half a year.

JS ordered Steward Yun to investigate MLB and to spread rumors about 4th Prince Jing Yu eating raw meat.

JQ got reported that Grandma Zhou’s son broke a leg and she wanting to borrow money from JQ for a doctor. JQ asked JS for the money.

17: Rumors

JS gave the money to JQ.

JQ reminded JS of the arrangements of the flower book(the days JS spends with the other concubines), but JS stayed with JQ.

When JS was out (at court), JQ visited the city with YZ and eat at ‘Hui Wei’ restaurant.

Owner of Hui Wei restaurant, the male wife of the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Xiao Yuan.

18: The small Assistant Minister

JS returned back to working at court, and thinking how to cooperate with the assistant minister of the ministry of revenue, while discussing about the 4th prince rumors.

The 4th prince is at charge of regarding the tribute from foreign lands.

After Court, JS went to Hui Wei restaurant and made acquaintance with the boss Zhou Jin.

JS asked discretely XY, how to avoid making his male wife afraid in bed and XY gave him some advise. JS thanked XY and asked that ZJ to take care of JQ.

JS returned home and heared JQ and SLX arguing about the flower book dates.

19: A contemptible Self-Actor

JS silenced SLX and asked JQ what is the matter, JQ asked if he could let his wet nurse recuperate at the main residence for a time.

SLX get slapped by JS for being lout and disrespecting JQ and JS retracted her control of the household as well as confined for a month.

JQ thanking JS by laying his head against his shoulder, while JS asked for a kiss, which he didn’t get.

JS working at the Ministry of War, declining the petition for the rebels (from his knowledge of the past life) which was recommended by Song An(father of SLX).

20: Misunderstanding

JS refused again to sleep at the concubines court side.

At court, the south barbarian issue is talked about with the emperor and the Ministry of War.

Before the court discussion, JS’s brother took initiative to warn JS about Minister Song An’s intent.

JS went to Hui Wei restaurant to eat breakfast and exchanged more infos about ‘husband-and-wife-life’.

JQ woke up alone and not able to concentrate on work due to last night event until his wet nurse family arrived at the palace.

RF urgently called for JS and JS just arrived home for dinner.

21: Opportunity

JS and JQ eat dinner and JS informed JQ about the hiring of a hero in the Jianghu ‘the ghost of nine blades’.

After dinner, JQ felt ill and recognized it as an aphrodisiac, JS ordered DF to investigated how it happened.

JS helped JQ release the tension before JQ offered to return the favor.

After both calmed down, DFreported that it was Concubine Li.

22: Farce

Concubine Li claimed that it was SLX’s idea but was punished by sending her to the nunnery.

JS angrily stated that he will asked for a royal degree to demote SLX to a 3rd rank concubine.

More discussing about who to send to the barbarian border, JS being punished/banned from court for a some days and eldest prince JR is send to the southern border.

23: Temple Fair

While dealing with the Concubine Li issue, JQ thinks of sending her as a gift to the 4th prince.

JQ motivated JS to finish his punishment fast so that they can spent some time in the alternate residence during the Temple Fair.

JQ wrote some of the punishment by copying JS’s writing style. JS recognizing it to be amazing and useful in the battlefield.

JS and JQ eat breakfast at Hui Wei restaurant, where JS felt jealous due to JQ and ZJ getting along like old scholar friends.

JS and JQ enjoying the Temple Fair until JS chased after a pink-clothed girl, leaving JQ alone, who encountered his cousins MuLB, MYW and MHFfeng.

JS punched and kicked JQ’s cousins

24: Ruo Yi

JQ wanting to ask JS about the girl but ended up asking for a piece of forest land which JS gladly exchanged a bit of his land to grant JQ’s wish.

JS thinking about the past life, Ge RouYi killing the southeast King and ending the barbarian war.

Birthday of the North Marquis, JQ’s painting and JS send more gifts. JQ tried to calm JS’s anger about the 4th prince.

GRY stopped the 4th prince carriage and asked for a petition. JS seeing that caught up and knocked her unconscious while explaining to 4th prince, he will send him a better woman next time.

JQ thinking about the girl and JS.

25: Eating Vinegar

GRY thanking JS for presenting the petition to the royal court.

JS went to the study room looking for JQ and found some paper balls on the ground and misunderstood that even JQ get annoyed at some point. 

JS became worried hearing that JQ didn’t had an appetite and went to the bedroom.

JS found JQ bathing in the spring pool and jumped in too. In the end JQ asked JS’s plans concerning Rouyi and JS explained her situation.

JS exclaimed to JQ that he will not take any more wife's or concubines and JQ concerned about JS’s heirs.

JS and JQ being intimiate.

26: The Gathering

JQ and ZJ went to the monthly male wives’ gathering in Mo Garden of Duke Mao’s household.

At the gathering JQ encountered an old classmate, Du Yinghao resp. nephew of North Marquess and male wife of the 3rd son of Duke Mao.

Right went JQ was about to leave the gathering JS came to pick him up .

JS was called to court by royal decree to get his advise on the southeast border war matter.

27: A Headache

An the way back home from the court, JS was deep in thoughts and his horse Xiao Hei just went on his own to JC’s house to eat the grass

JS gave excuses of wanting a drinking partner and invited JC to Hui Wei restaurant and used that to inform JC what happened in court.

MLB being beaten up and the heir of Duke Mao causing trouble in the restaurant.

JS and JC discussed about the potential problems could cause of JY and the daughter of North Marquis getting married, Mu Suzhi.

JS explained the current situation to GRY and JS offered her to teach her the art of assassination.

28: Foreshadowing

JS went back to court after and rewarded about his contribution of the vassal state war advices, which was given to JQ to re-gifted to his family.

The North Marchioness was questioning JQ about the JS’s concubines troubles and venting at JQ about not marrying his sister any more to JY

More court discussion about the southwest Tibet king sending tributes, plus asking the princes what they think.

JS and North Marquis went together back home while JQ visiting his mother and grandma and met his brothers.

29: Perfumed Ointment

JQ slapped MYW for not being respectful to him and JS, while JQ’s brothers wanting to fight back but were stopped since JS and North Marquis arriving at the scene.

JS was called by JC to talked about the emperor ordering JC to investigate the tribute robbering and ZJ visited JQ to talk about opening a shop to sell “perfumed ointment”.

Back home, JS found JQ with the ointments box and JS telling JQ that he will help him opening the shop and even bargain with old friends for the supplies.

30: Urgent Report from the Southwest

JQ opened the shop “Mo Lian Establishment”.

JS went everyday to court; eldest prince was could into/started a war and his states was unclear; JS advised the emperor to send tropes from the southwest king.

JS retold the situation on court to JQ and that he might need to leave for war.

JQ giving himself the fault for JS’s bad position in court made JS angry at him and JS hugged JQ quite forcefully while forbidding him to speak like that again.

JS noticing that he used to much force, started massaging JQ until JS asked JQ if they could consummate their marriage which JQ agreed to.

31: Frightening News

JS carried JQ into the bed and ... papapa.

JS thanked XY before entering court.

The empress looking for a wife for 4th Prince.

JS called by emperor to talked about the potential war and be informed that something might have happened to his brother.

32: Experimenting

JC was ambushed and JS asked to the emperor to go and help him.

JS greeted Eunuch An Xian, servant of the emperor.

At palace, Duchess Mao and North Marquess arguing about their sons fights.

At home, JS was informed that JQ still was not awake, JS climbed to bed while massaging JQ, both discussed who and why ambushed JC.

North Marquis happy that Mu Suzhi is chosen to be married to the 4th prince.

33: Position

The North Marchioness was angry about everyone knowing about the marriage of Mu Suzhi and JY, plus more discussion between the wife of other households.

JS and JQ talked about JC’s return and North Marquis requesting a visited to him.

JS visited the secret work on the barren forest side meanwhile JQ visited his father.

North Marquis realized that the empress abandoned his household from supporting the crown prince and rather help Duke Mao household. To improve his statutes he raises JQ’s concubine statutes to 2nd rank.

JS met up with JC at the entrance to the city, where he found JC injured inside the carriage.

34: Persian Silk Tree

JS gave a life-saving medicine to JC before returning home.

After dinner JS and JQ took a walk in the garden where JS owed to JQ his love and life.

JC reported the robbery and situation about the southwest king and North Marquis tried to persuade the emperor to send JS to rescue the eldest prince.

North Marchioness and MLB talked about the situation about rising JQ’s mother’s (Qiu Yiniang) concubine ranks and their statutes on court.

35: A Speculation

QYI send a letter to his son so that they can talked.

JC resting at home from the injuries but also trying to dissolve the rumors of JS sending assassins to kill him.

JQ gave JS some advise for the court and even motivated JS with JQ picking him up for lunch/dinner after work.

JQ made some small business at his shop before heading to pick JS up, who kind of ran away in the middle of a problem solving discussion.

36: Withdrawal of the Vassal States

JS and JQ had a nice lunch at ZJ’s restaurant before visiting JC and talked about the next steps about vassal states.

JC suggested to the emperor to withdraw the titles of the vassal states.

QYI got promoted to 2nd rank concubine and talked her concern about the princes fight to the throne, which JQ ensured her that JS doesn’t want to take part of.

37: Summons

The emperor send troups to withdrew the vassal states and the empress planning her plans for the 4th prince.

JS was practicing his sword then passed some time with JQ and reporting what happened at court.

JS reported that the emperor/empress wants to get him a second wife, daughter of the Count of Yongchang (JS feels sick about it).

The eunuch Dou Lu gave message to JS that the empress wants JQ to go to Feng Yi palace immediately (the empress’ imperial palace).

JS followed JQ to the southern part of the palace and ordered the guard Xiao Qian to let the maids report to him.

38: Punishment by Kneeling

JQ greeted the empress and followed her instructions, meanwhile JS went to the princes study room where he meet his younger siblings and talked with his father.

The empress got angry at JQ since JQ exclaimed that it is JS decision to have more wifes’ and JQ did not agree with the statement of the empress about inheriting titles or the throne; the empress punished JQ by kneeling at the Jade terrace.

The maid Miao Xi reported back to JS about the situation but was not expecting to see the emperor next to JS, both went to the empress palace.

When JQ heard that the emperor came with JS and the moment he saw JS, he fake fainted.  

39: Forgot to Say

The emperor ordered call for the royal physician.

JS filled with rage wanted to vent but was stopped by JQ.

The doctor reported to the emperor that JQ’s body is unusually weak for a man and ordered him some medicin to help him recuperate fully.

The emperor dismissed JS from court to take care of JQ, plus after both left the emperor punished the empress for 3 days.

JS treated JQ injuries and also told JQ that he will go a month earlier to the military camp.

JS felt that JQ was sad about it and comforted him with all kind of things like more papapa.

THE END OF BOOK 1

(last update 21th April 2021)

[shangyangjunzhu]

Empress of the Ming/ Ming Dynasty

I closely followed this drama since it began and all I can say is that it is one of the best shows I have ever watched. Most people have found the amount of politics and the lack of harem intrigue and romance rather boring yet I think it does perfect justice to the protagonist and the struggle of the era. 

I have always wanted to see a strong female character beyond the harem intrigue in historical fiction and this drama is perfection. I must admit I was a little sad that I didn’t get to see too much of the lead characters together but hey... a drama can not be too perfect (except for Minglan, that is what you call PERFECTION). The drama basically follows the journey of Ruowei, a daughter of an Imperial physician whose family is purged as the Yongle Emperor comes to the throne. You get to see her as a rebel, an imperial consort, an Empress and then regent. Though she is smart and talented, she values relationships immensely which the people around her often forget to see. She is a character you can relate to most of the time and someone you will constantly root for.

Let’s get to the main cast of the show.

Sun Ruowei (Empress Xiaogongzhang)

Daughter of a royal doctor, she spent her early childhood being loved by her parents and loved her younger sister dearly. However, her mother and father are killed and she is separated from her parents. She is adopted by Sun Zhong, and becomes a part of a cult who are mostly orphans from the purging. She is talented however she is manipulated by the cult to take revenge by entering the palace. She has deep feelings for Xu Bin, another member of the cult, who distances himself from her knowing how dangerous the world is. During some of her escapades, she meets the Imperial Grandson Zhu Zhanji, who eventually falls in love with her. After her adoptive father passes away, she becomes Zhanji’s concubine to honor her father’s last wish and in an attempt to legitimize the runaway orphans. When she enters the palace, she is reunited with her long-lost younger sister who becomes Zhanji’s wife. During her time in the mansion of the Crown Prince, she becomes familiar with military and court affairs winning the admiration of influential members of the court. When her underage son ascends to the throne, she becomes co-regent and rules over the land. Ruowei, despite her keen intelligence, values relationships a lot. Her younger sister, the Empress, often gets herself into trouble which Ruowei covers up for and attempts to protect her. Even the Crown Prince, Zhanji’s father, receives her care even though she is aware that his family killed hers. People see her as a rather cold and strict woman yet her love for her son, sister, and husband is immense and you get to see the inner struggle in her. I love Ruowei yet sometimes I wish she is less kind and forgiving towards people who don’t deserve it. Rating: 9/10

Zhu Zhanji (Xuande Emperor)

Imperial Grandson; the eldest child of the Crown Prince (Hongxi Emperor) and Crown Princess. He is a mix of his father and grandfather; he had his grandfather’s ambition, intelligence, and pride but also has his father’s, good heart. His encounters with Ruowei cause him to fall in love with her despite his knowledge of her love for Xu Bin. However, he is forced to marry Hu Shanxiang, a woman recommended by his uncle, and takes in Ruowei as a concubine. Nevertheless, it is clear that Shanxiang is nothing but a burden for him and the only woman in his heart is Ruowei. When he joins his grandfather on an expedition against the Oirat, he finds out his father’s health is going downhill and that his grandfather plans on replacing his father. To save his family, he conceals his grandfather’s plans and helps his father ascend to the throne. However, as the Hongxi Emperor dies and his uncles rebel, Zhanji is forced to the battlefield as soon as he ascends to the throne. After the birth of his children, he finds out Shanxiang helped his uncles escape the city and was his spy, his mental health goes downhill and dies. A passionate man yet he is a faithful lover for the most part. Rating: 7/10 

Hu Shanxiang (Empress Gongrangzhang)

The younger daughter of a royal doctor, she lost her parents at a very young age and is saved by the Crown prince and the Imperial grandson. She is raised by a palace official Hu Shangxi who adopts her as her niece. Under her tutelage, Shanxiang becomes aware of all of the inner machinations of the palace and she herself wishes to gain power. Since her childhood, she has wished to pay back the favor of saving her life and therefore makes an attempt to become Zhanji’s wife. To do so, she allies herself with Prince Han, the uncle of Zhanji, and marries Zhanji as his legitimate wife. Though initially she is overjoyed to reunite with her sister Ruowei, she soon realizes that she is the standing block between her and Zhanji which brings upon a certain distance. She is highly skeptical of everyone around her which causes her to distrust the only person who helps her out in the palace. Her identity is revealed and Zhanji demotes her to a nun. She eventually earns the position of Dowager Imperial Consort when her son ascends to the throne (historically inaccurate). Yet, she isn’t satisfied as she sees Ruowei as a constant reminder of Zhanji’s treatment towards her and wishes to become Empress Dowager and that her son remains on the throne. Her greed pushes her daughter-in-law and grandson to die, resulting in the relationship with her son to deteriorate. Rating: 2/10

Zhu Qizhen (Emperor Yingzong)

Son of Ruowei and Zhanji. A kid born with developmental issues is carefully nurtured by his mom to return to normal. However, his surroundings do not help with his upbringing and his grandmother’s pampering causes him to become a rather insolent and spoiled child. He always thinks that his mother is out for his power and sees her as his biggest obstacle. In an attempt to prove himself a capable leader, he goes out to war and is taken as a hostage by the Oirat Mongols. It is here that he begins to understand the hardships of life and the hard work his mom has put in. He also falls in love with the sister of the Khan and has a kid with her while being held in hostage. When he is finally allowed to return as a retired Emperor, his half-brother makes his life miserable and even kills his wife. This brings upon a paradigm change in him which leads to him eventually taking back the throne and finally ruling on his own. However, his relationship with his mom is irreparable and he is unable to come to terms with it. Rating: 4/10

Zhu Qiyu (Jingtai Emperor)

Son of Shanxiang and Zhanji. He is raised to be skeptical of everyone and to be patient enough to grab power by his mother. When he is initially raised to the throne, he listens to Ruwei’s counsel and does remarkably well. However his mother’s machinations and greed lead to him developing a desire to sit on the throne forever. When his wife and son die, he loses his mind and blames it on Ruowei and Qizhen and tries to make their lives miserable. Qizhen eventually takes over the throne and Qiyu is killed by him. Rating: 1/10

Xu Bin

Another orphan who grew up with Ruowei, wishing to bring justice to all of the orphans hiding for their life. He too is in love with Ruowei however he persuades her to marry Zhanji for the greater good, knowing that she has the power to bring upon a change in their lives. Zhanji knows about their love and he is extremely jealous of him (their conversations are so funny!) however he gives Xu Bin a chance to go on a sea voyage thus separating both of them. Later on, when Ruowei becomes Empress Dowager, Xu Bin returns and helps her reunite with her son. At the very end when she wishes to escape it all, he renews his offer to take her all around the world just like he did when they were younger. Sigh, I would have liked him a lot more if I could bring myself to dislike Zhanji. Rating: 7/10

Overall Rating:

There is keen detail paid to every historical fact in the drama with the exception of some harem details. You get to learn a lot about the Yongle period and especially see what Ming Dynasty looked like. You also get to see an epic romance where you are quite literally dying to see them together however you don’t get to see it too often, sigh! And most importantly you get to see a competent woman being praised for being competent while getting flake for obstructing the power of the men. It’s not only Ruowei but also her mother-in-law Empress Dowager Zhang who was historically the main regent during the time Qizhen was still a kid, which the drama does justice to. I admit there isn’t enough of the harem drama or romance and most of the drama is political issues and Ruowei’s rule. I will promise you though that you will see more romance here than you will in Nirvana in Fire which is worth considering. There aren’t enough reviews about this show online, however, it is a gem and it is definitely worth your time if you don’t mind learning a little bit of history.

Rating: 8/10

[jxndds]

historical/fantasy manhwas

A Capable Maid

The useless maid, Marie, has never been able to do anything correctly. But, after caring for a dying prisoner, she becomes a person she had always wanted to be. This is the start of the capable maid, Marie.

  Amina of the Lamp

On the day of the Wizarding City Paz's destruction, Amina got stuck inside a lamp while trying to turn back time.

And 300 years later, she was awakened by a military commander, Jakal.

“I do not have any wishes for you to grant”

Well, I just want to hurry and grant a wish so I can go back, Who the hell is this guy?

  Beware of the Brothers

Hari, a destitute girl, got adopted by Duke Ernst at 7 years old when she lost her mother, as the Ernsts had themselves lost their youngest daughter Arina and sought Hari due to her resemblance to the late girl. Even though she received all kinds of persecution by the three Ernst sons in 20 years of life at the Ernst estate, she could finally escape that blood-and-tear inducing life when she was about to get married.

But what is this?

When I woke up from my sleep, I'm back to that hellish childhood! Is this a dream?!

Hmph. If I can't wake up from this dream,  I'll at least live without too much consideration for others now!

Just like that, Hari decided to go astray. Eugene, the "dutiful son" but cold, Cabel, the roughhousing knucklehead, and Erich, the angelic-looking bully and Arina's twin, all three be damned!

  Contract Concubine

One day, Yesuh, a famous assassin, receives a strange request from a suspicious man. She's never received such a ridiculous request before, but after hearing how much the odd man was willing to pay, she decides to bite the bullet and take on the request.

However, upon starting the mission, Yesuh is shocked to find out that her suspicious employer is actually--?!

  Ebony

“Be quiet. Shut up and live like the dead”

Ebony Vonieck is a convicted felon for the murder of her fiance and father. While waiting for her execution in prison, she is suddenly released from her hell when she is informed that the Archduke of Schneider Castle is waiting for her. Expecting her life to become a living hell, what awaits her instead is a household of warm employees and servants. Ebony has no idea that the Archduke will help change her life.

  I'm Stanning The Prince

Angela's fanfic became such a sensation that it even reached the Imperial Family, leading her to get arrested on charges of treason.

Nevertheless, her fanfic improved the First Prince's image, and his sister, the Princess, decides to take political advantage of this and keep Angela by their side.

  I Want To Be You, Just For A Day

The count's daughter, Psyche, is loved by all. Psyche, who took everything from me. Psyche, who always gets what she wants. I wanted to be her, even if just for a day.

  Lady Baby

Young lady Calliope has suffered through nature's law and many accidents. Her family was decimated by ruin and an ongoing war, but upon listening to her melancholic singing upon the family's graveyard, a mysterious womanly figure tells her that she'll reward her for the beautiful song, and shrouds Calliope in darkness. Upon awakening, Calliope finds that she traveled back in time to when she was born! While Calliope slowly grows, will she be able to figure out who killed her family and stop them in time?

  Lady Beast

Elisa, Princess of the Kingdom of Grandia, only purpose in life was to survive. She got married to Ginger, the Duke of Gwen, who is called the crazy mutt of Randall. She expected to be loved, but he didn’t care for her one bit. Then one day, the curse began. “This menstruation cycle is driving me crazy,” exclaimed Ginger in Elisa’s body.” Elisa blushing at Ginger’s words replies, “I’m also very troubled by ‘that’ thing I have to do every morning.” The curse of the devil had switched Elisa and her husband’s body! Will they be able to switch back?

  Living as an Emperor's Fiancée

Adel, who entered the emperor's office due to the magic of the imperial magic, accidentally hears the secret plan of the emperor. 

'Emperor' 'fiance' 'fake' 'killing' ... the interior minister and the emperor who came to Adele when he came back to school and took his breath away. 

"I want to give you a chance to choose." "...chance?" "Go to prison ... be my fiancée!" 

The beginning of the fateful love of the orphaned girl Adele and the emperor of Krishi. 

  Revenge Wedding

Meridian Sasha is the perfect woman who has the beauty, wealth, and status. She fainted and woke up on a ship in the middle of the ocean, with a wedding dress on. I got married?

"Who dares to try and touch Meridian Sasha? I'll make sure that he'll never want to marry me!"

  The Evil Lady Will Change

Athanasia Cloix, a woman whose elegance and beauty is akin to that of a swan lake, was the Duke’s eldest daughter and the Queen of the social circles: an existence near to perfection. Due to some rumors, however, people began to misunderstand and belittle her. As she suffered through these unfortunate events, she learned to conceal her feelings by putting on a façade and agreed to a political marriage with the Winter-comer who's also known as the “Northern Monster”.

"As the Grand Duke, I will do my best to accommodate your needs and desires. But love alone is something I can't give to you." Unbeknownst to her, that very man will change her life and thus a new fate is about to unfold.

  The Black-Haired Princess

The Crown Prince of the Murian Empire, Karyuel, and the Princess of the Carna Empire, Yurishien, despise their political marriage and dream of getting a divorce. To make matters worse, the people around them begin devising all sorts of schemes to split them up, and as they overcome the obstacles together, they become drawn to each other, despite their initial thoughts. Will these two immature birds be able to divorce as they had planned or will there be a different outcome…?

  The Monster Duchess and Contract Princess

Leslie’s life as the youngest daughter of the Sperado noble family was always used for the betterment of her sister, Eli, who is betrothed to the Crown Prince of the kingdom. After a failed attempt to extract the black magic within Leslie by sacrificing her to transfer it to Eli, Leslie knocks on the door of the monster Duchess Salvatore and, battered, bruised and desperate, pleads for the Duchess to adopt her?!

  The Villainess Lives Twice

“Tia, your brother has to do well for you to do well.” By committing all sorts of evil acts, she made her brother the emperor. But her dedication was rewarded with betrayal. At the brink of death, the one who extended a helping hand was her arch nemesis, the righteous Grand Duke Cedric. "Devise a plan I can't think of anyone else who could turn the tables in this situation, Lady Rozan. Lend me your strength." It wasn't possible to restore the balance of power for an empire that was already falling into ruin, but there was a way... to turn back time before everything went wrong. With her blood and tears, she sacrifices her own body to cast ancient magic in order to turn back time. This time, she wouldn't fail.

Returning back to her 18-year-old self, Artezia resolves to become the villainess for Grand Duke Cedric. "Please ask for my hand in marriage. I will make you the Emperor."

  The Villainess Reverses the Hourglass

With the marriage of her prostitute mother to the Count, Aria’s status in society skyrocketed immediately. After leading a life of luxury, Aria unfairly meets death because of her sister Mielle’s schemes. And right before she dies, she sees an hourglass fall as if it were a fantasy. And just like that, she was miraculously brought back to the past.

  Virtues of the Villainess

Ginger Torte and Lerajie Atlanta, both noble daughters of marquesses, are lifelong enemies and rivals. When Ginger’s fiance, Kishon Mickelson, is stolen by Lerajie, Ginger decides she’s had enough!

But one day, Ginger stumbles upon a strange novel - one where Lerajie is the main protagonist, and she is the villainess! She tries her best to ignore it, but when things start playing out just as written in the story, she has no choice but to rely on the novel to change her doomed future as the villainess.

“Exactly what did I do to deserve this fate?! Why did I have to become the villainess?”

Enter the mysterious Prince Izana, the male lead of the novel. Confined within the depths of the Templar Tower for years by King Astor, he finally sees the light of day when his father passes away. But according to the novel, he’s destined to fall in love with Lerajie, leaving Ginger to wallow in her own misery!

“All I ever did was live life as best I could! But as if stealing my fiance wasn’t enough, now Lerajie is going to claim the male lead?! No way I’ll let that happen!”

The “villainess” Ginger, who now knows Prince Izana’s deepest secret (thanks to the novel), attempts to seduce him with -2% cautiousness and 200% cuteness!

  Wendy the Florist

Wendy is a reclusive florist who doesn’t believe in love. That is until he came in, ready to destroy the walls caging her heart.

  Why Are You Doing This, Duke?

"My sweet songbird-- my eternal love--

Don't make such a sad face.

When my little songbird gets sad, it feels like my entire world is raining."

The duke known to many as the grim reaper, "Rowan Peruka".

He, the very person who was about to chop off my head last month, managed to become my husband?! He took me in not as a second or third wife, but as a first one at that?!!

I'd love it if this was true love, but this is all thanks to a mysterious magic spell. And the magic spell's power's been weakening to boot--!

A marriage with a bipolar(?) husband where your own life is at stake, <Why are you doing this, Duke?>

[shenmeizhuang-blog]

10 + 11 questions tag

Great thanks and acknowledgments to @letsflytoasiarenata and @belladonna2017 for sending me questions! So, here goes: 

A. Always post the rules. Answer the questions then write (10 or 11?) new ones.

B. Tag 11 people and link them to the post. Tell the person who tagged you that you’ve answered their questions.

My questions: 

Favorite villain or antagonist.

Favorite character trope/archetype.

Least favorite character trope/archetype.

Least favorite drama trope.

Name a character that you initially disliked but came to love.

Favorite multi-season drama?

Favorite example of trope dissection/dispellation. 

Favorite time travel drama.

Choose a period drama, sageuk, or wuxia that you would like to time travel to.

Historical event/time period/historical figure(s) that you want to see a show explore.

Name a show with the best (most intensive yet reasonable/plausible) plot twists. 

Favourite historical period in sageuks/wuxia?

This question made me ponder for a bit, since because the center stage of most wuxias is jianghu, or the pugilistic world, largely defined as “a sub-society isolated from mainstream or governmental law”, henceforth most wuxias largely feel timeless, with no specific historical dynasty or time period adhered to the story. Granted, there are some fusions centered around court politics that acknowledge the pugilistic world and combine certain wuxia elements – Nirvana in Fire (fictionalized Northern and Southern Dynasties) rather heavily features wuxia elements, and The Glory of Tang Dynasty (Tang Dynasty) more minimally, but also somewhat. 

I suppose it’s a moot point, since upcoming xianxia wuxia Martial Universe is set in the “culturally vibrant Spring & Autumn Era”, but essentially – generally I actually don’t care about what time period a wuxia is set in. 

Now, if we’re talking about a historical period in general, I’ve noticed that dramas I’ve enjoyed have tended to take place in the Qing Dynasty (not to mention Manchurian blood runs throughout my veins) – it feels like an appropriate mix of various different ethnic influences, from Mongolian and Manchurian to Han to even some Western influence. (In theory, I would imagine myself enjoying non-spy Republican dramas, but I actually have not.)

As for sageuks, I have only seen one thus far – set in Goryeo. I didn’t enjoy that drama, but the costuming was pretty. 

Which story/book/show you would like to see adapted in South Korea/China/Japan?

I tend to stray away from remakes, and I tend to not read source novels until after a drama release, largely to avoid disappointment and comparisons (e.g., even reading The Rankings of Lang Ya Hall in preparation for Nirvana in Fire made the latter slightly disappointing). 

But personally, I want a faithful adaptation The Concubine’s Daughter is Poisonous, featuring full-on leg-decapitation, time travel/reincarnation, and bloody revenge. (So, no, The Princess Weiyoung did not do.)

Drama that you watched for your fave and he/she owes you after what you’ve endured for her/him? :D

Swordsman, the Yumama-fication of Jin Young’s The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. But even with Wallace Huo and Joe Chen’s sizzling chemistry, I simply was unable to complete the show. 

More strictly, I somehow completed (or, more like FF-ed in frustration) The Imperial Doctress and The Journey of Flower despite the character-butchering, torture, and sheer WTF-ery of said shows. Thanks, Wallace Huo. :D

I would also complain about Love Me If You Dare, since I think I hung on more for its popularity more than anything, and IMO it sort of went haywire, but it wasn’t *as bad* for me as the ones mentioned above. I have similar sentiments about Perfect Couple. 

Drama that still haunts you?

Do you not see me still suffering from Glory of Tang Dynasty withdrawal? (To be fair, ~ 2 weeks isn’t particularly long, so who knows?)

The Journey of Flower left a rather brutal impression. The Legend of Zhen Huan, Nirvana in Fire, and Bu Bu Jing Xin are definitely shows that will stick with me for a very long time. 

Most stylish drama character in your opinion?

(I have a tendency to think of dramas that I’m currently perusing or obsessing over, so a lot of my answers will definitely feel very GOTD-centric. Just a warning.)

It turns out a lot of my files got cleared out these days, including a bunch of precious caps. But here’s a very nice video on Bilibili featuring Li Chu’s (42, apparently) outfits. 

Drama that you didn’t expect you will enjoy?

Medical Examiner Dr. Qin, since I rarely ever watch crime procedurals, but I honestly adore the show so much. 

Boss And Me, since it seemed to be your typical chaebol-ordinary girl set-up (and it is, but the way they explore and develop ShanTeng feels very heart-warming and much more realistic than expected. <3)

Favourite drama OST’s lyrics?

I’m a fickle, undecisive person, so I actually don’t know which drama OST is my favorite. Here are the lyrics for: Three Inches of Heaven (Bu Bu Jing Xin) and White-Haired Lament (Sound of the Desert). Recently, though, I’ve been drowning myself in 霍尊’s 素颜 (The Glory of Tang Dynasty). Here are my awkwardly translated lyrics: 

你是春的使节 让残雪融解

You are the ambassador of spring, thawing the last residues of snow 

染成青黛的天 等着细雨停歇

Bleeding into the indigo skies, waiting for the drizzle to cease

你素颜  裹着云烟

You, bare-faced, swath the misty clounds

诗意了远方 湿润了心间

[Made] afar poetic; softened the heart

闭上眼 姹紫嫣红都不觉甜

Closed eyes; even the most spectacular colors lack indulgence

只为你的容颜

Only for your appearance

豁然间 春光如恋

At sudden enlightenment, the spring scenery exudes amour

渲染了 你的出现

Romanticizing your emergence

最留恋 不是云巅

The [things] most reluctant to part are not the clouds atop the summit

是千万里朝颜和暮雪

But the flowers and twilight snow thousands of miles apart

梦回间 春光流泻

Revisiting in dreams, the spring scenery spills out 

归去在 落花时节

Returning to the season of falling petals

待离别 青空绵绵

Until parting; the clarity remains unbroken

你会成山水间那一点 如烟

You will become that point between the water and the mountains; as mist

The most memorable quote from a drama?

为何你还要贬我来抬他？

Why would you still belittle me to elevate him?

[One of the many things I love, love about The Glory of Tang Dynasty is the occasional bits of meta they incorporate into the show, sometimes even to dispel certain tropes – especially when comparing characters, most commonly male leads who always seem to be presented as foils of each other, this is always something to keep in mind.]

One thing that you appreciate the most in dramas?

Events occurring at totally coincidentally (un)-perfect timing. 

Slow burn or love at first sight OTP dynamic?

It actually depends. Both are acceptable if executed properly. The childhood trope disguised as “love at first sight” tends to annoy me. 

Favourite remake/adaptation?

Lotus Lantern (2005), adapted from traditional Chinese folklore. 

If you could change one thing about one drama, what would it be?

I just … somehow, fix Jingyao’s arc in Glory of Tang Dynasty. (I don’t know exactly how – since they actually did explore some interesting things and consequences with her character rarely ever shown in period C-dramas ever, I slightly feel inclined to forgive the show for … *coughs*. But for starters, she should really learn to say no to drugging people.)

Who is a popular actor that you can’t seem to get into?

Li Yifeng. (Not that I’ve ever made an active effort to like him or anything – Chusen simply did not particularly work for me.)

What’s a popular drama that you didn’t like/dropped?

Prince of Lan Ling, The Princess Weiyoung, General And I, Ice Fantasy, The Imperial Doctress, The Journey of Flower, Legend of MiYue, The Legend of Chusen, Empress of China, The Four

Underrated favourite drama?

The Glory Of Tang Dynasty! ‘Tis the sad life when no English subs exist. 

An actor/actress you wish would do dramas more often?

Zhou Xun and Chen Kun! 

A guilty pleasure drama?

Love O2O. Cute fluffiness + pretty people + strong OTP + RPG = very enjoyable escapism. 

What drama would you say has the best ending?

Nirvana in Fire. 

Wu Xin: The Monster Killer – a lot of people were unsatisfied with its melancholy conclusion (re: there’s a Season 2, guys!), but personally it actually worked for me, appropriately concluding the entirety as if it were simply a 20-episode show. Since Season 2 does take place in a rather different setting, with, Wu Xin aside, a different set of characters, I thought it nicely ended the Season 1 arc. 

If you could crossover two (or more) dramas, what would they be?

This! This is actually a very creative question – kudos to whoever came up with this. Earlier @yansanniang and I were discussing a GOTD x Legend of Zhen Huan cross-over – sort of, where An Qingxu, his medicinal abilities, and his emotional instability decided to go shake things up at Yongzheng’s court. The other day I was thinking about how things might go down if Empress Zhang decided to invite a certain 麒麟才子 with a penchant for ruining birthday parties to her own birthday party, hoping to gain his help to aid her with her own ambitions… 

Who is a female character that the fandom hated, but you loved?

Hua Qian Gu. I agree, there were times where she felt overly childish and overbearing (I believe it was equal parts frustration and even hatred at her AND BZH), and I find it difficult to watch someone who literally refused to change, but ultimately she still won me over. 

What’s your favourite fictional found family?

Dr. Qin Medical Examiner’s Qin Ming, Da Bao, and Lin Tao. In my mind they’re a family. :))

Tagging: @swordsandparasols @yansanniang @itsjustveryludicrous @alakoba @renewedmotionforjudgment @loquatly @cdramaddict @whimsyfulwanderings @seventh-fantasy @dangermousie @thedazzlingdarkness