From CEO to Concubine-Chapter 191: Break Away

Hua Zhixuan was managing his expectations regarding His Little Highness’ arithmetic capabilities when the messenger eunuch summoning him to attend to the emperor in Tianlu Pavilion arrived.

Ordinarily, he had an infinite patience for his young charge but he’d recently discovered that he’d met his match when it came to guiding this particular member of the imperial family through the activity book Brother Yan had created for the boy, titled ’Elementary Problem Sums’.

Ignoring the eunuch’s barely disguised surprise at his enthusiasm, Hua Zhixuan leapt to his feet and shot Captain of the Yulin Army Cui An a quick look.

Captain Cui rose from the low table he’d been hunched over memorising new vocabulary at and gave Hua Zhixuan a long bow.

"This subject will ensure His Highness’ safety, Teacher Hua needn’t worry." Ever since Captain Cui had agreed to Brother Yan’s suggestion of furthering his education, His Majesty had placed Hua Zhixuan in charge of teaching him to read and write. He wasn’t the brightest student Hua Zhixuan had ever met but he was certainly the most hardworking--especially in sharp contrast to the Ninth Prince, who was still in his most playful of years. Hua Zhixuan himself had toiled ceaselessly to prepare for the imperial examinations but he had to admire Captain Cui’s dilligence.

His Little Highness nodded enthusiastically. "Fret not, Teacher Hua," he said with a comical adult-like seriousness on his face. "This prince will study very hard in your absence."

If this subject believes you, I might as well return all ten years of my education to my teachers.

It was clear that after a whole morning spent debating the importance of learning mathematics, both teacher and student had had enough of each other.

Soft laughter broke out near the door as Maidservant Yun En entered with a tray carrying a pot of red date tea. The gentle girl curtsied at Hua Zhixuan before giving him a reassuring smile. "This servant will watch over the both of them, my lord, to ensure that they both complete the work you set for them."

The ninth prince let out a quiet groan but it was Captain Cui’s reaction that was more interesting; the flush that spread from his ears down his neck made Hua Zhixuan blink in amusement, especially when he caught the way Yun En’s eyes twinkled in response.

He’d heard from Brother Yan that Yun En was a big sister figure from his past that the emperor had rescued for him. Brother Yan hadn’t gone into much detail but Hua Zhixuan knew that he was still on the lookout for a better life for her. Perhaps this was a new development that Brother Yan might be interested to know about.

The journey over to Tianlu Pavilion was chilly and Hua Zhixuan was glad that the emperor had been thoughtful enough to send a sedan along with his messenger. The snow was starting to fall in a thick blanket across the land. After Hua Zhixuan had demonstrated an innate flair for accounting, Brother Yan had recommended him to the emperor to double-check the book-keeping of the Ministry of Finance. If it weren’t for this opportunity, Hua Zhixuan wouldn’t have known just how much money greedy officials had stolen out of the budgeting for helping the smaller towns and villages prepare for the winter.

Every morning, he woke up invigorated and raring to start the day, believing that the small contributions he made added up to help make the lives of his fellow countrymen better. Under Emperor Xuanjun’s rule, Great Ye was slowly but surely improving. The idealistic heart that Hua Zhixuan once faced mockery for in the schoolyard by his influential peers like Yue Minzhe no longer shrank back in light of the disapproval of others. It now beat with a steady wardrum rhythm, encouraging him to stand his ground against the naysayers that flooded the morning court with their regressive opinions.

"Arriving at Tianlu Pavilion! If my lord would please watch your step whilst disembarking." At some point, probably at the emperor’s behest, the servants had stopped referring to Hua Zhixuan as Noble Lord Hua and adopted a far more ambiguous term of address ’my lord’. There wasn’t a specific title attributed to this respectful term but it was used most commonly to refer to court officials.

His Majesty was making a very clear point to the concubines in the inner palace...as well as every pair of eyes that watched them.

The pond outside the pavilion had frozen over and the white marble steps glinted like ice under the cold winter sun. Much llke a pampered concubine, the imperial palace was always richly adorned each season, but its beauty was never as chilly as it was during the winter months, where it looked much like how Hua Zhixuan imagined the palaces of the fairies that lived on the moon to be.

As much as he was willing to admire its stunning achitecture, he would much prefer to do so from a polite distance.

Head Eunuch Cao came out to greet him as he walked up towards the entrance and it was hard not to notice the tall figure kneeling on the stairs landing, clad in formal court robes and shivering in the biting wind.

"This old servant greets Lord Hua," Head Eunuch Cao said, once again foregoing Hua Zhixuan’s title in the inner palace for the generic term of address. "My lord, please come through this way."

At hearing the words ’Lord Hua’, the kneeling figure raised its head abruptly and looked straight at Hua Zhixuan, who came face to face with his distant uncle for the first time since receiving news that he was to forfeit the imperial examinations to marry into the inner palace.

"Clan Head," he said, inclining his head with a bow that had just enough distant respect that no one could accuse him of depending on the emperor’s doting as a reason for arrogance (1). "It has been a long time since this nephew has had the opportunity to stand before you."

The six old noble clans of Great Ye all held titles of hou (2) although these were often superceded by their political positions in court, which they clinged to with more fervence as this was what gave them real standing.

A glaring exception to this was the Hua Family, who over the last couple of generations, had struggled to produce strong candidates in the imperial examination. The current houye (3), Hua Liren, did not hold any position in court himself and the few sons of the main branch that had managed to pass the imperial examinations were also still residing in unimportant posts that did not give them the right to attend morning court.

This was why the Hua Family was so reliant on bestowing monetary and other sorts of favours on officials from humbler backgrounds to retain its influence in the political sphere. It was also why two-faced ministers like Minister of Finance Yuan was able to serve multiple masters at once; although he had gotten to where he was through the sponsorship of the Hua Family, once he gained enough influence on his own, it was hard for the Hua Family to continue to control him.

Hua Zhixuan reserved his judgement on the matter. He had every confidence that he would have been able to score adequately well in the imperial examinations but the clan head and elders had believed it more important to send this son of the side branch of the family to spy on the emperor than give him a chance to bring honour to the family.

He was glad that things had turned out this way. Not only did he get to meet Brother Yan and learn that there were so many smart, interesting people outside of the classroom, he also was further away from the influence the Hua Family would have on him otherwise.

"It is cold today, Clan Head," he said pleasantly. "Please be certain to stay in good health."

He didn’t wait to hear his uncle’s splutter before walking into Tianlu Pavilion.

The emperor was working through a mountain of paperwork in his study when Hua Zhixuan arrived. Brother Yan was nowhere to be seen, which might explain why His Majesty was in a noticeably foul mood.

"You’re here," the emperor said, once Head Eunuch Cao announced Hua Zhixuan’s presence. He glanced up briefly before returning his attention back to the memorandum he was writing a long reply to, his brush strokes not even pausing as he spoke. "Dispense with formalities. This sovereign trusts you saw the Head of the Hua Clan when you entered?"

Hua Zhixuan nodded. "Is Clan Head here because of the issue with Minister Yuan?"

"What else could he be here for?" was the emperor’s wry reply. "Not to catch up with the nephew he underestimated, surely. No, from what this sovereign gathers, he’s here to distance himself from the crimes committed by Minister Yuan and emphasise just how innocent and just the Hua Family is. What are your thoughts on that, Beloved Subject Hua?"

It was rare of Hua Zhixuan to blush before his husband-in-name but that one term of address never failed to fluster him. It was everything he’d always wanted and more, and to have it handed to him on a platter, not because of nepotism but because His Majesty truly believed he would live up to the honour once given a proper opportunity, made him feel happier than if he had earned the role of principal graduate at the last examination.

"In response to Your Majesty, clear is clear, muddy is muddy (4). A man can expound on his many virtues but at the end of the day, his actions speak louder than words."

The emperor laughed. "If you speak any louder, your dear uncle might hear you and the rage will undoubtedly keep him warm for the rest of the day."

Hua Zhixuan gave a scholarly bow. "There is little that this subject would find more satisfying than to perform such a service to my elders."

Returning Hua Zhixuan’s exaggerated wide-eyed innocence with a knowing look, the emperor beckoned for him to take a seat at the side table that had been set up for him. It was only after Hua Zhixuan was done arranging his robes and settling in with a cup of hot tea, that Hua Liren was finally summoned.

"This subject greets Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live for Ten Thousand Years! This subject greets Noble Lord Hua--"

The emperor cleared his throat, successfully interrupting the greeting.

"Ah, that’s outdated information, Marquis." The emperor leaned back in his seat. "Beloved Subject Hua has demonstrated an aptitude at court official duties and this sovereign has already given him permission to participate in the imperial examinations next year. Should he obtain satisfactory results, this sovereign is willing to amicably sever his concubinage."

On cue, Hua Zhixuan rose and thanked the emperor for his generosity. Mentally, he was also very grateful for the opportunity to see his clan head swaying on the spot, unable to cope with his disbelief. He could recall once being terrified of this intimidating man who had the final say over his future as well as the well-being of his parents. But that was a long time ago.

Thanks to the friends and...family he’d made in the inner palace, Hua Zhixuan had learnt how to put down his fears and anxieties.

"T-this subject thanks Your Majesty for the kindness shown to the Hua Family’s undeserving Daoyi."

Daoyi. How long had it been since Hua Zhixuan had last heard his courtesy name being used? Ever since the elders of the Hua Family had given up on him as a candidate for court, believing that it was more important they sent an educated young man into the inner palace in the hopes that his knowledge of the books and good sense of judgement (5) would be a novelty for the emperor. His Majesty hadn’t appreciated the frivolous butterflies flitting about him with their pretty wings, after all.

The emperor raised an eyebrow. "Undeserving? To be sure. This sovereign was very unimpressed to learn that a promising young scholar’s family, and one with a long line of affiliations in this sovereign’s court at that, was blind enough to send someone with such ministerial talent into the inner palace. What, do all of you feel that this sovereign has so many good officials in the morning court that we can afford to squander the remainder on useless endeavours?"

Barely a cup of tea’s time of being on his feet and Hua Liren found himself back on his knees again to beg for forgiveness for the Hua Family’s ignorance. Hua Zhixuan had once thought he would find it satisfying to see those he resented for his plight grovelling before him but now that it was really happening, he realised he couldn’t find it in himself to care. The indifference seemed to stem from the same comforting message that man had told him time and again, on the days where Hua Zhixuan found himself feeling melancholic about what could have been and he took Hua Zhixuan in his arms to console him.

Don’t waste your time on those who do not matter, Little Rabbit. Look at me instead, am I not nice to look at?

Gracious Consort Yao was. He was also insufferable. And yet, nowadays, Hua Zhixuan believed that even if he never made it out of this cage, his heart would continue to beat just out of love for him.

Even if the man was a liar. Even if he had more secrets to hide than Hua Zhixuan could begin to guess.

In the short time that Hua Zhixuan allowed himself to daydream, the emperor had moved on to discuss Minister Yuan’s transgressions with Hua Liren.

"Your Majesty, this subject can assure you that the Hua Family’s relationship with the Yuan Family is a purely social one and we have not in any way participated in any activities that would jeopardise the stability of your reign--"

"This sovereign believes you," the emperor said. "You may rest assured that if this sovereign had evidence of your disloyalty, you wouldn’t be in Tianlu Pavilion proclaiming your innocence."

Hua Liren went pale. Hua Zhixuan studied his nails and tried not to think about the number of problem sums he was going to have to explain to the little prince later.

"Then Your Majesty wishes for this subject to demonstrate loyalty to the throne in another way?" Hua Liren asked tentatively.

"Keeping a low profile isn’t too much to ask, don’t you think?" the emperor waved a hand at Hua Zhixuan. "This sovereign has here a suitable candidate for an official in the Ministry of Finance but the Hua Family’s ties to the corrupt ex-Minister of Finance makes it hard for this sovereign to promote him as a viable option come next spring."

That one sentence was loaded with a lot of information. It wasn’t just Hua Liren who struggled with processing. Hua Zhixuan, too, could scarcely believe what he was hearing.

If he wasn’t misunderstanding, His Majesty wished for him to enter the Ministry of Finance once he passed the examinations?

Hua Liren seemed to realise what this meant for the Hua Family because the trepidation in his eyes was quickly replaced by a spark of delight.

"This subject thanks Your Majesty on behalf of my dear nephew! Alas, the rest of the Hua Elders and myself have eyes but do not see (6), Daoyi is fortunate that Your Majesty is so discerning--" 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

The emperor raised his hand to stem the lip service choking up the studious air of the pavilion.

"Be not so quick to thank this sovereign, Marquis," he said. "This sovereign fully intends for Hua Zhixuan to take on a pivotal role in the Ministry of Finance, that much is true. But this sovereign has been bitten too many times by the complicated ties between officials in the Ministry of Finance and their families and other factions."

"The Hua Family was wrong in the past to sit on the fence and is now willing to dedicate itself to Your Majesty’s cause--"

"Lord Hua," the emperor suddenly said, calling Hua Zhixuan’s attention wholly onto himself. "Are you prepared to do what it takes to protect this sovereign’s civilians?"

Hua Zhixuan stepped out from his seat and dropped into a formal kowtow. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Even if it means cutting ties with a powerful old noble clan who would stop at nothing to promote your future in court? Even if you could have the chance to head a political faction or maybe even become clan head in the future?"

Hua Zhixuan knew that the emperor had a good point. There was a high chance that come spring next year, Hua Zhixuan would be the only Hua clansman to attend morning court in a few generations.

He didn’t lift his head. "This subject will follow Your Majesty’s instruction."

Over the emperor’s satisfied laughter, he heard Hua Liren protesting. "Your Majesty, cutting ties is a grave personal family matter and please forgive this subject his directness but not one which the throne, as an outsider, customarily interferes with--"

Hua Zhixuan, as the ever-dutiful nephew, felt like he needed to provide some insight.

"You might have forgotten, Clan Head, but His Majesty isn’t an outsider, he is this concubine’s husband."

Never had Hua Zhixuan been more willing to use that accursed self-address.