From CEO to Concubine-Chapter 219: Pear and Parasol

Like raindrops on pear blossoms (1). This was the image inspired by Yan Xi as she knelt on the cobblestones beneath the trees, flowers scattering in the wind around her like they were also sorrowing for her plight.

The late Prime Minister Yan had been known for both his talents and handsome features and his wife had been nonpareil in the capital her looks and virtue, rivalled only by the southern beauty who later went on to become the empress dowager. Anyone who had looked upon them would sigh in envy and proclaim that this lovely young couple was indeed comprised of ’a brilliant young scholar and a fair young lady’ (2). Just like Yan Yun, Yan Xi had inherited the best of their features, in particular the heartstopping visage of her mother. But unlike her brother, whose appearance had invited scorn--after all, what good was beauty on a man?--the sight of a fairy-like maiden crying was enough to move anyone who came across it.

Or it ought to have been enough. But the imperial city was always an exception to the norm and there was no lack of weeping beauties in the inner palace.

Foolish. Rather than sympathy, irritation was all Yan Zheyun could muster right now. There was a saying that one mountain could not house two tigers; one would have to yield to the other eventually. He never felt it as keenly as he did after officially taking on the position of empress and wielding the actual power of the phoenix seal. His role wasn’t exactly traditional either, given that he was actively dabbling in politics with Liu Yao’s express permission. This was not to say that he neglected his tasks in the inner palace, no. But he’d made the mistake of seeing them as administrative, ticked them off the list without giving much thought to anything except keeping the peace so Liu Yao’s back was covered.

For one thing, the dowager’s presence in the inner palace alone meant that any peace he’d achieved was tenuous at best. She had laid low for a while now after the fourth prince’s fall from favour in his royal brother’s eyes, had such little influence on the imperial wedding that it’d been difficult not to overlook her.

But for some reason, it seemed that she was now ready to return to the fight. And at least on the surface, she had the advantage of being of Yan Zheyun’s elder.

"In the months this mourner has spent dedicating to the scriptures, things have indeed changed in my home. Why, this mourner is taken aback indeed. Just a simple walk in the imperial gardens and this mourner has already had to tolerate the atrocious sight of male and female concubines mingling together in pavilions with complete disregard to propriety."

The dowager’s absence from public sight had not aged her in the least. She had to be in her forties at least given Liu Yao’s age but the years had left little marks on her. Yan Zheyun could appreciate her doll-like beauty. The natural softness of her southern features were carefully guarded with vibrant rouge and lip paint, lending her a haughty, ostentatious edge. Yan Zheyun had to marvel at the late emperor’s greed. With such a wife, it was remarkable that his eye could still roam.

Then again, it wasn’t like cheating was uncommon in modern times. Three wives and four concubines...men just had better excuses for a fickle heart in this era, that was all. He wasn’t so naive as to believe that ’one lifetime, one pair of lovers’ was easily achievable. All the more reason to cherish his Liu Yao.

The stern elderly momo supporting the dowager’s arm had a thin-lipped smile on her face as she shot Yan Zheyun a dissatisfied look. "This old servant had no heart to trouble Niangniang when your pious heart was so dedicated to prayers but Niangniang, much else has changed. Those who took advantage of your dedication to the gods have done much in your absence."

Yan Zheyun remained quiet, waiting to see what else they had up their sleeve. He did not believe this to be a coincidental meeting. Perhaps they might not have the means to know his exact movements through the inner palace; after the latest purge of spies, Liu Yao had tightened the security around both Qianqing Palace and Aiyun Palace. But Chuxiu Palace, where Yan Xi currently resided, was a different story. Just like how Liu Yao’s eyes and ears watched every move of the temporary resident within, Yan Zheyun was certain other parties with vested interests did the same too. Whether the morning court still had a strong force within the palace walls was debatable but the dowager had decades of connections established and it would be unrealistic to expect that they had all been uprooted in one go.

How had Yan Xi managed to leave Chuxiu Palace without permission from the phoenix seal? Why hadn’t it been reported to Yan Zheyun immediately? Even if the dowager had intervened to orchestrate such an incident to cause trouble for Yan Zheyun, surely Liu Yao’s messengers should have sent him a warning by now?

Exchanging a quick glance with Xiao De and noting the steadiness in his most faithful servant’s gaze, Yan Zheyun knew that they were on the same page. There was more to this than met the eye, the best strategy for now was to play along and trust that Liu Yao had his back too.

"This son-subject wishes Royal Mother a golden morning." The dowager could not conceal her distaste at Yan Zheyun’s change of self-address and title when speaking to her. As the empress, the emperor’s lawful wife, his name was officially included in the imperial registry, on the Liu clan records. Without committing an unfathomably heinous crime, even Liu Yao would struggle to justify having it struck off. Yan Zheyun did not particularly care for the dowager’s acceptance of him into her little family. In fact, the memory of her sending Zhang Xiu to disgust him in his last moments as Yun Ziyu left an acrid taste on his mouth that was even more bitter than the poison she had bestowed upon him.

Looking his murderer in the eye and calling her mother. This was the sort of insincere, deceitful world he had left his Liu Yao to face, traitors wearing the mask of friendship by his side, the lonely years yawning in front of him like an endless chasm.

"This mourner daren’t presume to take on the role of your mother," was the dowager’s lofty reply. "Empress has already taken such initiative with controlling the inner palace, what space is there for this mourner to give any advice on the way things are done around here?"

Yan Zheyun returned her spite with a humble bow of his head but his words were unwavering. "This son-subject is frightened by Royal Mother’s insinuations." When he had just been a consort with powers to manage the harem conferred to him by Liu Yao, there had always been the question of legitimacy at the end of the day. A consort was just a high-ranking concubine, not someone who could even begin to challenge the authority of the most respectable woman in the kingdom.

But as empress, he was merely fulfilling his duties and playing the role of a filial child by taking over the dowager’s responsibilitiies. She could advise but he had more leg to stand on now.

Not to mention that he still had Liu Yao to support him from the back.

"Royal Mother’s advice is always welcome," he said with a warm smile that he knew would grate on her nerves. Once upon a time, he had marvelled at Liu Yao’s flawless ability to spout bullshit with the straightest of faces but now, well, they were a whole household of film emperors, weren’t they? The number of trophies they’d rake in every year at the awards festivals would fill the entire cabinet Yan Zheyun’s father set aside in his study to showcase his chilren’s achievements. There were all sorts in there, from amateur gaming tournaments to sports to ballet, from music to math, and now they could maybe add some golden horse, golden rooster trophies, son-in-law’s stellar acting included.

The ridiculous mental image came at an inopportune moment but delighted Yan Zheyun so much that he had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop from outright laughing. Some of his good mood must have shone through though and there was nothing more infuriating than knowing your enemy was enjoying themselves, so the dowager’s glare, already cold, turned positively chilly.

"This mourner sees that the empress’ heart is saying a different thing to his mouth. You ask for advice but seem ignorant of your misdeeds."

"Niangniang please quell your anger," the momo conveniently chipped in. "At the end of the day, there is a difference between a true aristocrat and those who who didn’t have the same prestigious upbringing, whilst not ideal, Niangniang is benevolent and will have to dedicate a bit more time and patience to nurturing."

Yan Zheyun put on his best show of contriteness. "This son-subject awaits Royal Mother’s nurturing." Okay, maybe his best show wasn’t all that good today.

"You!" The momo lashed out before reining herself back in the nick of time, possibly recalling that she was speaking to the most powerful person in the inner palace at the moment. "Fengjun is quick to retort for a fleeting moment of triumph but please heed this old servant’s well-meaning advice, is it worth harming the familial relationship and placing His Majesty in an awkward position?"

Awkward position? Yan Zheyun had yet to meet someone more comfortable with the idea of conflict with the dowager than Liu Yao himself. The man would probably be disappointed if Yan Zheyun had spent the day trying to play happy families with their ’beloved’ royal mother.

As if sensing that putting Yan Zheyun down at the start of the inevitable altercation was not going to give her the psychological upper hand, the dowager finally turned her attention back to the weeping maiden they had all conveniently left as the wallpaper until now.

"What good means you have, Empress," the dowager commented, flicking an elegant wrist dismissively in the direction of Yan Xi. "It isn’t a nice feeling, is it? Flying onto the highest wutong (3) tree, one has the best vantage point but in strong winds, it is precarious up there without a son to support you from below." Her eyes trailed soft to land on Yan Zheyun’s belly and a disdainful smile curled on her immaculately laquered lips. "This mourner had thought that perhaps you had a particular target in sight but now...a child borne of imperial blood that also shares your vixenous lineage...that is still the most secure route, is that it?"

Ah, Yan Zheyun could confirm it now. The right prime minister and the dowager were not on the same side. She did not appreciate his gift, this little addition to the inner palace in the form of a sister-in-law. Her hatred of Yan Xi wasn’t just attributable to her grudge against Yan Zheyun or her dislike for Yan Xi’s grooming as a shouma. The supposed birth mother of the emperor, her coldness towards her son all but indicated she could hardly care less who he took to his bed, what hits his reputation would take. Hence, her lack of true inteference when Liu Yao chose to deny tradition and marry a man. If the people opposed this, all the better for her. Yan Zheyun knew her agenda was to support Liu Wei, it was nothing Liu Yao was unaware of either.

So she would not wish for Liu Yao to have a son now. Liu Yao’s broken sleeve tendencies had made things easier for her. Liu Wei only had to compete against his brothers to inherit the throne and one was a wastrel, another was a child. Liu Wei might have been removed from court for a year for punishment but he had stronger ties and influences established than a ten year old who had yet to enter the political sphere.

The throne was almost in their bag. All it took now was Liu Yao’s death...and Liu Yao had mysteriously disappeared in ’Hurt Me In a Million Ways’, supposedly had died in the northern war.

Yan Zheyun thought about the unrest in the northern borders now and felt his heart weigh down heavily in his chest. No one’s hands were clean of the bloodshed of innocents. The fourth prince’s camp was involved, they were sure of them, they just didn’t know in what manner. As for Liu Yao’s participation in the war, Yan Zheyun had made it very clear he didn’t want Liu Yao leading the campaign. But Liu Yao...hadn’t promised anything. He hadn’t lied, at least, but he hadn’t given Yan Zheyun a reassuring answer either.

They were surrounded by enemies and their position didn’t give them the luxury to make empty promises. Yan Zheyun didn’t blame Liu Yao for it but it meant that every night he was plagued by nightmares of Liu Yao’s horse-trampled corpse on the battlefield.

And that was just one of the outcomes if the fourth prince should have his way. As for the right prime minister, what was he hoping to achieve? With no direct affiliation to the throne via a political marriage, who did he wiish to place onto the throne in Liu Yao’s stead? There was only the sixth prince left that he had access to...but Yan Zheyun had no evidence that they were in cahoots.

"Niangniang is troubled by the lack of obedient characters in the inner palace," the momo said with an exaggerated headshake. "It is funny, come to think of it, that a phoenix has to rely on a fox to secure its place...one would have thought it would disdain the fox for being dirty."

A part of Yan Zheyun’s soul ached at the insinuation, the brother in him unable to disregard the string of someone belittling his younger sister. But he had already warned Yan Xi time and time again that the rules of the inner palace were not to be disregarded. Each rule was like a shackle, latching on one after another in a suffocating chokehold of ritual and regulation, the emperor’s love a key that could barely unlock enough of the restraints to grant his favourites a taste of fresh air.

Even as empress, Yan Zheyun was limited in what he could do to protect her. It was improper for an outside relation to wander unescorted through the inner palace. Now that she had run right into the dowager’s trap, dragging him along with her and giving the dowage an excuse to stir trouble up for him, Yan Zheyun could hardly guarantee that he would get away scot-free, let alone keep her safe from harm.

He closed his eyes for a second, and when he opened them again, the hint of heartache within was carefully concealed.

"Royal Mother is right to chastise," he said calmly. "This son-subject’s little sister has already been instructed of the rules but in a moment’s playfulness, chose to break them and sneak out to see the gardens. This son-subject is remorseful that I did not keep a closer watch over her and will ask His Majesty to mete out befitting punishment for my transgressions. As for Yan Xi, this son-subject will ensure that she faces suitable consequences for her actions--"

The dowager laughed. "Does the empress take this mourner for a fool?"

...well, no, but one can hope.

"Or is the empress suggesting that this mourner is no longer fit to punish the younger generation of the family? Using the emperor to dismiss my authority?"

She was determined to tear through the tenuous veil today and openly oppose Liu Yao it seemed. The threat of Yan Xi becoming with child outweighed the appearances she barely manag to keep up anyway.

Yan Zheyun took a deep breath and was about to just let it all go to hell when a loud, shrill female voice, very familiar, interrupted them. "Someone please help! The Young Highness has fallen into the pond."