From CEO to Concubine-Chapter 149: Chess

The sun had yet to peek over the horizon when Yan Zheyun found himself standing at attention in the courtyard of the empress dowager’s Yongkang Palace. It was fast approaching the end of summer but they were not quite there yet, which meant that this was an ungodly hour for Yan Zheyun to be out of bed. Liu Yao would have been on the verge of waking up, taking care to extricate himself from Yan Zheyun’s embrace should they have been sharing quarters.

Yesterday had been the first night they’d slept apart after their little wedding ceremony. Yan Zheyun had smiled fondly at Liu Yao’s consternation when he’d suggested it but Yan Zheyun had put off holding court in the harem for far too long; he had overstepped the boundaries of what was proper and this was perhaps the reason behind the dowager’s sudden summons.

But it wouldn’t be the only one. He was fairly confident that the old lady had it out for him.

They hadn’t crossed paths ever since they’d squared off over the incident that had resulted in the execution of the Li Family. Yan Zheyun knew it was only a matter of time though. As the saying went, a mountain could not contain two tigers; the dowager would not permit his steady rise to power without taking him down a peg or two.

This was why he was here, stifling a yawn as discreetly as possible while waiting for the beady-eyed momo standing with arms akimbo in front of the main entrance to announce his presence to the dowager.

"Empress Dowager Niangniang is presently still attending to her daily prayers in the shrine," the momo said with a mean twist to her lips. "Niangniang’s devotion to the scriptures is unwavering. Imperial Noble Consort Yue would do well to cultivate the same patience and magnanimity towards humankind, now Yue Langjun is also to be a role model to the imperial harem."

The bite in her words was barely disguised but Yan Zheyun paid it no heed. The ineffectual jibes and less than subtle disregard for him were done to make him lose his foot, discomfited before they even began another round of skirmishing on this glorious too-early morning.

As such, his eyes crinkled as he smiled, careful to display exactly how little fucks he gave that he’d been dragged out of his comfortable silk sheets in his newly-minted palace to come here and listen to a lecture on patience. On magnanimity. It was a testament that he had retained all the lessons in palace mannerisms, that he did not flout all decorum by bursting into laughter in the momo’s face. Magnanimity indeed. He wasn’t sure how much of that the estimable empress dowager had but the skin of her porcelain-like face was definitely thicker than the Great Wall.

The momo did seem to take his nonchalance as a personal insult. Her eyes narrowed into a formidable squint and if Yan Zheyun hadn’t known beforehand, he was very certain he wasn’t welcome here now. But it wasn’t like he could just do her a favour and leave.

Time dragged on. In an era without the convenience of wristwatches or phone screens, he had no way of telling just how long he’d stood there, back straight but bleary-eyed as he waited for the empress dowager to get over herself and voice what she’d called him here for. It was only as dawn started peeking over the horizon like a faint halo that a young servant girl came out to whisper something to the momo.

"Hmph. Empress Dowager Niangniang has requested an audience with you in her reception hall."

I know, Yan Zheyun didn’t say. I knew this since I received your stupid message yesterday. It was the main reason he didn’t want to share bedchambers with Liu Yao last night. To say that his husband was a light sleeper was putting it too simply. Liu Yao slept with the paranoia of someone expecting to have his throat slit the second his eyelids were shut, which Yan Zheyun presumed wasn’t too far from the truth. He’d heard the stories of the assassination attempts, after all. Even traced some of the scars left behind from previous failures with his fingertips.

But more than not wanting to disturb Liu Yao’s precious sleep, which was already lacking, Yan Zheyun didn’t want to be the lo us of any discord between the empress dowager and the emperor. He’d already auditioned for that role once and decided it wasn’t for him. The stakes were too high, both for Liu Yao and himself. One wrong move, one small mistake, and they could have the accusation of being ’unfilial’ slapped on them. Yan Zheyun had seen enough to know that the bad blood between mother and son ran deeper than the bloodline that coursed through their veins, though he had no inkling as to why yet.

Just another one of those elusive mysteries about Liu Yao he would have to wait for the chance to solve.

The splendour of Yongkang Palace was like a slap across the cheek, driving home the point that only the most distinguished person in the inner palace was permitted to stay there. Personally, it was too much to absorb first thing in the morning; Yan Zheyun preferred the serenity of the surrounding gardens.

But he wasn’t here to admire the interior decor. His bow, when presented to the empress dowager, was impeccable. She would likewise find herself unable to nitpick any faults in the greeting that followed soon after.

As he straightened up, he asked with a mild smile, "What can this concubine do for Empress Dowager Niangniang?"

The empress dowager lowered her eyelashes as she gazed unhurriedly down at her tea, the faint trails of smoke curling over its surface a sign that it was freshly brewed. Yan Zheyun suddenly found himself missing both his secretary and his PA, if only because they had somehow turned using the company’s automated coffee machine into an art.

"It seems like this mourner has greatly underestimated you, Imperial Noble Consort." There was a steely note in her voice but outwardly, she appeared unperturbed. "A mere year and you have the emperor eating out of your palm. You know, there are strict rules and regulations regarding the appointment of an imperial noble consort. Are you aware of what they are?"

Yan Zheyun copied her by lowering his gaze as well. "In response to Emperor Dowager Niangniang, this concubine is well aware."

"Oh? Let’s hear it then. Recite them."

...he’d thought he was done with these finishing school-style of classes after good old Sun Momo. It seemed like this was going to turn out to be a rather nostalgic sort of day.

Imperial Noble Consorts could traditionally only be appointed in a few selected circumstances. The first was when the emperor did not wish to appoint a new empress in wake of the death of the old one but still required someone to govern the affairs of the imperial harem. The second was when the emperor had never intended to appoint an empress at all, in which case an imperial noble consort was also chosen to fulfil the same task but without all the glory attributed to the phoenix throne. The third was when an imperial noble consort was the emperor’s favourite but due to unfortunate circumstances, such as falling severely ill, the emperor could promote them as part of the chongxi (1) custom, in the hopes that they would return to health. Fourthly, an imperial noble consort could be promoted if a late emperor’s son took pity on his father’s high-ranking concubines and granted them that title as consolation for the loss of their husband.

And last but not least...

"Imperial Noble Consorts can be promoted posthumously," he said shortly. At this, the empress dowager raised her head to regard him with a level look.

What was she trying to achieve? Yan Zheyun had to wonder. Was this her attempt to humble him? Or a veiled threat, perhaps?

"As you can see," the empress dowager finally said, after the silence dragged on for too long and the atmosphere grew heavy with an undercurrent of tension. "You do not meet any of the criteria. And yet, here you are."

"Here I am," Yan Zheyun echoed. "Empress Dowager Niangniang, if your intention is to have His Majesty revoke my title, this matter needs to be discussed with him, this concubine is exactly as my self-address proclaims; I am merely his concubine."

Her gaze bore into him like she was trying to pry his facade apart and lay bare his soul for scrutiny. But maybe his stubborn resolve to remain unfazed finally irritated her because she sniffed and waved him off with a sigh so exasperated it could only be intentional.

"Forget it, forget it," she muttered. "Since you’re already Imperial Noble Consort, there is no reason to keep you from fulfilling your duties. This mourner arranged for such an early meeting so that you may return to your palace for the morning harem assembly after. Or were you intending to cancel today as well?" Her little soliloquy had turned into rebuke by the end of it.

Yan Zheyun bowed again. "Empress Dowager Niangniang is right to lecture this concubine...tonight, I will ensure that I remind His Majesty that all good things must be had in moderation." It didn’t take much effort for him to conjure a coy flush right when he needed it most; his acting skills have come a long way since the early days of his transmigratory experience. It was well worth seeing her school her lovely features into impassivity to conceal her disgust.

"On that topic," the empress dowager said, somewhat taciturnly, "the rain and dew should fall equally upon all. Do you understand what this mourner is trying to say?"

"This concubine understands."

"Ensure that you do." Then, almost like an afterthought, her lacquered lips curled into a thoughtful frown. "Ah, it had slipped this mourner’s mind but the autumn hunt soon approaches. It would be unseemly if His Majesty only brought along one favourite with him and the court officials with daughters and sons in the inner palace would not stand for such an insult."

Yan Zheyun wished he could shrug and tell her, "If Liu Yao really gave a damn what his officials thought, I wouldn’t even be here right now." But with the funny way hierarchy worked in these parts, all he could do was school his features into a semblance of politeness and reply, "It is as Empress Dowager Niangniang says. However, His Majesty is not one to have his mind made up for him, this concubine can only promise to do his best." He was more than happy to ask Liu Yao to bring along the rest of the harem to spectate the hunt. If he played his cards right, that particular conversation could even count as foreplay...not that he thought the dowager would have any interest in knowing what went on between Liu Yao and him behind closed doors.

"His Majesty’s inclinations towards the affairs of the bitten peach (2) have always been a worry of this mourner’s," the empress dowager continued whilst massaging her temples in a show of weariness. She sounded like an elder fretting over the wayward behaviour of a younger generation but Yan Zheyun knew better than to fall for it. He waited silently to see what it was she really wanted. "But as you said, His Majesty’s decisions cannot be tempered by the concerns of others. Still, whilst you might be the most desirable, there are other men in the harem too, men who come from prestigious families like that son of the Liang Clan and that son of the Guo Clan. I believe they are both currently staying in Imperial Concubine Pei’s Yuanyin Palace?" 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"...this concubine believes so." Were they? If he hadn’t had to see them on the regular during morning assemblies, Yan Zheyun would have forgotten all about them for now. Yuanyin Palace was so far away from Yuyang Palace that they had had little to no comings and goings once Hua Zhixuan had moved out. After the last all-around promotions for all concubines beneath the title of imperial concubine, Talented Lord Liang had finally become Beautiful Lord Liang. But this didn’t change the fact that his biggest direct rival, Beautiful Lord Guo, had been promoted too. And of course, Yan Zheyun’s rank so far exceeded theirs now that there was just no competing. Had Noble Consort Li still been alive, she too would have had to greet Yan Zheyun upon crossing paths with him now. So, although Yan Zheyun hadn’t failed to notice the bitter jealous stares directed his way by Liang Ruhan, the arrogant beautiful lord hadn’t been foolish enough to parade himself in front of Yan Zheyun’s nose in recent times.

Perhaps he was still figuring out how to push Noble Lord Guo back down and seize control of Yuanyin Palace again. Before today, they hadn’t fallen on Yan Zheyun’s radar at all. But now that the dowager had brought them up, he would have to be a careless fool to not pay closer attention.

"Advice His Majesty to bring them along for the hunt, it is your duty as his closest confidante to help him ease some of the burden of the throne and their attendance will undoubtedly earn him favour with the old noble clans."

Yan Zheyun gave her a perfunctory smile. "As Empress Dowager Niangniang commands." He concealed the niggling doubt that was forming in his mind. He could recall that not too long ago, she’d busied herself scrutinising all the new arrivals in the harem, particularly the women, as though failing to school the emperor on the importance of begetting a ton of heirs was her greatest breach of her imperial duties. Now, however, both her recommendations for the hunt were male...

Appearing as indifferent as possible, he said, "No doubt His Majesty would wish to be accompanied by Gracious Consort Yao as well."

The empress dowager’s lips curled sardonically. "No doubt," she replied. Yan Zheyun couldn’t tell whether she knew of Yao Siya’s real role in the imperial palace and didn’t think it safe to try and pry any further. But once again, it struck him as odd that she didn’t ask him to bring along any of the female members of the harem. If he had guessed previously that she had intended to control Liu Yao’s future heir for her own gain, then now he had to guess that she had fallen back on another plan.

One that didn’t require Liu Yao to have children. One that might work better if Liu Yao didn’t have any children, in fact.

The sudden feeling of unease made his empty stomach feel even queasier than before. Fortunately, dawn had encased the horizon in a golden halo and he now had a valid excuse to bid her farewell. He had to return to his palace now if he didn’t want to be late for the first morning assembly he would be leading. That being said, it seemed like he now had more leeway with time; he did not need to enter his reception hall until all the concubines that hadn’t sent word of being under the weather were present.

"If Empress Dowager Niangniang has no further instructions for this concubine, I shall take my leave first. I’m afraid morning assembly is soon to commence."

"Wait."

He looked up from his bow to see the dowager studying his face intently. Her expression was carefully blank and he couldn’t guess what her mood was.

"This mourner has heard that you have been tutoring the ninth prince in his studies."

Aha. There we go. His ears pricked up.

"This concubine does not lack so much self-awareness that I would presume to be able to tutor His Highness." His reply was neutral, as though he was just stating facts and wholly uninvested in the subject. "His Majesty has merely asked for this concubine to assist the young prince in the work set for him by the imperial tutors. As this concubine has had some academic background—"

"Your scholarship is woefully lacking in comparison to many of the male concubines within the harem," the empress dowager interrupted. The words would have stung the original Yan Yun’s pride but Yan Zheyun personally had completed tertiary education in a prestigious university and could ignore the burn. "Why, Lord Liang, Lord Guo, Lord Chen—even that friend of yours, Lord Hua, would all be suitable candidates for the task," she chastised. "The ninth prince might not be in line for the throne but as a prince, his education cannot be neglected thus."

But he is in line for the throne, same as your other son, but with the advantage of being younger, less a threat to the reigning emperor. And this is why I have cause to suspect that you wish to interfere now, as you may very well have interfered then.

"It is as Empress Dowager Niangniang says," he said as he gave a solemn nod. "This concubine will raise the issue with His Majesty."

"See that it is done."

Nothing in her demeanour gave the game away but Yan Zheyun knew he would be having a very serious discussion about Liu An tonight with his husband.