4- A Concubine?

Various gifts were sent to the empress. Gold rings, exclusive flower tea, paintings, calligraphy, jade ornaments and a bonsai ? It is an one of a kind, but why?

"This jade is from Consort Wei, may your majesty take a look."

"The quality is great." She said.

"This flower tea is fr-"

"Who sent the bonsai ?"

"Nubi, have no idea."

"Hmm. Why would anyone sent a bonsai anonymously.."

____________

"Your majesty, this is the comb." Bai Lu shows a magnificent carved jade.

He hold the treasure with satisfaction.

"It was crafted well." He said still looking at the comb.

"Yes,your majesty." The motive is very detailed. Peonies sitting there beautifully, there even the empress's name on it Lu Qing Yu. The emperor is very happy with it. Not many people know the empress's full name because she always addresses as 'The Empress ' . However, there is no sense of an empress or royalty on the comb*.

But he put the comb back to its box. And put it in a cabinet. He lock it.

"Let's get ready for the gathering."

It was a magnificent dinner yet feels so plain. The emperor sneaks at the empress's face, and she doesn't seem to be pleased. Whatever the case is, shouldn't we suppose to be happy on our birthday ?

"Emperor, are you free tonight?" Consort Hua whispers, but she makes sure it is loud enough for empress to hear.

"Yes, why?"

"The child on my stomach wants the presence of his father." She says clinging to emperor's hand.

It is disgusting to see. The empress suddenly lose her appetite. She knew that the emperor doesn't favour her, but isn't it too much?!

Is he trying to shove her out? She learned how to live without his love, however this kind of stuff just makes her put ice wall between them.

They are currently in a weird relationship. The emperor wants her company , but it is more of a professional relation. And seeing the emperor goes to HuaYang Palace tonight, just explain who is the most favoured woman in the harem.

But the empress does realise how much the emperor treasure her, as the mother of the country.

___

The room is filled with rosy scent, so captivating. A seductive atmosphere that would make any guys go crazy. But the Consort is not a low person. She knows what she's doing.

"Would your majesty prefer black tea or chamomile?"

"Black tea."

The servant pour a cup of tea and left.

"Why don't you have a cup?"

"Black tea is not good for pregnant woman, this bengong doesn't want to harm the dragon child." Consort Hua answers shyly.

"Of course. Is there anything that you need?"

"Your majesty, Wei Clan seems to get a grasp on important state problems."

"Yes, and how is that bother Consort Hua?"

"Please don't forget that they were the one who tried to seize four provinces under a night attack."

"Of course." The emperor doesn't want to talk about any state matters that is subjective. Hua Clan and Wei Clan does not get along with each other since decades ago. And having Consort from both Clan doesn't help at all.

They will try to drag each other down. But the emperor is not in the mood to talk about it.

Wei Clan did try to seize four provinces under Hua authority. However, they didn't realise that one of the province is actually under Wang authority. Hence this problem became state matters for years and now it is a taboo to talk about.

The night went darker and the emperor gets bored of the talk.

"Emperor please give this Consort a promise." She smile sweetly. Almost in a seductive way.

"And what is it?"

"Bengong's child, please give a dragon blessing*"

"..."

"Your majesty?"

"..sure.." he is uncertain unlike his word.

The emperor left Consort Hua's palace after that.

"Bai Lu, I want the empress at my study right now." He said expressionlessly. But Bai Lu understands his tone, it is urgent. And the emperor is not in a good mood.

"Zhi."

Bai Lu run to the Phoenix palace which is closed when he arrived.

"The empress must be sleeping right now." He thinks.

The emperor never calls the empress this late.

"Mumu! Bai Lu is searching for the empress! He said it is very important and the emperor wants her arrival immediately!" A servant runs with a pale face, she is out of her breath.

Mumu also feel the servant's anxiety, because the empress is not here! The empress is in the harem house! And there is no way to find her.

Harem house is the most tightly secured place in the whole forbidden city. Even Consort needs a permission to enter, and going out is even harder.

For the empress's case, only few people who knew about it. Even so, they don't know that it's the empress, they only know her as a 'part time concubine' . Because her appearance is nothing like the empress. A thick white powder and red lips, loose simple hanfu with only minimal accessories. She doesn't want to get any attention, so she dress like normal low concubine.

Even for that, Mumu has to bribe the guard to keep silent.

That means they won't have a chance to get in and find the empress! A big mess! Why is the emperor searching for the empress right now?!

Mumu tries to be calm and think of a solution. She walks towards the Phoenix gate and meet Bai Lu. She act like she's sad and says

"Im sorry to inform but the empress is currently very sick, so her majesty couldn't get up from bed."

"Bu..ut, she was fine a while ago. When-" Bai Lu sure he sees the empress was okay.

"I'm sorry but, may you leave now?"

"I am sur-" Bai Lu doesn't want his head off! He will try his best. And the emperor seems to be very angry and annoy him is not a good option!

"Please, her majesty needs her rest." Mumu shoves Bai Lu off.

Bai Lu finally left in disappointment and fear. He knocks emperor's study carefully.

"Get in."

"Your majesty, forgive this muttonheaded servant."

"What?" The emperor says impatiently.

"Mumu said that the empress is very sick and could not get up from the Phoenix bed." Bai Lu said carefully. He is afraid that he will anger the emperor.

"Wait, she is..sick?" The emperor gets up and-

________________

"I'm going to go to the harem house. Prepare my clothes."

"But, today is your majesty's birthday and-"

"Just do it" the empress says short and firm. She takes off her hair pins and put on heavy makeup quickly like she doesn't care.

"Let me help your majesty with the hanfu." Mumu said.

Mumu knows the empress just wants to get away from here. Mumu knows that she is in a sorrow but she couldn't show it, because she is the empress and she has to be strong. But Mumu could not get it, why is the emperor go to Hua Palace at the empress's birthday? How wicked could he be?

*royalty/ nobility style is basically using gold. For an empress usually there's Phoenix decorations

*dragon blessing : having a chance to be a king. But since they already have crowned prince, he can be a substitute.

Thank you for reading.. I hope you like this chapter.. please vote and share to your friends!! It will make my day.. see you next week!