Tonight, she was not just a servant; she was a gift. But would the Emperor accept her, or would she become another pawn in the perilous game of palace politics?
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As the sun dipped behind the palace walls, the air crackled with anticipation, a tangible energy that filled every corner of the palace.
Yue's heart raced in her chest as the eunuch guided her to the preparation chambers.
It felt as if the walls themselves were holding their breath, a calm moment before the impending storm.
As soon as she stepped inside, palace maids surrounded her. With practiced efficiency, they quickly stripped her down.
Before she knew it, she stood before a basin filled with warm water dotted with jasmine and rose petals.
The scent was light but overwhelming, wrapping around her like a python.
The maids bathed her with a precision that bordered on reverence. They made sure every inch of her skin was spotless.
Their hands were gentle, their movements deliberate, as if they were treating something far more fragile than a mere servant.
Yue barely breathed as they worked, not wanting to interrupt the care they were taking to make her perfect for the Emperor.
After the aroma bath, they dried her off and moved on to her hair. They washed and combed it thoroughly, each strand flowing like silk through their fingers.
They styled it carefully, letting it fall in soft waves down her back. Then, they pinned a few glimmering hairpins, catching the light just right.
The scent of jasmine still clung to the strands, mingling with the warm air of the chamber.
The makeup came next—nothing heavy, just a touch of powder to smooth out her complexion and a bit of rouge to highlight her cheekbones.
It wasn't much, but it made her striking features stand out even more.
Yue had always been beautiful, almost ethereal in her looks, but now, she seemed to glow in the room's soft light.
When the maids finished, they stepped back, and Yue was left standing in front of a large bronze mirror. She could hardly recognize herself, transformed from a mere servant to a vision of beauty.
They dressed her in an almost sheer white nightgown that clung to her figure in an undeniably seductive way.
The outer cloak, made of fine silk, hung over her shoulders, providing some modesty but not much.
The eunuch, standing by the door, seemed momentarily stunned by what he saw.
His eyes widened, and he muttered, almost to himself,
"Lady Yue... You truly look like a concubine now. The Emperor will surely be pleased."
Yue didn't know how to respond. She just nodded silently, feeling the weight of the words press down on her.
"Lady?" She asked the eunuch in confusion.
"Yes, after the ritual, you are a lady-in-waiting now. Awaiting the blessings of the Emperor." The eunuch replied.
She was still a servant, but now she was something else—a piece to be admired and perhaps even desired. She wasn't sure how to feel about that.
She hadn't gotten over the fact that she would be serving a man she barely knew—the most powerful man in the nation.
The eunuch led her through the hallways, the sounds of the palace almost drowned out by the thudding of her heartbeat.
Eventually, they reached a side chamber where the eunuch told her to wait.
The waiting felt endless—her mind racing, her nerves tight, but she could do nothing now.
She could only wait for the Emperor to arrive.
And when he did, it was as if the atmosphere in the room shifted.
The Emperor entered with a presence that demanded attention. His eyes swept the room quickly, landing on Consort Shu, who was already standing to greet him.
His face lit up when he saw her, a complete change from his demeanor a moment ago, his eyes filled with a warmth that only Shu could evoke.
"Your Majesty," Shu said, her voice soft and inviting. "I've been waiting for you.
"Please, come in," she said with a warm smile as she curtsied to him.
Without a second thought, the Emperor approached her, his arms open as if to embrace her.
He drew her close and held her hand as they walked into the inner chambers.
Yue watched them through a narrow gap in the windowsill.
She thought they looked like a genuine, loving couple.
Although she had witnessed their interactions many times, this time felt different.
She observes the Emperor's every move and tries to catch every detail of his face.
Her heart pounded like a performer waiting backstage in a show, waiting for her turn.
Once inside the chambers, the Emperor wraps his hands around Consort Shu's waist.
"Did you miss me?" he asked in a voice low with affection, his breath warm against her ear.
"What about our child? Is he growing strong? Does he miss his father?"
He lowered his head, pressing his ear gently against her belly as if listening for the baby's movements. Shu smiled softly and stroked his hair.
"He does," she replied, her voice filled with tenderness. "He's already looking forward to meeting you."
The Emperor smiled back, his eyes softening.
"Well then, since our son misses me so badly, I will be spending my night here," he said, his voice almost a whisper.
With a wave of his hand, the servants were dismissed, creating a sense of privacy. Yue and the other attendants were sent away, leaving only the Emperor and Consort Shu alone in her quarters.
"And you, my dear Shu, looked beautiful as ever." The Emperor moved his hands to caress Consort Shu's cheeks and slowly moved his thumb to her lips.
Just as the Emperor moved in to kiss Shu, she gently stopped him, placing her hand on his chest.
"Your Majesty," she said, her voice sweet yet firm. "I have prepared something for you tonight."
The Emperor paused, his brow furrowing slightly in curiosity. "What is it, my dear?"
With a coy smile, Shu motioned toward the corner of the room.
"A gift," she said, her voice laced with mystery. "From me to you."
The eunuch outside caught the signal and escorted Yue into the chambers,
The Emperor's gaze followed her gesture, and his eyes immediately landed on Yue.
She stood still and silent, her nightgown shimmering softly in the light.
Her beauty was undeniable, but something about how she looked—vulnerable, yet striking—made him pause.
He noticed her before while visiting Consort Shu, but she is not nearly as appealing in her servant outfit.
Yue held his gaze briefly before looking away, her heart pounding.
She didn't know what to do or how to act; she was present.
"A gift," as Shu had said.
The Emperor's expression changed; he was astonished but not as she had anticipated.
His expression didn't show desire but something else—a flicker of hesitation. Was this some test from Consort Shu?
"I see," the Emperor said slowly, his voice betraying nothing. "So, this is your gift?"
Shu smiled gently. "Yes, my lord. She is my handmaid, Yue. Isn't she stunning?"
"I thought you might enjoy having her tonight."
The Emperor looked from Yue back to Shu, his eyes narrowing as he took in the situation.
After a long moment, he shook his head, his tone firm but not unkind.
"No," he said. "Tonight, I only have eyes for you, Shu. No one else."
Yue felt relief wash over her, though she fought to keep it from showing.
The Emperor had rejected her, and she was free from serving him for the night. The servants began to gather their things;
Yue silently stepped back, her heart still racing but gradually slowing.
Shu blushed, and her smile widened at the Emperor's words.
"I am flattered, your Majesty." She murmured, her hand resting lovingly on her belly.
The Emperor's fingers brushed tenderly over her cheek as he smiled.
He led her toward the bed chamber, and Yue quietly exited the room, relieved that her role in this palace, for tonight at least, had been avoided.
That night, the Emperor lay beside Shu, his hand gently tracing the curve of her belly.
Meanwhile, Yue found herself alone in the halls' silence, her mind swirling with uncertainty about her position.
She had escaped serving the Emperor, but now her place in the palace felt even more unclear.
As a lady-in-waiting, she is neither a maid nor a concubine.
The next morning, Yue assisted Consort Shu with her usual routine, but it felt different.
As she adjusted Shu's silk robes, the Emperor entered the room, fully dressed for court. His eyes briefly landed on Yue, a mild surprise crossing his face.
"Why is she here?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
Shu turned to face him, her smile warm and quick. "I thought it would be strange for Yue to return to her servant clothes attire after last night.
"After all, she is still with me, helping me get dressed, as she always does."
Her eyes sparkled, and she added, "Perhaps, Your Majesty, you could make Yue a second-class attendant."
"It would save her from being made a laughingstock in front of the other servants. After all, it wouldn't be fitting for anyone to know she was… rejected by the Emperor."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, his gaze flicking to Yue once more.
She stood quietly; her expression was nervous. The Emperor studied her for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Whatever you wish, my dear," he said lightly. "Let it be known that Yue will be a second-class attendant." (Lowest-ranking concubine)
The Emperor leaves Consort Shu's quarter for his morning court session.
By noon, the eunuch with the royal decree, Yue, kneeled on both knees; the decree reads as follows:
"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims that Consort Shu's female attendant, Yue, is appointed to the position of Second Class Attendant."
As she held the decree, Yue started to feel the weight of it settling around her.
She was uncertain whether it was a blessing or a curse.
Just like that, Yue's position in the palace was officially determined. She had become a concubine, but only in name.
One thing was clear, however: her journey in the Emperor's harem had only just begun.