Bao Ji (Lia)
"You still hate the tea?" the Queen asked with a smile.
"I don't hate it," I replied, trying very hard not to make a face. "It's just… I can't get used to the taste. For me, it's too bitter."
"At some point, you'll start to love it," the Queen said calmly as she took a sip from her cup. "You'll see."
I looked at her, then sighed and took another sip myself.
This tea will be the death of me. I swear.
"You don't have to drink it just because I do," the Queen said, clearly trying not to laugh.
"But you're the Queen," I said, placing the cup down. "Obviously I can't be disrespectful. You offered me tea. I can't exactly say no."
"It's just the two of us here," she said gently. "Just be yourself."
"You said that," I replied, reaching for one of the sweet cakes on the table. "And honestly, nothing stopped me from saying what I thought even before."
She smiled, about to respond—
—but suddenly, the Emperor entered.
I almost choked.
The Queen's eyes widened in surprise, which told me she hadn't expected him either.
"Are you all right?" the Emperor asked immediately when he noticed me struggling.
"Yeah," I said quickly, grabbing the tea and drinking it like water, even though it tasted awful.
The Queen burst out laughing.
I shot her a death stare.
"You see?" she said amused. "You'll get used to the tea in the end."
"Yeah, sure," I muttered. "At this rate, I'll choke on it first."
"You don't like the tea?" the Emperor asked.
Damn it. I forgot for a moment that he was here too.
I looked at him and forced a polite smile. "I don't hate it. It's just… not my favorite."
"Concubine Ji finds the tea too bitter," Queen Shen added.
Seriously? You had to say it?
"So basically, you don't like it because it's bitter," the Emperor said, hands behind his back, raising an eyebrow. "But you still drink it."
"Well… yes," I admitted. "I'm trying to get used to it."
"And how is that working out for you?" he asked.
"Not good."
Silence followed—so deep that I could hear birds outside.
Then the Emperor spoke again. "I'll have the eunuch bring you another tea. One that isn't bitter."
I froze.
"Uhm… thank you, Your Majesty," I said, standing up and bowing slowly.
"There's no need to thank me."
Then he turned to the Queen. "I came to discuss something, but since you're with concubine Ji, I won't intrude."
"I can take my leave," I said quickly, already preparing to step away.
"You don't have to," he replied. "It's nothing important. I can come another day."
And then he left.
I sat back down and stared at the Queen.
"I guess you'll be drinking better tea soon," she said lightly.
"Let's wait and see," I replied. "Maybe I won't be that lucky."
About an hour later, the Queen suggested we go outside and paint.
I wasn't exactly in the mood, but I didn't object. Then she suggested a competition: we would both paint a landscape, and whoever lost would have to buy the other a gift.
I tried my best, but honestly, it was hard. My opponent was the Queen—and she painted beautifully.
We were both completely absorbed when a voice interrupted us.
"Not drinking tea anymore?"
I looked up.
The Emperor. Again.
"Your Majesty," the Queen and I said at the same time.
"You can drop the formalities," he said. "It's just us here."
The Queen thanked him gracefully, and I followed her lead.
"What are you painting?" he asked, inspecting both paintings before stopping a little closer to mine.
I tried not to react, even though his presence made my heart flutter.
Not in a bad way. Just… in a way.
"Which one is better?" I suddenly asked.
The Queen looked at me, surprised.
"What?" I shrugged. "We need a judge."
"Are you two competing?" the Emperor asked curiously.
"Yes," I replied with a smile.
"Then I'd be honored to judge," he said, sitting down a few steps away.
I tried to focus, but every time I glanced up, I caught him looking at me.
Why is he looking at me?
The Queen is right there. His lawful wife.
"Time's almost up," the Queen teased.
"What?" I protested. "That's not fair. We never agreed on a time."
"I think we did," she said innocently.
"No, we didn't!"
She laughed. "Hurry up. We can't keep His Majesty here all day."
"I don't mind," the Emperor said quickly.
That caught me completely off guard.
Why are my cheeks hot?
No. It's just warm outside. That's it.
When we finished, we signed our paintings and placed them side by side. The Emperor studied them for what felt like an eternity.
Finally, he said, "Bao Ji's painting is better."
I stared at the Queen, then back at him. "Really?"
"Yes."
I grinned and practically jumped in place.
"My gift, Your Majesty" I said, holding out my hand dramatically.
The Queen pouted and turned away.
"Sometimes, you need to learn how to lose," I teased, hugging her from the side.
"That is absolutely the wrong way to comfort me," she said, lightly hitting my arm.
Eventually, she laughed. "All right. Let's go."
Later, as I walked back to my chamber admiring the gold necklace and earrings she'd brought me, I heard a familiar voice.
"Concubine Ji."
I turned.
The Emperor approached, holding a box. "I brought you plum blossom infusion."
He brought it himself?
"You came in person?" I asked, surprised.
"What's wrong with that?" he replied. "Just because I'm the Emperor?"
"I didn't mean it like that," I said quickly. "You could've sent a servant."
He gently took my wrist and placed the box into my palm.
"They were busy," he said. "And I was passing by."
"Passing by?" I echoed.
"Yes. I was heading to Bao Si."
That made my chest tighten—then ease.
"Your Majesty," the eunuch suddenly appeared, "Concubine Bao Si is waiting."
"Tell her I'm busy," the Emperor said calmly. "I'll see her tomorrow."
The eunuch looked shocked but bowed and left.
"That might make Bao Si sad, don't you think?" I asked.
"Did you read the book?" he asked instead.
He ignored my question completely.
"I did," I replied, then started walking. He followed without questioning it.
"One page," I admitted.
He chuckled softly. "Try reading all of it. If you still don't understand, come to me. I'll explain."
"Okay," I said quietly.
When we reached my chamber, he stopped. "After you taste the tea, let me know how it is. If you don't like it, I'll bring something else."
Then he left.
My maid stared at me.
"His Majesty really cares about you," she said.
"He cares about his people," I corrected her.
"I've never seen him bring something personally for anyone but Bao Si, " she said softly.
I had no answer.
As I entered my chamber, my eyes lingered on the tea.
"My lady thinks about His Majesty, that smiles like that?" my maid asked.
"I was smiling?"
"Yes."
Oh no. This is dangerous. I need distance.
I had to remind myself why I was here.What I was trying to do.
And yet, when I closed my eyes, all I could feel was his grip — firm, steady, real.
I opened them quickly, my heart beating faster than it should.