Tonight, she wasn't just a servant. She was a gift. But would the emperor accept her, or would she become another pawn in the dangerous game of palace politics?
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The sun sets upon the palace's wall, but within the walls, the atmosphere was alive with movements and anticipation.
Yue's heart hammered in her chest as the eunuch led her to the preparation chambers.
It felt like the walls themselves were holding their breath. It was the calm before the storm.
As soon as she entered, she was surrounded by palace maids. They wasted no time and stripped her down with a practiced efficiency.
Before she knew it, she was standing in front of a basin filled with warm water, dotted with petals of jasmine and roses.
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 putting into making her perfect for the emperor.
After the aroma bath, they dried her off and moved on to her hair. It was washed and combed thoroughly, each strand flowing like silk through their fingers.
They styled it carefully, letting it fall in soft waves down her back, and pinned a few glimmering hairpins in it, 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 was enough to make her already striking features stand out even more.
Yue had always been beautiful, almost ethereal in her looks, but now, she seemed to glow in the soft light of the room.
Still, no matter how much they tried to perfect her, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being turned into something to be admired… or used.
When the maids finished, they stepped back, and Yue was left standing in front of a large bronze mirror. She could hardly recognize herself.
They dressed her in an almost sheer white nightgown that clung to her figure in a way that was undeniably seductive.
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.
Of course, she was still a servant, after all. But now, she was something else—a piece to be admired, 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 own heartbeat.
Eventually, they reached a side chamber where she was told to wait.
The waiting felt endless—her mind racing, her nerves tight, but there was nothing she could do 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.
"Your Majesty," Shu said, her voice soft and inviting. "I've been waiting for you.
Please, come in." She smiled warmly as she curtsied to him.
Without a second thought, the Emperor walked toward her, his arms open as if to embrace her.
He pulled her close and held her hand as they walked into the inner chambers.
Yue watched them through a tight slit in the windowsill.
She thought they looked like a real, loving couple.
Even though she has seen their interactions many times, this time was different.
She finds herself observing the Emperor's every move and trying to catch every single detail of his face.
Her heart is pounding heavily; it was like she was a performer who was 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, making room for some privacy. Yue, along with the rest of the attendants, was 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 there, still and silent, her nightgown shimmering softly in the light.
Her beauty was undeniable, but there was something about the way she looked—vulnerable, yet striking—that 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 for a brief moment before looking away, her heart pounding in her chest.
She didn't know what to do or how to act. She was just there.
A gift, as Shu had said.
The Emperor's face shifted. He was stunned, but not in the way she expected.
His expression didn't show desire, but something else—a flicker of hesitation. Was this some kind of 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. This 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 slightly 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 a wave of 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 bedchamber, 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 silence of the halls, her mind swirling with the uncertainty of 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 helped Consort Shu with her usual routine, but it felt different now.
As she adjusted Shu's silk robes, the Emperor entered, fully dressed for court. His eyes flicked toward Yue, a look of 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 go back 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. He studied her for a moment before nodding slowly.
"Anything for you, my dear," he said, his voice light. "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 down 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."
You received the decree with both arms and respond with, "Your servant accepts your order; thank you for your grace."
As she held the decree, Yue started to feel the weight of it settling around her.
She was not sure if it was a blessing or a curse.
And just like that, Yue's position in the palace was officially decided. She has become a concubine, but only on paper.
One thing was clear, however: her journey in the Emperor's harem had just begun.