Emperor Li's frustration leads him to Consort Shu, but a surprising request awaits him. As tensions rise, Shu's desperate choice may change everything for both her and her servant, Yue
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Emperor Li stormed out of the courtroom, fuming with anger. His frustration was clear in every step he took, each one heavy and sharp, as if the ground itself was bearing the weight of his mood.
It had been a long, exhausting day. The officials had droned on and on with their useless ideas and debates, offering nothing but empty words while the real problems of the empire went untouched. He'd had enough.
"What a bunch of good for nothing idiots..." he muttered under his breath, his jaw tight.
He headed back to his imperial office to continue chipping away at the mountains of reports and requests from various officials. "Why can't these people do anything right." He muttered to himself.
With each scroll, his frustration grew more intense
Soon enough, the evening hours rolled in.
One of the eunuchs, who had been waiting outside, stepped forward quickly, bowing low.
"It is the evening, Your Majesty. Time for you pick a consort to serve you for the night."
"I'm not in the mood for this today" replies the Emperor, in an impatient tone.
"Or maybe, Your Majesty, perhaps it would be good to visit the Empress? You have not been visiting her for three months, she sends for you every day."
"No." Emperor Li cut him off with a wave, his voice sharp. "Not tonight."
The eunuch hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure how to proceed. "Then… might I suggest Consort Shu? She has a way of soothing you, Your Majesty. You always seem to be in a better mood after spending time with her."
The emperor paused at the mention of her name. Consort Shu... his favorite concubine of all, the one who always seemed to calm the storm inside him. Despite being pregnant, despite everything, she still had that effect on him. Unlike the cold, distant Empress, Shu had warmth, something real and genuine about her.
He sighed, his anger slowly ebbing away. "Fine. Get the carriage ready. I'm going to visit Shu."
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In her chambers, Consort Shu sat on a wooden couch by the windows, carefully working on a piece of embroidery. Her latest project is a pair of Koi fish for the unborn prince's blanket. It was half-finished, the threads shimmering like captured moonlight.
The soft sound of her needle threading through the fabric was the only noise in the room, apart from the occasional rustling of the silk as she maneuvered it in her hands.
She was deep in concentration, her fingers quick and precise, bringing to life the intricate design.
Sitting beside her on a cushion, her handmaid, Yue, tried to imitate the movements, her fingers fumbling slightly as she worked on her own smaller piece of cloth.
"You're pulling the thread too tight, Yue," Shu said, her voice soft but firm as she guided the younger woman's hands. "You don't want to ruin the fabric. It's all about gentle and precise pressure."
Yue looked up, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "Sorry, my Lady. I will try this again."
Shu gave her a warm smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling. "It's alright, don't worry about it. You're learning, and that's what matters most."
Yue nodded, her heart lifted by the kindness in the consort's words. It was easy to see why the emperor favored her.
In a palace full of scheming and competition, Shu was like a breath of fresh air—gentle, patient, and kind. Her features are as delicate as personality, she has fluttering doe like eyes and pale pink cheeks such as the color of lotus petals.
Her pregnancy also gave her an ethereal glow which amplifies her caring mother like persona.
As she worked, Shu spoke again, her tone turning more thoughtful. "You know, the Palace Concubine Selection is coming up next week, soon there will be new women entering the harem."
Yue's face tightened slightly at the mention of the Palace Concubine Selection. It occurs ever 3 years and every time, it filled the palace with anxiety and fear.
Young women from all over the empire would be brought before the emperor, each one hoping to catch his eye. The competition was fierce, and the consequences of failure were high. Displeasing the emperor could mean punishments for the entire family.
Shu's fingers paused as she looked at Yue, her expression thoughtful. "I know this sounds pessimistic, but I can't help but worry. What if I lose the emperor's favor? I'm worried that the emperor won't find me appealing anymore after I gave birth to this baby."
Yue frowned. "My Lady, you don't have to worry. You have been his favorite for years. The other consorts can't even compare"
"Besides, if you manage to bear His Majesty a son, he will be the firstborn prince. My Lady would be mother to His Majesty's only son." Yue spoke in a comforting manner.
Shu smiled softly, though the worry in her eyes didn't fully fade. "You're kind to say that, Yue, but I know I am vulnerable as my status depends entirely on His Majesty's favor."
"And the reality is that the emperor's attention is fickle. He has a habit of growing bored, of drifting away, and then... well, you know what happens to women who fall out of favor."
Before Yue could respond, the door opened with a soft creak, and a eunuch entered, bowing low.
"Good evening Consort Shu, the emperor is on his way to see you, please prepare yourselves for his arrival."
Shu blinked, surprised. The emperor? Coming to her quarters ?
It was rare for him to visit harem, especially since she couldn't serve him as she once did.
Was something wrong? Was he angry?
"Did His Majesty say why?" she asked, trying to keep her voice calm, though her heart had started to race.
The eunuch hesitated, glancing down before speaking in a lower tone. "He's in quite a bad mood tonight, Your Ladyship. Something happened at court, and he's upset. But he specifically requested to see you."
Shu's eyes widened. The emperor was angry? That didn't bode well. But she knew him well enough to know that in his current state, he would need comfort. And she... she was the one who could give that to him.
"Very well," she said, pushing herself up. "Draw the bath, I will prepare myself."
As the eunuch left, Yue stood, looking concerned. "My Lady, are you sure it is wise to see him like this? It is not like the previous visits, You are now so close to giving birth. What if—"
"I'll be fine, Yue." Shu interrupted, offering a reassuring smile while resting a hand on her swollen belly
"Besides, it is my duty to serve the emperor, it is not like I could reject his demands, whatever it may be." Shu said calmly.
But as she stood there, she felt the sudden kick of her unborn child.
Then a thought occurred to her—a dangerous thought. A selfish thought that could possibly secure her position even further, as well as protecting her unborn child. She turned to the eunuch, who was just about to leave the room.
"Wait," she said, her voice suddenly sharp. "Tell the emperor that I can't receive him tonight. I'm not in my best condition"
The eunuch blinked in surprise. "Your Ladyship?"
Shu's gaze hardened, her expression determined. "Tell him that I have something different waiting for him."
She darted her eyes in Yue's direction, "__ a surprise."
The eunuch understood immediately.
Witnessing this, Yue was shocked. She did not expect that Consort Shu would give her up to the the Emperor.
"No," she said immediately, her voice rising in panic. "I can't… I won't do it!!"
"My Lady, please, don't make me, I have no desire of becoming His Majesty's concubine, I would never dream of taking him from you."
"I only ever wanted to serve you as a servant." Yue begged.
But Shu's gaze didn't soften. "You must, Yue. The emperor's mood is volatile today. I'm afraid if I can't soothe him or If I anger him further, I could lose everything. You, myself, and my unborn child could be at risk tonight."
"But if you serve him instead... it could help both of us.
"You will secure a place for yourself, and I will finally have a friend in the palace. I promise you, I will treat you like my own sister"
Yue shook her head vehemently. "I can't, my Lady. I'm just a lowly palace maid. I don't belong in His Majesty's bed."
Shu's expression softened, her tone gentle. "You are more than just a maid my dear. You're gorgeous, Yue, and cunningly clever, and you are the person that I trust most." She says this while holding Yue's trembling hands.
"You could rise in the palace if you take this chance.
"Don't you see? It's not just about him—this is about us both."
Yue's eyes filled with tears as she shook her head again. "But I am not like you, my Lady. I don't have your elegance... your charm. I can't, I don't have what it takes to please the emperor."
Shu's hand rested on Yue's shoulder, her voice turning soft but insistent. "Yue, you're the most beautiful woman I've seen.
"Don't sell yourself short. You can do this. For me... and for my child."
"Please..." she placed Yue's hand on her bulging belly. "You can do this."
There was a long pause. Yue bit her lip, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty. But something in Shu's eyes—the desperation, the pleading—made Yue's heart twist. This wasn't just about pleasing the emperor. It was about securing the future of her unborn child.
With a deep sigh, Yue nodded, her shoulders slumping. "If you insist my Lady. I will do it for your sake"
Yue knelt down to the floor and bowed to Consort Shu. From tonight onwards, they will part ways as master and servant.
The eunuch, still standing by the door, stepped forward to take Yue's arm. "Come on now, the emperor will be here anytime soon."
As Yue followed him out, her heart pounded in her chest like a heavy drum, her mind is a mess.
What was she getting herself into? She had no idea. But she couldn't turn back now.