26 Chapter 23: When There Were Dynasties/Arc 3.6
The Celestial sat before the Emperor in the study room. Zhou Jian had just returned and had begun making the preparations for the harem's dismissal.
"Are you going to send them off with anything?"
Zhou Jian looked up at his minister when he heard the question.
If concubines were simply dismissed without any gifts for compensation, rumors would spread and their reputation will be tarnished. Not that it wouldn't just from being dismissed but if they got gifts it would show that they weren't blacklisted by the Emperor.
"Mmm, only to concubine Lan though."
"The poisoning?"
The Emperor nodded at that and Wang Tao smiled slightly. He realized that Zhou Jian was upset about Chen Zing poisoning Chen Xiang, rightfully so of course.
"Ah, speaking of the Chens. I found that the Shu family were the ones responsible for embezzling the disaster relief funds. They planned to cause the commoners to become dissatisfied with the crown since they're planning a rebellion.
Left Prime Minister Chen is involved thanks to this concubine Madame Shu. His two sons from his concubine were in it as well. They left Chen Xiang out because they thought he would be useless."
Zhou Jian raised his eyebrow at this. It seemed he had another reason to punish Chen Zing now. He handed over the task of gathering concrete evidence to Wang Tao. They would expose them during morning court tomorrow.
Suddenly, his head eunuch entered and informed him that Chen Xiang had come to see him. He told them to allow him in and to not stop him next time. A few moments later, his lover walked in and hurried over to sit beside him.
"Jian Ge, Wang Ge, afternoon!"
The young man smiled sweetly at them as he held onto the Emperor's arm.
Wang Tao blinked after hearing the term he was addressed by and met the questioning eyes of his Emperor. Silently shaking his head, he expressed that he didn't agree to it.
Zhou Jian then looked down at his lover to see Chen Xiang gazing at him with those innocent peach blossom eyes and his golden ones couldn't help but soften.
Moving a bit, he made some space for his lover but the boy pouted and sat on his lap. Zhou Jian smiled at him before continuing with his work.
Wang Tao gazed at the two and felt the prickling feeling in his heart start again. Deciding that he didn't want to watch any longer, he greeted Chen Xiang before leaving. Zhou Jian opened his mouth to say something but was blocked by his lover who suddenly kissed him.
After a while, the boy pulled back with a slight blush before snuggling into his embrace. Seeing that Wang Tao was long gone, Zhou Jian out aside what he was going to say. Holding his lover tight, he continued reading through his work.
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The following day, the ministers and officials gathered for morning court. Seated on his throne, Zhou Jian looked down at his subjects with his signature stone face.
The people below nervously stood, feeling suffocated by the pressure. As court was nearing its end, Right Prime Minister Wang stepped forward and announced his findings.
"Your Majesty, I have completed the investigations on my case and have found some very disturbing news."
Wang Tao raised his hand and a servant brought forward a box. Opening it, he revealed some scrolls and bags of money.
"In this box I have proof of the funds being embezzled by the Shu family. It is also apparent that Left Prime Minister Chen has a hand in all this."
"What nonsense are y-"
Emperor Jian silenced his left minister and gestured for the right minister to continue.
[ How could they have been found out? I'm sure we were extremely thorough in our clean up? ]
Minister Chen clenched his fist as he anxiously looked over at Official Shu.
"After a lot of digging, it was found that the Shu and Chen households had joined hands and were planning a rebellion. There are a number of letters we intercepted which were sent to the Mo tribe who they were colluding with."
The servant boy handed over the box to the head eunuch who brought it to the Emperor. The courtroom was incredibly silent as Emperor Jian read through the evidence.
Seeing him frown, Minister Chen's robe was soaked in sweat as Official Shu desperately tried to smooth out the situation.
Going on his knees, Official Shu kowtowed and declared his loyalty. It was the only solution he could think of with such clear evidence.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty please! Please believe that this one would never betray you. I swear that I've been framed! Please, I only have your best interest in heart. I care deeply for the people and the crown, I would never betray you!"
Minister Chen joined him and tried to come up with any reason possible for the evidence being fake, accusing Minister Wang of wanting to get rid of him.
Wang Tao glimpsed at the two fools before looking up at Zhou Jian. He noticed a flash of ridicule flash across his Emperor's gold eyes as he stared down at the two kowtowing men.
"Lock them up."
Emperor Jian said these simple words and none of the other officials dared to object.
The two begged and begged but were still dragged away. The Emperor stated that they would be executed and their families imprisoned but Consort Xiang would be spared as he was unrelated.
It was then announced that he planned to crown the boy Empress before he stood up and left.
The officials and ministers were in shock.
The only snapped out of it seeing Minister Wang bow and leave calmly.
It didn't take long for the crowd to come to the conclusion that the minister was aware and thought that made sense knowing his close relationship with the Emperor.
[ His Majesty already knew...the Shu and Chen's were already doomed...]
This thought ran through the men's minds simultaneously. With heightened fear and respect towards the Emperor, the officials and ministers flowed out of the courtroom finally.
In just a few days, news of the two families' rebellion was spread across the Empire and the common people. On the day if the execution, many gathered to watch and the streets were filled with curious people.
On an elevated platform, the Emperor sat under a tent bearing the emblem of the Imperial Golden Dragon. On his lap sat Consort Xiang and with the news of him soon becoming Empress many eyes were glued to his frail figure.
Once the auspicious hour drew near, the executioner began upon the Emperor's order.
One after the other, members of the two families were dragged upon the lower platform for all to see. Some scream and cried in fear, especially Chen Zing as an ex-concubine. Despite their unwillingness, they faced their rate for treason.
The two families were sentenced to 3000 lashes until dead and it was a truly gruesome sight. The bones could be seen by the thousandth lash and the robes of the traitors were bloodied.
Chen Xiang quickly put on an act and shrunk into the arms of the Emperor. Zhou Jian tightened his hold around the boy and rubbed his back in comfort. Peeking out, Chen Xiang secretly watched the scene with interest.
[ I can't even watch properly because I have to keep up my reputation. So annoying… ]
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A few months later, Chen Xiang lounged in his new room. He was now Empress and the harem had been dismissed long ago.
Normally, the Empress' job would be to manage the harem but since there was none, he could laze around as he wished. Food, clothing and housing were all free. What could be better than this?
The system noted to him that Wang Tao was nearby and Chen Xiang quickly sat up. Calling his servants, he was dressed elegantly in red robes.
Finished, he admired himself in the mirror with a smile before heading out, followed by a procession of servants. A short while later, Chen Xiang caught sight of the ethereal man by the lotus pond, staring at the fish deep in the waters. Not wanting them to see the following events, the Empress dismissed his entourage of servants and eunuchs.
Approaching the silver haired male with a smile, he latched onto his arm and stuck close.
The startled Wang Tao froze for a second before trying to gently peel the arm of him, ignoring his growing desire to fling him off. Chen Xiang stubbornly tightened his grip and pouted.
"What wrong Wang Ge? Are you disgusted by me?"
The boy's peach blossom eyes watered and made him look like a little lamb. One would normally soften when looked at with such a gaze.
However, Wang Tao was not affected and in fact disgusted. The Celestial normally never touched others or allowed them to touch him as.
The most he's ever touched someone was Zhou Jian's shoulder and when he let his mother rub his head. They were both people he was close to emotionally but even then he didn't have much physical contact.
Wang Tao was extremely uncomfortable but unsure of how to move the boy without hurting him and upsetting his friend.
Suddenly, Chen Xiang was pulled off him by someone. The force caused him to stumble, and his back crashed into something sturdy.
Turning and looking up, Chen Xiang came face to face with the Emperor. The gold eyes were dark and a deep frown etched onto the Emperor's face as he looked down at the boy
Blinking his eyes innocently, Chen Xiang flashed him a bright smile.
Wang Tao fidgeted as he thought of how to explain the situation. He was worried that Zhou Jian would misunderstand and get mad.
"Xiang er, you are my Empress. You shouldn't just touch other men."
"But Wang Ge and I are just close friends."
"Even if you are, you shouldn't. You're making him uncomfortable."
"Huh, why?"
"I thought you two were close. Don't you know he doesn't like physical contact?"
Zhou Jian seemed skeptical but in truth he expected it. The feeling that Chen Xiang was pretending to be close to the other was growing and it upset him.
Apologizing to Wang Tao, he brought his lover away to have a talk.
A good distance away, the Emperor turned towards the confused Empress.
"Xiang er listen to me. Do you understand what you're doing?"
"Yes, I'm trying to be friends with Wang Ge!"
The boy pouted and answered. His attitude made it seem like that was really what he was doing. Zhou Jian became a bit unsure of himself and decided to just warn his lover.
He patiently explained that the boy could easily come off as hitting on Wang Tao. Zhou Jian brought to his attention that it wouldn't do well for the two's reputation if people misunderstood. Chen Xiang looked ashamed when he realized.
"I-I didn't realize. I'm so sorry. I won't ever do it again."
Chen Xiang apologized and Zhou Jian felt his heart soften. His anger having receeded, he comforted the boy. Chen Xiang declared that he would apologize to Minister Wang and stop acting so familiar.
Zhou Jian smiled and gave his lover a light kiss before walking the boy to his room. Saying farewell, he left, heading to his study. Once Zhou Jian was gone, the boy's bright smile immediately dropped and turned into a scowl.
[ Ugh…Now I have to give up on seducing Wang Tao! ]
[ H-host? ]
[ What! ]
[ Nothing just, it didn't seem to be working anyway. ]
Chen Xiang's eyes twitched as he remembered everything. He had made many attempts at seducing Wang Tao, showing parts of his body as a tease and acting coquettishly but the man didn't even flinch. It hurt Chen Xiang's pride greatly.
[ Maybe because he's straight? But I'm sure of my skills. I've managed to bend many men before so why would he be an exception? ]
[...What if he is gay...but in love?! Then who… ]
Chen Xiang thought of all of the silver eyed male's actions and realized something. His eyes widened in surprise and he frowned.
[ Zhou Jian! It must be him. But wouldn't that make it an unrequited love? After all, Zhou Jian is in love with me. ]
[ Wang Tao is really beautiful and handsome. What if he wins over Zhou Jian? ]
[ No, I doubt that. He's been with Zhou Jian for three lifetimes now. If the man cared about looks he'd be with Wang Tao already. It's a good thing I have him wrapped around my finger. ]
Chen Xiang decided it was a good thing to stop. Soon he calmed down and tidied his appearance before heading to take a nap.
