4 3. Entering the palace

When the news of the Emperor Zhao's decision to take and wed the youngest son of the Ying Family, the ministers and the nobles were in uproar. To marry a man!? And take him in as a Consort!? His majesty was surely sick! How can you marry a man? You will surely not have any offspring. 

    Some choose to ignore it as his majesty's passing interest, after all Zhao Jinghe maybe the Emperor but he was still a young man with hot blood and fire for eyes. But many opposed to this idea, bringing it up to the Emperor Zhao many times in the meetings. They absolutely could not accept this. 

   But Zhao Jinghe will not have any of it, whenever they bought it up, he will change the topic or silence the person bringing it up. He was dead set on wedding the young General Ying. 

   On the other hand, Ying Family spent time busily working about. They prepared the dowry, trained the guards and the maids. 

   Ying Yu-Yin spent his time from following after his Father and The Eldest brother to learn etiquette from his mothers to familiarizing himself with the people of Imperial palace with his sister. 

Before anyone knew it, a month had already passed by. It was the Seventh day of April in a blink of an eye and the time for Ying Yu-Yin to enter the palace. This day everyone bustled around busily, excited to see the Failure General of the Ying Family enter the palace and if they are lucky, make a fool of themselves. 

   In front of the Ying Manor, stood the entire Ying family bidding goodbye to their youngest son.  The woman hugged and flogged over the youngest son fussing, the Eldest son stood beside the Patriarch once again reminding Yu-Ying of his lessons.   The Second Oldest son stood beside his brother's carriage, ready to accompany him to the palace safely. 

   In the midst of this all, stood Ying Yu-Yin dressed in clothes made of the finest silk, his skin fair and light with no blemish, his hair grown and let loose, reaching just past his shoulder. He was an epitome of beauty, catching the eyes of many young women and men, but breaking their heart so badly for he is to become the Emperor's man from this day onward. 

   But today, Ying Yu-Yin wasn't the only one who caught people's eyes. The 3rd wife of the Ying Family, Yu-Yin's mother Princess Yesulen had came out to bid his son goodbye. True to the rumors, it seemed like Young Yu'er has really gotten his beauty from his mother, for Princess Yesulen even dressed simply was indeed beautiful. Many people shot the Prime Minister dirty looks for being lucky bastard. His wives were all beautiful and the children fortunate, smart and strong, as well as beautiful. 

   During all the bustling and hustling of the event, The carriage carrying Ying Yu-Yin have already started moving towards the Imperial palace, 9 other carriages with his dowry, his maids and hand-man following behind, with guards and his second oldest brother guarding them all. The journey was short, but it was filled with cheers of joy.

  Seeing those people smiling and congratulating him and the Emperor, Yu-Yin could not help but smile bitterly. He knew they weren't happy for him, no not really. Only ones who were truly happy were those who were always kind to him no matter his reputation. 

   Reaching the palace, the doors opened to let the carriage of the Concubine Ying's carriage in. 

   The carriage continued on before stopping in front of the inner palace gates. A Eunuch quickly came to greet him, followed by two maids, they quickly bowed. 

"greetings to concubine Ying" 

"Greetings" 

Ying Su Wu, helping his brother down the carriage. As the Eunuch finally stood up straight and revealed his news. 

"Concubine Ying, you must go by foot from here. His Majesty The Emperor have prepared a place for you. Please follow those two maids there" 

The two maid quickly stepped forward and bowed again. They looked alike, maybe they were sisters. 

"Concubine Ying" 

"Thank you Sir, This Concubine shall thank the Emperor myself quickly"

"Then this slave shall take his leave." 

The disrespect was clear in his tone, but he spoke respectfully and acted as such. So the Ying brothers bid him goodbye. And followed after the two maids. 

   Older of the two were Mei and the younger was Ai, they were sisters as Yu-Yin had guessed and were assigned to serve him. 

 Not long after, they reached the compound. It was a huge building with beautiful backyard, The Rain palace was named after the Ying Yu-Yin (Rain sound), it was also newly built for him.   The Concubine was surely well loved by the Emperor and it was obvious he intended to take care of him. 

"Are you sure you will be fine here?" Su Wu asked his younger brother worriedly, while he could see that the Emperor intended to take care of Yu'er properly, he could not help but worry about whatever other agenda the Emperor had.  At the worry his brother was showing him, Yu-Yin smiled softly and took his hands. 

"I will be, please take care of our family. Tell them that I will be fine" Yu-Yin answered. Ying Su Wu sighed and finally nodded then took his leave with a one last hug. 

   Watching his brother depart, Yu-Yin coughed softly into his hands and walked back into the compound, leaving the moving to the hand-man and maids. He himself intended to take rest, he felt little could and on such a warm day, it was surely not a good sign. 

  He barely entered his new room, coughing lightly into his hand when the new maid came running in to announce the dreaded piece News. Why of all times? He wondered. Why not another day? 

"His Majesty the Emperor has came to visit" she bowed. 

Yu-Yin could do nothing as he stood there frozen… he was not sure if he could last a while, he wasn't even sure of the Emperor Zhao Jinghe's intentions. He shivered slightly, from dread or from the fever he can feel, Yu-Yin knows not.  Seeing her Master's frozen state, the poor maid could only repeat her words. 

"His Majesty the Emperor has came to visit" 

Quickly pulling himself together, Ying Yu-Yin nodded and opened his doors to greet his king or was it husband now? gulping down his nervousness, the most beautiful man of the capital opened his mouth-

"This Concubine greets his majesty Zhao Jinghe"  his eyes held loyalty but as well as defiance. Even then Yu-Ying bowed, he was loyal, he will show his hand first. And now my king, won't you show yours? 

 Seeing the scene before him, Zhao Jinghe only smirked. Now, wasn't this such an amusing sight? This lowly general was challenging him. Well then, two can play the game…  he parted his lips and…..