Smoke and Mirrors

"Lord Yue, His Majesty has been waiting for you." 

Yan Zheyun inclined his head. "This concubine thanks Head Eunuch Cao for guiding me in."

This morning, he'd received yet another summons to join the emperor in his study. Yesterday, he'd spent an entire day grinding ink next to the emperor and doubling up as an ornamental piece in Tianlu Pavilion. Perhaps the emperor had felt a bit of guilt for making this supposedly spoilt favourite of his hang around at his beck and call because he'd offered Yan Zheyun a seat on a nearby divan after lunch. 

They'd eaten together in a small side chamber that had been prepared precisely for His Majesty to take a quick break from his work for meals. Yan Zheyun didn't have to see Head Eunuch Cao's astounded expression when he'd been instructed to set an extra place to know that this was unprecedented.