[Bonus chapter]A Noble Lord

With one last disgruntled glare, Fu Cui let go as all the concubines in the yard fell to their knees in tandem.

The messenger eunuch bearing the edict was of a higher rank than the one who had shown up earlier with news from the noble consort. Instead of a plain servant's tunic, his maroon and embroidered. Yan Zheyun surmised that he might be one of the deputies working underneath Cao Mingbao.

After a short introduction, he began calling out names.

"Fu Family's Fu Cui is hereby granted the title of Third-class Attendant!" Third-Class Attendant. This was just one rank above the bottom title of 'Male Attendant' or 'Female Attendant', which was reserved for palace servants who were fair of face but had yet to be chosen to serve the emperor in bed. The Fu Family didn't have much standing in court. Yan Zheyun understood Fu Cui's father to be a mere 'Lower Five' ranked official who was of little import. It made sense for Fu Cui to receive an equivalent low rank too.

Fu Cui couldn't mask his disappointment but he had no choice except to bow and thank the emperor for conferring such an 'honour' upon him.

From his peripheral vision, Yan Zheyun could see Hua Zhixuan's shoulders shaking with silent laughter. Coming straight after his disdainful attitude, the rank of Third-Class Attendant, which was two whole ranks beneath Yan Zheyun's, was like a slap across the cheek. Yan Zheyun was equally amused by this turn of events but he had better sense than to display it. As for Hua Zhixuan, it was a good thing that the silly boy managed to hold back any noise or he could be accused of showing disrespect.

The edict itself was written on a handscroll that was mounted upon a silk brocade that had a dragon and cloud motif embroidered on its border. For it to be legitimate, it would have to bear the stamp of the Imperial Seal, which was an heirloom from the founding dynasty that had been passed down for generations. Whoever obtained this seal, whether through rightful inheritance or by force, had the mandate of heaven and the right to rule.

This was why they were all bowing to the eunuch reading from it. To be in the presence of the edict was akin to being in the presence of the emperor.

After a couple of other names were called, the eunuch finally reached Hua Zhixuan.

"Hua Family's Hua Zhixuan is hereby granted the title of First-class Attendant!"

Yan Zheyun relaxed somewhat after hearing this piece of good news. Hua Zhixuan might not see it as such, since he had no interest in fulfilling his role as a concubine, but Yan Zheyun knew all too well the value of status. There was a yawning chasm between each rank on the hierarchy. Hua Zhixuan could turn his nose up at the inner palace politics all he liked but nothing would protect him better than scaling the ladder successfully. First-class Attendant was higher than a majority of titles that had already been conferred so this was a good start for him.

"Liang Family's Liang Ruhan is hereby granted the title of Talented Lord!" A small wave of excitement rippled through the gathering. A talented lord right from the onset! This was the first rank after attendant status and was rarely assigned as a first unless its holder came from a particularly prestigious background or had special favour from the emperor.

Liang Ruhan became, if possible, even more prideful. He kowtowed to show his thanks for this true honour, sleeves fluttering as he tossed them out in a show of pomp and circumstance, very full of himself. When he straightened back up, he didn't forget to shoot Yan Zheyun a poisonous grin.

First-Class Attendant versus Talented Lord. If Yan Zheyun's position didn't change, Liang Ruhan would be one rank higher from now on. And even if Yan Zheyun's position did, chances were that they would be on equal footing. Unless a concubine had performed an act of exceptional merit, they were rarely promoted more than one rank at a time. The highest anyone anticipated Yan Zheyun being promoted to was also a talented lord.

But of course, most of them were hopeful that he would remain where he was, neglected after the emperor's fleeting whim had expired.

Yan Zheyun could guess what they were thinking. On the surface, he appeared collected, as though he was confident that there was no way for him to lose out. But truthfully, he was also uncertain. He felt that the emperor might have chosen to admit him into the harem on account of that halfhearted almost-too-gentlemanly one night stand they'd had before. But at the same time, if he were truly wary of Yan Yun's identity, then there was no better way to keep him away than to abandon him in Zheshan Palace forever.

As the eunuch approached the end of the list without calling for him, he felt his blood turn colder and colder. Next to him, Hua Zhixuan stirred in unease and the gloating expressions surrounding him grew more and more evident.

Would the emperor truly leave him out? Yan Zheyun couldn't read his mixed signals, didn't understand how the dessert and cloak weighed against being ignored for over a month.

When the eunuch finished announcing all the titles and rolled the edict up, Yan Zheyun was left light-headed. The ringing in his ears wasn't enough to drown out Liang Ruhan's gloating voice.

"This Gonggong, please wait!" he said.

The eunuch looked at him impassively. "Does Talented Lord Liang require something of this servant?" he asked.

The use of this new title boosted Liang Ruhan's sense of superiority. "Gonggong, you seem to have missed one person out." He looked meaningfully at Yan Zheyun, who stared straight past him as though he didn't exist.

The eunuch adjusted his sleeves. "This servant didn't miss anyone out," he said and Liang Ruhan's eyes glittered with triumph.

"Oh, in that case, this concubine thanks His Majesty for his favour—" He prepared to bow formally once more and the other concubines rushed to mimic him but the eunuch held out a hand.

"Ah, please wait, Little Masters, this servant isn't done passing on His Majesty's edicts!"

"But Gonggong, you just said—" Liang Ruhan cut himself short, blood draining from his face when the eunuch reached into his robes to pull out another brocade that was still rolled up.

"Brother Yan," Yan Zheyun heard Hua Zhixuan breathe out in anticipation. His heart rate sped up too. Could this be?

The eunuch cleared his throat and unfastened the ties holding the edict together. He unravelled it with great formality and began to read.

"By the will of Heaven, His Majesty's edict is as such: First-Class Attendant Yan Yun has demonstrated patience and resilience, practised virtue, and is of a temperament that greatly pleases this sovereign. He is hereby granted the title of Noble Lord and conferred the sobriquet 'Yue' with effect from this 18th day of the Layue month in the 5th Year of Xuanjun."

Audible gasps and even faint protests broke out. The title of 'Noble Lord' was two ranks above that of 'Talented Lord', which brought them back to square one again. This ex-slave was still the highest in the pecking order amongst the newcomers in Zheshan Palace.

Liang Ruhan had gone rigid, his eyes blown wide in disbelief as he stared at the new edict in the eunuch's hands like he was trying to determine whether it had been forged.

Yan Zheyun couldn't quite believe it either. Noble Lord? The sobriquet 'Yue'? Which Yue? The character for 'moon'? Was the emperor hinting at Meiyue Tower, their meeting beneath the full moon at the mid-autumn festival, or even that night spent together in a horse carriage?

"Noble Lord Yue," the eunuch said, with more respect in his tone than he'd used to address Liang Ruhan earlier. His eyes twinkled knowingly. "Please don't forget the rest of the formalities."

With a start, Yan Zheyun folded over onto the floor. The gratitude he felt was real. Writing this edict was perhaps nothing more than a negligible task to the emperor but to Yan Zheyun, it was a lifesaver.

"This concubine thanks His Majesty for the honour," he said, bowing his head low to hide the smile spreading across his lips.

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The state banquet for the celebration of the spring festival was fast approaching but this year, Wu Shengqi was even more stressed than before. Unlike the private imperial banquets, which fell under the jurisdiction of the inner palace, the organisation of the state banquets was one of the jobs assigned to the Ministry of Rites.

This state banquet that would usher in the new year was typically held on the eve of the eve. Apart from the emperor and empress, the other attendees included ministers of 'Lower Four' rank and their families, state guests like diplomatic envoys, and generals with great achievements on the war front, who had been permitted to return to the capital and celebrate this occasion with their liege.

Speaking of generals with great achievements, one in particular sprang to mind. Because of him, Wu Shengqi had been hunted down by his peers and his superiors in court, all bent on asking him to decipher the emperor's intent towards Great General Pan.

"Wu Daren." The speaker addressed Wu Shengqi as 'Lord', a generic polite styling for all officials, from the 'Lower Nine' librarian of the Imperial University to the 'Upper One' ministerial cabinet.

"Lord Yuan." Wu Shengqi sighed inwardly as he exchanged salutes with the Minister of Revenue. "This one has already told many others, His Majesty has not deemed me fit to share his plans with." He was one step away from entering the sanctity that was the Ministry of Rites. Once inside, he could ask his subordinates to deflect any attempts to talk to him with the excuse of work. It wouldn't even be dishonest. The state banquet was a mere week away and Wu Shengqi had to oversee everything to ensure that it ran smoothly.

Although the Yuan Family wasn't one of the 6 noble clans, it flourished under the leadership of its current head, Yuan Zong. A tacit agreement existed amongst the officials not to freely discuss the various alliances that had formed in court, as this was technically going against the absolute loyalty to the imperial family that they were supposed to demonstrate. That being said, it was an open secret that the Yuan Family was the 'obedient dog' of the Hua Clan.

This obedient dog had sniffed him out from a mile away and was here to torment him for insider information that Wu Shengqi did not have!

"Come now, Lord Wu," Yuan Zong said, jabbing him in the ribs with a sharp elbow and treating him to a cunning grin. "Surely, during your discussions with His Majesty about the state banquet, he must have revealed a hint or two about whether the great general will be remaining at the frontline?" The emperor had announced the victory in the north during one morning court session but had remained tight-lipped on all other matters pertaining to the war, such as what was going to happen to Great General Pan.

Everyone was curious. Except for Wu Shengqi, who really couldn't afford more trouble now.

"Lord Yuan is mistaken. This one only knows that the great general will not be attending the state banquet this time around."

"Ay, that's telling me nothing, everyone knows that he won't return in time for the feast. Don't be selfish, Lord Wu."

Wu Shengqi tried edging past the door frame but Yuan Zong followed him shamelessly. The man had thicker skin on his face than the walls that defended the capital. It was vexing, how little regard Yuan Zong paid to Wu Shengqi's status as the head of one of the old noble clans.

But it was undeniable that the Wu Family had lost a lot of clout in court. Not to mention, Yuan Zong and he were of the same rank, that was true, but the Six Ministries were ranked in order of importance too and the Ministry of Revenue sat in second place while the Ministry of Rites took the third.

"You can ask all you like," was Wu Shengqi's tired reply. "This one is not privy to His Majesty's thoughts."

The Ministry of Revenue had a complicated relationship with the military as they worked with the Ministry of War to control military rations. Wu Shengqi didn't want to get involved in this matter. He'd already put himself in a compromising position when he'd made that harebrained decision to gift the stupid Yan slave to the fourth prince. Not only did he receive no boons from the emperor, the fourth prince too had cut off all ties with the Wu Household in a fit of anger.

If His Majesty caught wind that Wu Shengqi was going around discussing Great General Pan with those who opposed the military campaigns…he didn't even want to consider the consequences.

Yuan Zong's expression turned sly. "How could this be?" he asked with false innocence. "Even if His Majesty didn't explicitly discuss his plans with Lord Wu, everyone knows that Lord Wu has sent a favourite into the inner palace to blow wind next to the emperor's pillow (1).

Wu Shengqi continued walking towards his office. The subordinates whom he'd met along the way greeted him but ducked out of sight before he could use them as a getaway. No doubt they had heard of how notoriously difficult Minister of Revenue Yuan was to deal with.

"Lord Yuan is mistaken," he repeated, feeling like the parrot he'd bought for his third concubine. "My humble daughter is new to the inner palace and would not have had the opportunity to present herself in front of the emperor."

Yuan Zong chuckled. "Who's referring to your precious daughter (3)?" He raised his eyebrows conspiratorially. "Has Lord Wu not checked his sources recently? The rankings for the new beauties are out."

"…" No, Lord Wu had yet to check his sources. Lord Wu didn't have such a widespread influence in the inner palace that he was able to plant sources. Once upon a time, the Wu Household had a good footing within the walls of the imperial city. But after that favoured concubine had died two generations back, their glory began to decline.

"…this one has been too busy with ministerial matters."

Yuan Zong's nod was placating. By now, he had followed Wu Shengqi into his office, appropriating a seat first like he was the owner of the room instead. "Of course you are. Well, congratulations are in order. Not only has your precious daughter been promoted to a second-class attendant, but your ex-servant is also now a noble lord!"

Porcelain shattered as Wu Shengqi dropped the cup of steaming hot tea a eunuch had brought in just seconds before his arrival.

"He's a what?" Wu Shengqi asked faintly.

"A noble lord. Isn't this great?" There was a hint of amusement in Yuan Zong's voice. "Soon, he will be able to repay your kindness towards him by reporting to you straight from His Majesty's bed."

Repay?

Yan Yun might very well consider repaying the Wu Household for all that it had done for him.

But Wu Shengqi knew that it wouldn't be out of appreciation for any 'kindness' because little had been shown.

His head reeled. This was the worst thing to happen to him all Layue, up to and including being interrogated about Great General Pan.