Outside, I lingered anxiously, the muffled sounds of commotion emanating from within. Straining my ears, I struggled to decipher the words being exchanged. The escalating volume only served to heighten my nerves. I couldn't help but wonder if they were discussing me. Perhaps the Empress had divulged what she had witnessed between the Emperor and me.
Would I face punishment if she requested it? Glancing around, my eyes caught a glimpse of my reflection on the wall. Clad in princely attire, I stood in the company of four royal guards and a eunuch. Positioned outside the throne room, I awaited the Emperor's summons. Suddenly, the door swung open with a force that startled me out of my thoughts. Two guards forcefully dragged a woman between them, her screams piercing the air. Straining to catch her words, I realized she was the Empress Dowager, the Emperor's mother.
I had only seen her briefly before, her face concealed. Now, as I observed her closely, I couldn't fathom why she appeared in such a state. She was not being treated with the respect befitting her title. The way she was being manhandled, akin to a common criminal, filled me with dread. I edged closer to the door, attempting to glimpse inside. What could have transpired behind those closed doors for the Emperor to witness his own mother's humiliation? The doors began to close, obstructing my view of the other side.
The guards dragged her in my direction, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from her gaze. Her cold, empty eyes bore into mine, sending shivers down my spine.
"Let me go. I am capable of walking on my own." she demanded, struggling against their grasp. The guards released her, and she stood tall, her petite frame exuding an air of superiority. She raised her nose and walked towards me, her posture unwavering. The defiance within me prevented me from averting my gaze; instead, I held her piercing stare. This woman, who exuded elegance, had just been humiliated, yet she carried herself as if it had never occurred. She passed by me, accompanied by the two guards, but then abruptly halted, her eyes fixed on my head.
Her gaze widened as she focused on the golden crown adorning me. Composing herself, she allowed her eyes to roam over my entire being, enveloping me in silence. The two royal guards swiftly positioned themselves in front of me, shielding me from her view. She laughed at their actions before her expression turned dark and severe.
"I see. he made his move before me," she uttered in a voice as smooth as silk. She laughed once more before continuing on her way, pushed along by one of the guards. However, before departing, she left me with parting words. "We shall see how long he gets to keep you." she declared, walking past me without another glance. Numbness overwhelmed me, and my skin crawled at the weight of her words. What could she possibly mean?
My hand instinctively moved towards the small golden crown perched atop my head, pondering its significance. Her eyes had held shock and something more upon seeing it. In that moment, I desired nothing more than to remove it. Yet, before my thoughts could wander further, the doors flung open wide. Eunuch Zhao grasped my elbow and guided me inside.
"It is time, young master," he stated, giving my elbow a gentle tug. I reluctantly followed, resisting his pull to some extent. Surveying my surroundings, I noticed the throne room filled with ministers and powerful figures. Lowering my head, I allowed the eunuch to lead me towards my inevitable destination. We halted in the center, and he released his grip on my arm. Fixing my gaze upon the floor, I waited anxiously, yearning to discover why I had been summoned here.
"State your name and lineage." the Emperor's voice resounded. I knew the inquiry was directed towards me. Raising my head, I took a deep breath to steady my nerves before responding. "Lui Cai Lung of Dragon Palace, son of General Lui of the Imperial Army, Your Highness." I replied.
Footsteps approached, prompting me to steal a glance towards the throne. The Empress descended towards me, her crown adorning her head and her face concealed beneath a veil. I couldn't discern the emotions behind her approach, intensifying my unease. Maintaining a neutral expression, I watched as she drew nearer. When she stood directly in front of me, I raised my eyes to meet hers. This time, I refused to look away in shame. All I yearned for, ever since my return, was to be reunited with Fu Shang.
The shock I experienced when she leaned in and kissed my right cheek left me speechless. Unbeknownst to me, the Emperor silently approached our group, his presence suddenly causing the room to grow uncomfortably warm. As I observed the man adorned in ceremonial garments, the Empress retreated, while all eyes fixated on me. A wave of dizziness washed over me, and I struggled to resist the encroaching darkness that threatened to consume my vision.
"Kneel." the emperor commanded.
I obediently dropped to my knees and met the Emperor's unyielding eyes with defiance, he silently conveying his message that this was neither the time nor the place for defiance. His stern expression nearly caused a whimper to escape my lips. Averting my gaze, I reluctantly surrendered to my fate. Those eyes promised unimaginable suffering if I refused to comply. Another figure approached the emperor , holding a cup in his hand, which he then presented to the emperor.
"With this drink, you offer your soul and demonstrate your willingness to become Lui Cai Lung's the Royal Concubine."
By the gods above, what is he considering making me? i thought My complexion paled, and shivers coursed through my body at the implications of his words. This cannot be happening, if this transpires, I will be trapped here indefinitely. Just rise and flee, Cai, fight your way through! Nervously rubbing my sweaty palms together, I glanced towards the heavily guarded exit. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the generals inching closer, as if they understood my thoughts.
I turned my gaze back to the Emperor, who extended the cup towards me. The instinct to refuse lingered on the tip of my tongue, but I bit down on my lip and accepted it.
"With this offering, you bind yourself to us as the Royal Concubine."
I stared at the cup, resisting the urge to take a sip. One sip, and my destiny would be sealed.
"Take a sip Cai, or I swear, I'll obliterate everything you cherish." his words echoed softly in my ear. Staring intently at him, I searched for any deceit in his menacing threats. Reluctantly, I yielded to his demands, swallowing the sickly sweet wine that symbolized the death of my freedom, my existence.
A wave of despair washed over me, and I closed my eyes, mourning the loss of my identity. Tears streamed down my cheeks, a testament to my shattered manhood. "You are now forever bound." He proclaimed, stepping back to allow the eruption of applause to fill the room. As i stood, Eunuch Zhao emerged, beckoning me forward, his grip pulling me along. "Come, it is time to prepare for the union," he stated with a grave tone. His words froze me in place, a mixture of dread and confusion engulfing my being.
YOU ARE READING
宮殿 Gōngdiàn×The Palace
Romance當蔡仁遇見皇帝的時候，他永遠不會有新的東西。 The autumn leaves littered the dirt road of Fu Shang, the sun setting over the mountains as a young man said farewell to his village and mu quin. This was his destiny, for when the winter of his eighteenth year arrived, his in...
