Yecao Cao slumbered as he felt someone drag him away. He rustled to consciousness and open his eyes to a profound silence awaiting him. Eyes stared back at him and Yecao Cao suddenly felt himself sweating as he realizes he was standing in front of the Emperor. Had he suddenly mastered the art of sleepwalking? He certainly didn’t hope so as he met two cold eyes on a majestic smiling face. Within a heartbeat Yecao Cao had thrown himself to the floor and slammed his face on the ground.

“Honored Huángdi! this Ling salutes you,” Yecao Cao said with a voice that echoed. His eyes darted around him while trying to uncover why he was in front of the Emperor at all. He could hear whispers from the ministers wondering if he was the traitor. “No I ain’t! It’s far too bothersome,” thought Yecao Cao who dared sneak a peek at the Emperor who met him with a radiating smile that did not reach his eyes. Scary!

“No need for such grand gestures. Today is a grand day after all,” the Emperor said with a chuckled that made Yecao Cao want to cry. What was going on?

The Emperor rose and all bowed to his grace. The Emperor raised his hand and his voice sounded over all the whispers that silences out of fear for his wrath.

“Today, I want to announce the promotion of this Ling.”

Yecao Cao’s eyes went wide and he couldn’t help but to stare at the Emperor. “What? Why?”

“Yecao Cao has become very dear to me-“

“I don’t know you!”

“And I have decided to give him the title Zhiji,” The Emperor’s voice was so unbending that no one dared to speak against him but all stared. Their eyes was wide and their mouths was open. Yecao Cao himself looked like he had been hit by a wooden board. His eyes was so wide that they looked like they were about to pop out of his sockets while his mouth was open wide enough for birds to nest.

The title of Zhiji was without a doubt a prestigious one. It was a special title for imperial adviser given only to few rare people throughout history. There was just one little dilemma that haunted Yecao Cao. It was also the title given to the male lover of the Emperor.

“Rise, honored Zhiji!” the Emperor said with what was suppose to look like a gentle smile but to Yecao Cao it looked like he stared death in the face. He had no other choice than to rise and was pulled to the Emperor’s side. He looked at the ministers and saw Tiachang who looked like he was about to faint. Shu Qiang looked at him with a sour face that did make his heart soar.

“From this day forth his court name will be…” The Emperor seemed to hesitate for a moment and Yecao Cao got a bad premonition. “Mei yu Huayuán!”

Yecao Cao wanted to cry out his dismay as the uncomfortably silenced turned to chuckles. Even Lin Hai who had been serene throughout the meeting raised an arm to cover his face behind the sleeve to hide his laughter. Plum of the Imperial Garden. It might sound innocent as Imperial Garden was another name for the harem while plum blossom was the name for the women of the harem. But plum was another thing. It was another way of saying chubby.

From this day forth his official name was the chubby of the Imperial harem! What kind of name was that?!

*****

Di Xúe was satisfied with step one of his plan. He looked over at the Lin Hai who had pulled himself together from his amusement of the incident in the throne room.

“Did you have to name him Mei yu Huayuán, honored Huángdi?” asked Lin Hai. Di Xúe held back a snort at the sound of the name and the recollection of the Ling’s face.

“Is Ling Cao well?” asked Di Xúe.

“I have settled him down in a tearoom and given him plenty to eat.”

“That should calm him down,” Di Xúe said,”and making sure that the name fits the person.”

“You could still have chosen a kinder name, Huángdi.”

“I drew a blank. I just blurted out the first which came to mind,” the Emperor said with a shrug. He had little care for the Ling’s face but he had to admit that it might have been better to give him a serious name if only to give the position more credibility.

“Why did you even-“

“As bait.”

Lin Hai was silence but Di Xúe could see his discontent.

“You don’t agree? The assassins haven’t dared target me again. If I can convince them that Ling Cao is dear to me then they might consider trying to use him to kill me.”

“But he will become a target.”

“That is the point, Shaofu.”

“It will put your subject in danger. He doesn’t have any abilities to protect himself,” Lin Hai said in a mere whisper and Di Xúe must admit that he could not see Lin Hai’s point of view. Lin Hai was too weak-hearted for his own good.

“A worthy sacrifice to catch my enemies,” Di Xúe said and raised his hand to stop Lin Hai from continue to argue. “I have spoken.”

“So have I, honored Huángdi,” Lin Hai muttered and bowed before trying to leave. He winced as the door slammed open.

“I will have word with you, most esteemed Huángdi!”

Di Xúe leaned against his hand and perused the red-faced Ling who glared at him. Di Xúe have never witnessed an angry panda before…

“Ling Cao!” Lin Hai bowed to Ling Cao who made a hurried bow back before continuing glaring at the Emperor.

“It is Zhiji Cao now. Or Mei yu Huayuán.”

“Don’t you dare call me that! Did your brain break or something. What the hell is the matter with that name?”

“Is that your only complaint. I can call you just Xiao Mei instead,” Di Xúe said and thought that little plum was a suitable nickname.

“You would just dare call me that-“

Di Xúe got up and stared at his little plum who immediately winced and turned away his gaze. “Xiao Mei is fine,” muttered the Ling reluctantly. Di Xúe nodded contentedly and sat down again. Lin Hai watched the two with a worried expression before turning to the little plum with a smile.

“Do you want more food, Ling… Xiao Mei? I can send for-“

“Don’t give him more. He most likely has already devoured the food you gave him earlier. If you give him more we won’t have enough to feed us for the winter,” Di Xúe commanded mercilessly and saw the little plum wince.

“I’m a growing boy who needs food,” The little plum objected with a pout.

“Surely, but you do not grow taller,” said Di Xúe merciless and got a glare in response from the little plum. Lin Hai gave him a criticizing glance before trying to appease the little plum. Apparently, Lin Hai liked pandas. All the women of the kingdom would surely weep if they found out.

It took a while before Lin Hai was able to calm the little plum down and sat him down on the close by table with plenty of cakes. The little plum was still pouting but made himself at home among the colorful pillows. Di Xúe watched the dark blue clothes of the little plum with a frown. The clothes were not necessarily bad but they were hardly luxurious. Seldom has he ever seen someone in his court bare such blatant simple clothes. It was both refreshing and improper. He would need to get the little plum suitable clothes if he was supposed to play the part of the favorite lover of the Emperor. Otherwise, he would only look like the weed in the Imperial Garden.

“Why did you lie and name me your Zhiji, glorious Huángdi?” the little plum said with his mouth full off sweets. Di Xúe gave him a sweet smile that could kill flies. It amused him to witness the little plum’s face being covered in sweat and nervous twitches as he smiled at him. At least the little plum had some sense.

“Oh, when did I lie?”

“When you called me your lover!”

“When did I call you my lover?”

The little plum glared at him which only amused Di Xúe more. He had heard that the Yecao clan was known to be ill-mannered but he had never met anyone that dared glare at him as this little round thing did.

Lin Hai was quick to intervene as he was fretting over the little thing.

“Ling, I mean, Xiao Mei, Huángdi has no intention of taking you as a lover,” Lin Hai assured him with a smile.

The little plum looked both satisfied and angry at the same time. His eyes narrowed as he watched Lin Hai. “So he just publicly humiliated me for his own amusement.”

“Exactly.”

“Huángdi!”

“Fine,” Di Xúe sighed dramatically. Why did Lin Hai have to end his enjoyment? “I need your help to catch the ones who targeted me and I have chosen you. You will be able to help us in your new position.“

The little plum leaned over to grab his tea. He looked at the Emperor with a pondering glance while sipping his tea like he was a little prince giving instructions to his servants. The nerve of the little fool was astounding.

“I’m guessing that none of the great families has made a move. Most likely out of fear. You need someone to act as a bait to lure them out. Making me act as your lover would make me the target to lure you out of your safe haven,” the little plum said after a while. His eyes looked down into his tea like he was trying to assess his future in it.

Di Xúe frowned at the round face while stroking his chin. This little panda was apparently not as dull as he first thought.

“I refuse to do it.”

Apparently, he was just as foolish as Di Xúe first thought.

“What made you think that you have a choice?” asked Di Xúe coldly as Lin Hai started once again to fret while trying to stop the incoming fight between the dragon and the panda.

“Oh, I have a choice. Either die in the hands of your enemies or defy you and die. I choose the latter. Better die in defiance than for a foolish cause,” said the little plum and sipped calmly his tea like he was discussing the weather.

Lin Hai gave the adamant plum a smile,”Xiao Mei, this is-“

“I can give you food,” said Di Xúe casually,”and fine clothes. I will spoil you and you won’t have to work ever in your lifetime.”

“Deal!”

“…”

Di Xúe was satisfied with the result while Lin Hai just looked like he was struck by lightning. He knew how to handle a panda. Give it food and it will be soothed.

“Xiao Mei, do you understand what you are agreeing with?” asked Lin Hai faintly as he looked like he was about to fall over.

“Well, it was a foolish cause but a lifetime of bliss is more than a worthy cause to risk your life over,” laughed the little plum.

“Well, I don’t mind. He will die soon so I don’t have to worry about that promise,” thought Di Xúe and started to review the reports.

*****

Steps sounded outside the room as a gentle but urgent knock came from the door. Yecao Cao ignored the sound as this wasn’t his office and continued to devour the food. It was good to snack after a well-deserved nap. Not to mention that he needed the energy after the shock he had received earlier.

Lin Hai went over to the door and opened it with grace. That man looked as impeccable as a god descended from heaven and Yecao Cao could scent the sweet fragrance of orange blossom from the man which only elevated him as a beauty.

Outside the door stood three beautiful women clearly from a higher stock. Two of them were surely meant to aim for the Empress position with their ambitious eyes and outstanding beauty. The third one was a far throw from a beauty and was more sweet like an orange than a royal beauty. She had a bright smile that showed her innocent but Yecao Cao could not help but to shudder as in his experience, all women were double-faced. His sisters always bullied him.

“Fu greets Huángdi,” said the three women in unison while curtsying with their eyes fixed to the floor.

“And here comes the three concubines,” thought Yecao Cao and suddenly dropped his cake. “Wait, do I have to fight off the three concubines for the Emperor’s affection?”

He snuck a peek at the three beauties. All three did the same with him. None seemed openly hostile but Yecao Cao could feel their perusing gazes on his body. He hoped not, as he would surely lose. Though, he suspected that most of them were surprised. Why choose this plum when you had the beauty, Lin Hai at your side?

One of the women stepped forward and got a glare at the other outstanding woman. This one dressed rather improperly as she wore the crown of an Empress. Her hair was tied down which was the hair fashion for the women of Zhong. The women of Tian tied their hair towards the sky instead. Both of the other two women did so showing their status as ladies of Tian. This one wanted clearly to show her origin as a lady of Zhong.

Now that Yecao Cao thought about it… One of the three Fu was supposed to be from Zhong. A princess no less. There had been quite a commotion after the Emperor chose a princess from Zhong to be his Fu and even more commotion when she wasn’t selected as the next Empress. The Emperor of Zhong most likely sends messages of discontent to the Emperor in hope of changing that but Huángdi seems to have no interest in choosing a wife.

The Zhong princess curties once more to the Emperor who barely looked at her,”Fu Zuánshi greets Huángdi.”

The Emperor just ignored her and continued to work.

“Oye, show your Fu some appreciation. Can’t you at least pretend to appreciate the plum blossoms in your own garden.”

Zuánshi pretended not to notice and her phoenix eyes turned to Yecao Cao who froze with a cake just inches from his mouth.

“Fu Zuánshi greets Mei yu Huayuán.”

Yecao Cao took a bite of the cake while watching the princess. He could hear the hostility in her greeting as she used his hateful courtname with the clear intention of insulting him. Yecao Cao gave her a smile, still bitter about the name.

“Zhuji greets Yulin Zuánshi.”

Zuánshi’s eyes narrowed as she heard him use her original name. Something that would not have bothered her as it was the royal surname of Zhong but in this case it was clearly and insult telling her that she was not a citizen of Tian.

The second outstanding woman chuckled behind her fan before stepping forward with confident steps. This one had stronger features than the delicate, pearl white princess. She was still an beauty but her strong features along with her tall length and prideful demeanor told Yecao Cao that this one was most likely a handful concubine.

“Fu Chun greets Zhiji,” she said with a satisfied smile. Chun seemed to have a gentler proposition towards Yecao Cao. Most likely to gain the Emperor’s favor.

Yecao Cao returned the polite greeting and noticed that both Chun and Zuánshi glared at each other. Both looked like peacocks trying to dazzled eachother with their beauty. Yecao Cao’s eyes turned to the last Fu who looked bright and shiny. Her round face was ordinary and she seemed to be rather simple in nature. She walked forward only to fall flat on her face.

“Well, that was an interesting introduction.”

“You are so clumsy, Fu Tián!” Chun sighed dramatically and shot the girl a disapproving look. Lin Hai walked over to the girl named Tián to help her up.

“Are you okay, Fu Tián?” he asked politely and winced rather surprisingly when Tián grabbed into him to pull herself up with a bright smile.

“I am well! Greetings, ge ge,” said Tián and curtsied towards Yecao Cao who stared. he could feel goosebumps run up his arms. Why did this girl call him brother? Or for that manner why was she acting so overly cute?

Yecao Cao shuddered as he watched the three women that most likely would make his life troublesome in the future.