Colours flashed in the Imperial Garden as the dancers moved with grace and beauty. All three of the Emperor’s Fus moved gently as the wind while the guests marveled at their skills. The weather had been unusually warm for autumn and the Chrysanthemum was in full bloom. They decorated the banquet and was served as a tea to the guests, celebrating the autumn.

Di Xúe tried to avoid the Guang Lu Xun, minister of household, who had made it his life duty to pester him about choosing an Empress. Especially after Di Xúe announced his Zhiji. A male lover would normally not be considered a momentous occasion but for the Guang Lu Xun, whose duty was to take care of the Imperial family and in this case encourage the Emperor to have children, it was a disaster.

With no heir to the throne and most relative disposed of, it was a disaster and signaled to the Zhong Empire that Tian was vulnerable.

Lin Hai had been unusually quiet since the little plum left and he always had a distant look on his face. Sometimes Di Xúe could see him face northeast, towards Dongzhou like he hoped to see a sign of the little plum’s wellbeing.

Di Xúe had currently other problems as the three Fu, who had received appreciation for their grace, had gone over to their Emperor while pretending to be shy. Well, all except Fu Tían who stumbled when she was about to pour tea for the Emperor and accidentally poured tea all over Di Xúe instead who looked down on his ruined clothes. For a moment, he was grateful that the little plum wasn’t here to see his disgraceful visage for he would most likely have teased him.

“This Fu is so clumsy. Forgive me, Huángdi!” Fu Tían sniveled as she tried to wipe off the tea to no avail. Her hands were slapped away by Fu Chun who looked distraught.

“How dare you? Aren’t you suppose to be an Imperial Concubine. Where is your manner?”

Fu Chun turned the Emperor with a worried looked and wiped off his face.”My dear husband, please tell me that you aren’t hurt.”

Many gave Fu Chun approving glances as they witness her affectionate expression towards the husband. All seemed to think that she was truly suited to be the future Empress but Di Xúe could only roll his eyes at the fools so easily deceived.

“Do you think that the Huángdi is so weak that he cannot handle hot tea?” snorted Di Xúe and Fu Chun froze for a moment when she heard Di Xúe’s cold tone. Though she soon recovered and backed away with a humble bow.

“I would not dare. Forgive this Fu for worrying.”

Di Xúe could see a disappointed grimace flash onto Fu Chun’s face as she tried to figure out how to get herself out of this situation. Her sharp eyes turned to Fu Tián once more.

“You should be more careful in the future. You stumble all day creating a ruckus. Such a disgrace!”

All eyes turned to Fu Tián whose eyes were filled with tears. Her eyes fell onto the ground refusing to meet anyone’s accusing gazes.

“Don’t be silly. It is your duty as an elder sister to educate her. You have been with her for so long and have not even tried to get along with Xiao Tián. The disgrace is yours,” Fu Zuánshi said with a prideful glance at Fu Chun who looked furious.

“Sister Zuánshi!” Fu Tián sniveled and hugged Fu Zuánshi’s arm. Now all the approving eyes turned to Fu Zuánshi. Such grace! Her good relationship with the other Fu would most likely bring a peaceful harem for the future if she became the Empress.

Di Xúe wanted to snort as he saw all of their thoughts on their faces. There hasn’t been one Imperial harem in previous generations that hadn’t been plagued with dangerous intrigues. Being an Imperial Concubine was not only likely to shorten the life of the concubine but also assured that they would die horrifying deaths. Like Di Xúe’s mother. This harem was no different.

Di Xúe ignored the three Fus bickering and turned to Dahong Lu instead. “Has there been any messages from Dongzhou?”

The Minister of Heralds bowed in acknowledgment before answering. “Wang Yu and Zhiji have arrived safely at Dongzhou yesterday. They are residing in the estate of the Shu family.”

Lin Hai straighten his back from where he was sitting but no emotions crossed his face. Though, Di Xúe knew his friend well enough that he could blatantly see the relief. Di Xúe smiled at Dahong Lu.

“Your family brings honor to us. I am grateful to them for hosting my uncle and dear Xiao Mei.”

“No need, my family is most honored to receive them as guests, Huángdi.”

This caught the Fus attention as they became quiet. Fu Chun seemed to think that this was her opportunity to get the attention of Di Xúe as she leaned closer to him. “I miss brother Mei! We got along so well.”

“Your ancestors will curse you if you continue to lie like that. Xiao Mei would never like someone who calls him by his nickname,” thought Di Xúe amusingly and sipped his tea.

A roguishly handsome man chuckled. Di Xúe frowned as he tried to remember who this was. He looked awfully familiar. With a smooth face, sharp phoenix eyes and long silken hair on a lean body covered by an emerald-colored attire. The man spoke up, “I’m sure that my brother misses the Emperor. He has never left the capital after all.”

“Ah, the eldest of the Yecao family. Yecao Ji if I remember correctly.”

Di Xúe watched the man who was without a doubt handsome but he looked far more cunning. His eyes were bright and seemed to see all and his lips always carried a slight, charming smile. This man looked like a fox hiding in human form. Di Xúe wondered if the little plum would also have a handsome face if he got rid of all that abundance of fat…

“My Xiao Mei was frightened to leave my arms but was determined to prove himself to me,” Di Xúe said gently and ignored the disapproving glance from Lin Hai.

Yecao Ji’s smile became wider and his eyes glistened in a mischievous light, “Did he now?”

Di Xúe inspected the brother and determined from one look that he wasn’t buying Di Xúe’s bullshit. In fact, Di Xúe felt threatened by the brother. He felt a cold chill on his neck like the brother held a sword to it. There was a clear menace under the mellow voice and his eyes were edged like a dagger.

“I am grateful that you took the time to come to the banquet,” said Lin Hai in a way to dismantle the situation. “I’m sure that the Zhiji will return to us unharmed.”

Yecao Ji chuckled,” Of course, he will. He is of the Yecao family. We are survivors who do not forget a single debt.”

The chill was back and Di Xúe wondered if he had picked the wrong Yecao for this mission…

The day went by fast and as the sun slowly crawled back into the earth’s embrace the court emptied to leave its ruler tired on his throne. The door to the throne room opened and Lin Hai walked over with gentle steps like he feared to bother his Emperor.

“Lin Hai? Why are you still here?” asked Di Xúe and rubbed his aching head. He could still hear the aggravating voices of his concubine bickering even though they were since long gone.

“I have some news from the maid of Fu Tián, Huángdi,” Lin Hai said with a peculiar look on his face.

“Why do you bring this to me? I’m sure that Guang Lu Xun is better suited-“

“No, the maid wanted this to only reach your ears.”

“Well, if the maid says so,” Di Xúe muttered sarcastically and rolled his eyes. “Go on.”

“Fu Tián… Is pregnant,” Lin Hai was a mere whisper like he was fearful of those who would listen.

Di Xúe leaned back with a sigh,” Finally, I feared that the heaven’s had cursed me.”

“You… You are not surprised?”

“Should I be?”

“No, I just assumed that because you haven’t shown much interest…”

Di Xúe forced back a smirk and cocked an eyebrow at his friend, “what? Did you think that this Huángdi was impotent?”

“No! I just… Feared that she had been seeking the company of another.”

“She has not. I keep a close eye on my Fu to ensure their loyalty. Though, why did she not tell me? I could have made an announcement during the banquet,” Di Xúe said with a frown. Lin Hai shook his head.

“According to the maid, Fu Tián wanted to keep it a secret. She said that it would be better if no one but those who can be trusted knew.”

Di Xúe bit his thumb as he pondered the words. The silly Fu Tián actually used her head for once. If people found out about her being pregnant she would most likely be favored for the position of Empress. Others, like the other Fu, would see her as a threat and would try to kill her and the child to ensure that this would not happen.

“We will need to keep a close eye on Fu Tián,” Di Xúe muttered.

“Should I station more guards by her estate?”

“No, it would make it obvious that something was amiss. For now, do nothing. When her pregnancy has started to show then we make the claim of her being seriously ill to the point of no one being allowed to see her except the court doctor and her maids.”

“Maybe we can send her home,” Lin Hai suggested.

“That is one possibility. Well, we have a few months' time to prepare. Let’s ensure the safety of my future heir.”

“I understand, Huángdi,” Lin Hai said and left with a bow.

Di Xúe could not help but to smile and closed his eyes in relief. Finally, some good news. Guang Lu Xun will surely be pleased when he hears the glad news. Though he would most likely not stop pestering him about choosing an Empress.

Di Xúe opened his eyes and looked at the marvelous ceiling adorned with vivid patterns in the colours of jade and gold. He had not chosen an Empress because none of them was fit for the position.

Fu Zuánshi was too loyal to her homeland. She would only create conflict in Tian while trying to give benefits to Zhong. In the worst-case scenario, it could lead to an uprising among the nobles who still consider Zhong their enemy. Di Xúe had already tested their patience when he took a Zhong princess as Fu in order to secure peace. They would not accept her as an Empress.

Fu Chun was by many a perfect choice. Her father was cousin to the previous Emperor and had as such royal blood. A perfect match for the Emperor but she was too proud and hostile too everyone. Not to mention, far too ambitious. She would most likely spend her life killing off every other child born between himself and the concubines.

Fu Tián was frankly to naïve. With her lack of intelligence, it would be just a matter of time before she would be killed by a rival. Or a nobleman who wants to secure that place for his daughter. Fu Tián lacks the formal training required for politics as well. It comes from her being the daughter of Tai Chi, the former Imperial architect. Tai Chi had formidable talent but was a mere Tóng when he started. He was so favored by Di Xúe’s father that he was upgraded to the highest rank Jin and ensuring the Tai Chi’s grandchildren would be Yu by marrying Di Xúe with his daughter.

He had tried to search for other candidates but all have nasty strings attached to them that Di Xúe refuses to indulge.

Di Xúe sighed before letting out a chuckled that surely made him look mad as he sat there on the throne. If the little plum survived this ordeal then maybe he could appoint him to be his Empress.

That would surely make both the court and the little plum happy.