【1】

The beauty on par with the peony,

I have dared to commit felony,

Becoming the talk of the Heavens and Earth,

Just as the flowers shy away from your beautiful birth.

So beautiful, like the celestial bodies of the sky,

My eyes, at your being have been blessed,

Such a miracle, for you to just pass by,

Forever, be my lucky jade.

—"Him"

By Wang Hai

[❄️❄️❄️]

The Imperial palace was in total chaos when the Emperor Wang Long have passed away in his sleep. Servants were running up and down, trying to finish up the funeral and the Crown Prince's coronation that is to be held a week later.

Ministers were all busy, trying to delay many of the state affairs to not let it interrupt the funeral as the whole nation mourn for their loss.

But it wasn't the funeral that made the whole palace became a chaotic battleground, rather it was the declaration of Emperor Wang Hai in introducing his husband.

The Prince Consort of Yun.

It was an uproar among the ministers as they called out the absurdity of having a position higher than the Empress, they needed the Empress to be of a high position as she would be the one to bear the future heir.

"The Prince Consort is capable of handling both the harem and state affairs, as to the problem of the heir, do I not have concubines to fulfil that role?"

That was enough to make the ministers bite their tongue, refraining themselves from getting onto the Emperor's bad side.

Due to the sudden declaration, Empress Ying's family became a laughing stock in the court for losing to a man for the Emperor's favour and affection.

The matter died down after the Yings showed their power by stopping businesses that are run by some of the ministers.

Empress Ying felt her pride shattered at the mere thought of the Prince Consort. When Emperor Wang was still the Crown Prince, she had thought she have succeeded in securing her position in the harem after she was chosen as the Crown Princess by the Empress Dowager and was arranged into a marriage with him.

Only to find out that the true spouse of the Emperor of Yun is a man!! How ridiculous!!!

"I will still be in favour... the Emperor would need me to have an heir, my position is still secured."

Even if you're no longer the most powerful in the harem?

"He's just a man, it'll be easy to get rid of him. Surely the Emperor is just in a phase right now."

It was sad to say, if it was a temporary phase, it seemed to be too permanent to the Empress liking.

Especially when she was moved to the Ruby Palace while the Prince Consort was given the Emerald Palace. The Emerald Palace is the second palace after the Jade Palace. Imagine her horror to find servants moving her stuff to the third palace because the Emperor had ordered them to do so.

The whole month, everything that was meant for the Empress were now given to the Prince Consort, it was as if her position was merely an add on to the imperial system. Empress Ying was really angered, there was no way she was going to lose all that she had work so hard on. Even the servants of some of the departments and of the Empress Dowager which she had worked so hard to gain their favour so that they would do dirty jobs for her have even thrown their loyalty away.

As if everything was planned out. She slammed her hand onto the table.

"That mere ridiculous being should just die!!"

[❄️❄️❄️]

It was the first week at the beginning of the fourth lunar month, the gentle spring breeze made its way through the wide walkway, its wind gently playing with the white hat veil that's being worn by a figure.

The translucent veil reaching till his mid-chest with the only purpose of covering his face, an opening in the middle which allowed him to pushed the veil aside. The man smiled under his veil when he felt the cooling breeze, not threatened that his veil would be blown open.

The man walked in a dignified manner, his sky blue robe swishing like gentle water with each step that was enough to entranced anyone who were to lay their eyes on him.

Following behind him were two eunuchs and two personal maids. All four walking with their head bowed and their hands placed together at the front. Suddenly one of the eunuchs, Eunuch Wei, quickly walked to man's side, his head still bowed as he brought his hands forward, leaning his head towards them a little.

"Your Highness, we have arrived at the Emerald Palace." He informed the man, Meng Yue, the Prince Consort of Yun.

Meng Yue stopped in his tracks upon hearing the eunuch, now near the big palace doors where two guards were standing guard at the entrance. When he got nearer, both guards immediately gong zhou to him, greeting him.

"Prince Consort."

Meng Yue nodded his head a little to acknowledge them and both guards quickly pushed open the doors for him to enter. He stepped over the threshold and moved swiftly into the palace, courtyards were on both his sides as he walked across the small stone bridge that lead him to his main chambers.

Meng Yue stepped in and pushed his veil aside a little to take a better look of the palace interior. He smiled when he saw his guqin, erhu and flute placed nicely on a short table that's placed beside his resting chambers, facing the seating area for his guests.

"You may retreat, I will call for you if I'm in need of your service." He then said, waving a hand to the eunuchs and maids who gong zhou at his order. "Yes, Your Highness."

They walked backwards, retreating from the Prince Consort before turning around and stepping outside, the two maids closing the door before taking their posts by the door.

Hearing the door closing shut, the man let out a sigh of relief before moving his hand up to take down his hat. He placed it on his study table and was about to turn around to look around his chambers when his eyes landed on a letter placed on the table.

He blinked and raised an eyebrow before picking it up. He slipped the letter out of its envelope and unfolded it, words in astounding calligraphy greeted his eyes.

I hope that the palace is to your liking.

—Your lover, A-Hai

Meng Yue smiled even more when he recognised the familiar handwriting, he chuckled softly to himself and carefully placed the letter in one of the small boxes and placed it back on the shelf.

"Ying Xin!" He called out to one of his personal, trusted maid. Maid Ying quickly entered the room, her head bowed slightly.

"You called for me, Your Highness?"

"Do you know where's the Emperor today?"

"His Majesty is probably at the Hall of Harmony." She then stood up straight, smiling brightly at the happiness expressed on her lord. "Does His Highness wish to go visit him now?"

Meng Yue nodded as he put on his other veil, a Carolina blue face veil. "I need to send my greetings to mother-in-law first."

[❄️❄️❄️]

The Empress Dowager and the Prince Consort lived in the main residence of the Emerald Palace so it was easy for Meng Yue to visit her.

At that time, Qian Ling, one of the Empress Dowager's personal maid was serving her tea when Eunuch Wei announced the Prince Consort's arrival.

"The Prince Consort have arrived!"

Empress Dowager Mei looked up just to see her son-in-law stepping into the room while taking off his veil and passing it to Ying Xin, he gong zhou to her. "I have come to greet Empress Mother."

"Please rise," She said, a smile adorning her face as she gestured for Qian Ling to pour him tea. "Didn't you just arrive to the Forbidden City today? Surely you must be tired from all the moving."

Meng Yue took his seat and said a soft thank you to Qian Ling when he was served the tea. He quietly took a sip before placing the cup down.

"I'm a man, Mother, this sort of thing won't tire me out." He explained with a soft laugh and the Empress Dowager smiled as well.

"I often forgot what a strong person you are despite your rather soft nature."

"Are you going to visit A-Hai after this?" She asked and Meng Yue nodded. "Yes I am, is something the matter?"

"You should know that Wang Hai was feeling all nervous this morning, fussing over your moving as he wanted to assure that everything was perfect when you arrived."

"It was perfect," He sighed. "That A-Hai have always been meticulous with such matters..."

"Only if it's you, A-Yue."

"M-Mother..!" Meng Yue became flustered at her bluntness that he stuttered over his own words. The Empress Dowager laughed.

"I'm glad that you're married to him, now go to him or else he's going to blame this old lady for taking away his love."

Extra Information

Palaces according to ranking from highest to the lowest:

[Jade Palace]

-Emperor

[Emerald Palace]

-Empress Dowager

-Prince Consort

[Ruby Palace]

-Empress

-Imperial Consort

-Noble Consort

-Consort

[Palace Of Celestial Favour]

-Imperial Concubine

-Second Imperial Concubine

-Third Imperial Concubine

-Noble Concubine

[Palace Of Great Brilliance]

-Concubine

-Imperial Lady

-Noble Lady

[Palace Of Purity]

-Honoured Lady

-Talented Lady

-Beautiful Lady

The only living princes are the four sons of the late Emperor Wang Long and Emperor Wang Long's 3 brothers.