Crown prince Kai

Crown prince Kai was urgently summoned to the emperor's chamber. He was now well in his mid-20s and had been assigned to so many diplomatic missions and done everything his parents ever asked of him. As he walked up the stairs, he couldn't help peruse through his daily dealings just in case he done something that could get him into trouble but nothing came to mind.

"Come in my son, we have much to discuss", said the emperor seated next to the empress, Kai's mother with a disapproving look on her face.

Prince Kai kowtowed before his parents while respectfully saying, "Your majesty how may I be of service?" with his head barely touching the floor.

"Kai, arise my son. We have matters to discuss. I and your mother have some news for you and hope you can accept it no matter how you feel," said a beaming emperor Wu in a jolly tone.

"Anything you need me to do, I will do it without question," replied prince Kai as he rose to his feet. His father seemed to be in such a cheerful mood rousing his curiosity. What could have brought joy to this old emperor?

"Drink up my son, I requested the finest wine for this occasion," said the empress as she pointed to the porcelain cup next to him. Kai froze when he heard that, the only time this kind of alcohol was served, it had something to do with marriage. He gulped down the entire cup of wine attempting to calm his nerves expecting the worst. It was now evident, they were going to ask him to take in a consort.

"We would like you to take up a new consort," said the emperor as a servant filled up the prince's cup. Prince Kai had seen it coming miles away but couldn't but show a stunned expression. They never interfered when it came to such things so why the sudden interest. When he took in his first consort, he vowed to never take in another but now they were forcing one on him.

"Since when have you taken interested in my love life? I already have consort Daiyu and don't see the need to take in another consort because I am content with only her. You yourself said she will make a fine empress one day so why the sudden change in heart?" he spoke with a doleful expression before guzzling down the second cup.

'She's General Chen's daughter, Meili." said the emperor in a stern tone purposefully evading the prince's question.

"Isn't she the one who punched Daiyu years back?" he asked with a grave expression on his face, "Father I can't, this will complicate things for me. I really have no interest in her. Please reconsider, I can pick another if you prefer?" pleading with the emperor. Wasn't this creating unnecessary trouble for him? He didn't want to deal with squabbles between two women, it was extremely troublesome and he personally preferred peace.

"Meili is a kind, beautiful and noblewoman. She is not short of talent, trust me you won't regret taking her as your consort. Plus you don't really have a choice in the matter," said the emperor with the latter sentence spoken in an overbearing manner. There was no way he could simply wiggle his way out of this. It was going to happen whether he liked it or not. Crease lines appeared on the empress' stunning face with obvious signs of displeasure at the emperor's words but she didn't voice her concerns.

Kai noticed how uncomfortable his mother was but couldn't bring himself to ask her in front of the emperor. His father didn't seem to be asking him but commanding him. When the emperor made a command there was no room for negotiation.

"Father, are you speaking to me as your son or as a subject, is this your command?" asked the prince as a last-ditch effort to save his serene environment.

"I would love for you to take it as a father asking a son to be reasonable and respect my decision, as your father," replied the emperor with subtle warmth in his eyes hoping his son wouldn't make things difficult for him.

Kai reluctantly agreed and excused himself from their presence. He couldn't understand why his father insisted on pushing this girl towards him and Meili of all women. He aimlessly ambled around and ended up at Daiyu's living quarters. He knew very well that she wouldn't be pleased to hear this. Daiyu had been his only consort for seven years and never laid his eyes on anyone else besides her. How was he going to make her accept it?

Daiyu immediately opened the sliding door yelling, "Your Highness I wasn't expecting you. You normally summon me to your chambers, I guess it must be a special visit."

She was wearing a silk white see-through garment with her jet-black hair down. Daiyu reached for his arm and urged him to come in. Kai followed her and sat down before she proceeded to press her warm lips against his engaging in a passionate kiss. Prince Kai wasn't in the mood so he stopped her.

"It's not that kind of visit, we have to talk," he said as he searchingly looked around the room for liquor. "You did not offer me something to drink?" he asked seeming slightly distressed. Daiyu frowned at his refusal pouting in displeasure. She stood up and approached the tray filled with a variety of bottles. She picked an emerald green bottle and Kai interrupted her, "No, something stronger than that."

Daiyu was never great at listening to someone's problems, she found it tiring and extremely bothersome. "Well, if you are here to drown your sorrow in strong liquor, this is the place," said Daiyu as she poured out some liquor from a dark purple bottle.

"You will need some as well, just bring over the entire bottle," he said beckoning her to come and sit next to him. Prince Kai drank the entire cup in one go to his consort's astonishment. Her eyes widened as she watched him set the cup on the table.

"My prince, what troubles you so, that you drink like a fish at sea?" she asked while pouring out some more. Kai worryingly gazed at her but just as he was about to say something, he stopped himself and urged her to drink. Three cups in, they were a bit tipsy, Prince Kai finally had enough courage to inform her.

"My father insists that I take in another consort, immediately," said the prince prepared to flee at a moment's notice.

"I apologise, your Highness, I misheard your words. Do you mind repeating your words," she said leaning towards his face with scrunched eyes. He could tell she didn't believe him.

"I mean it Daiyu, I just came from the emperor's chambers," he said rubbing the space between his brows.

At the realisation that he wasn't joking around, she flung her cup in a fit of rage and as it struck the wall shattering into tiny pieces. She turned to face him with a dark expression saying, "You are the crown prince and have the right to refuse. Have I not been good to you? I do everything you ask me to. You have to stand up against him if you don't it shows weakness. What kind of emperor would you become?"

Struck where it hurts the most, Prince Kai issued a warning, "Don't overstep your bounds with me Daiyu and know your place. I came here as a courtesy so you won't be surprised when the invitation to the ceremony arrives."

"Wait doesn't the selection have to take place first before the union?" she asked with a trembling voice.

"She has already been selected without my consent," replied the prince feeling a headache creeping upon him. Daiyu screamed at the top of her voice as tears rolled down her pink cheeks.

"Why is your father doing this, he doesn't even have consorts but he pushes you to have one?" she said burying her face in the palm of her hands.

"I don't know why but I will find out. I promise you nothing will change between us. I only have eyes for you," said Prince Kai before gently kissing her cheek, "I have to go, tomorrow I meet the council to make preparations," he said as he struggled to get up.

Daiyu pulled him back down and kissed him passionately before saying, "No your Highness don't go. Someone might take advantage of you in this state. May you please spend the night with me?"