Winter Tea Ceremony

Yao Ling woke up expecting the same boring business his been subjected to the past month. Until Sun Momo came in into his room and ordered the nannies to take out one of Yao Ling's best-looking clothes for the winter.

He looked on bewildered and slid out of bed. Sun Momo glanced at him giving him a slight bow to him.

"Good morning, Fourth Prince." Yao Ling stared widely at the quickly moving maids then back at her in wordless confusion. " Today is the winter tea ceremony shared between all members of the harem. That includes the children." Without saying anymore she swiftly picked up Yao Ling by his armpits.

Yao Ling struggled and hissed. What is with people picking him up?!! He can walk there, god dammit!!

In the next twenty minutes he gets bathed, dressed in comfy light green and orange robes, with a beautiful sky scenery with birds embroidered, holy shit- is that golden thread?!-at the center. And despite his loud protests and slight scratching, his hair was brushed neatly into a ponytail.

The maids sigh tiredly in relief at being finished. For a three-year-old, it took three people to have him look like a proper legitimate heir. And while they admit, the Fourth Prince looks adorable with his naturally pink cheeks, hazel eyes, and pretty clothes. The look is a little ruined by his extremely angry expression.

Sun Momo bows once again, "Please follow me, my prince. It is time to greet the Empress and the rest of the harem in the assembly hall."

Yao Ling follows along quietly and he will admit a little nervously. He's meeting all the high consorts and concubines! He never thought to see the day, he heard how glamorous they dressed. Deck out in gold, jewelry, and priceless fabrics. The amount of money no street urchin like him had ever imagined seeing, no he's living in it.

Yao Ling used to dream of wearing fancy clothes he had seen only in paintings hung in tea houses. When he got picked up by General Yao and given his military uniform that was the closest thing he had ever gotten to wearing finely made clothes.

They finally reached an adjacent building connected by an arching bridge over the ponds. They entered through the back of it and opened by the maids he was greeted by the sight of the Empress. He's also wearing green just a slightly lighter shade, his hair half loose and half up put in place with an intricate golden crown with hanging pieces that swing with the lightest shake of his head.

Yao Ling marbled at the jewelry. He wonders how much just the crown piece cost. He could probably buy himself a house with just that alone.

Focus! He thinks I need to stop thinking about how much everything costs and focus on myself. General Yao didn't train me in decorum for nothing.

The Empress coldly nodded at their entrance. " A little later than expected," he glanced at Sun Momo briefly, who settled her gaze on the floor in shame.

" Apologies, your Highness. We wanted to make sure nothing was amiss in the Fourth Prince's attire."

The Empress nodded. "Sun Momo I trust that you will stay at the Fourth Prince's side. Monitor his food and keep him presentable, is that possible?" He asked.

Sun Momo bowed lowly "I will make sure the Fourth Prince has not a hair on his head messed with."

"Good. It is a time of celebration, but do not let your eyes roam away from your duties." Though he faced Sun Momo he spoke clearly to the other maids and eunuchs in the room." Make sure nothing is amiss with the Fourth Prince, or else.." He left at that. Yao Ling can sense the shiver and fear of the people here. 

The Empress didn't say anything for a few seconds, and then he went to the other side of the room his servant, that crafty eunuch of his right behind him, announced Empress Xuefang's arrival.

Yao Ling entered another room where chairs were situated in a line with one chair elevated from the rest. The Empress sat on that chair while Yao Ling stood right next to him, while a group of men and women stood and bowed, greeting the Empress.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Empress."

"You may all sit."

Yao Ling stared at the male and female consorts and concubines with unashamed curiosity until he gasped quietly. His heart beating rapidly, drowning out the sound around him, he unknowingly clenches the robes of the Empress.

He stares towards one of the consorts sitting two chairs below the Empress, wearing white robes with shimmering yellows and pinks, with a fan to match and an expression of boredom. Yao Ling stares at that face. A familiar face.

He knows him…

He'd seen him before….but instead of wearing pristine white clothes, he wore armor, armor that was covered in blood, hair loose, and face specked with blood. Bodies of Yao Ling's soldiers lay around him.

That man who was once at Yao Ling's side during his early days as a soldier, who then betrayed the General by killing their comrades and then disappearing, never to be heard of again.

How is he here? As one of the Emperor's consorts no less?!