The Royal Court and its Inhabitants (3)

Tianshou Empire, Tianjing, The Royal Palace

In the central hall of the royal palace, the emperor's ministers and advisors gathered to discuss the latest reports from the front lines.

Tall columns of gold, carved with dragon motifs, soared towards the ceiling. Shafts of sunlight filtered through lattice windows, casting patterns on the polished marble floor.

The air was filled with the scent of jasmine incense and the soft murmur of courtiers discussing matters of state.

Emperor Feng Xi, the dragon of the Tianshou Empire and son of the heavens, sat on a raised dais. His alpha presence dominated the room, commanding both respect and fear.

Behind the emperor stood the chief eunuch, Beta Qin Jian.

A messenger entered, his robes rustling softly as he bowed deeply, forehead nearly touching the ground before rising to speak. "Your Majesty, news from the battlefield."

Some of the courtiers instinctively shifted, their postures tightening as the emperor's scent suddenly filled the room.

It was so potent that even the beta messenger stiffened and quickly rushed out. "Prince Zhixian has secured a decisive victory. The enemy is defeated, and he makes his return by the fortnight!"

A murmur of approval rippled through the hall. The emperor's stern face softened slightly, a hint of pride in his eyes. "Good. This is auspicious news indeed."

As the messenger departed, Minister Shen, a tall and imposing figure with a neatly trimmed beard, stepped forward. "A commendable victory, Your Majesty. As always, Prince Zhixian's prowess in battle is unparalleled."

Empress Lian's eyes narrowed, head tilting slightly as she studied him. "Indeed. His strength is a great asset to the empire," she said, her tone measured.

What did he want to say now, she thought, sniffing with disdain.

Minister Shen bowed respectfully, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Your wisdom guides us, Your Majesty."

Empress Lian glared, wanting to pull out his sharp tongue.

"Your Majesty," Shen continued, a glint in his eye as he turned to the emperor, "may this one suggest a grand celebration upon Prince Zhixian's return? It would not only honour his victory but also bolster morale among our subjects."

The hall fell silent, all eyes on the emperor, who steepled his fingers in thought. "Yes, a celebration is in order." 

His gaze swept over the assembled ministers and advisors. "Prepare a feast in honour of Prince Zhixian's return after six years. Let it be a celebration of our strength and might."

"As you command, Your Majesty," Minister Shen acknowledged.

Chief Eunuch Qin stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Your Majesty, I will see to it that the city's preparations are flawless."

Emperor Feng Xi nodded. "Proceed, Wei. I want no detail overlooked. Call in all the princes for this auspicious occasion."

"As you command, Your Majesty," Qin responded, bowing deeply before retreating to begin the necessary arrangements.

In a quieter corner of the central hall, Fourth Prince Feng Yu observed the court's reaction. His features were a mask of indifference, but his mind churned.

He happened to be in the palace to share some news from his Qing province with the emperor, he hadn't expected to hear such news. His brother's tactics were brutal yet efficient, making it hard to sway their father's thoughts.

Beside him stood First Princess Feng Ling. Her omega demeanour was calm and serene, yet her eyes betrayed a keen intellect. She watched the proceedings quietly, her slender fingers tapping against her ornate fan.

"This victory of Third Brother's will increase his standing," Feng Yu muttered to his sister. "Father will favour him even more."

"Perhaps," Feng Ling replied, her voice thoughtful. "But such ruthlessness can also breed resentment. Not all the nobles will appreciate his methods. No one truly wants a violent alpha leader." She nodded to the side where some nobles were whispering amongst themselves.

The discontent was clear in the set of their brows and pursed lips.

Feng Yu smirked, an amused glint in his eyes. "And that, dear sister, is where we find our advantage."

Feng Ling's fan paused mid-tap, her gaze drifting to the grand doors of the hall. "The court has a delicate balance, brother. A single victory can shift everything. We must tread carefully, but this could be our moment to sway those dissatisfied voices to our side."

She leaned in closer, voice dropping to a whisper. "We will find allies among the discontented nobles and play on their fears of Zhixian's growing power."

Feng Yu nodded, his eyes narrowing. "And Minister Shen? He seems unusually eager to celebrate third brother's return."

"Minister Shen is an opportunist," Feng Ling replied, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "He will side with whoever seems most advantageous at the moment. We must keep an eye on him, his loyalty is as fleeting as the wind."

Meanwhile, Empress Jian watched the interactions with a keen eye. Her fingers tightened around the armrest of her chair, she could tell that those wretched children were plotting something. It didn't help that she has to keep an eye on minister Shen as well.

Feng Xi's dominance had yet to be questioned, she thought, but there were those who would attempt to challenge it. In the corner of the room, she could see Minister Shen whispering with others, a faint tension in the air. His eyes never left the Emperor, always seeking an opportunity.

The palace, like the empire, operated on the rigid hierarchies of alphas, betas, and omegas, each role defined by nature and tradition. Feng Xi's powerful presence commanded immediate respect from the alphas, while the betas knew their place—clever, but never to cross the line of submission. The omegas, however, were more delicate, their influence often hidden behind closed doors, their fates determined by the whims of those in power.

Only a few were bold enough to dare show their ambitions upfront.

Speaking of bold omegas, she glared at Feng Ling who smirked back at her.

"Hmm, let us see what his return will bring," Feng Ling murmured, her gaze sweeping over the ministers as they discussed preparations before lingered on Minister Shen, whose eagerness indeed seemed almost suspicious.

The emperor rose, his robes flowing gracefully as he descended the dais, the empress by his side. The court attendees bowed.

Empress Jian held her head high as she descended from the Dias. Zhixian's victories were as much hers as they were his, and she would not let anyone undermine their position. Not after all she had done.

Feng Ling smiled faintly, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Let us prepare to welcome our brother home."

*****

In the bustling corridors of the servant quarters, Xiao Liu stood silently, his hands clasped behind his back, blending into the sea of attendants scurrying about. Despite being an alpha, Xiao Liu had learned to suppress his nature, masking his scent and instincts to move through the palace unnoticed.

His head was bowed, the simple servant's attire hanging loosely on his muscular frame, but his sharp eyes missed nothing. Beneath the humble guise lay Jun, a man driven by a dark past and an even darker purpose.

The announcement of Prince Zhixian's imminent return had sent the palace into a frenzy.

Preparations were in full swing, and the head steward, Lin Zhongguan, known for his stern demeanor and impeccable attention to detail, was barking orders left and right.

"Xiao Liu!" Lin Zhongguan 's voice snapped Xiao Liu out of his thoughts. The head steward, a stout beta with a mustache, glared at him. "Don't just stand there like a statue. Report to me at once."

Xiao Liu approached and bowed deeply, his voice soft but steady. "Yes, Lin Zhongguan. I am at your service."

Lin Zhongguan eyed him suspiciously for a moment before nodding. "Good. The emperor demands perfection, and we shall deliver nothing less. You are to assist with the guest quarters preparation for the returning prince. Make sure every detail is flawless."

"As you command, Master Lin," Xiao Liu replied, his tone respectful yet devoid of any emotion. He turned to leave, but Master Lin's voice halted him.

"Is there anything else you require, Zhongguan?" he asked, his tone respectful.

Zhongguan's eyes narrowed slightly, as if sensing something beneath Xiao Liu's calm exterior. "Your dedication does not go unnoticed, boy, I'm sure you will be rewarded."

Xiao Liu bowed deeply. "I am here to serve, sir." Then he turned towards the head eunuch's quarters.

"Xiao Liu," the head steward called again, his gaze piercing. "You've been here for a few months now, and you've kept to yourself. Remember, in this palace, loyalty and discretion are paramount."

Xiao Liu bowed again, the corners of his mouth twitching into a subtle smile. It seemed Lin Zhongguan was more perceptive than he had thought. "I understand, Lin Zhongguan. This servant will not disappoint."

"Good! Go and get the scrolls from the head eunuch and bring them to my study."

As he made his way to the head eunuch's quarters, Xiao Liu's mind raced. He had spent years preparing for this moment, infiltrating the palace under the guise of a lowly servant. The time for vengeance was nearing, and the return of Prince Zhixian was the perfect catalyst.

Zhixian—he would be the first to fall. The emperor's pride and joy was the key to loosening the kingdom's web of power. Zhixian wasn't ambitious like the other princes. All he wanted was to protect the kingdom. And that made him dangerous. Killing him would be the first blow to the empire, a blow the emperor would never recover from. Xiao Liu couldn't let this opportunity slip away.

He paused briefly by a reflective bronze plate on the wall, catching sight of his own face properly—no longer the innocent ten-year-old who had witnessed the slaughter of his family, but a hardened man of twenty-seven.

His family's massacre had left deep scars, and he had sworn to bring down those responsible, one by one.

His once-soft features were now defined by sharp cheekbones and a jaw set grimly . His eyes, once filled with curiosity and warmth, were now cold and calculating, reflecting the depth of his hatred.

The boy who had once known innocence was gone, replaced by a man forged in the fires of loss and vengeance. His calloused hands and the slight limp from the burns on his thigh were constant reminders of the heavy past he carried.

Upon reaching the head eunuch's chambers, Xiao Liu presented himself with a deep bow. The head eunuch, a frail yet shrewd figure, handed over a set of scrolls with a scrutinizing glance.

Xiao Liu eyed him suspiciously, this was a man who spent his whole day by the emperor's side. He was bound to know something.

"These are for Master Lin's study," the eunuch said, his voice sharp. "Be swift, servant. The palace is in chaos with the preparations."

"Yes, Master," Xiao Liu replied, bowing again before carefully taking the scrolls.

He had yet to get an opportunity to meet the head eunuch before this day, he needed to find a chance to come back.

When he finally reached Lin Zhongguan's study, he took a moment to compose himself, aware that his scent might betray his intentions if he let his guard down too much.

If he got too worked up, these slimey people were bound to take notice of him.

Xiao Liu paused outside the grand wooden doors, adjusting his grip on the scrolls. He knocked softly, his voice calm and firm. "Servant Xiao Liu, with the records for the upcoming celebration, seeking an audience with Zhongguan."

The doors creaked open, revealing the steward's private office—a room filled with organized ledgers and the faint scent of sandalwood. Zhongguan, seated at a carved wooden desk, raised his gaze, studying the newcomer with an assessing eye.

Xiao Liu stepped inside, his demeanor humble. "These are the records asked to be collected from the head eunuch's quarters, sir, and I wish to assist with any preparations as needed."

The steward nodded, gesturing for him to approach. "Efficient, as always. Place them here."

As Xiao Liu set the scrolls down, his gaze briefly flicked to another polished bronze mirror on the far wall. It was murky so he could barely see anything. Good, he didn't want to.

His jaw tightened slightly before he turned back to the steward, the mask of the dutiful servant firmly in place.

"Is there anything else you require, Zhongguan?" he asked, respectfully.

"Yes. Now, see to the tapestries in the guest hall. Everything must reflect the grandeur of the empire."

"Yes, Zhongguan," Xiao Liu responded, turning to leave the study.

Zhongguan's eyes narrowed slightly, as if once again sensing the layers beneath Xiao Liu's calm before waving him off.

Xiao Liu bowed deeply and retreated.

As he exited the office, the mask of deference slipped for the briefest moment. His hands clenched into fists beneath his sleeves—he shouldn't know what it meant to serve someone.

He was a pure blooded noble reduced to this by the greed of others. And he had sworn in the blood of his innocent family that they would all pay.

If I wasn't meant to get revenge, I wouldn't have survived that incident.

Those were the words he used to motivate himself all the time. He made his way back to the main hall, pondering the rumors he had heard earlier.

He had passed a cluster of servants bustling about, their whispers were a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Prince Zhixian is returning soon," a young maid murmured with awe. "They say he's changed during his time away."

Another maid sighed dreamily. "I heard he's noble and fierce—a true gentleman. Imagine catching even a glimpse of him!"

A third, older and more skeptical, scoffed. "You lot act like he's a deity. He's a prince, and we're servants. The closest you'll get to him is scrubbing his floors."

The younger maids giggled, but one grinned mischievously. "If I'm assigned to his chambers, who knows? Some servants rise through… special means."

Their laughter was cut short as Senior Li, a stern-faced older maid, stepped forward. "Enough nonsense," she snapped. "Prince Zhixian is far beyond your reach. Ambition like that gets people in trouble. Do your duties and keep your heads down, unless you want Master Lin's wrath."

The bold maid flushed, stammering, "I was only joking."

"Joke or not, mind your place," Senior Li warned.

The maids fell silent, bowing before scurrying away.

Xiao Liu smirked. Foolish girls, he thought. They idolize a man they know nothing about, blind to the darkness beneath the surface

Then he had resumed his path through the palace to the head eunuch's quarters.

Now as he made his way back to the servants quarters, he heard a new set of voices. One servant, an older man with a weathered face, nodded to the others. "The entire palace is in an uproar. The other princes are also expected to arrive from their provinces soon. It's rare to have them all here at once."

Xiao Liu's ears perked at the mention of the other princes. A dark thought flickered across his mind—why not poison them at the banquet. But he dismissed it almost immediately.

His mother's pleas and scream echoed through his mind, sharp and desperate, and the image of his father's bloodied, lifeless body flashed across his mind's eye.

Too easy, he decided. They deserve to suffer, to watch everything they hold dear crumble before their eyes. Just as I did.

As he passed a side corridor, he overheard a pair of guards speaking in hushed tones.

"The prince's column has been spotted. They'll be at the gates within the fortnight!"

Xiao Liu paused, the words sinking in. His pulse quickened ever so slightly, but his face remained impassive.

The game begins now, he thought, his eyes narrowing. Prince Zhixian, we shall meet.

He walked on, his expression calm.

Soon, the palace would tremble, and those who had stolen his past would beg for their future.