Chapter 3: Shangguan Mochen’s Harem

Chapter 3: Shangguan Mochen's Harem (Part 1)

My stomach roared. I devoured the feast like a starved wolf. When I finally sat back, four maids and Nanny Zhang stared—as if I'd sprouted horns.

Right. Empress table manners. I wiped my mouth, forcing a grin. "Aren't you all eating?"

They jolted. Nanny Zhang stammered, "Miss… servants eat after their mistress."

"Oh." Cruel system. Pity stirred. "Then eat with me. It's lonely."

Thud. Thud. Thud. They dropped to their knees. "Mercy, Your Majesty! We wouldn't dare!"

Even Nanny Zhang trembled. "Please, Miss—Empress! Such words could get us killed!"

Seriously? Sharing a meal is treason? Ancient hierarchies sucked.

I sighed. "Fine. Rise."

"Thank you, Empress!" Relief washed over them as they stood. Their eyes held something new—warmth. Respect. Progress. Maybe I wouldn't be entirely alone in this vipers' nest.

Beads clattered. A eunuch bowed. "Empress, the consorts await your audience in the main hall."

"Consorts?" My eyebrow arched. "How many wives does Shangguan Mochen have?"

Gasps. Nanny Zhang gripped my arm, panicked. "Names, Miss! You mustn't—"

Ugh. "Fine. Answer the question, eunuch."

"Y-yes! Consort Liu, Consort Chen, Consort Zhang, Consort Lin, Lady—"

"Enough!" I waved a hand. "Just lead me to them. Your name?"

"This lowly one is… Cupboard, Your Majesty." He sweated visibly. "This way."

Chatter hit me like a wall of sparrows long before we reached the hall. Who's favored? Whose jewels are shiniest? Whose gown is trendiest? Pathetic. Their entire existence revolved around one man—a man I wanted nothing to do with.

I stepped through the archway.

Silence.

A dozen pairs of eyes locked onto me—sharp as daggers. If looks could kill, I'd be Swiss cheese.

Envy. Jealousy. Awe. Smugness. Contempt. I scanned the room. Beauties, all. Yet beside this face, this body? Painted dolls.

And their souls? Shriveled by power-lust. Disgusting.

They finally remembered protocol. Kneeled in unison. "We greet the Empress!"

The chorus vibrated my skull. Cupboard nudged me. Whispered: "Grant them leave to rise!"

"Huh? Oh!" I mimicked TV dramas, lifting a hand. "Rise."

Nailed it. I preened internally.

Cupboard hissed: "Seats, Majesty! They cannot stand!"

So. Many. Rules. I scowled, gesturing them to sit. Their stares resumed—scrutinizing, invasive. Thanks, Shangguan Mochen. Twenty years old and a whole damn harem. Now I'm in the zoo exhibit.

Satisfied with their inspection, a woman in crimson brocade (Consort Something, probably) spoke, honeyed venom dripping: "Empress… we heard His Majesty stormed back to Dragon Rest Palace last night. Smashed a priceless vase from the Western Regions! Dare we inquire… what provoked such imperial wrath?"

Bitch. Exactly the wound I wanted salted. Her eyes gleamed. She knows. Knows he rejected me. Wants the whole harem to know the Empress is already discarded.

"Indeed!" Another piped up, faux-concerned. "We tremble for the Dragon Body! Such rage harms his health! How could we endure it?"

Liar. You're her lackey.

The hall erupted into chirping speculation. My eyelids grew leaden. No sleep + Full belly = Zzz…

Sorry, ladies. Show's over.

I slumped against the throne. Darkness swallowed me.

Chapter 3: Shangguan Mochen's Harem (Part 2)

"Chenhao Gege… why don't you like me? Just… because I'm plain?"

Mist swirled. A short-haired girl—me, Luo Xiaoxiao—blushed fiercely, chasing a boy. Her eyes held desperate, stubborn courage.

My heart clenched. Jiang Chenhao. The boy I'd loved hopelessly. Beautiful. Brilliant. Everything I wasn't.

Not a fairy tale. Princes ignore frogs.

But dreams twist reality. He turned. Smiled—sunlight breaking clouds. Ruffled my hair. "Silly girl. How could I not like you? You're the only one."

"Chenhao Gege…" Bliss flooded me, warm and thick as honey.

He pulled me close. His breath feathered my cheek. My face burned. "Silly girl…" he murmured, voice tender.

His face neared. Mine tilted up. Eyes fluttered shut. My first kiss… finally…

Joy fizzed in my chest, ready to burst.

Don't wake. Please—

"EMPRESS!"

A shrill shriek shattered the mist. Chenhao vanished.

MY KISS! YOU SHREW!

I snapped my eyes open. Fire met fire. Consort Crimson glared, livid.

You ruined it. Now you dare look at ME like that? I leveled an icy stare. "What demon shrieked?"

She flinched, fury flashing, but bowed her head. "This consort… meant no offense!"

"Offense? You woke me! That's offense enough! I'll— Ah!" Reality crashed. Empress. Palace. Harem.

Every eye was wide. Horrified.

Damage control. NOW.

I coughed. Sat straighter. Adopted the haughtiest tone I could muster. "We… find ourselves fatigued. The audience is concluded. You may withdraw."

Consort Crimson recovered fastest. Bowed, smooth as silk. "Of course, Empress. Rest well."

"Rest well, Empress!" The others echoed, scrambling to follow her lead. She's the pack leader. Fine. Let her rule her petty kingdom. Shangguan Mochen meant nothing to me. And I… thanks to my infamous past… meant nothing to him. Solitude suited me just fine.