To the Naked Eye.

You sit in your study. It was a vast room that sat below your bedroom along with your Library, dining room, lounge, and bathrooms. You were reading up on some of the old mythologies of the West, given that the West had been a relevant topic these days, you thought it is best to learn about their cultures as you waited for news from Chen. A couple Eunuch Guards stood near the entry of your study and a light knock disturbed your peace, but not enough to get your head out of the books. There were some interesting mythologies coming from the West.

“My liege,” Announced one of the guards, “Master Liu is at the door.”

“Let him in.” you command.

In walks Liu, a spymaster of sorts, but officially part of an auxiliary secret paramilitary **** called The Embroidered. They have served the Celestial Emperor since before your great-grandfather’s dynasty. He wore a golden-yellow uniform, at least in the palace, since it was impractical when more covert operations needed to be done, he would take it off if ever on the field. Around his waist, was a matte black dao, his unit of about ten thousand strong secret police **** all had one. These black dao’s were forged from fallen stars. Liu walked with a purpose to close the distance between you and him, at the front of your desk, bowed low. He stayed like this until you spoke.

“You have news for me?” You asked.

“Yes, My Liege." Liu straightened, "Although it has been less than a day, my forces were able to work quick on account of Regent Empress Yi staying in the Zhuyao Concubine room. I think we have the answers you need.”

The Zhuyao was just the way of saying that you were the Celestial Emperor’s favorite concubine, and therefore were afforded a better room than the rest. You laughed in your head, given that Yi was certainly not that for you. You gave her the option though, kinda.

“Is Yi plotting against me?” You ask, just trying to get to the core of the matter.

“No.” Liu’s response was flat.

“You’re positive?”

“Yes.”

A brief silence. You were a bit skeptical still due to his lack of elaboration, but maybe Liu was just one of those individuals who needed more detailed questions. “She didn’t plot against my father, or anyone else with my blood?”

“No.” Liu’s response was still delivered flatly.

“You’re positive?”

“Yes.”

Another brief silence. You thought to make him elaborate more, but just as you were going to speak again Liu finally chose to elaborate some more, “My Liege, I don’t expect you to understand the intricacies of espionage, intelligence, counter-intelligence, or covert operations. I can assure you, however, that Yi is innocent of any plot against you. Since it was an order directly from you, I used all my resources to warrant searches to anyone that has talked to her in the last decade of her reign, and she…is on your side.”

Now that sounded a lot more convincing to you.

“Very well!” You stand and walk around Liu in circles, “I plan on letting her apologize to me. I know I have failed to make a good early impression on her when it comes to being the Celestial Emperor, but I think I can change her opinion of me given time. If what you say is true, then I’m confident, that should she choose to take my offer of apology, that it will be sincere.”

Liu remained silent, but the muscles in his jaw visibly tightened. As that happened, one of the Eunuch Guards suddenly glared at the handsome Embroidered.

“I will extend her an invitation for this afternoon. Perhaps even during supper. I think some communication between us would be helpful.” You write up a letter of invitation, and have Liu deliver it.

It was later that evening, as you sat at your dining room table, that Yi enters. She was not in the qipao styled cheongsam that she normally wore, but a more traditional dress, akin to what she first wore at her arrival in the palace all those years ago when she was sent to marry your father. A hanfu, and even though it did not hug her curves as tightly as the qipao styled dress, she still looked amazing. Her long black hair swayed with each movement, and a sweet scent followed with her.

Your dining table was a lot longer than needed for a single person like the Emperor, probably built to accommodate a varying degree of concubines that Chen was still busy interviewing. So it took a while for Yi to get to you and when she was right next to you, kneel, and prostrate herself. With her accent, she said, “I bring my sincerest apologies with me, my Celestial Emperor. As is your will. It was not my intention to insult your tiny manhood.”

Was that, the apology? You could do a couple of things here; demand her head, or keep the peace. Peace was a good option. Who cared about size when you could have any woman in the Empire? Even the one kneeling beside you…if you wanted. You keep the peace, and laugh at her joke, you liked that little fire in her. You think you catch a faint glimpse of a smile on her face as well, despite her head facing the floor.

“You may rise,” You tell her. Essentially accepting her apology, else you would just order the guards to bring you her head.

Yi raises her head, and scoots closer to you so she can refill your tea. You could almost mistake her for a woman, you think to yourself. Or at least how a woman should be.

“I also wanted you here to discuss your new living arrangements.” You tell her, smelling the perfume wafting from her long black hair, “Since you are not Zhuyao, and no longer needed at the Palace as Regent Empress. I will give you the biggest room in the Emperor’s Tower with a company of Eunuch Guards, and an ample staff for administrative duties.”

Yi’s paused for only a split second as she returned the teapot to the table, but then went back to a relaxed kneeling position beside you. “You are too kind to me, Emperor Yun.”

You could probably guess she did not like having to leave the Palace, especially after she had ruled as a Regent Empress for the last ten years, but you were in charge now, and the Guards you would send with her would be monitoring her just in case. At least, that’s what Liu told you. You had dinner with your ‘step-mom’ talking about other various topics pertaining to the Empire and your mutual interests.

After dinner, you had an appointment with Chen, who would hopefully bear some good news about rebuilding your harem of concubines.