Chapter 17 - Mine to Take and Mine to Give

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A/N: Reminders and important information below.

Just because this author also forgets things, here is a list of who resides in what palace:

Noble Consort Xiao Xingchen - Palace of Serene Light

Noble Consort Jiang Wanyin - Palace of Divine Light

Empress Dowager Lan Qiren - Palace of Longevity and Peace

First Attendant Wei Wuxian - Palace of Heavenly Essence

Emperor Lan Wangji - Heavenly Palace of Supreme Cultivation

Also a note on how Princes and Princesses are denoted by birth order and gender.  So for example a first born female would be the First Princess, but also the firstborn male would be the First Prince.  Here is a list of heirs in order of their birth:

Birthed by Jiang Wanyin - First Princess Mingyu, First Prince Siliang (deceased), Second Prince Siming (deceased)

Birthed by Xiao Xingchen - Third Prince Sizhen

I hope that helps.. now on with the story!

Chapter 17

"I'm fine," Wei Ying sighed, stopping the emperor from calling for Wen Qing. "You know my cultivation can easily handle a few hits from an ordinary whip." He pulled his robes back over his shoulders to cover the red marks that Lan Zhan was examining. "They'll fade within the next few hours." He frowned when he heard Lan Zhan sigh and get up off the bed to pour him some water.

"If I hadn't made you first attendant, you wouldn't have to deal with ..." The wave of his hand in the direction of the Palace of Longevity and Peace suggested he meant the empress dowager and the harem.

He accepted the cup from the emperor and took a sip and then a generous gulp when he noticed how thirsty he was. "Lan Zhan, didn't you just tell the empress dowager that a good emperor does not regret the choices that he makes," Wei Ying countered as he set the cup aside on the small table next to the bed. "Plus, you made me first attendant to protect my life. It worked because this time my position didn't allow the empress dowager to lock me up and torture me. It was just a few hits, nothing I couldn't take."

Lan Zhan sat down on the edge of the bed but stayed silent. His face was stoic and he stared straight ahead. Wei Ying knew the emperor was avoiding his gaze while he tried to reconcile the roil of emotions he was feeling.

"Although, Lan Zhan, am I really your first attendant?" he huffed.

The emperor turned towards him at that comment, eyebrows raised in question.

Wei Ying silently rejoiced at being able to interrupt Lan Zhan's brooding and redirect his attention. "Well ever since the decree, you haven't really officially made me your first attendant," Wei Ying said, pouting. "Perhaps Lan Zhan doesn't find me desirable anymore now that I'm a harem omega?"

"Wei Ying was injured," was Lan Zhan's reasonable explanation.

Wei Ying leaned in and nosed lightly over Lan Zhan's jaw before whispering, "Well I'm all healed now, aren't I? Or do you need Nie gong gong to come in here with the jade tablets?" He nuzzled at his scent gland and a wave of excitement hit him when the emperor's scent spiked.

"No need," Lan Zhan murmured, pulling Wei Ying to straddle his lap. "Nie gong gong knows that the only tablet I'd flip will be yours. I told him not to bother bringing them to me anymore."

"Oh, is that so?" Wei Ying asked, arching an eyebrow. He leaned back so he could look into Lan Zhan's eyes, shuddering slightly at the predatorial look in them. If he took off running, he was sure that Lan Zhan would have no problem chasing him down. Imagining the emperor catching him and pining him down on the ground to fuck him had his heart racing.

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