His Majesty And I ✔️

Dancing Red

On their first twirl, Li Lian almost lost her footing. Dizziness she started feeling earlier was antagonizing her and becoming unbearable.

To make matters worse, she remembered they had forgotten to bring the petals she collected at the garden. They were to be used for their last act when closing their dance. This caused confusion as to how they were then going to end their dance. Were they going to go with their original plan before their flower idea or just do what they would do even though no flowers would be in their hands?

Since Li Lian was experienced with dancing, she was going to slow herself down and follow what Yang Liu went with at the end. Letting the music control them, they swayed like weeds moved by the wind. They lightened their feet and tapped along as if they were birds walking on water.

Everyone was gasping and complementing whenever they pulled out a difficult act. It was lovely, except that the more Li Lian danced, the more she grew tired and her surroundings became blurry.

They were about to start their last act when everything went black and bam!

She collapsed.

Her head rammed at the impact of hitting the floor; the music stopping altogether.

Screams instantly overwhelmed the room. It was a cacophony of confusion, panic and nervousness.

"Summon the royal physicians!" She heard Grand Consort Shu yell.

Yang Liu was immediately by her side, shaking her to wake up. She placed a cloth beneath her head for support.

Li Lian's chest felt tight like someone was sitting on her. She tried to open her eyes but they were too heavy. This was definitely poisoning. She should have been more prudent.

The tea Dao brought, she threw it away, but Princess Yang Liu had her maids prepare a celebratory wine, before leaving. She had trusted that the princess' attendants wouldn't do anything to it since that was not the first time she drank there.

However, the Harem Senior Court Lady had used that as her back up plan.

As darkness overcame her worn body, she waited for those pair of strong arms to come get her. The ones which knew how to make her feel safe. She sought for that rough gravelly voice that was a storm that could not be ignored. It was that ylang ylang scent she craved to be inebriated by.

But the sad thing was he never came. She was alone this time, for he did not care.

Grand Consort Shu's angry protest woke Li Lian from her slumber. "What do you mean my Li'er is to be cast out of the palace?"

Li Lian's head pounded at the slightest of noise, yet her mistress was shouting her lungs out.

If noise could kill...

"Her pulse shows she has a disease we can't identify." Li Lian's eyes opened to see the royal physician beside her speaking. "It is advisable she leave as she could be infectious."

They were back in Yang Liu's quarters.

Seated by the window was Yang Liu and next to her was General Feng who was trying to maintain a position of neutrality, although you could see he was anxious.

"I refuse to have my maid taken from me." Grand Consort objected.

"Grand Consort Shu, rules are rules." Dowager Empress Wang supported the physician. Next to the pair of Yang Liu and General Feng was Consort Wang and Dowager Empress Wang. Just their presence made Li Lian suspicious of them. They were definitely the masterminds behind her drugging. Say what you may.

"Dowager Empress Wang is overstepping her boundaries. What I choose to do with my attendants is not her business."

They all did not seem to care about Li Lian being awake.

"You are a lowly water maid who lives in Hougong. I don't see how your words are of value."

"Dowager Empress Wang!" Li Lian's mistress seethed back. She sat by the mattress Li Lian was laying on and her hand was trembling. She was beyond angry.

The royal physician was on the other side of Li Lian, opposite Grand Consort Shu. "Forgive this servant, Your Highness, but this maid has to leave this night."

Apparently, the lying fox of a physician was on the manipulating side.

"Palace guards!" Dowager Empress Wang yelled, an evil smirk on her face. "Come and seize this dying wench."

"No, no, no. Not my Li Lian." Grand Consort Shu threw herself on Li Lian.

"Act like a lady, Grand Consort Sh―"

"His Majesty's decree!" A scribe and Eunuch Nam, along with Court Lady Nam entered the welcoming room.

His Majesty's decree? A decree sent was as powerful as having the emperor in the room. Decrees were his authority exercised.

Quickly, everyone went on their knees.

General Feng was a gentleman to help Yang Liu go down. Li Lian observed the lovey dovey look that was exchanged between the two.

Everyone was expected to bow when a decree ushered by the dragon was being announced. Li Lian was too weak to lift herself up, so she didn't move.

The scribe―the same one who wrote the decree that stripped her of status―opened a scroll. It was wise of them that when they kidnapped him they did not kill him, or Yuwen Hong would have another grudge against her.

"Commoner Li Lian danced like a lotus flower." The scribe started reading. "The dragon was reminded of his youth when he saw her prowess. Therefore, Li Lian to serve the emperor this night and should be immediately prepared for him in this regard."

"It can't be!" Consort Wang cried.

"Who are you to impose His Majesty's decree?" The scribe sharply chastised Consort Wang. What a bold man he was if he could speak against the consort before the Dowager Empress.

Consort Wang lowered her face, covering her mouth with her hand. Beside her, Dowager Empress Wang's expression was stoic.

"Li'er you will become my daughter-in-law." Grand Consort Shu squealed, shaking her. "While Dowager Empress Wang awaits for her decree to pack her sack and enter the Frost palace. Ha-ha."

Dowager Empress Wang stood up. "If I were you I wouldn't count my chicks before they hatch."

"Well I just did. They are endless in number. Just as the endless days you will be locked in that Frost palace."

Dowager Empress Wang glowered. She was about to snap back but as if she thought better of it, she lifted her skirt and rushed out. At her feet, clambering behind was Consort Wang.

"Li'er, this is good news." Grand Consort turned to her. "But... how dare Yu'er steal my maid? You don't want this harem life, Li'er. Let me go ask him to let you be."

Her mistress was certainly unsure of how to react. Everyone was surprised and got caught off guard, Li Lian included. What was His Majesty up to now? She did not dance as elegantly that she could melt his heart.

Hopefully when he saw her collapse he was panicked about losing her and now realized he wanted her with him. The same way she found out she liked him a lot when she stabbed him, could be the way he discovered he doesn't hate her. She could only hope that.

But everything ignored, Li Lian was elated to become his woman. She wanted to give their feelings a chance. She got drugged today and the other day Yuwen Hong almost died. Life was too short for games and ignoring your feelings. It was time she and Yu'er were honest with the other.

Court Lady Nam approached Li Lian's mattress. "Forgive this servant for being too bold but no one may speak against the decree, Your Highness." Court Lady Nam took Li Lian's hand into hers. "Come with me. We must see if we can get you feeling strong and prepare for the night."

Author's Note

Thanks for reading this chapter. Hope you enjoyed!

S.V