Bao Ji (Lia)
When you think things cannot get any worse, life always proves otherwise.
For the past four days, I had heard again and again how the Emperor's mood had grown worse by the day. I kept making excuses for him in my head—maybe he hadn't slept well, maybe he had simply woken up in a bad mood. It happens to everyone.
But the fifth day… today… proved that I had only been lying to myself.
My maid rushed into my chamber, panic written all over her face.
"The Queen is in trouble," she said.
My heart dropped. "What happened?"
"His Majesty is scolding Concubine Yan, Bao Si, and the Queen."
"Bao Si too?" I asked, shocked.
"Yes," my maid replied.
That was a first.
Without thinking, I rushed out. Halfway down the corridor, I stopped abruptly.
"Where are they?" I asked, realizing she hadn't told me.
"The Emperor's private study," she answered.
I didn't hesitate.
When I arrived, the scene before me made my blood run cold. The Emperor stood in the center of the room, smashing a cup to the floor as he shouted at the women kneeling before him.
"Do you think I am dead?!" he roared. "No one listens to me anymore in this palace!"
I had never imagined seeing him like this—so furious, so unrestrained.
"Your Majesty!" I said without thinking.
Fear shot through me, but my mouth moved faster than my mind.
The moment he heard my voice, everything stopped.
He froze.
Then he lifted his head and looked at me.
His eyes softened.
And he let out a breath—not just any breath, but the kind that said I can finally breathe.
That terrified me even more.
I wanted to deny it. I wanted to tell myself I was imagining things. But how could I, when the truth was standing right in front of me?
All three women looked up at me. Servants whispered among themselves—some calling me foolish, others saying my punishment would be worse for interrupting him.
I glanced at the Queen. She subtly shook her head, signaling me to leave, not to do anything reckless.
Lady Yan looked confused.
Bao Si looked annoyed—and then, just for a moment, she smirked.
Only for a second, but I saw it.
Even now, she thought she was untouchable. She thought I would be punished.
I didn't know what would happen to me for interrupting him like this. But something deep inside me—instinct, maybe—told me he wouldn't touch me.
I walked up to him and stopped beside him.
"What happened—" I began gently.
"Cousin, what do you think you're doing?" Bao Si snapped. "Kneel before His Majesty!"
Even now, she thought she was in control.
"Do you still think you are in a position to speak?" the Emperor snapped at Bao Si.
I reached out and gently placed my hand on his bicep.
"What happened?" I asked again, softly.
He looked down at my hand. Then at me.
I held his gaze.
Those eyes… I hadn't seen them in days.
Lady Yan spoke quickly, her voice trembling.
"I was bringing millet cakes for His Majesty when Lady Bao Si brushed past me deliberately. She clearly saw I was holding something, and it fell to the floor. Then Lady Bao Si said, 'I advised you not to bring anything. His Majesty doesn't wish to be disturbed today.'"
I turned to Bao Si.
This woman's audacity was greater than the Great Wall itself.
"I only advised her because I knew His Majesty's mood hasn't been good lately," Bao Si replied coldly, perfectly composed.
"I did not ask you to bring me anything!" the Emperor snapped at Lady Yan.
Then he turned to Bao Si, his voice sharp.
"And you—who do you think you are, deciding who may come before me? You decide nothing for me!"
His anger flared again.
"I did not summon any of you!" he shouted.
Then his gaze shifted to the Queen.
"This is how you manage the harem?"
His voice wasn't as explosive as before, but it was still raised, still heavy with anger.
The Queen bowed her head.
"It is my fault, Your Majesty. I failed to manage it properly. Please punish me instead."
Absolutely not.
Bao Si deserved punishment—there was no denying that. And I would be lying if I said I didn't feel satisfaction at the thought. But right now, I needed to stop this from going any further.
"I don't think the Queen deserves punishment," I said gently.
The Emperor looked at me—angry, puzzled.
Since he didn't speak, I continued.
"Arguments in the harem are normal. The Queen cannot watch over everyone at all times. Lady Yan did nothing wrong—she was thinking of you and hoped to lift your mood. Lady Bao Si also tried to help in her own way, but the way she spoke was inappropriate. That is where she crossed the line."
I didn't even know when I had stopped thinking and started acting.
But it was working.
His breathing slowed. His shoulders relaxed. And still—his eyes never left mine.
Neither did mine.
I knew I wasn't speaking like a concubine should. I wasn't using proper formalities. I wasn't careful with my words.
But today, I didn't care.
It felt right.
"So," he asked quietly, all anger gone from his voice, "what do you suggest?"
That gentleness made my heart flutter.
"Let the Queen leave without punishment. She has done nothing wrong. Lady Yan's only fault is coming without being summoned—she should kneel for two hours in the ancestral hall as a warning. Lady Bao Si, because of her words and behavior, should kneel for four hours."
My hand was still resting on his arm.
After a long moment of silence, during which we only looked at each other, he spoke.
"Someone come."
Servants rushed forward.
"Take Lady Yan and Bao Si to the ancestral hall. Yan will kneel for two hours. Bao Si for four."
I finally broke eye contact and glanced at the women as they were taken away.
I subtly signaled to the Queen to leave quickly, but she hesitated.
I turned back to the Emperor.
"May the Queen take her leave?"
He looked at her. "You may go."
Once she left, I withdrew my hand.
"Would you like to taste the plum blossom infusion?" I asked.
He nodded.
I motioned to my maid, who quickly brought the tea.
We sat down together.
When I looked into his eyes, I saw disbelief—disbelief that I was truly here.
I felt the same.
Seeing how quickly he calmed down because of me… seeing how he listened… how he needed me—
It terrified me.
And yet, deep down, a small part of me was happy.
He had been moody because he hadn't seen me.
And now that I knew it…
I didn't know what to do with that truth.