Bao Ji (Lia)
For the past two days my mind has been running like a motorbike without stopping.
Some ideas were forming in my head—well, "ideas". They looked like plans but felt more like three chaotic pigeons fighting for dominance.
Every time I thought I finally had a brilliant, genius-level idea, reality slapped me.
I couldn't be reckless.
But my brain didn't cooperate.
Plan 1: Throw myself dramatically in front of them.
Reality: Bao Si wouldn't care, and the Emperor would just call a physician and continue flirting. This wasn't a drama where he'd catch me and stare into my eyes. This was real life.
Plan 2: Pretend to faint.
Same ending as plan 1. Absolutely useless.
Plan 3: Set the Emperor's robe on fire so he'd stay away for "safety reasons."
Guaranteed outcome: my execution.
Plan 4: Bring a mouse to scare my cousin.
Honestly? This one sounded hilarious. I'd like to see her icy expression crack. But knowing my luck, the Emperor would swoop in heroically, declare the mouse a demon omen, and bond with her emotionally. Hard pass.
Plan 5: Lock Bao Si somewhere.
Oh, how I would LOVE that. But considering his obsession level, the Emperor would burn the dynasty to the ground to find her. Another no.
So obviously, first I needed to make the Emperor less obsessed with her.
But HOW?!
This palace was like a minefield, and everything could be turned against me with one misplaced eyelash.
While I paced in my chamber, mumbling to myself like an escaped mental patient, a maid suddenly appeared.
"Lady Bao Ji. Her Majesty requests your presence."
Of course she does.
At this point, she summons me so often it feels like she has a crush on me.
"Now?" I asked the dumbest possible question.
It's not like she'd say, No, take your time, sleep a bit more, eat some snacks.
"Yes, my lady."
I exhaled, straightened my robe, and followed her.
Queen Shen was waiting outside her palace, hands folded gracefully, eyes distant as if she were contemplating the meaning of life.
"You called for me, Your Majesty," I said with a bow.
"I wished to take a walk in the garden and thought you might join me."
I couldn't say no.
Besides, maybe a "change of scenery" would shake loose a decent idea in my head.
"Of course. The garden is too beautiful to refuse."
She began walking without another word, so I followed her like a polite little puppy.
"How are your lessons these days?" she asked neutrally.
"They're… going better," I said.
Better = I no longer looked like a clown on fire.
But now Bao Si probably wanted to murder me for suddenly outperforming her. Progress, I guess?
"That is good," the Queen said, expression unreadable. "I've begun hearing rumours.
"Some concubines are jealous of Lady Bao Si because His Majesty shows more interest in her."
What did she want me to say?
Congrats to them? I'm jealous too? Burn the palace down?
"I've heard the rumors too," I replied simply.
Silence followed.
And silence is dangerous.
Silence awakens the reckless demon inside me.
Before my brain could stop me, I blurted:
"Your Majesty is jealous as well?"
Kill me.
Her footsteps paused—barely—but she didn't answer.
Before either of us could say another suicidal sentence, a voice called out:
"Queen Shen. Concubine Ji."
The Emperor.
We bowed. "Your Majesty."
"Out for a walk?" he asked.
"It is a lovely day," Queen Shen said. "A shame not to enjoy it."
"Indeed," the Emperor replied. Then his gaze slid to me.
He looked into my soul.
"Going to look for Lady Si?" Why. Did. I. Say. That.
He wasn't angry—shockingly. Just… surprised.
"Yes," he said. "I intended to walk with her."
He was disassembling me with his eyes again.
Not romantically.
Scientifically.
Like I was a puzzle piece jammed into the wrong box.
"I fear Your Majesty will be disappointed," the Queen said calmly. "I heard she is resting."
RESTING???
Where??
On which planet??
Bao Si floats around like an ice goddess who doesn't need food, water, or sleep.
I nearly choked on air but kept my face neutral.
The Emperor's expression fell slightly.
He really wanted to see her.
"Very well… If she is resting, I must not disturb her."
Poor puppy.
He looked at the queen. Then at me.
I froze.
My brain, however, did not freeze.
Because suddenly an idea pinged and flew straight out of my mouth:
"If Your Majesty wishes, you may walk with us instead."
The Queen's head snapped toward me so fast I thought she'd break her neck.
The Emperor blinked, surprised.
I smiled at the Queen. "I don't think Her Majesty would mind. Right?"
Her Majesty put on the fakest smile I've ever seen.
"Of course not."
We both smiled ahead like deranged porcelain dolls.
The Emperor's eyes flickered between us.
"Shall we, then?"
And just like that…
We were walking.
Me in the middle.
Me.
Between water and hellfire.
Please kill me.
"So," the Emperor said, "your lessons progress well?"
"...Yes, Your Majesty."
How many times would I be asked this question?!
Why did everyone care about my lessons?!
"Concubine Ji has improved quickly," the Queen added.
"Indeed?" the Emperor said, something sharp flickering in his eyes.
Curiosity.
Suspicion.
Interest.
None of them are good.
"Yes. I worked hard," I said quickly.
The Queen suddenly paused before a cluster of plum blossoms.
"These are blooming beautifully this time of year."
The Emperor turned. "Is that so?"
"His Majesty likes flowers?" I asked before I could stop myself.
"I only admire them," he replied.
"You could've just said 'no.'"
The Queen coughed loudly.
I froze.
Oh no.
I turned to the Emperor.
He wasn't angry.
Why wasn't he angry???
He looked entertained.
"What is your favourite food, concubine Ji?" he suddenly asked.
Huh???
What?
Did he just—
Food??
"Uh…" Think, Lia. THINK.
Pizza? No.
McDonald's? No.
Spaghetti? No.
"I like food in general," I said. "I'm not picky."
"Beef?" he asked.
"I don't like it."
He paused—not expecting that answer.
"Chicken?"
"Who doesn't?"
"Pork?"
"I'll eat it if I must."
"Deer meat?"
"Never had it."
"Rabbit?"
"Open to try it."
"Turtle soup?"
"...What soup?"
"Turtle soup."
I stepped closer. "Are you questioning me?"
He raised a brow and smirked. "You questioned me about flowers, Lady Ji."
"What is your Majesty's favourite colour?" I shot back.
He stepped closer. "Blue."
"Favourite food?"
"Lamb and beef."
"Lady Ji?" someone called.
I pointed at the Emperor triumphantly. "Now THAT is questioning."
He smirked. "You questioned me first."
"I was making conversation!"
"That was questioning."
Before I could argue further, Queen Shen cut in smoothly:
"Your Majesty, forgive the interruption, but concubine Ji and I planned to have tea after our walk."
…Did we?
"Did you?" the Emperor asked immediately, looking from her to me.
I stared at the Queen, shocked, then forced a nod.
"Yes. Unless Your Majesty wants to question that too. Would you like to join? Better join us than question it again, right?"
WHY CAN'T I SHUT UP?!
The emperor looked up thoughtfully.
Oh god.
Please say no.
Please—
"I would love tea."
WHAT?!
I stared at the Queen.
She stared at me with murder in her eyes.
We sat at a small circular table in the garden.
Wild mint tea was served.
The queen drank with a serene expression.
The Emperor enjoyed it.
And me?
I wanted to cry.
I HATED mint.
And THIS mint was the devil's.
"Lady Ji doesn't like it?" the Emperor asked, amusement clearly on his face.
I glared at him. "It's… good," I lied.
He burst into laughter.
I wanted to kick him off the pavilion.
"I shall leave you two to chat," he said, still smiling, standing up. "Wouldn't want to ruin your tea time."
Too late.
Already ruined.
He walked away.
We stood, bowed, then sat again.
I side-eyed the Queen.
Realisation hit me like a brick.
I had argued with the Emperor.
Out loud.
Boldly.
He could've executed me on the spot.
"Concubine Ji should be more careful around His Majesty," the Queen said calmly.
"If there will be a next time," I muttered and took another sip of hell tea.
"If His Majesty wished to punish you, he would have done so already," she said. "But be cautious. You may not be so lucky next time."
"I'll remember Your Majesty's words," I said.
She wasn't angry.
She wasn't irritated.
She looked… calm.
Thoughtful.
Almost as if she was analyzing me again.
Later that day, my maid rushed in.
"My lady! The Emperor calls every concubine for dinner."
"He WHAT now?"
We entered the hall. The concubines were already seated.
I bowed. "Your Majesty."
"I see everyone is here," the Emperor said, scanning the room. His gaze paused on me.
Why was he looking at me like that?
"Bring the food," he ordered.
When the trays landed in front of me, I nearly threw mine at his face.
Roasted beef.
Turtle soup.
I stared at him with pure hatred.
"Someone reminded me about roasted beef and turtle soup," he said with a bright smile, "and made me realise I was craving it. So, I thought I would call each one of you for dinner."
He looked directly at me.
Bastard.
"How thoughtful of Your Majesty," I said sweetly.
Concubines stared at me like I had grown horns.
Queen Shen subtly shook her head—behave.
I smiled wider.
"I hope concubine Ji enjoys it especially," the Emperor added with a smirk.
This man.
This petty, petty man.
I took a spoonful of the turtle soup.
Nearly vomited.
But I kept a straight face.
When I glanced at the Emperor, he was openly enjoying my suffering.
His gaze sparkled.
Mine burned with murder.