Book/Media RP The Tyrant’s Poisonous Flower (Solaris)

[FaeWhisperer]

(This thread is loosely inspired by the new kdrama Bon Appetite Your Majesty and is also inspired by the Apothecary Diaries, so a twist on both)

Zixin, the Fourth Emperor of the current Tang Dynasty was known across the land as a powerful and feared man. He had spared no one in his conquest to avenge his late disposed mother, the previous Empress. He was also known to have a very short temper, and anyone who crossed him would be met with his blade.

Of course, he had his loyal subjects, and those who would die for him. They knew the his royal majesty hadn’t always been like this- but after losing his mother, he had slowly begun to fall into madness for his revenge. He swore that one day he would discover who had given the order to kill her, and he would stop at nothing to figure out the truth.

The Emperor’s younger brother, Zhan (湛 meaning genuine and innocent) - had always seen his older brother unfit to rule, saying that his temper and outbursts wasn’t one who should be on the throne, and was secretly planning to overthrow him. But how to do it, he wasn’t yet sure. He was in contact with one of his brother’s only concubine so far, Yue, who secretly wished for the throne herself but realized it would be better to be Zhan’s Empress Consort, as it seemed those who were not loyal to Zixin, favored the younger brother the most. They too, were tired of Zixin and his ‘improper’ fit to reign.

It was then that Zixin decided that upon the unrest of the palace, a new poison taster would be employed, because he feared in his conquest of truth, he would be silenced as well before he could bring judgement upon those responsible.

Yet he couldn’t just choose anyone. He would have to choose one that he knew well. He then thought about one that he had known in the past, one who had been his father’s confidant and personal taster. But if he remembered correctly, the man was nearing his 40s, and would likely have been retired.

That’s when he decided to bring in the man’s daughter, who Zixin had known when he was much younger and as a teenager. It had been at least two years since he had saw her, and she was currently summoned to the palace by royal decree. A lot had happened in the two years since he had been made the Emperor, and the Dragon Emperor had to keep his own personal feelings put aside for now, although him requesting her had been for much more selfish reasons. He wanted an excuse to see her again, but wasn’t sure if things would be the same again, especially when the last time he had saw her he was still the Crowned Prince.

There he patiently waited for her arrival, sitting relaxed on his adorned throne, his current servants fanning him. It was a hot autumn afternoon, and he had dressed in light robes, although his color palette consisted of dark and moody shades, which wouldn’t help him staying cool in the sun. But thankfully his attendants had always carried an gai (umbrella) over him whenever he walked across the palace grounds.
-

Name: Li Zixin
Age: 20 years
Height: 5’7
Appearance:
Background: (detailed above)
Status: alive
Likes/Dislikes: is it said that the Emperor prefers hot over cold dishes, and cold days over warm days.
Current relationships: One concubine, his favorite - Zhao (a very common, prestigious surname) Yue (悦 ; symbolizing femininity and joy), who has reputation on being a villainous woman and has been mean towards court ladies. Zixin is unaware of this jealousy.
Family; Previous Emperor (deceased), Grandmother (alive, empress dowager, paternal grandmother to the current Emperor) - brother Zhan (the Beloved Prince), 2 years younger. Mother (deceased, most likely disposed for being a foreigner)

(@Solaris- hello! Just an fyi idk if you knew, but you can resize images, just click/tap on the image and hit the + looking symbol and I usually do 250 x auto and it helps resizing my images so much!)

I also left the rp open ended so that you can have your character and her background and when she’s currently walking into the emperor’s palace to meet him for the first time in two years. We can always explore their history later :3

 

[Solaris-]

The Sun family were well known in the village that bordered the royal palace. They were a long line of apothecaries that had originally moved there from another country that had faced its own fair share of war and strife among other challenges. They'd brought with them a wealth of knowledge, and thus they'd been allowed to remain there- gaining the people's admiration as a family of hardworking people worthy of respect despite them having no noble lineage to speak of.

Yanwen and her father were no different. She was the apple of her father's eye, and the spitting image of him in his youth. His only child as her mother had been unable to bear him anymore children after the birth of their daughter. That hadn't mattered to them, however, as they loved their child. She was bright, intelligent- though some might say she was too smart for her own good at times, and free spirited. Where most girls and women focused solely on their beauty and manners to attract a husband, Yanwen had never cared too much for those things. She'd been far more interested in learning her family's craft and honing her skills.

As an adolescent, she'd grown a bad habit of using her own body to test her own concoctions. Her arms were scarred and burned along their entire length, but she kept them hidden from view so as to not frighten anyone or have them worry that she was being abused. It was her own doing, and she'd rather not attract their ire nor their concern. She developed an affinity for poisoncraft and had built up a resistance to most commonly used toxins like hemlock and nightshade. It would take a far larger dose of those to put her in any serious danger than the common man.

The day had started like many others. Her father had helped her wrap her arms in fresh bandages before their first client would arrive for the day. "Xiao Yan, I heard you scared away another young man from the village." Though his words carried an incredulous tone, he couldn't fight back the smile that played at the corners of his lips. He knew all too well what kind of woman his daughter was and that she hated when the village men would pine after her endlessly.

"It was his own fault. He kept asking pointless questions and quizzing me about my work. He kept asking me why 'a woman as beautiful as you needs a profession so dangerous'." She rolled her eyes and flexed her wrist with the bandages. They were tight, but she still had full range of motion and circulation. Yanwen rolled down her sleeves of her dress and set to work on the old woman's remedy before she would arrive. "It isn't that I don't wish for a husband one day; I simply wish for one that isn't horrible to me and wants me for who I am rather than how beautiful he thinks I am." She'd worked too hard, learned too much, to simply be happy being a trophy wife to a village man who wanted many babies to further his bloodline. She knew her worth was far more than that.

There was a knock at the door of their shop, and Yanwen was quicker than her father to open it- fully expecting the older woman on the other end. She was met with the face of men dressed in royal colors. Guardsmen of the palace there in their village brought many questions to her mind, but she stepped aside and allowed them entry to the shop. A scroll with a royal insignia was handed to her father, and the man closest to him spoke loudly. "By order of the Emperor, we seek the assistance of the Sun family. We request your presence as the Palace's official poison taster."

Her father had served in that position before, but now he was an older man- retired and walking with a pronounced limp. "My father is in no state to be dragged about the palace." Her words left her lips before she could stop them, and though she didn't regret them, the silence that followed made her flush with guilt immediately.

"Xiao Yan," Her father broke the silence quietly. "The emperor has requested you by name."

--

Sitting in the carriage with the men that had brought the request to their residence had made everything feel far more surreal for the woman. Before they'd left, she had bathed herself and made herself look presentable to appear before the royal court. Brunette hair done up loosely with braids to keep it from sticking to her neck in the warm autumn heat. Her heart raced; it'd been a few years since she'd seen anyone of the royal family. The princeling she'd known before had become the emperor. Surely he had changed in that time. He feared for his safety enough to request her presence, and she could only imagine the politics running amok in the palace for him to feel the way he did. Leaving her father behind had not been an easy choice for her to make, but she dare not disobey a direct order that had been handed down.

The thoughts were swallowed down as they'd stopped. Her confidence wavered, but she remained steadfast and did her best to hold her head high as she was helped down from the carriage. Yanwen followed behind the men quietly- gaze taking in the sights and finery of those around her. To the rest of them, her own appearance was quite plain. A small, brunette girl in unassuming garb. To them, she was nothing but a commoner and now a servant to the emperor.

They'd led her to the door where her once friend sat on his throne surrounded by other servants. As she entered, Yanwen kneeled respectfully and deeply in reverance as one was expected to do. Her gaze only dared to drift up through thick lashes to take a brief glance at the young man that had been her friend once. "Your Highness," she greeted him gently and calmly. "I am Sun Yanwen, daughter of Sun KaiHong. I am here to humbly accept your royal summons and provide you with my knowledge."

--

Name- Sun YanWen 孙妍雯 (yan meaning beautiful; wen meaning cloud patterns. Sun is a classic surname)
Age- 21
Likes- bitter foods, tea with no additions, peach blossoms, calligraphy, seafood
Dislikes- overly sweet foods, red meats, societal expectations
Favored gifts- old books, calligraphy brushes, sour or bitter candies
Family- Mother and Father both are alive and retired professionally, but still working due to demand for what they do.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

(Thanks for reminding me how names work lol I forget the surname comes before their first name, but for continuity purposes I’m going to either address him as Zixin or just the Emperor, I’ve also edited names above)

Li (李; a common royal surname, the Li family founded the Tang Dynasty) Zixin (籽欣 ; commonly meaning self-confidence or joyful child) watched as Sun YanWen approached the Bright Hall (mingtang 明堂 - central hall of the ancient royal and imperial palace, where important ceremonies like audiences, offerings, celebrations where held) and knelt down to show her respects to him. When she greeted him, his face did not show any sign of waver in emotion, but he knew his heart was stirring simply in her presence.

“Apothecary,” he addressed her as such, looking amongst the crowd that had gathered and then back to her, his eyes were filled with something no one could really decipher. “I have declared by my royal decree that you, from this day forward shall be my personal poison taster,” he slowly got up from his throne and walked down the steps towards her. “I expect everyone here to give her respect and honor, anyone who does not agree with my decision will certainly meet an untimely death” he commanded, he knew he had to put on a much more fierce act amongst everyone, but Yanwen would know how he used to be, he was always soft spoken, gentle and kind. The crowd rang out with their heads bowed “Yes your Majesty!” They knew that whenever the Emperor had someone new that he cared for, crossing that line or hurting the Emperor’s property was certainly punishable by imprisonment, banishment or worse; death.

“I have created a special place for you to reside in this palace. The court ladies will see to it that you are taken care for, as well as one of the royal eunuchs will accompany you at all times whenever you need to go somewhere outside of the palace.” It was indeed an odd thing to hire an apothecary to be a poison taster, but she was well known among the imperial palace, as their family had been well respected, even with the previous Emperor. So it wasn’t too much of a shock when Zixin had requested her.

He motioned for the one of his the court ladies to come forth, and to take Sun YanWen away from the Bright Hall. When Yanwen was standing, Zixin turned to go back up to his throne. “You will accompany the rest of my court, especially when it comes to my meals that I receive in my chambers.” He explained further and looked to her when he turned to sit back on the throne. “My next meal will be in shichen (時辰) (two hours). Make sure you are presentable and settled in by then,” he lastly said and dismissed the onlookers as well as Sun YanWen.

When she left the Bright Hall, she would be shown an area of the palace that had fittings an apothecary would love. Multiple plants that bloomed in the area, mostly for medicinal purposes. She would also find that he had curated a workstation for her, probably remnants of what her father used to use all those years ago. There was also an elaborate canopy bed there for her comfort. He certainly did not spare any expense when it came down to giving her what she needed and more.

She would also notice a set of hand picked clothing, probably mostly from the Emperor himself. He had carefully picked garments that would be fitting of an apothecary, but the colors and style of the clothing fit the current dynasty, and of course, her personal tastes. To remember such a fact…Sunwen would be able to remember that in this dynasty, women were allowed to be bolder in how they dressed, and the colors and styles of the fabric reflected that. Certainly, the Emperor made sure to choose colors not reflecting of royalty but one of high status. Her shoes that she was provided were also cotton and linen, flat shoes with beautiful embroidery and colors to match the clothing she was provided.

The Emperor’s own clothing, the colors he chose to wear was not certainly common, but his clothing was made in the finest silks and adorned with golden yellow aspects, especially with a dragon embroidered on the sleeves. The golden yellow color was specifically meant for the imperial family only.

 

[Solaris-]

His threat of death if she was mistreated had surprised Yanwen. She'd never known him to be hardened to the world before- at least not in her presence. Even in the village, she'd heard rumors of him being far less kind than she'd known him to be. Perhaps the power truly had gone to his head in the end, but she would reserve her judgement for now.

She was helped to her feet by an attractive woman. Yanwen's gaze moved up momentarily to meet the one of Zixin. Her heart ached for her friend, and she wished they could speak more openly as they had once done in not too distant past. For now, she bit her tongue as she was sure she would have ample opportunity to do so later. "As you wish it, Your Highness." Even though she wasn't presented with choice in the matter, she was happy to put her skills to use.

Both she and the court maiden were dismissed. The girl stared over at Yanwen with bright eyes full of a curiosity and intrigue she hadn't expected. "Well, let it out. What is it?" The girl seemed to flinch under the direct words, and she offered a reassuring smile. It had been a long time since she'd spoken to anyone her own age much less another woman that wasn't from her village. Perhaps she shouldn't have been so direct. This whole ordeal would take some getting used to, she supposed, but it would be nice to at least make friends with those that would be following her around.

"The way he looked at you was so intense, JieJie (older sister; a term of respect among women to defer to other girls who are older)." She hid her mouth behind her sleeve as she spoke excitedly. It seemed that Yanwen wasn't the only one that had noticed the emperor's stare even if it had only been for a brief moment. "My name is MeiHua by the way." Now that the tension had broken between them, it seemed that this girl was all too happy to talk the brunette's ear off.

The space that had been designated to her was larger than their tiny shop back in the village. The bed was a luxury as she was used to sleeping on a mat on the floor. He hadn't needed to do all of this for her just to ensure her comfort, and yet he had done so. Fingers trailed idly along the beautiful plants as she listened to her companion speaking- nodding along with her stories as though she were truly listening. A wave of tiredness ran through her entire body and she seated herself down on the bed.

"JieJie, are you okay?"

"I'm alright, XiaoMei. I just need a moment, please. I'm not used to being around so many people, and this is all so very new to me." Clients that came by the shop were one thing, but people of the court who were like coiled vipers in the grass with ill intentions were a whole other story. The girl seemed to take the answer in stride, however and left her alone for a moment while she busied herself with pulling things out of a nearby wardrobe.

A fine, but plain dress was pulled out washed in the emperor's colors and was presented to her. Far more elegant than the one she was wearing, but not something that would overtake the beauty of the robes of the man's consort. It would at least help her to be a bit less inconspicuous to wear this than what she'd arrived in.

--

Two hours had passed with the two having chatted idly while MeiHua brushed her hair and pulled it into a half up design. She'd slipped a small hairpin through the back- a peach blossom that Yanwen rather liked on herself. She was not vain by any means, but even she could see in the small mirror that she looked much more like a lady of the court than before. The women walked in comfortable silence toward where she would provide her first tasting for the emperor. Yanwen could admit that she was fairly nervous. A wrong call could cost the man his life and she would be to blame for it. The smell of freshly prepared foods made her stomach turn, but she bit the feeling back and shoved it away. She couldn't afford to fuck this up and she knew it.

When the door was opened, she offered a polite bow of her head this time in respect- though she did look at him this time. "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. Please show me where I should sit."​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Zixin had retired to his chambers for the time being, he was sitting in the adorned day bed and idly lounging about. He had also changed clothes, to a much more simple form than before. He seemed much more relaxed, especially out of the public eye.

When Yanwen entered, he was surprised that she had chosen the outfit she did, given the fact of all the options he had given to her. This particular dynasty was able to let women have shorter sleeves and more exposed cleavage- an especially favored style of his current consort, but he figured Yanwen had chosen this as to not draw too much attention to herself, which was smart in his mind. He also made sure that the colors he had chosen did not reflect any golden colors as that would be improper and a general faux-pas.

He motioned for her to sit on the cushion next to where the food was being plated for him on the nearby tables. He had the rest of his ensemble in the room as they witnessed Yanwen settle in next to the Emperor. He looked to her next, his expression difficult and hard to read. “Tonight we will test your skills for the first time. Anything you deem as poison will be investigated immediately by our head of royal meals.” He clarified, but he also knew she rather enjoyed how the poison felt on her tongue and in her body. He remembered as such and silently sighed, really hoping his food was not poisoned.

Once his food was served, he patiently waited for her to start tasting the food. The course covered six individual meals, all ranging from a particular chosen food, tied to the Emperor’s specific tastes. He had usually been a picky eater, but he knew he had to be, as he really couldn’t trust those around him, and had constant worries of the royal kitchen having a traitor in their midsts.

“If you fail to identify any poison, your own life will be judged in accordance, especially if there is any harm to befall myself.” He reminded her, silently hating that he had to put the pressure on her. But this is what he requested her for…mostly. He would carefully watch her taste each individual dish, his eyes lingering a little too long on her lips as she ate.

Before he had received his first concubine, Zixin had admittedly had found himself longing after the Apothecary. But one of his status should not have done so, given that her and her family had no nobility background, and that was something that was a bit taboo in the rear palace at the time. But now that he was Emperor, and had his first concubine, any woman he took next would be considered another one of his concubines. And which meant he could set the rules for doing so, it could be of any woman he fancied, regardless of background. But that did not mean anyone would not talk of the situation.

 

[Solaris-]

The heat of the day even as it cooled and the stares upon her as she entered the room made her skin itch and crawl. Though she resisted the urge to scratch, it was clear that she was not only out of place but also uncomfortable having so many eyes upon her. They all belonged to those closest to Zixin and she knew she must make a good first impression of herself. Yanwen seated herself on the nearby cushion- taking a closer look at the served food that had been prepared for him. At a glance, everything seemed to appear normal. Surely, with her presence there, no one was likely to commit to doing him harm- at least is what she was want to believe. Or perhaps they would want to test her merits and see if she was what she claimed to be.

"I understand," She offered him reassurance in her simple words that she fully knew the consequences of her own failure would it come down to it. "Silver dishware may help relieve some of your worries in the future, Highness. It tarnishes easily, and is difficult to maintain for everyday usage however." The porcelain and enameled wood that the food laid on was surely beautiful and well crafted, but it offered her no safety nor peace of mind presented this way. He was less likely to be poisoned in a setting such as this one. She imagined an assassin would prefer to make a spectacle out of it; to poison him when there was a larger crowd in hopes that they too could watch the downfall of someone they disliked without suspicion falling onto them.

Yanwen poured the offered wine into the small cup for herself. Alcohol was a luxury she didn't indulge in often, and she had a low tolerance for it, but one or two sips wouldn't cause her to act a fool. Bringing it to her lips, she could smell the bitterness of the wine. It had no overly fragrant notes to speak of save for the fruit it was made of and the smell of alcohol tickled her nostrils before the cup reached her lips. It was the most likely thing that anyone would reach for before picking up their chopsticks to indulge themselves in the meal, and it was why she had started with this.

Her gaze had wandered upon the first sip. Bitter which could have easily hidden nightshade if she had been wholly unfamiliar with the taste of the sour plant. It was a taste that she had grown an affinity for, but why it was not flavored to the man's liking, she had to wonder. The woman dressed in fine robes seemed to glare daggers at the brunette woman. Her hateful look was nearly as bitter and jealous as the wine which made a thoughtful smile pull at the corners of her lips behind the cup. She'd been there barely a few hours and it seemed as though there were already those that wished her gone. It was easy to see why Zixin favored the beautiful woman. Her low cleavage and pretty painted features would have easily attracted the wrong kind of attention from the village boys. Yanwen's gaze didn't flinch under that stare; she'd rather not insert herself into palace politics- nor did she have any stake or claim to the emperor for the woman to feel the way she did toward her. Lowering the now empty cup back to the table in front of her to clear her thoughts. "Rest assured, your drink is safe."

With utensils in hand, she opted for the smallest piece of each of the dish laid before her. Everything was far more delicious than the last, and she feared eating like this everyday would cause her to gain weight even if she was only sampling. The food was well prepared and seasoned with the emperor's preferences in mind. Perhaps a bit too salty for her own tastes, but she made no note of it at the moment.

The last piece was chewed carefully. Nothing conspicuous. "This food is safe. The palace chefs have been trained well. The only thing I can make note of, Highness, is that if you eat this daily or things of this nature, your salt intake is too high and you should be careful. It may not be a poison nor a toxin, but too much of a good thing is still bad for your health." He wouldn't live long if he ate like this everyday, and would likely suffer health problems later in life if he did. Her words came from a place of concern, and she made no attempt to sugar coat her speech or make her words flowery with flattery. Just respectful with a tone that was worthy of respect itself. It was likely the first time in some time that anyone had spoken so frankly in his presence, but it was just who she was as a person.

She had looked at him from the corner of her eye. She'd noted the concern in his hard to read expression- wondering why he would feel so toward her.

Yanwen knew when they were younger, she had craved his friendship and gravitated towards him easily. It was easy to find a friend in someone her age when she had visited with her father. Someone to commiserate with though she knew little of palace life even back then. No man or boy had engaged her in civilized conversation that hadn't pertained to the dangers of her profession and treated her with respect, but he had not only done that but been interested in what she'd told him. The thoughts of that had tinted her face a warm shade of pink as she looked over at him. A boy no longer, though, it seemed. Any feelings she might have once felt were bit back in favor of professionalism. She shouldn't entertain any lingering emotions her younger self might have felt if she wanted to remain in this position.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Zixin had been satisfied with Yanwen’s observations and his face clearly showed that he was pleased. He nodded to her when she mentioned about the over saltiness of the food, showing he understood, and especially thought back to what she suggested on the dining plates and utensils. He only looked over to Yue— who had been present as well to somehow ‘see’ what this Apothecary could and was able to do — when she gave a click of her tongue as Yanwen mentioned about how the food should be. “How dare she suggest his Majesty adjust how he likes his food..!” Her voice was…delicate, yet demanding at the same time.

Zixin looked over to Yue and raised his hand in a motion to stop what she was saying. “Lady Zhao,” he said in a stern, firm tone while his eyes showed sharp daggers pointing her way. “The Apothecary is doing her job, as asked. She is here to better my health, is she not?” And with that, Yue did not know what to say. She went to retort but refrained, knowing full well the history that Yanwen and the Emperor had- which is something she lacked with him, and of course she was jealous over it. But Zixin did not find her jealousy something to be worried about as he did not see it plainly, for he only saw her concern for him.

He looked back at Yanwen before he dismissed those in his room. “Everyone but the Apothecary, leave us,” he ordered, and he saw his ensemble bow and leave the room as ordered. Yue made a shocked expression that he would want such a thing, to be alone with that damned wench. But she listened to his Majesty, knowing she’d better play along for now, even though she hated it. Her and her own court ladies left and she went to her own chambers. She had been very fortunate that the Emperor had yet to procure more concubines for his harem, and she was happy she was favored. But if she truly wished to dethrone the Emperor, perhaps she shouldn’t be as jealous as she was.

Once alone, Zixin seemed to relax further, and dropped formalities with Yanwen altogether. “Yanwen,” he turned his face towards her as she managed to keep avoiding his gaze for now. “Do not mind Zhao, she may be the Noble Consort (貴妃; guìfēi ; ranked higher amongst other concubines) but she has no power over me. I will not allow her to address what is mine so rudely.” When he meant ‘what is his’, he meant in a way that an Emperor would. Now that Yanwen worked for the Emperor, technically she would be considered the Emperor’s property.

He then reached for his drink first, tasting the alcohol and making a small disappointed face at the taste. He had told the kitchen staff time and time again that he had preferred sweet wine over sour, but it was something he figured he could let slip for now. It was when he went to the main dish did he note what Yanwen had pointed out earlier. “Mm, I see what you mean about the saltiness..” Zixin figured he had never really noticed too much, but now that it had been pointed out, that’s all he could taste. He put down his bowl and looked back over at Yanwen. “How has your father been?” He asked as he relaxed more in his seat, his eyes focusing in on her face and he hoped she would look at him directly to speak, especially since they were alone.

 

[Solaris-]

She should have likely anticipated that her words would draw the ire of his consort. This woman seemed to hate Yanwen on principle of her just being seated there close to the man. Jealousy was not a good look on her, but on this matter, the girl kept the thought to herself. She'd thought to open her mouth to defend her own words of concern- to say that she only wanted Zixin to live a longer life than what was expected of most nobles, but before she could do so, the man himself shut her down. Yanwen was grateful that she at the very least stopped her incessant squawking. He had commanded the situation with far more ease than she might have approached it.

Having expected to be dismissed after her work here was finished, she was surprised that everyone else around them was ordered to leave. Her heart thrummed in her ears and she was suddenly nervous. Had she done something to displease him? Perhaps she shouldn't have spoken to him with such familiarity. It would be difficult to curb her known pattern of behavior, but if it drew the attention away from her she would do her best to speak in the confusing riddle like speak those in the court often spoke with.

Yanwen still eyed him from the corner of her eye- watching his mannerisms seem to dissipate the moment people were gone. Now it felt like they were returned to their previous meeting all those years ago. "I take no offense to her words. Were I in her shoes, then I too may raise an eyebrow to a strange woman telling her husband how to eat his dinner as though he were a petulant child and not the emperor." A quiet laugh left her through her nose and for the first time since her being there, she dared to look over at him fully. "She can feel cold towards me if she wishes, Zixin. I assure you I won't retaliate. I've no desire to embroil myself in palace politics or involve myself where I shouldn't. I'm here simply to work and provide my services to the best of my abilities." For her to feel threatened by Yanwen who wanted desperately to stay away from what didn't concern her, she had to wonder just how insecure the woman truly was.

The woman turned slightly- still seated on the cushion at a respectable distance from her companion. Though, now she could see him properly and not just in her peripheral vision. He had been handsome before, sure, but the two years between them had made her forget just how much she had admired him. Attractive features. Sharp eyes that were hard to read. Pretty was a word that came to mind though he might not have liked that she thought him so.

"My father is well. He recovered since we last left the palace. Though, he is a stubborn old man and refuses to retire entirely. He's older now and walks with a cane, but we do well for ourselves." She chided the old man daily about not overexerting himself milling about the shop, but he never listened to her words of warning. "He badgers me daily about wanting to see me married before he gets too old, but I think I'm just as stubborn as he is in that my family is more important than any of the men who have tried." The words had fallen from her lips without much thought and she wasn't quite sure why she'd bothered telling him this information he likely didn't care about. "I apologize. You needn't worry about such pointless things."

Her curiosity had piqued about his own life. He was showing her a side of himself he hadn't portrayed the rest of the night in the company of others. "What of you, Zixin? It looks like you've done well for yourself. Though, you look at me as though the weight of the world is carried on your shoulders alone."​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Zixin listened to what Yanwen had to say about Yue and he couldn’t help but give off a small laugh from her words. His laugh was still ‘prince like’, very carefree and held a joyfulness to it, very unbefitting of the Dragon Emperor. “Zhao is not my official wife yet, but I do think she hopes to be,” which meant she was not the Empress Consort, but still a high ranking consort. And if she did bear him a son in the future, that did not guarantee her promotion either. He also paid attention to how she addressed herself and he couldn’t help but frown ever so slightly at that fact, knowing that unfortunately that’s how it would have to remain.

As Yanwen began to talk, it was then there where he fixated on her words, listening as he had done so many times in the past. He was not interjecting himself at any point of her story on how her father was faring, giving her time to speak. He only smiled towards the end, a kind a caring smile like so many other times before. When she mentioned that these were matters he shouldn’t concern himself with, he came back with this comment, “Nonsense. I think of your father as a part of my family,” he waved his hand and shook his head, his usually cold and reserved gaze fell warmly upon her face. “I truly wished to hear what you had to say,” he reminded her, like he had done in the past before when she tried to have formalities between them.

When she asked him about his own personal life, it seemed like a dark shadow hung over the Emperor’s face and he leaned back in his seat, folding his hands underneath his robes for the moment. “I’m sure you remember my late disposed mother-“ it was actually when he had been very young when this happened. The empress had been dragged out of the palace, pleading to see the emperor, Zixin’s father. “Ever since I’ve been put on this throne, I have searched for answers to my mother’s unfair dethronement and unfair execution.” It had been a public execution, some of the nation had wished for it, others had not.

“The palace is in disarray over this, and I know some fear of me finding out about the truth in bringing her justice.” He then leaned forward slightly, his eyes falling on Yanwen once more. “That’s why I had to hire someone I knew and trusted for this position you’re in, with myself so close to being near the truth, I am certain others will try and silence me for their own personal gain.” Zixin explained further.

“That’s also another reason for me to station a guard with you besides just the royal eunuch whenever you leave the palace for any supplies needed. I will have a pass made for you to carry at all times whenever you do need to leave.” That also meant she would be able to visit her father whenever she could. Although it may be inappropriate for her to leave often, as certainly word would get around on how careless the Emperor was on letting his pets go and leave whenever they’d like.

“I am very happy to see you again, Yanwen. I just wished it could have been under different circumstances,” he tells her honestly. His gaze had softened yet again, and he truly did not want to dismiss her but had no other choice. “Going forward, you will attend all of my upcoming meals, and I will mention that those who were in attendance today usually do not frequent my chambers as such,” he pointed out, normally it was just the palace maids, those who attended and helped in the kitchen along with some general guards.

“Go and get some rest, you’ll have some time to work in the rear palace with our doctors there-whenever I’m not needing a taster—“ the palace doctors usually was a male position, but Zixin had made an exception for Yanwen. He knew she would love to work on different herbal remedies and especially different types of poisons with some other miscellaneous experiments no doubt. Zixin again, did not wish to dismiss her, but figured it would be all for the best.

 

[Solaris-]

Her head tilted slightly lost in her own thoughts. It seemed as though he were still the man she remembered in her personal company. The one he wore previous must have been an act- a mask he wore to disguise his true feelings. Not that she could blame him when everyone around him seemed two-faced as well. How people of nobility dealt with this on the daily, she would never know. It was truthfully exhausting for someone who preferred to speak her mind and be direct with her thoughts and actions.

"We have both missed you, Zixin." She spoke for herself and her father, of course. The man knew that Zixin had been friend to Yanwen and had cared for her when so many others thought her to be a strange girl with weird hobbies and interests. "I was surprised when you asked for me instead of my father as he's far more experienced than me. I am still learning every day, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous hearing these things from you." They didn't want him finding out the truth as whatever secrets laid hidden in his mother's death must have been something that someone wanted to keep buried. He was still young and impressionable even as emperor, and they likely wanted him there so they could sway his power one way or another.

For the moment being, Yanwen was just happy to know that her friend was still there, buried beneath this veneer of a tyrant as he was, seeing his smile and hearing his laugh had been worth it.

She stood to excuse herself from the interaction- offering a polite bow of her head in respect toward him. "Before I retire to my room, may I please request that seventy-five percent of my monthly stipend be sent to my family? I don't need much as what you've provided me here in my quarters is more than enough to sustain my needs for some time." Even clothing and food was being provided to her for very little work. She was grateful for this immensely. With that simple request, the woman bade him a good night and stepped out of his quarters.

She could once more feel her heart in her chest- though it beat for another reason than nervousness this time. She would tuck this meeting and the words said close to her chest, but was wary to get too involved. Friend or no, she knew her place well.

When Yanwen returned to her quarters, she found Mei asleep in her bed. The poor thing was likely exhausted from too much excitement. She shook her head with a quiet laugh and laid down there against the plush mattress. It was certainly uncomfortable- at least to her. Neither sleep nor rest would come easy this night.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Zixin, after dismissing Yanwen would retire to his own bed, climbing up on the extravagant plush bedding. He had moved underneath the soft blankets that were made for his comfort and he currently stared up at the ceiling. But the bed was all too uncomfortable that particular night, and he couldn’t exactly place why.

Perhaps it was because seeing Yanwen again stirred something within his heart once more, and he had closed his eyes, remembering their days out in the rear palace- especially when they were much younger. So carefree, and nothing weighing on their much too young shoulders. Sure, he could remember faintly that there had been some rumors that the young prince had taken a likening to Sun KaiHong’s daughter, but these rumors held no malice. It was simple palace talk for if he might take her for one of his concubines in the future when he was crowned Emperor.

But now, palace talk was certainly different. Full of secrecy- other talks had arose about Zixin’s mother and how he was currently handling it. What he had shown to Yanwen was a side he reserved only for her — and of course, a side that his mother had known. But the current political climate needed a strong and fierce ruler on the throne. And the Emperor certainly would get what he wanted and would find out the truth, regardless if others would try and silence him.

As he continued to try and fall asleep, his thoughts began to take form of what Yanwen had asked of him earlier that evening, about most of her pay being sent to her family. She always was a selfless woman, and he found her filial piety towards her family remarkable and honorable. That was much more said than the rest of the women he had known. Most noble women he had known like Yue, were constantly in his opinion— spoiled and self righteous, not one humble aspect to them at all. Which, of course did not mean he could not have liked both types of women, and unfortunately that information was not readily accessible to public knowledge about the Emperor.

As he tried, Zixin could not find sleep. He found himself sitting up soon and soon after heading out of his bed, towards the window. He opened the window and then looked towards where the rear palace was located. He continued to recall days he had spent there with his mother as the crowned prince, and felt a sense of longing he normally had whenever he could not find rest. But this longing however, was different by some reason. Perhaps it was because the direction he looked, Yanwen was currently residing in the space he had specifically made for her. That in itself would eventually raise questions on why the Emperor had personally made a space in the palace for an apothecary, or this so called ‘taste tester’. Normally they wouldn’t receive such treatment. But because of her being a woman, that was one possibility and he already knew that rumors would start because of that. He would shut them down for her sake, and try to keep her as safe as possible, for he knew she’d rather just mind her own business and try not to get involved in anything. So he’d respect her wishes and try to do just that.

But, unbeknownst to him, he wouldn’t be able to uphold that promise for much longer, despite his best efforts and wishes for doing so.

 

[Solaris-]

Yanwen eventually managed to fall asleep, but it was short lived. Grey hues opened to look up toward the ceiling that was slightly obscured by the canopy. She turned her head to find the space that had previously been occupied by the other woman to be empty, and wondered when she’d snuck out. With a soft sigh, she pushed herself up from the bed as she knew she wouldn’t be falling asleep again any time soon.

She had seen aloe plants growing in the back of the small abode where she resided, and though it made her nervous to step outside in a strange place, she knew the palace was fairly well guarded. They would make a good addition the the ointment she often used on her arms that were definitely due for a change of bandage. The last thing that she needed was to catch an infection or bleed through lest someone think she was any danger to herself. Kneeling down in the grass, she plucked a few of the leaves from the plant- reminding herself to dig one up later so that she could replant it in her new home.

The sound of feet caught her attention, and she was grateful for the dark clothing she wore and being obscured by the building as to not attract attention to herself. She squinted to make out the form of a small woman- unmistakable in her appearance even though it seemed she’d tried to hide herself behind a cloak. What on earth was the emperor’s consort doing running about out here? Yanwen shook her head- dismissing the thought as she’d rather not know. It would be difficult for her to stay out of palace business when she was to work alongside the man who ran it for long, and she knew that. It would only be a matter of time before she too was drug into things she’d rather not be involved in. But she had no desire of bringing up his consort’s midnight escapades with no evidence no matter how likely he was to believe her.

Taking a seat at the table in the main sitting area of her room, Yanwen lit a small lamp with a match and placed the ingredients she would need in the bowl of the mortar and pestle. Small fingers unwound the tight bandages from her arms and she made note of the healing of her scars. Though they appeared red and angry, they were not fresh wounds, and hopefully this new addition that had been inaccessible to her before would help them along. Her thoughts drifted easily back to Zixin as she worked the ingredients into a thick paste. She wondered why someone might silence him for trying to find out who’d orchestrated the empress’ death. Despite her being a foreigner, the current regime had had no problems accepting others as long as they pledged loyalty to the emperor. Yanwen had been young the last time she’d seen the woman- far too young to know any better- but she’d always been the picture of a happy, dutiful wife who had done her best to raise her son to lead their people one day. Despite her previous stance on staying out of matters, she couldn’t help but to want to help him in some way. She’d never been fond of letting her friends or family suffer alone or in silence, and she would do what she could without inserting herself too far into his life to be there for him when he needed her.

With the morning drawing near, Yanwen bathed herself and applied the ointment to her arms. Mei entered the room as she was wrapping the bandages around them, and her face paled a little when she saw them. It’d been a long time since someone other than her father had seen the self-inflicted injuries, and she only smiled at the girl reassuringly. “No one did this to me if that’s why you wear such an expression.” She let out a quiet laugh and rolled down the sleeves to her dress.

“The emperor’s first meal is in thirty minutes.” Mei had stammered out. The brunette offered a nod of her head to let her know that she understood. “After that, the palace doctor needs some help, so you should head there after.”

The two conversed for a few moments as she once again let Mei fix her hair to her liking. Yanwen had never been good at doing anything with it despite its length. As the two stepped outside to make their way towards the emperor’s quarters as they’d done the night before, there was a flurry of loud whispers around them.

“…Heard that she’s being abused at home.”
“That sort of thing always happens in small villages right?”
“…Not married yet at her age? I can see why. She’s not very pretty.”

When stormy colored hues snapped to look over at the gossipers they pretended they hadn’t said a word about her. Her face was flushed with anger, but she didn’t react beyond giving them a glare. No, that’s what they wanted. Any reaction she might have had would have only solidified whatever rumors they’d heard in their minds. She swallowed down her anger with a quiet sigh before announcing herself on the other side of the door. A soft knock against the wooden frame followed by her voice that wavered only slightly. “Highness, it’s Sun Yanwen. May I be allowed to enter?”​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

The next morning, Yue was nowhere to be found in the Emperor’s quarters for his morning meal, but Zixin really did not care if she was or not. Lately she had been getting on his nerves, even without the influence of Yanwen being there now. Yue had known the history between the two, and had picked up easily on his Majesty’s affection for the woman. She just hoped that her position wouldn’t be threatened. She would need to remain in his good graces for the time being, to keep her plan in motion.

For now, Zixin had been just waking up the moment Yanwen had knocked on his door frame. He rubbed his tired eyes and finally sat up from his bed. “You’re early..” he commented back to Yanwen, who had asked to enter. Normally she would wait to enter after the royal meal was prepared, announced and then given permission to enter his quarters. “But you may enter,” he said next, and when she would go into his room, she would see that he was partially dressed already, pulling on the robes that had been laid out for him to wear. As he dressed, his bare chest would be able to be seen, and more scars than Yanwen probably had expected were practically littered across his skin. His perfect, unblemished face proved a feat within itself— but underneath all of his robes and regal, what one could call beautiful appearance, was definitely a man. His chest and abdomen was perfectly outlined in a nice, muscled physique, showcasing how strong he really was. There was only some left to imagination for what lay beneath everything else he wore.

Zixin finally finished pulling the robes over his body, adjusting them to his liking. That moment in itself, watching him dress probably felt like hours to Yanwen. She would then see how long his hair actually had become, and he moved over to a dresser to grab a plain, unadorned wooden comb to use on his very long, raven colored hair. That wooden comb would hold significance to them both, as it was a gift she had given to him before she had left the rear palace with her father two years ago. The fact that he kept it all this time… and the comb definitely looked like he had used it and just hadn’t discarded it the moment she had left. She would also be surprised that he was the one that normally did his own hair, putting it up in a simple, yet regal style, his hair half up and half down. A royal hair pin was keeping his half up style secured against his head.

“Experimenting on yourself again?” He calmly asked, his head turned to face her, that rumor she had heard earlier probably would fall onto his ears eventually. He moved forward to her and grabbed her arm, pushing her sleeve back and looking at the bandage. “I figured that was why you chose the longer sleeves to wear, considering short sleeves are in style with the women nowadays..” his touch on her arm wasn’t tight, it felt…almost caring, in a way. Or maybe she was dreaming that fact. He slowly pulled his hand back from her and let her readjust her sleeve.

Zixin turned and went towards the day bed again, sitting there on the cushion and lounging on it, getting ready for his meal to arrive. “If I wasn’t who I was, I’d let you experiment on me instead of yourself…” he wondered what she would think of that. He truly wished no harm would come to her, but he couldn’t stop her from being a danger to herself.

 

[Solaris-]

If he had not permitted her entry this early, she wouldn't have taken offense, but it was better to be early when she had nothing better to do than stare down those that milled about spreading gossip like wildfire. What she hadn't expected upon her entry was his half-dressed state. Her face filled with a dark red hue nearly immediately and this felt wholly inappropriate. Sure, she had seen a man's body before, but always in an impartial nature when she was treating them or helping them with ailments and never something in such a personal aspect. Zixin also was objectively the most handsome man she'd seen in such a state. Without meaning to, she had ogled him as he'd turned away from her, and she had to pry her eyes away respectfully. "My apologies, Highness. I'm quite used to being awake early in the morning, and I'm not used to being on someone else's schedule." She would do better to not be as early as she was the next time- or at the very least keep herself occupied until he had need of her.

She'd remained there by the door- though her eyes had moved back over to him now that he was properly dressed. Slightly envious that he was able to pull his hair back so efficiently which she, herself, was normally unable to do beyond what was necessary. "You still use that? I'd have figured it would have broken by now." Or that he would use other means to untangle his dark tresses. Perhaps she would get him another that was more dignified than the one he was using.

His hand on her arm startled her and she pulled back from his grip to no avail. A reflex she'd become all too used to as she detested being touched, grabbed, or groped by others. Yanwen calmed her nerves; he had known of her experiments as she'd never been shy about it in years past. "Not in recent times. I've been giving them time to heal though the process has been slow. Despite the heat, I would rather wear long sleeves than attract concerned stares." She wished for cooler temperatures soon so that her attire wouldn't be so outlandish to wear everyday.

"I'm not surprised that you've heard what people have said. They said the same back then too." Always eyeing her father who was the kindest man she'd ever known with suspicion that he neglected and abused his daughter. "I built up my tolerance for many things over the years at the expense of my own body. I do not regret my decisions, though I understand how it may look to outsiders. I just wish they would not say my father is an abuser of women when he's never laid a hand on me in anger or malice before." She let out a sigh and pulled the sleeve of her dress back down over the bandages. He knew her father was not that kind of man, and she supposed that's what mattered to her.

"Respectfully, Zixin, even if you were a mere village man, I would not subject you to this." It went against her personal morals to harm anyone else. "In my younger years, I was often ill from ingesting poisons in small doses or applying toxic compounds onto my skin. Building up a resistance to these things did not happen overnight, and the aftermath was never a pretty sight." Many a night, she'd laid in bed with a fever, throwing up her dinner, or shivering with a cold that never seemed to fade. She'd never wish this upon another person no matter how willing they would have been to undergo it. "I am still susceptible to the same toxins that could kill others, mind. What would kill you will only make me ill unless there's a large quantity of it." She wanted him to understand that she wasn't immune to this either despite her willingness to put her life in danger for him.

"While I appreciate our talks and your immense kindness toward me, the people will talk about it. And I don't want you to get dragged through the rumor mill by associating yourself with me. I don't want to make your life more difficult than it already is." He had an image to maintain and she wasn't going to destroy that no matter her current feelings that had seemed to reignite themselves over the course of the last two days. Yanwen feared her words and her expression may betray her which is why she had averted her gaze from his handsome features.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Zixin hadn’t taken note of the way she had her eyes practically glued to his body while he had finished getting dressed. The moment he had put down the comb, he heard her remark and gave a soft smile in return. “Of course I still use it,” he had said to her, “It holds a lot of meaning for myself,” Zixin had explained further. He had told her of this earlier before he had went to sit down and lounge about.

When she had recoiled from his touch, Zixin had been given a brutal awakening in the remembrance that Yanwen distinctly hated direct contact from others. From that alone, he had reminded himself that things were not like they had been two years ago between one another, and that had been another reason why he had let go of her arm when he did. When she had spoke of the rumors and that he had heard them, he looked a bit confused, for he had not heard anything just yet, but had just guessed on her experimentation based on how she had dressed.

In truth, Zixin had wanted to tell her that he would silence these rumors and stop them before they even started, but to be completely honest, acting out like that immediately without prior cause or reason why would raise suspicions on if Yanwen held the Emperor’s favor. And hearing her say that is what she wanted to avoid…made him consider not silencing the rumors on the reason he might just create more problems than needed.

But when did he ever care of what others thought of him? He was the Emperor, and he would choose who he showed favor towards. His hands that were resting on his lap slowly balled into fists and gripped the fabric of his robes as he thought about the very fact. But he internally gave up, figuring he would honor her wishes, regardless of what he wanted. And Yanwen would be the one and only person he would do that for, for Zixin always got what he had desired. She would just have to be the beautiful poisonous flower that he could admire, just not touch.

It was then that his morning meal arrived, and it was announced that it was ready for him, and then Zixin gave them the command that allowed them to enter. The crowd from last night was much more smaller, as was the dish. The dish would be a lighter breakfast than the previous evening meal. The kitchen already was reflecting what Yanwen had critiqued the night prior, and everything would be according to the Emperor’s tastes. Yanwen would see the Emperor’s demeanor stiffen up upon the audience now bestowed upon him, and he seemed more sharp, cold and calculating than before. The very fact that he could switch with such little effort would be an impressive act no doubt.

 

[Solaris-]

In truth, her reaction to his touch had not been malicious. It was a reflex that she'd learned over the years when men from her village took her being a woman as an invitation to grab her and touch her. Had he asked to see her bandages rather than just grabbing, she may have reluctantly shown him as he was likely the only one not to be repulsed by her sometimes overzealous excitement in her craft. Zixin had seen her arms without their protective coverings before and knew the extent of how far she'd gone in the name of science and discovery of new information. Her only saving grace was that she'd not slapped his hand away, but she was still apologetic in her mannerisms and bowed her head quietly. She didn't want to push him away, and yet her actions had done just that. Always, Yanwen had ran away from problems like these when they arose, and it was only now that she was able to ruminate on that fact.

The rumors about herself, while hurtful, she could live with. But the moment they involved Zixin or her father, she bristled at the thought of them. Thankfully, she would have no more time to dwell on the subject as servants arrived with the meal. She quietly took her designated spot and kept her gaze on what was served. A far smaller portion than the night before. Perhaps Zixin simply wasn't one for a large breakfast. The utensils this time and the tray and bowl it was served in were a polished silver.

Yanwen took note of the color and did not note any tarnish where the food touched the dish. It was a good sign. Like the night previous, she started with the drink- pouring a small portion into the cup. The water was clear with no distinct particulates and it made her wonder if the palace servants boiled their well water or if it was simply that clear to begin with. Likewise, there was no odor from the water and she raised it to her lips. It was unremarkable in that it was just water, but as she felt warm from embarrassment, she was grateful for the refreshment.

Next, she dipped the silver spoon into the congee rice. It had a nice consistency and it smelled even better than what had been served the night previous- though that might have been because her appetite had been returned to her than anything else. Being careful not to break the egg on top, she opted for a small spoonful of the porridge. Yanwen placed the bowl back down onto the serving tray. "This meal is safe and your water is clean. As I said last night, silver tarnishes easily if exposed to certain things, and you'd be wise to be wary of any discolorations. But as there are none, and this meal would be difficult to poison without a strong toxin that even his highness would be able to detect without a taster, you're more than safe to eat it." It was less salty than the night before as well which was pleasant.

Tentatively, she gazed over at the man who wore that same, stern and stoic expression she'd seen on him before. Even in the company of such a small audience he wore a brave mask. Her hands had rested on her knees, and she fidgeted with a crease in her dress.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Zixin was beside himself, he had to remember that he needed to ask for permission with Yanwen before he could touch her again. The last two years being Emperor, he did not have to ask for permission on anything and was just left to do as he pleased. With Yanwen, he knew it would be different but he silently told himself he would watch and be careful around her in the future, if he was able to. He respected Yanwen more than she would realize, and he valued her highly.

Upon watching the dish be served and looking at her taste everything on the plate, he then grabbed the metal chopsticks and moved the bowl in his hand. He had brought the bowl and both of the chopsticks to his mouth as he ate. There had been a second dish plated for the taster specifically, but he noticed that she always directly tried his food instead which he appreciated.

Slowing down his eating he looked over at Yanwen, “Apothecary, I permit you to eat with me, for I do not wish for a second dish to go to waste,” he said and the people in the room who had kept their heads bowed, glanced up slightly. This was a first for their Emperor, but they figured they wouldn’t say anything, afraid of the Emperor’s retaliation if they had misspoke. Zixin only did this because he wished for her to eat at least one meal. He figured she would be too caught up in her duties to remember to eat, this was the only way he could make sure that she would eat.

When they were both done, he had dismissed the entire party, even Yanwen, deciding it would be better if she continued her duties like normal, rather than have her spend all of her time with him. Surely, Zixin would appreciate her being with him all day, but he knew that was not realistic.

Zixin went towards the Bright Hall again later in the morning, as he had to present himself to a royal envoy coming from across the sea. This envoy had two noble women who had been ‘promised’ to him, in exchange for trading spices and other resources from one country to another. He at first had not agreed to this, but if it were to better their country…Zixin hadn’t even told Yue about this, and not even his own brother. He knew he had failed to mention it to Yanwen, but she’d probably see it as only political affairs, and nothing more. Just to keep up appearances, no doubt. As he waited on his throne, he wondered just exactly what the envoys would look like, and wondered if they would speak his language.

 

[Solaris-]

The bowl for herself had been made in equal portion to that of the emperor's. Perhaps he didn't want her going hungry while she was in his care- though she could have just as easily found something small to tide her over until dinner time if he hadn't. Yanwen wasn't going to complain about being offered this, and instead, she offered her thanks and ate it without a fuss. Her stomach seemed happy with what it had been given as her frayed nerves from the night before had steeled themselves once more.

Yanwen was the last out of the room when they were dismissed, and she cast a careful glace back over her shoulder at him before she closed it behind her. It was only then when she was out of his presence did she allow her shoulders to fall from their posture. Fingers rested lightly on her temples and she shook her head into her hands. That surely could have gone better than it had. It seemed funny to her now that she had not wanted to even come back to the palace, and now she was just thankful he'd not dismissed her from his court entirely after being so disrespectful this morning.

The apothecary went about her duties as instructed.

It seemed as though the palace physician balked at the idea of allowing a woman into his operating theater. Stating that most women were squeamish of illness and something about not being able to treat patients with objectiveness. To this, she'd simply offered a small journal filled with notes from her treated patients in the village to him and reminded him gently of the emperor's words. "I have been asked to do a service by His Highness. It would displease him greatly if you did not allow me to assist." Where most might have used those words as manipulation, she used them in earnest with no malice behind him. He knew of the man's unkind nature, however, and relented- all but throwing the journal back in her direction.

Keeping herself occupied with watching the man work and making her own suggestions was not a difficult task, but keeping her mind on track when she was allowed a small amount of free-time afterwards was. Yanwen sat with pen in hand at the small desk in her shop. Gentle strokes of the pen became the gentle curve of shoulder, the stretch of back muscle. Muscles defined from years of training and hair so dark the night sky might be envious. She'd not even realized what she'd been drawing before a gentle voice reached her ears.

"Yan JieJie do you fancy him?"

Before she could finish her drawing, the book was snapped closed- suddenly thrust back into reality at the gentle voice of Mei behind her. The girl flushed, embarrassed at Yanwen's sudden reaction, but even the color of her face hadn't matched the brunette's own embarrassment. What on earth had she been thinking? Her previously calm heartbeat raced in her chest, and she felt like someone who had done something wrong even though she'd been minding her own business. "Maybe I did once, but we are worlds apart now. Even then I think I knew that and conveniently forgot." It was an honest answer, but certainly not a satisfying one. "With the world at his fingertips, he could have anything, anyone even. Why would he opt for less than his own status?"

Mei wore a concerned expression at her pragmatic answer and seemingly whatever interest there might have been over her interest in the emperor. Likely, Mei had been privy to the man's cold nature and knew him only as who he showed everyone in his court. "A lady doesn't simply draw a half-naked man she doesn't fancy." Her words were meant to chide, but only in a playful tone. She hid her hand behind her dress and leaned in closer to Yanwen. "He's so cold, but that warm look is only given when you are around. Not even Yue gets special treatment from him. Yan JieJie, you have potential to thaw out his cold heart without realizing."

She raised a hand and shook her head. This was not what she was here for and this line of conversation was bound to get them in trouble were they not alone here. Blasphemy. Yanwen had made her intentions clear to everyone she was not here to insert herself into political matters. And the other girl pouted at her seeming disinterest to continue this talk. If Mei had noticed this, then surely others would take note of it as well. New rumors would crop up, and Yue was likely to be even colder toward her than she'd been the night before.

"Enough of this. Let's go get some spicy noodles. I saw a stall preparing them the other night, but I had no stomach for food. And when we get back, you can help me replant some aloe leaves in the shop before we need to make an appearance at the emperor's dinner." It would keep both of their minds occupied and less likely to fall back into that conversation again. She noted the giddy excitement that filled the girl's face and stood to leave the shop- letting the guard outside know where they were heading and when they would be returning.

As the two meandered through the crowds of merchants lining the street toward their destination, the two stopped not unlike the throng of people already littered there. Yanwen turned her head in the direction they were staring and took note of the two strange entourage that had caused a stir it seemed. Thankfully the gossip had moved on from herself for the time being and was focused on whatever was going on in the palace. She'd not been told what this was, and would have likely said she'd no interest in knowing of Zixin's personal affairs. Two figures that were unmistakably women were surrounded by guards and other members of their own court parties. A shorter, more reserved woman with dark skin and hair and even darker eyes. The yellow of her dress contrasted nicely with her complexion. The other woman who was louder in her demeanor bore striking red hair, pale as snow, and was covered in glittering jewels and red finery. Two very opposite women whose appearances seemed to differ just as much. It wasn't uncommon for foreigners to make a plight to the emperor of a wealthy land such as this one, and these women were likely the princesses or high nobility of their respective kingdoms. Beautiful women, no doubt, here to gain favor with the cold tyrant that ruled over it. The thought brought a sigh from Yanwen, but she shook her head before Mei could ask questions and moved them along. This was not their business, and they'd not been requested here. It would be rude to gawk and stare when she was hungry for something that was certainly a luxury in her village.

"Xiao Mei," she offered a smile over at the woman at her side. "What do you normally order here?" It seemed to draw her attention from whatever she'd been thinking about as the two took a seat at two of the empty stools at the stall to wait for their meal.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

(I have a question, would it not be a brush stroke instead of a pen, considering what time period they’re in? Were there pens made about that time??)

Zixin took one look at the envoys when they came into the hall, and knew immediately they were not of his tastes. Surely, both were beautiful in their own right, but one could easily see the Emperor was dissatisfied. Subconsciously, he was hoping that Yanwen would come to the hall for whatever reason, although he had not asked for her, nor had she any reason to be there but alone for tasting. She would be here for dinner though, to taste his food while he held the company of these princesses.

When the escort of these princesses introduced himself, Zixin could tell that these women did not know his language, and he expressed displeasure with this fact. “How do you expect a fair trade when I won’t even be able to communicate with them, how do expect them to be my concubines then?” Originally he had agreed, but since Yanwen came back into his life, he had begun to realize he did not want more concubines— especially if it furthered his gap away from her.

But Zixin did remember what she had said to him, and he still had to remind himself he had to be okay with that fact, regardless of what he wanted, but it did not mean he would have to like that fact. Something stirred further within his heart, and he didn’t exactly understand his own feelings either. Was it wrong of him to now only want to focus all of his attention on one woman only, politics be damned?

He had longed for Yanwen two years ago, and even more so before they had become adults. It had been noted that despite his efforts, both Yanwen and her father had directed his intent elsewhere, and always avoid the topic. He figured with the way he was now, perhaps he could get closer to her, but he didn’t know how to.

It was then his personal guard, Qiang, had noticed that during the conversation with the envoy’s escort that his Majesty was becoming bored and uninterested in the conversation. Qiang realized quickly that Zixin had told the escort that he refused to even offer his empire’s resources in trade for these envoys. That beauty only went so far, and he was expecting them to at least know their language. Why would they be sent otherwise, and do they think of him to be so shallow and only interested in looks?

That did not surprise Qiang, as he had known of the Emperor to care more about than just looks, but then again, considering who his consort was…Internally sighing, Qiang looked forward and ahead of where the doors were to the bright hall. He had basically grown up with Zixin, and was like an older brother to him. The man was tall like the Emperor, and had a nice muscled physique as well. He had a beard on his face but it was neatly trimmed and short. His hair was long as well, but usually kept up as a topknot. The outfit he wore was the garb of head of the emperor’s military, aka, the general. Qiang was also Zixin’s personal bodyguard, and always donned a tang dao on his hip (a curved, single edged saber used by elite soldiers and common troops.) But his saber was not common, his had been specially given to him by the late empress, handed as a gift, in exchange for protecting Zixin — a final request, before she had been executed publicly. He had sworn to protect Zixin with his life.

And of course, being so close to the Emperor, he also knew of Zixin’s feelings towards the apothecary, but he surely hoped that Zixin would consider taking things carefully, especially with Yue on edge. Speaking of, she had suddenly burst forth from the doors, her escorts behind her as she entered the hall and had been announced by a court lady. Yue had made her way past the envoy and bowed towards the emperor. “Your Majesty…you forgot to mention that we were meeting our special guests today…” she began. She had just concluded a meeting with his brother not too long ago, and she knew she would have to secure her position as the high consort, despite if Zixin really wanted more concubines. But then again, why was she caring about this? It wasn’t like she was aiming to stay his consort forever.. considering her plans…

Zixin wasn’t surprised she had shown up and he motioned for her to sit beside him. “I do apologize, lady Zhao, I figured to not bother you with these political matters..” truly, it was the empress consort that had equal influence over these matters and not just a normal consort, like she was. Which she was painfully reminded of. But if his brother was on the throne and made her empress consort…she decided to push away those feelings for now and just play the part she was meant to.

 

[Solaris-]

[[As brushes are pretty unpractical for carrying around to take notes and the like, there actually were pen-like writing utensils. I imagine that is what she is using for her notes and drawings. Nothing like today’s pens of course, but still more useful for common writings that weren’t official documents.]]

The woman that had presented the princesses to Zixin offered a look of displeasure at his words. He had been the one who had agreed to this exchange, and now he was changing his mind? “They are bright women, Your Majesty. Surely, they can learn the language if they are to remain here.” It would be a necessity to survive the court so far away from their homes if they were going to join Yue amongst his consorts. “Plus, they offer things that we could benefit from easily. Both of them are the only children of their respective parents. They don’t need to speak with you for them to know what they’re here for.” To bear him children and unite their kingdoms. She said it so nonchalantly as though she didn’t bother to consider their feelings in the matter. It was a matter of pragmatics to her and she certainly didn’t envy their position. “You would be doing them a great service if you would reconsider, Majesty.”

Though it seemed her words were falling on deaf ears. The emperor had always been one to do whatever he wished, and she would have the displeasure of telling these women that they would need to return home to their homes where they would have to settle for lesser princes elsewhere. She retreated for the moment back to the women she had brought before him- hoping she would hear his plea to reconsider, but she didn’t want to push her luck.

—

The lunch made her feel as though her being there was more normal than she’d felt the night previous. Mei had opted to talk about things that had led up to Zixin’s coronation that had happened around the palace to help fill Yanwen in on the years she’d been away. It was an easier topic of conversation than her feelings that she’d rather bury and she rather liked the chatty nature of the other woman as she had never had to say much to prompt a conversation. Beyond their initial meeting, they’d both warmed up to each other quickly enough, and it helped that Mei was stuck with her until Zixin had no further use of an apothecary in his employ.

“Yan JieJie, what makes you like being an apothecary so much?”

It pulled a quiet laugh from Yanwen’s lips. “Do you really want to know?” It was something that she could talk on for hours. When Mei nodded at her excitedly, she moved the empty bowl of what had been noodles away from her and turned in her seat to face her. “When I was young, I watched my father. He told us that this type of thing had been our family’s profession for generations. I’m sure he hoped for a son that could continue his legacy, but I tried my best to be dutiful and learn how to read and write so that I could follow in his footsteps. At first, that’s all it meant to me, but now that I’m older, I can appreciate that nature is dangerous, yet beautiful by design.” She’d had no official training, but she’d taken everything her father had taught her about medicine making to heart and had scanned over his notes time and time again. “My father was very adept at using his senses to treat injuries and ailments. Meanwhile, I fell in love with poison craft. Training my body to take what would be considered toxic or harmful so that I could understand what it might do to someone. Over the years, I built up a healthy tolerance to most. Zixin- the emperor,” she corrected herself quickly having caught herself being overly familiar with him once more even despite his not being there. “Knew about my interests. Though why he did not already have a poison taster does have me concerned as I thought it common practice.”

Perhaps it was simply because he hadn’t been digging in past affairs before becoming the emperor, and now that he was stirring up uncomfortable secrets, he’d made himself a target. Yanwen worried for him as people who were willing to do something so impersonal as poison his meals was just as likely to do something more drastic to keep the silence.

—

The two had returned to the shop not too long after they had mentioned. There was still a throng of people littered about the street watching the two princesses that had heard of Zixin’s rejection sulk in the warm autumn sun. One of them had appeared to be crying, but Yanwen simply continued on. “We have some time before dinner tonight so help me dig up some plans from behind the shop so we can replant them?”

At first Mei had appeared to be repulsed at the idea of getting her hands dirty, but didn’t want to upset the woman she shadowed. She nodded her head and Yanwen grabbed some empty pots from the counter and set to digging around the roots of the plant with a trowel. Having rolled up the sleeves of her dress, she didn’t really care how dirty she got as she could just wash herself before being presented before the emperor’s entourage. The two fell once again into a comfortable silence as they worked, and before long, both of them covered in dirt were placing the pots into the window of the shop where they could be used without having to sneak out at night to get them.

“You should probably wear something a bit more fancy than your normal wear. I heard there’s some event at the palace tonight when we were walking through.” Mei had wiped her hands and gone to the dresser to pull out what she deemed fitting. It made Yanwen sigh; she was content with wearing the simple dark colored silks she’d been wearing previously as it allowed her to remain out of people’s sights- well at least most of them. Zixin was the only one who really looked at her and now that she had, in essence, told him to leave her alone without saying those exact words, she wondered if he would still look at her so warmly.

“I didn’t expect even working here that I would have to think so much about my appearance.” She let out a dry chuckle at her own words.

Her head snapped upwards to look at the guardsman that had entered her shop. He was early to let them know that dinnner was being prepared. He looked perplexed both upon seeing her dirty hands and clothes and her rolled up sleeves as well as the information that he carried. “Sun Yanwen, the emperor has no need for your assistance tonight. The dinner with the royal envoys was called off.” He refused to elaborate more on the topic, and she wasn’t going to pry. Though she was concerned.

“Is His Highness alright? Has something happened to him? If he needs medicine, I can treat him.” He’d raised his hand calmly and she stayed her speech. “Thank you, then, for telling us. Please let me know if I can be of any help.”

He’d left them both there- not having answered her questions. If he was hurt, she would have liked to know, but perhaps he was better left in the hands of that crabby doctor. Now that she had more time on her hands, Yanwen felt no sense of relief from it. She went to wash her hands from the dirt and picked up her journal. “Mei, you should stay here. I’d like some time alone tonight.”

“His Highness would kill me!” The small girl retorted back. “If I left you alone, he’d have my head.”

“Tell him I told you to go about your other duties and to leave me be for the night.” She still looked at Yanwen incredulously, but thankfully relented to her request.

There was a small pond nearby where the two had often played as children, and it was there again where Yanwen found herself. A stump stuck out of the ground and she took a seat on it watching the ducks skim across the water. The quietness of the night brought her no peace, and her fingers touched the lines made from the pen on the page earlier. Her father would be none too pleased that her affections for Zixin had flared up again. Despite his teasing her that they were suited for each other as kids, it had more to do with the fact that both of them had no one else to play with or entertain their little minds. Her happiness and safety was what any father wanted for his daughter, but involving herself in royal affairs would guarantee neither of those things.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Needless to say, the temper of the Emperor certainly wasn’t one to cross, and on the shouting word that every one leave him— certainly made a scene. He was annoyed at the attempts of the escort to get him to reconsider the offer. He said he hadn’t cared that the women would be able to learn quickly, he had expected them to be properly prepared. He had mentioned that this was a lack of respect and that the trade deal was off, unless they would be able to agree to something else.

Before the rest of his entourage left him, Qiang made an offer to Zixin about perhaps his brother the prince, could be united with one of these women in place of the Emperor. And Qiang would see how Zixin thought of this idea. He looked to the escort as they left and then mentioned they would consider it. Which would mean he would have to confront his half brother Zhan eventually. The beloved prince who his father had sired shortly after Zixin’s mother had given birth to him. His half brother had been born from another consort, who eventually became his father’s favorite and the one who the rumors had spoken about causing the previous Empress to be beheaded so that her own son could have the throne.

This was all hearsay of course, but the very fact of thinking of Zhan did not sit well with the young Emperor. He also knew that Zhan had favored the apothecary years ago as well, but unbeknownst to Yanwen, Zixin had stopped Zhan’s approaches with an actual threat, saying that if he ever laid a finger on Yanwen— because he knew of his brother’s true intentions— he would dispose of him quickly. Zhan obviously did not like that answer, and had been brooding on the very threat ever since. So, when Zixin got his first consort Yue, it was then he decided to make Yue his reliant insider, and loyal servant to him..basically, make the emperor’s consort his own without Zixin ever finding out. It would be in a plan to silence him on discovering the truth about Zhan’s own mother using her own power to dispose of the empress, and with him being in on it. Yue would just be there to distract him from finding out more. And she had been doing a terrible job at it, given the fact that Zixin was close to the truth.

Zixin finally had retired to his bedroom and he had been lost in a bottle of strong alcohol, but being of foreigner blood, his resistance to alcohol was higher than most. It wasn’t the envoy that particularly upset him— it was the very fact that the moment he chose to change his mind, he was seen by others that was a wrong decision. He was the emperor and doing what he saw best fit made sense to him. He had simply been dissatisfied with the women, as they were not to his tastes. What was so wrong of that? But politics should come first before women…so, when Qiang had mentioned about his half brother being the one to take the princesses as his own consorts, he figured that could be the better loophole.

He hated that he had to deal with this in place of finding more answers about his mother’s death, and he feared this may have been a distraction he could not have easily afforded to make. He knew he hadn’t mentioned the envoy’s arrival to either Zhan or Yue, but somehow Yue had come regardless, leaving him to wonder how she caught word of the meeting.

Eventually the bottle he had been drinking directly from had ran dry, and with a small grunt, he was upset that it was. Honestly he felt frustrated that as Emperor, there were still some keeping secrets from him, yet he knew he’d find them eventually. But for now, he wanted to go look for more to drink, and so he stumbled slightly out of his room, heading to who knows where. Although tipsy, he wasn’t fully drunk yet, so he had some notion on where he was going.

After some time, he finally found himself at the small pond where he and Yanwen had played together as kids. He had remembered that his mother had watched from the little house built nearby— a special place for her to get away in, whenever she needed privacy. Right now, the house was mostly a storage shed as its use was no longer needed for the time being.

Yanwen would hear footsteps and would notice Zixin standing there across from her, staring up at the full moon. He seemed too out of place, considering how he was dressed practically for bed already. If he was sick, was he that delirious to be out this late?

Zixin hadn’t taken notice of Yanwen yet, for he was lost in thought, missing the warmth from his mother and wished that she could be here and give him the guidance he had so desperately wanted. For the last two years, he had been left alone and faced his new position by himself with no one to console or understand his own struggles. Surely consort Yue could have been there, but she had only been added to the palace less than a year ago. And although his favorite, Zixin still had felt an emptiness with her, that he couldn’t quite place. He may have shared the warmth of a bed with her, but the warmth of her heart sometimes felt lacking.

 

[Solaris-]

From the slight overgrowth, Yanwen had assumed this part of the palace was likely not one people remembered existed until the grass needed trimming. Or until two people who knew of its existence wanted to be alone, it seemed. She was lost in her thoughts- writing them down on the page as she wasn’t able to say what she wanted aloud. The things she felt and the things that flitted across her mind without her own permission to exist. She’d hated just how much this made her feel like one of those boy-crazy women she’d often looked down her nose at when she was a teen. Now, as a fully fledged woman, herself, she could understand not wanting to be lonely and the desire to have the company of someone who was of like mind.

The sound of footsteps was not lost on her, and she was quick to shut the journal that had laid sprawled open in her lap- hoping whoever was walking about had not taken note of anything that lay within it. Turning her head to look up at the figure that approached, steel colored eyes widened when she saw him. Alone and without a guard it seemed. Just what on earth did he think he was doing? If he wasn’t sick already, he was likely to catch a cold wandering about in his bed clothes. The night had cooled considerably from the day, and with the slight wind that blew through the trees, she could tell they would be in for a cold, bitter winter.

Standing from her seat, she laid the journal there and approached him. “Zixin-“ Yanwen stopped herself- having caught herself doing it yet again. “Highness, are you ill? We were told that dinner was cancelled tonight, and I worried you’d come down with something.” She thought to rest a hand on his forehead to check his temperature, but thought better of it. At first his unfocused eyes made her think he was delirious, but then she could smell the hint of alcohol on him. It wasn’t terribly overwhelming, but it was there. “Have you been drinking?” Now she was concerned wholly for another reason that he might hurt himself walking around in this overgrowth without a clear head. All her own silly thoughts replaced with her concern for him as she looked upwards toward his face.

“Why are you out here alone? Someone is bound to notice you gone by now.” She spoke as though she too wasn’t out here alone without the court maiden that had followed her about for the past two days. “About this morning, Highness, I apologize. Very few people can touch me in a way that doesn’t cause me to react in such a way. Outside of my family, I dislike anyone really touching my arms. I was caught off guard, but that’s no excuse for my behavior.”

The flash of lantern in the far distance caught her eye. It was far away enough to where whoever was out there would not see the two of them, but there was a sudden cold fear that made the blood in her veins turn to ice. They could not be seen out here together like lovers interloping in the night. This was certain to do more than raise eyebrows if they were caught, and she was fearful of what might be said about both of them. Yue already spoke out openly against her words, had already glared daggers at her, and while Yanwen could smile politely and pretend to ignore them- thinking her own particularly venomous thoughts about the beautiful woman- the whole palace thinking her to be some easy woman who was swayed by the pretty face of the emperor to the point where they met in secret was not something she wanted to endure. “I should go.” Her words were uncertain, and she didn’t want to leave him here in such a state even though he seemed in control of himself enough.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Zixin had heard Yanwen call out for him, and his gaze lowered to that of the apothecary, who was slowly approaching him. He had to take a moment to focus on her face, trying to see her features steadily, but the alcohol in his system had other plans. He listened to each and every word she had said, and he wanted to say something to her, but no words came out of his mouth.

He didn’t know why she was here of all places, but he soon realized that she must have remembered where they used to meet all those years ago too. Zixin then heard oncoming footsteps, and he too saw the glow of the lantern. He remembered that he had ordered to be left alone tonight, and he didn’t want to be discovered, so without thinking, he had grabbed Yanwen’s hand and pulled her close to his chest, moving to quickly hide them both in the small house that was conveniently nearby. The house that his mother had used before—which was now a storage place. The door was easily slid open and closed without much effort, and the space that they had found themself in was rather tight and constricting. It would be impossible to not feel each other’s body— even though he knew that’s probably what she did not want. But they both couldn’t be discovered there, as he also worried about rumors getting out, because he wanted Yanwen to be safe, especially from rumors with him.

While being this close to Zixin, Yanwen would be able to scent the scented oils on his skin, probably ones he had used earlier in a bath of his. It was a light eucalyptus and lavender scent and held a soothing and refreshing smell— and thankfully the smell of alcohol on his breath was faint enough to not overpower this scent he carried on his skin.

His strong, muscled physique would easily tower over her and he practically kept her close to him for the time being as the guard walked on by. Zixin didn’t relax until he confirmed that the steps walked away, and then he suddenly realized where he was and who he was with— especially in such a precarious situation.

His already flushed face from the alcohol seemed to become a bit deeper in color as he slowly pulled himself away, and let them both come out of hiding from the small house. He put a small distance in between them and felt a bit of a headache start to come on. One that made him groan lightly and touch his head with his hand. “I-I’m sorry that I did that without asking you first, Yan-Apothecary..”

Perhaps it would be best to lay off the alcohol, he thought. “It’s just.. I ordered to be alone tonight and—and— I didn’t want the guard to see me—“ he trailed off, sighing softly. “I-I’m going to return to my room now-“ he tells her and turns around, heading in the direction he did not come in. Perhaps he was more tipsy than he originally believed. His words were already a bit slurred, but still understandable. Yanwen would also be able to notice that he did not seem stable on his feet, and would probably need an escort to his room. But if he wanted to be alone..the only person that could help him back would be herself.

(The ‘stay with me’ and ‘after this I promise to never touch you again’ scene will happen while she makes him lie in his bed and he will grab her, pulling her close to him UwU— when she tries to put him to bed, in my post that’s when I’ll have him reach for her again)

 

[Solaris-]

Yanwen listened carefully to his words. It was hard to be mad at him when he looked like a kicked puppy. The thought had almost brought a smile to her lips. Almost. Were she not afraid of being caught at that moment, she might have let herself dwell on it for just a moment longer. Even in his drunken state, he was faster than she at thinking of a solution to their problem, and he touched her again- this time in urgency to pull them toward the storage house nearby. Her own heart beat loudly as she found herself essentially pinned between Zixin and the wall behind her. Thankfully, the windows were covered in curtains and a thick layer of dust so it was unlikely they’d be spotted in here. Her fingers curled tightly against his robes- not quite committing to wrapping her arms around him, but afraid of letting him go just yet. The space was cramped, and she had to steady her breathing and her heart both. Her own face just as red as his own, but he could not see it as she kept her gaze downward. Yanwen decided to not allow herself to read into this; it had just been a last second decision that had saved them both the embarrassment.

Her hands released him reluctantly when he pulled away from her and she followed him out of the cramped space- silently wishing they’d just had a few more moments to be close. “It’s quite alright. I appreciate your quick thinking. Both of us out here alone would have been suspect if we’d been caught.” Yanwen dismissed his worries politely. “I decided the fresh air would do me some good tonight. Being around people of the court has been a culture shock to my system.” Though perhaps she should have just gone to bed early that night and they wouldn’t have ended up like this. Nothing had occurred between them and still somehow it felt dirty sneaking about.

He’d turned to leave her, but was heading in the opposite direction of the palace. She reached out and carefully pulled at the sleeve of his robe. “Highness, you’re going in the wrong direction.” With a soft sigh through her nose, she realized she couldn’t just leave him to his own devices or he’d probably slip and fall and hurt his head. They still couldn’t be caught together walking like this late at night without any sort of escort or guard, and so they’d just have to use the servant tunnels that ran under the palace.

“Come, Zixin, I’ll help you to bed.” She slid her arm through his to help steady him on his feet. She was smaller than he by good measure, but she would still be able to balance his weight as long as he could walk.

The walk back was likely longer than the one out of the palace for him. She’d had the hindsight to pick up the journal she’d left behind and tucked it into her own dress to keep it safe for now. Letting him go briefly, she opened the small door to the tunnel and motioned for him to follow. “Mind your head. There’s a passage that goes under the royal chambers though these haven’t been used in recent years it seemed.” Evident by the cobwebs and dust that littered the area. Her father had shown her how to navigate her way around them for the most part when she’d been there just in case that palace had been attacked for any reason. She wondered why they’d fallen into disuse.

She allowed him to walk ahead of her for a while as they couldn’t walk side by side anymore- making sure to watch him if he needed her help. “Here, Highness. This door should be just outside the hallway to your room.” For a moment, she listened for footsteps, but heard none. He’d requested to be alone for the night, and so it made sense to not hear the pacing of boot steps. His men listened to what he had to say for fear of their lives. Tentatively, she opened the door just enough to take a peak into the hallway and found it empty. Thankful she wouldn’t have to explain herself to any onlookers, she once again threaded her arm through his until they were in the safety of his room. Her hands rested on his shoulders and she pushed him lightly down onto his sheets so he could sit and rest. “Please rest for now. I will return at breakfast tomorrow on time and not early.” A small smile pulled at the corners of her lips. “And please be more careful. You’re lucky you’re just drunk and not dead from someone tainting your wine.” There was some part of her that was angry at him for pulling this careless, reckless stunt of getting drunk with seemingly no cares in the world even though he'd asked her to taste his food for him while she was there.

But she couldn't justify her anger when he looked so upset. When the man who had everything he could ever want in the world looked like a kicked puppy, she couldn't help but feel bad for him. Whether it was their previous shared connection or her current desires, she couldn't say that made her feel this way. Her brows furrowed in concern. "Highness, being in this state often is not recommended. I'm sure you don't need me to chide you. But I worry for you." Her words were gentle, careful as she didn't want to treat him as a child. "What has caused you such pain to make you drink them down?"​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Zixin had not made it far, before he was pulled back by the efforts of Yanwen, and he turned the moment she told him she would help him back to his room. He wanted to object, murmuring out something how he was alright and didn’t need an escort, but by the time she offered him support to walk— suddenly, he forgot that he had legs and used her mostly as a crutch.

He walked— or more like, shuffled his way through the undergoing tunnels. Even he wasn’t privy enough to know about these. Perhaps they had been used years before he even was a concept to his parents. But as for now, his oncoming headache proved distraction enough to not dwell on these tunnels, and perhaps he would forget about them in the morning.

Once the tunnels narrowed, he was allowed ahead of her and he grabbed the walls for support as he fumbled his way through. He stopped when she said his room was up ahead, and the shine of the soft yellow glow of lanterns filtered into his gaze while she opened the passageway, and it made him squint momentarily as he adjusted to more light.

He didn’t remember exactly how he got to bed, only that Yanwen was concerned over him, gently chiding him in that tone she had done so many times before. He especially remembered a time he had been sick years ago, with her and her father caring for him. He simply looked to her as she had asked why he had gotten into this state, and before she could react, he gently, yet firmly brought her down with him, pulling her quite close to his embrace. Her back would be pressed up against his chest, and his arms and hands would be wrapped around her waist, giving her no chance of escaping. But with his face buried in the crook of her neck, he murmured out these words-

“Hush— don’t…worry about any of that. Just let…me hold you, for tonight only,” his voice sounded like it was breaking briefly, was he..crying? “Stay with me until I fall asleep..please, and then…I promise that I’ll never touch you ever again,” he whispered softly, and had squeezed her closer to him. His body was warm, and yet she could feel the soft tremble of it as he kept himself close to her, his breathing soon steadying out as he had fallen asleep. Any words that she would be able to say— he wouldn’t hear it. As he slept, his grip loosened and she would eventually be able to peel herself away from him, whenever she wished to do so.

 

[Solaris-]

She'd thought to leave before she got caught in here. Surely, even if he'd been told to be left alone, someone would come and check on him at some point. Or Yue would come warm his bed for him at night. Her absence had made this easier for certain, and she was grateful to not have to explain why she was more or less carrying the drunken man back to his bed without anyone else at her side. The events of the night had made her feel tired and more confused than she already felt. Here was the man that was the leader of their country- a man she hadn't recognized as a friend to her when she'd first arrived- acting like some drunken, lovesick, and hurting idiot in her presence. She at least sympathized with his loneliness as she, herself, felt much the same.

A soft noise of surprise left Yanwen and she covered her mouth immediately to keep the soft squeak down when she was pulled down onto his bed. No, no, no, no. He could not be serious, could he? His arms were wrapped around her tightly and kept her from escaping as she had initially wanted to do so. Even in her immense discomfort of the situation, she could feel the gentle wracks of his silent crying against her shoulder. His highness wasn't infallible to emotion like many claimed it seemed. As much as the woman wanted to turn in his vice like grip and console him properly- to tell him things would be okay- and to stroke his hair until he fell asleep, he had pinned her there against him with her back to him.

"For someone so smart, you truly are an idiot." Her words had been barely a whisper and she shook her head to herself. Though she had relaxed somewhat in his grip and rested her hands on his- stroking along the soft skin gently. His silent sobs had relented for the time being it seemed, and his arms had loosened around her. With him asleep, Yanwen pulled herself from the bed she wished she could stay longer in next to him and pulled the blanket up around him so that he wouldn't catch cold. Her fingers pressed lightly against his sleeping face- and she brushed inky strands of hair away from it. This was the only time she would be likely to touch him so tenderly, but she didn't linger. "Please don't say things neither of us want." He wasn't likely to remember anything said or done and she was grateful for that.

---

Returning to her own home some few moments later, Mei had waited up for her- angrily pacing. With her narcoleptic tendencies, Yanwen had assumed that the girl would be fast asleep with her head on the counter or even in her bed again. "Where have you been? Some people came by the shop asking for your help while you were out and I had to tell them that you were sick to get them to go away." Her voice was raised, but upon seeing Yanwen's dour expression and how she seemed a second away from bursting into tears at any given moment, Mei relented the verbal lashing. She didn't ask anymore questions and barely gave the brunette an opportunity to make her way to bed as she'd planned. Instead, she filled the tub basin with water and left her alone there in the bath for a few moments. Returning with night clothes, the apothecary was finally able to rest properly for the first night in nearly three nights.

The sleep was tempestuous at best, but she managed to eek out a few hours of uninterrupted resting.

Yanwen pulled herself out of bed as the sunlight filtered in through the windows of the shop. Her head pounded angrily at her as though she, herself, had been drinking. But it was likely due to the water expended on tears the night before. With water in hand, she pulled a small bottle of pills from the shelf and took one. It tasted horrible, but would at least ease her head once the medicine took effect. Truth be told, she was dreading that morning's breakfast. Just how much of the night before would Zixin remember and would he be angry with her?

Dressing her arms and herself in an outfit that was similar to the one she'd worn the previous night made of dark silks with an unassuming silhouette, she allowed entry to the guardsman that knocked on the door to her shop. He bore an apologetic expression. "His highness is ready to receive you, Apothecary. Though he's quite hungover, so it may be best to make fast work of your duties to avoid his ire."

"I have something that can cure his ail." Her words seemed to ease his worries a bit, and she picked up the container she'd used not some few moments ago on herself and tucked it into her dress pocket- opting to follow after him quietly to the emperor's quarters.

"Your Highness, it's Sun Yanwen, may I be allowed to enter?" She'd knocked quietly on the wood of the door to announce her presence.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Upon Sun Yanwen’s surprise, Yue’s voice had been the one to reply. “No you may not! His grace is currently not feeling well and you being here will only—“ she was silenced by a word of Zixin. “That’s enough, Yue!” He had finally used first her name in a sentence, usually he had used formalities with her even in her presence by just themselves. Yue was shocked to see his majesty so upset. She was only here to comfort him, figuring he had spent a night alone with one of his ‘episodes’ as she had called it. The emperor had always been full of sadness and rage, considering that he hadn’t properly mourned his mother, as he had not been allowed to.

But Yue, only cared about securing her position, just in case Zhan’s plan fell through, she would need to be prepared, for any reason. Zixin had permitted Yanwen to enter, and had told Yue off that she was there to help him and his health, so why would Yue prevent the apothecary from doing her job?

It was also there that his morning meal was served again, something refreshing and that would ease the upset stomach of the emperor. He could not hold his alcohol all too well anymore, he figured. Considering the pounding headache he received from it on the night before. But unbeknownst to Yanwen, he did in fact remember what had happened that night prior, and would most likely keep to his promise to the best of his ability.

Yue looked with silent disgust towards Yanwen, and glanced over to Zixin’s face. But the warmth that had been once held in his gaze for the woman was replaced with an unassuming and unreadable expression. She knew it had only been a few days on her arrival, but Yue could have sworn she had seen the emperor show favor to the woman. But now that was nowhere to be found, at least, surface level it seemed.

Zixin allowed Yanwen to approach and he watched as she presented the medicine to him. “What is this for?” He asked and looked up to her face. He had noted the slight redness of her eyes, as if she too had been crying the night before. But for what reason, he could not place, nor would he be ever able to ask.

 

[Solaris-]

There had been some surprise when Yue's voice sounded through the door. The vitriol in her voice always present when she spoke to Yanwen. It was only the second time the shrill woman had spoken to her, and it was with the same inflection. She was right to not trust Yanwen even though the brunette's intentions were not to steal Zixin's favor away from her. Any warmth she'd received from him had been given to her of his own volition and not something she'd asked him to do. She had hoped that her cold professionalism would have eased the consort's worries some, if only just, to allow her to properly do her job and tend to the health and well being of the emperor.

She opened the door enough to let herself inside when Zixin allowed her to do so. Producing the small bottle of pills, she sat them down in front of him. "These are pain relievers, Highness. I was told before arriving that you were suffering from hangover, and I know I can at least treat some of your symptoms to ease this feeling for you. They're made from a natural mixture of ground up plants and pressed into a tablet. My father makes these, and I know how too. Let me make sure your water is safe to drink, and then take one of these. Your headache should be gone within the hour. I will warn you now though, it's very bitter, so I advise not to chew the tablet before swallowing."

Taking her normal seat, she was quick to go about her tasks- taking in the appearance of the silver cups and plates. Noting no discernible alterations. It seemed as though he truly had taken her worries to heart from the first night. She poured the water into a glass and drank from it- looking over to Yue who pouted angrily in the corner like a scolded child. This poor girl. It made Yanwen feel a tinge of empathy toward her, but she didn't dwell on the feeling. There was something else brewing in the woman that the apothecary couldn't quite place. She was normally a good read of character for others, but with the nature of the palace and its secrets, those who dwelled within it were hard to read. They were not unlike candy coated poison.

The food, likewise was non-intrusive: a bit sweet and savory, but easy on the stomach and thankfully cold. She'd not tasted hint of poison from the kitchen yet, but it had only been three nights since her arrival. Likely, whoever was plotting against Zixin was waiting for their proper moment. "You may eat. If that is all, Highness, I will leave you to take care of your hangover on your own. Please call if you've need of me again." She wasn't attempting to be rude in the quickness of her visit, but as she had done her job, she would let the two of them be for now so as to not intrude on them.

It was too early for her to want to return home to her village now, but she figured that sending a letter to let her father know that she was fine and adjusting well would be more than fine. He would likely want to hear from her even if it was just written words. The thought brightened her spirits a bit from her other thoughts. "Have a good morning, Highness. Lady Zhao you as well." Even if she despised Yanwen, it was better to be polite than stir the pot for now.​

 

[FaeWhisperer]

Zixin watched as Yanwen quickly went through her taste test, and the presentation of the medicine. He took them as instructed, and didn’t hesitated to wash them down with some water. He remembered that her father used to make these for his mother whenever she had been ill, so he remembered them quite well. He just didn’t want to admit that back at Yanwen, if he could help it, at least.

Yue, gave a soft snicker as Yanwen left and she shook her head, going back over to the emperor, and she gently moved to touch his shoulder. “Zixin- please, that apothecary does not know what she’s doing—“ she began, wanting him to realize that Yanwen probably had ulterior motives, but he gave her a look that would be able to cut through metal. “I told you before, didn’t I? That she’s here to help better my health, plus— who I hire doesn’t concern you, and who I decide to spend my time with, does. not. concern. you.” He was obviously upset of how Yue had been speaking out against Yanwen, especially for the third time in a row.

Yue found his anger surprising, every time she had come to him about a court lady’s issues or someone else she didn’t like, he normally listened to her advice and always followed through on what she wanted. But this wench seemed to have planted some of her roots already in the emperor’s heart, and although the emperor now seemed much more distant from Yanwen— Yue could tell by his words alone here that he still favored her somehow. She would have to devise a plan, somehow pin the poisoning of the emperor on Yanwen and then be able to jail her or exile her from the palace. But she wondered how that plan would work…she guess she would figure that out eventually, so she withdrew from Zixin’s side and bowed her head to him. “Of course, your grace. I’m sorry to have overstepped and offended you…” Zixin however, just dismissed her and the rest of her entourage, not wanting to deal with her any longer. And soon after she left and the rest of his own entourage left his room, he then decided to lay back down in his bed, closing his eyes and hoping the pounding headache would reside sooner than he thought.

 

[Solaris-]

Yanwen had opted to make this brief. There was not much to say on her part- not much she could have said with Yue there anyway. She didn't want to expose Zixin's drunk stumbling about the night before and give her ammunition for any of the catty woman's future plans to get rid of her.

A plan had formed in her mind. Even if the two could never be close, she would still do something nice for him that he was likely to appreciate. If he still remembered that pond and the memories spent there, perhaps she could turn it into a place where he could use rather than just store items that were just collecting dust. She walked about the market collecting some things here and there: charcoal and some tinted paints amongst them. Though she'd never been much for painting, she figured she would practice before committing brush stroke to canvas as she wanted to make it as close to perfect as her skills would allow.

It was there that she saw them again, the princesses from the envoy the day previous. This time, they were in the employ of eunuchs and guards from the Prince's entourage. They were chatting in a language unfamiliar to her and the Prince too it seemed was entertained by whatever was said. His gaze moved over to Yanwen who had stopped for them so that their procession could proceed ahead of her, and the glint of interest in her being there made her skin tingle and crawl. Where Zixin's gaze made her stomach giddy with excitement, his only disgusted her. She could feel the hair on her arms raise as though she weren't wearing long sleeves and a cold tingle ran the length of her spine. It felt similar to the gaze of many a man that Yanwen had had to chase off before- filled with impure intentions and harmful thoughts no doubt. She had attempted to be friend to him too as a child, but had always found him to be too rough and mean. He must have noted her tense expression as he laughed and waved his envoy forward. Though his gaze didn't leave her from his peripheral until they were well out of her sight.

The brief interaction left her with a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach.

--

The doctor had had more patience with Yanwen that day. It seemed as though more beds were full of people who had fallen ill for him and his other assistants to take care of. She treated them as she would any other person who asked for her help and gave them medicine to treat their symptoms. When there was a moment where she could take for herself, it was then that she heard the newest rumor about herself.
"...Heard she was leaving the emperor's room last night with her clothes in disarray."
"Making an impression on him it seems."

They chuckled at the crass joke, but it filled her with a cold dread. Had someone truly spotted her? Yanwen had been so, so very careful to remain where she couldn't be seen.
"The prince said he'd gone seeking the woman's help, but the court maiden who was with her told him she was sick. Let's hope it's not morning sickness. It wouldn't bode well for someone to bear his child before his own consort."
Not only did they think she was some easy sleeze running into men's beds in the dark of the night, but that she might be pregnant as well. She placed the cup she'd been drinking from on the counter and glared daggers at the men who seemed surprised by her presence. She excused herself- fearful of making a scene and stepped out into the warmth of midday to clear her head. They were just rumors, she reminded herself, and she shouldn't let them get to her. Be that as it may, these were damning rumors to say the least.

--

A walk had done her some good, and Yanwen felt much better already. Walking in the shade to avoid the brunt of the sunshine, she had already tuned out the chatty words Mei was speaking to her. Her mind had wandered again as the two of them walked. What made her pause was the sound of boots against the stone and sword wooden training swords being clashed. She'd forgotten that the path from the doctor's clinic led by the training grounds. Steel colored hues looked over to see the two men there. Both sweating under the heat and shirtless. It didn't take her long to realize who the men were and she quickly averted her eyes before she was caught staring. Hoping that the two of them could walk past uninterrupted.

But it was no use.
"Apothecary," The guard called out to her. "His Highness seems sluggish today. Normally I don't beat him this often. Perhaps you've something to cure his ail?"

She steadied herself to reply- turning to face them both. Why was it that seeing him like this flustered her so? "Unfortunately, beyond staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest, I can do little in the way of treating him. It would be wise to not push him so hard if you are that worried about his health."​