The Legend of Moonflower

Chapter 1 - Lilacs and Lavender

The towering pile of scrolls atop of Emperor Lan Wangji's vast table were threatening to tip over and slide off onto the floor.  Eunuch Nie, the emperor's most loyal servant and head eunuch of the palace, rushed over to attend to the situation while clucking his tongue and wringing his hands.  Following close behind him were two servants, one carrying a small ceramic bowl and the other carrying a teak tray with five jade tablets.

"Your majesty, please take care of your health," he twittered, nervously. 

Emperor Lan, also known as Hanguang Huangdi, continued to concentrate on the scroll in front of him, a frown marring his perfect features.  He had been sitting and toiling over official documents for hours, not even noticing when the servants came into light candles.   "What is the hour?" Lan Wangji asked, carefully folding back the long flowing sleeve of his imperial robes as he reached for his ink brush. 

Eunuch Nie hurried over to tend to the ink slab, grinding it in small circles.  "It is two hours past the evening bell, your majesty."

Lan Wangji nodded, acknowledging the eunuch's words, but continued to write notes on the scroll he was focused on. 

Nie Huaisang pursed his lips, his glance straying to the five jade tablets lined up in a neat row.  He risked the ire of the emperor, but also knew it was his duty to remind him to visit one of the omegas in the harem.  If the clan families of the various omegas heard that they were being neglected by the emperor, then they would be furious.  As the Emperor of Lan, he needed to maintain strong relationships with the leaders of the clans for the well-being of the nation. 

"Your majesty, you have been toiling over the scrolls for hours.  Consort Xingchen has made you some snow fungus soup with pears.  Perhaps you would like to have some now?" Eunuch Nie suggested.

The pausing of the brushstroke had Eunuch Nie holding his breath.  He was almost ready to prostrate himself on the ground and beg for forgiveness when the emperor spoke.  "Mmn, Xingchen always makes the best snow fungus dessert soups."

Eunuch Nie waved the omega manservant forward.  The bowl was placed gently in front of the emperor and the sweet smell of pears permeated the room when the servant lifted the lid. 

The Xiao clan specialized in creating weapons and armor. Some of the most legendary swords over the ages were forged by the Xiao family master sword makers.  The emperor's current sword, Bichen was one of those legendary swords, gifted to Lan Wangji as a betrothal gift when he was a young prince.  Xiao Xingchen entered the palace ten years after the betrothal gift had been accepted and became the prince's second wife.   When the old emperor passed away and Prince Wangji became the new emperor, Xiao Xingchen was bestowed the title of Imperial Concubine Xingchen.  At the end of his first year, Emperor Wangji granted the title of Consort onto Xiao Xingchen after he had given birth to the Third Prince.  Among all the omega's in the harem, Consort Xingchen was the most gentle and sweet, and most adept at wielding a sword.            

Second to Consort Xingchen at sword mastery was Concubine Chengmei from the Xue Clan.  Xue Yang was coy and flirtatious and at times very demanding of attention from the emperor and palace servants.  His love for sweets had the kitchen staff constantly making desserts and delivering them to Concubine Chengmei's palace.  

"Will his majesty be visiting Consort Xingchen tonight?" asked Eunuch Nie, directing the emperor's attention to the teak tray.  He waved the servant closer when the emperor did not lash out.

With a sigh, Lan Wangji glanced over the names of the omegas in his harem that were carved onto each Jade tablet.   "Are any of them in heat?" he asked, tiredly.

With a nervous twitter and a blush, the castrated beta shook his head.  "No, your majesty, none of them are," Eunuch Nie replied.

"Then I don't have to visit the harem tonight," the emperor stated.