The passion of a cutsleeve

Chapter 11, regretful lies

  Dong Xian freezes, his grip on Liu Xin tightens as his thoughts raced. Dong Xian was spoild so much by the emperor, he felt indebted to him. Dong Xian was really only giving into the puppy love relationship Liu Xin had thrusted apon his life so that he could suport his wife, who he did love, and his sister. Well Dong Xian's relationship with Hong Yan blossomed quickly, they clearly were just meant to be. Liu Xin and Dong Xian, a forbidden relationship that no one liked. The rumors were not lost to Dong Xian, the shame he got for 'sleeping his way through the ranks', the shame he got for barely spending time with Hong Yan. Dong Xian makes sure to put time aside for Hong Yan, he loved her, he did not love Liu Xin romanticly, more like a friendship type thing. 

 "M-my lord, you are still recovering. Surely you shouldnt stress so much?"  Dong Xian mutters slightly, trying to convince Liu Xin to calm down. "Plus, the old Consort Fu was a consort, surely she could run for a little-.."  those were the wrong words. Liu Xin softly pushes Dong Xian away, taking a step forward, away from the other man. "She is a corrupt women, more so then myself. She cannot rule anything."  Dong Xian frowns. Liu Xin was what, 21, 22? He wasnt that old, and stilled called himself corrupt? Dong Xian was confused, he knew Liu Xin was rather tyranical, but he clearly lighten up on that! Dong Xian reatches out to grab his shoulder, sqeezing it tightly. "His majesty, you cannot! Please, you might hurt yourself. At least take time to think about this!"  Liu Xin scoffs, but he couldnt..he just couldnt refuse Dong Xian, the worry on his face, the fear in his eyes, the way he always stopped him from acting reckless. Liu Xin sighs and turns to fully face Dong Xian. Liu Xin wraps his arms around Dong Xian's shoulders, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Fine, you have three days to convince me not to send her to the edge of the dynasty."  Liu Xin mutters, nuzzling his face against the crown of Dong Xian's head. Dong Xian doesnt move for a moment, but soon wraps his arms around Liu Xin's waist. "I understand." He softly agrees to the terms.


  Consort Fu huffs and shoves her tea set to the floor, resting her cheek against her palm. Palace maid Zhu quickly bows, picking up the broken porcelain pieces. "That brat of a kid, shouldnt even be emperor! All he does is fool around and get sick! Not only that, but he kills one of my spys!" Palace maid Zhu flinches softly at those words, but keeps quiet about it. Palace maid Zhu knew the prince of Dongping was a spy for Consort Fu, same with Eunuch Song Hong. But Zhu also knew Consort Fu was desperate to gain full control over the palace and the empire. Palace maid Zhu stands up, but keeps herself bowed as she pulls away to throw out the broken tea set. It could be reused to make something else, but Consort Fu often told her to throw everything that she broke away since no one else was good enough to touch her old stuff. Palace maid Zhu was the only exeption. Consort Fu sat on her knees, prim and proper, well ranting on and on about how much she hates her nephew. Maid Zhu knew the broken pieces of the tea set would most likely be ground up and used into something else just without telling the old consort. "Aiya, at least no one suspects that stupid eunuch, whatever his name was." Consort Fu grumbles to herself, as the other palace maids rush over with new tea. Maid Zhu stands by Consort Fu's side, waiting for orders. Not that she had to wait long, she never did. "You, make yourself useful, gather me as much information on that new concubine. And by the heavens find out what the empress is doing." "Of course your majesty!" Maid Zhu bows her head and quickly rushes away, rather happy to no longer be in the same room as the old hag.  
  
  Consort Fu was always like this, always worried of the empress doing something. Consort Fu didnt have as much power as her majesty the empress, all she had was the fear and respect from Liu Xin, but even now she was quickly losing it ever since Dong Xian made his presence clear. Consort Fu was beyond angry, but if she acted too rashly then Emperor Ai could have her head and she probably would even have a proper grave made for her. But if Consort Fu managed to gain abit of control over the new concubine, Dong Xian's sister, then she might gain control over Dong Xian. If Consort Fu uses fear to control Dong Xian and Dong Wuji then she could easly get Liu Xin under her control as well! Soon enough, Consort Fu will have the lovely title she's always wanted, and soon enough her nephew will be the puppet she always wanted. It was a perfect plan!-..For someone who wasnt as rash and impacient as our dear Consort Fu. She was already getting annoyed by how far away her goal was and how barely any progress was being made. Maid Zhu knew all of this, she was the only person Consort Fu cared enough to tell her plans too, no matter how annoying she finds the palace maid.
   Maid Zhu lets out a long, deep sigh. She had some time to herself, she could put off her orders for a little bit, it didnt really matter that much in the end. As long as she passed on the orders to Eunuch Song Hong, he could get the information for her and she could just enjoy the summer breeze and whatnot. Maid Zhu was lost in her thoughts when she suddenly bumped into someone. Maid Zhu stumbled softly, but a soft hand quickly rested on her shoulder to make sure she didnt fall. "Ah! My deepest apologizies-.." The words died off as she looked up at who she had bumped into.

  Tall and beautiful, soft pale flesh ephsized by the glowing sun burning down on them. Robes of pale gold, lined with every color Maid Zhu could remember. Long flowing dark hair, shiney honey brown eyes. The shiney gold jewls that decorate her hair, ears, and robes. Maid Zhu was stunned, was this a fairy? Surely quite a beautiful women couldnt be mortal! This was the prettiest person Maid Zhu has ever met. Dong Wuji blinked a couple of times, before slowly pulling away from the stunned maid. "Are you okay? I didnt hurt you did I?" Maid Zhu was snaped out of her daze when she heard Dong Wuji's words. Her eyes widen, and she quickly fell to her knees, kowtowing to the beautiful fairy infront of her. "My deepest apologizes! I am far too lowly of a maiden to be in such a presence! Please punish me however you see fit, this lowly servent will take any punishment with no complants!" Dong Wuji stood there, just as stunned as Maid Zhu was before. She slowly bent down, grabbing Maid Zhu's arms to bring her to her feet. "Punish? I'd never, it was a small mistake, no need to bang your head against the floor. I forgive you." Dong Wuji brings a pale hand to Maid Zhu's forehead, her slender fingers brushing against it. "Hmm. Nothing too bad, you might have a bruise but no broken skin." Dong Wuji smiles and pulls away. "All is good, you are dismissed." Dong Wuji was a kind hearted person, just as her brother, even if she was more spoild. She was also more  confident, but she still felt a little weird being a Concubine, and she was even a really high level concubine. Dong Wuji withdraws her hand,  Maid Zhu's heart was beating so fast but she still tried to seem all proper. "Ah! Wait! May this lowly servent ask for your name?" Dong Wuji smiles softly and nods. "You are not a lowly servent, clearly you work very hard, you have strong shoulders. My name is Dong Wuji, or uh, Concubine Wuji? I still havent gotten a concubine title." Maid Zhu's face lit up. Consort Fu wanted her to spend time with the most beautiful person in this dynasty? She had no complants! "Would her majesty mind if I get to know her? If it isnt too much."

  "Of course it isnt an issue! I have nothing better to do, really."

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I wasnt going to add a side romance at first, but I thought it'd be nice in the end because it'd give Maid Zhu a reason to not be 'evil' anymore.


But yay, new chapter, what fun!