My Sin

Weird

The emperor's sleeve brushed lightly against his wrist as he reached forward, pouring the sweet tangyuan into a porcelain bowl. The syrup still steamed faintly, white and thick, the glutinous dumplings bobbing like soft pearls just beneath the surface.

He set the bowl in front of him with quiet care, fingers curling slightly against the rim before he drew them back. "It's cooled just enough," he said, voice low, as if he had been waiting for the exact moment. "You always say you hate it too hot."

The empress looked up at him slowly, meeting the emperor's gaze. Warm. Steady. There was something else there too, something he didn't want to name. For a heartbeat, it pressed faintly against his chest. He said nothing, only lowered his eyes and took up the spoon.

The first bite was familiar. Osmanthus, light and fragrant. Black sesame, warm and rich. He knew at once, this was made only for him.

The emperor sat down beside him again, close enough that their knees brushed under the table. He didn't move away.

Across from them, Hao Meng's cup of wine remained untouched. His eyes lowered, lashes casting faint shadows across his cheek, though it was unclear if he was avoiding their gaze, or watching them more closely than he should.

The Dowager Empress sat at the head, her expression as unreadable as she looked at her son and the empress interact. The hall was warm with lamplight, shadows bending gently over red lacquered pillars. The imperial couple looked majestic, even the officials were taken a aback.

Feeling the subtle stares, the empress kept his gaze lowered, letting the melodic music and clink of porcelains fill the space between them. Beside him, the emperor shifted, sleeve brushing his wrist as he set down a small porcelain dish.

"Osmanthus cake," the emperor said, his voice low, careful. "You used to like it."

He took a piece without looking at him. "I still do." The words brought a small smile to the emperor's face. He's still as indulgent as ever. Seeing the the emperor so indulgent, the concubines below couldn't help but feel a knot in their hearts. Would they really have to live as unfavored and lonely women for the rest of their lives? Who could accept that?

From her seat in the lower row, Hereditary Consort Xuilan lifted her cup with a smile that was careful, yet bright enough to be noticed. "Your Majesty, Your Highness... this concubine wishes you ten thousand blessings of health and harmony. May tonight's joy last for all the seasons to come."

The emperor's sleeve shifted as he set down his chopsticks. The empress caught the faint tightening of his fingers beneath the table, almost imperceptible, until he spoke.

"Consort Xuilan's words are thoughtful," the emperor said, his tone even but touched with warmth. "May you, too, find joy in every season."

It was the first time in many months that such a reply had been given. Xuilan's eyes lit, her smile deepening, and a quiet murmur passed among the other seats of the harem. Several concubines straightened, their gazes turning hopeful. How could they not be hopeful? Even a slight interaction meant they would have hope for the future.

It meant that they would no longer just wither away but have hope for favor in the future.

Some concubines subtle glanced up at empress to see if he had any reaction but the empress's face remained normal. But even as the empress remained poised and kept his gaze on his bowl, his hand tightened almost imperceptibly around the chopsticks.

The wine continued to be poured, the conversation moved on. Under the table, the emperor's knee brushed his, a light, unthinking touch. As if to seek his reaction. The empress didn't pull away. 

He turned to the emperor with faint smile, after all this is what he wanted, what he asked of the emperor, but for some reasons he couldn't quite name, the broth in his mouth suddenly tasted faintly bitter.

The empress pretended as though he felt nothing, continuing to celebrate the empress dowager's birthday like it was nothing. When most officials started leaving, his maternal family made their way up to him.

His mother, Chen Jia Hui, was the first to rush over and fuss over him, as always. She touched his face with worry and said, "You've lost weight again."

"Mom," the empress sighed, helplessly amused. "I still haven't finished shedding all the weight from carrying the quadruplets. How could I possibly be thin?"

Even as he leaned into her arms, ignoring the curious glances around them, there was warmth in his eyes. He had lived through too much to care about appearances anymore.

Yin Bao Hai laughed softly from the side. "You know how your mother is, unless her children are round and fair, she insists they're all too skinny."

Chen Jia Hui shot Yin Boa Hai a pointed look, then huffed before turning her attention back to her son. "I noticed you and him seem to be getting along better. What's going on?" she asked, a touch of suspicion in her tone.

"Nothing, Mom. But as the imperial couple, we can't stay enemies forever. Even if we are, that's something to keep behind closed doors, not before the court."

"Well," his father said calmly, folding his hands. "I trust you'll make the choice that's best for you."

"I will, Dad," the empress answered softly.

"Where's Dani?" his second brother asked suddenly, a faint blush rising to his cheeks.

"Why is that your business?" the empress shot back with a snort.

"Quiao'er!" Sheng Chan huffed in protest, though his voice was still tender. It was clear he didn't have the heart to truly scold his most cherished sibling.

"What?" The empress rolled his eyes. "You've been in love for ages, yet you still won't confess."

"I did give hints," Sheng Chan muttered, sulking. "He's just the one who chose you."

"Second brother," the empress said, sounding every bit the nagging younger sibling, "your 'hints' are not what Dani wants. He's a businessman to the core, and do you know what businessmen especially love? Confirmation. He wants you to tell him clearly why you love him, and why he should choose you. After all, you're not his only suitor, just the one he favors most."

Sheng Chan flushed even deeper, but the corners of his mouth twitched despite himself.