In the Court of the Crimson King

Chapter III: 山雨欲来风满楼 (Coming events cast their shadows before them)

Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroko no Basket and Legend of Zhen Huan. I don't make money from writing this fanfiction. The story contains a spoiler for both Kuroko no Basket and Legend of Zhen Huan and other palace dramas. Also, there are quotes from manga, anime, wiki and other sources. 

Chapter III: 山雨欲来风满楼 (Coming events cast their shadows before them)

A month had passed since the concubines entered the imperial palace and winter had arrived. Out of eight concubines, Emperor Seijūrō had called four concubines to serve him. Sakurai Ryuna, Hanamiya Misaki, Haizaki Shiina and Kawahara Sayuri. And of the four concubines, Emperor Seijūrō went to Sakurai Ryuna the most.

This made Haizaki Shiina very angry. Sakurai's residence and her residence were close so she knew exactly how often the Emperor went to Sakurai's place. Eunuchs and maids in the palace were saying that Sakurai was the Emperor's favourite concubine. How did it happen? Compared with Sakurai, obviously she was much more beautiful. Not only that, his father also had a higher position than Sakurai's brother. Why Emperor Seijūrō preferred Sakurai than her?

Initially she thought that she needed to pay attention to Mayuzumi Chihiro because she looked like Empress Tetsuya. Surely that would make Emperor Seijūrō to choose her? But it turned out that she was wrong, the Emperor did not even care about Mayuzumi in the slightest. Her resemblance had backfired. Now Shiina's main rival turned out to be Sakurai. If this continued, Sakurai would be the first to have a child. And Shiina would not let it happen.

She was the one who would become Emperor's favourite concubine and then she would give birth to a boy, a heir to the throne. Once that happened, she would wait for an opportunity to get rid of Empress Tetsuya. Kuroko Tetsuya was only a commoner despite the fact that his late grandfather was a great healer. The late Emperor Masaomi even owned him a life debt that he managed to make his only grandson an empress of Teiko Empire. And because Kuroko Tetsuya was very beautiful, he succeeded to gain Emperor Seijūrō's favour.

Shiina smirked. She would take over Empress Tetsuya's position. It was a good thing that Kuroko Tetsuya wasn't a member of influential aristocratic family or child of important officials. Therefore he had no support in the palace. Empress Tetsuya only relied on Emperor's support. Once Emperor Seijūrō didn't like him anymore, he was dead.

"Mistress, look at that," her personal maid said suddenly.

From inside their residence, they could see a convoy led by Eunuch Reo, the head eunuch of Emperor Seijūrō. Behind him were four maids, each of them bringing a gift. And the convoy went into the complex of Palace of Eternal Harmony. Anyone with eyes knew that those gifts were for Sakurai.

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As usual, each Monday all the concubines had to pay their respect to Empress Tetsuya. Usually, they came, paid their respect and then Empress Tetsuya would tell them to leave. But this time, they were still sitting in their seats because they were waiting for Ryuna. Chihiro felt anxious. Where was Ryuna? Why she still had not shown up? Other concubines also looked uneasy.

"First Class Female Attendant Ryuna has arrived!" the eunuch who guarded the door announced.

Ryuna hurriedly walked into the hall. She was followed by her personal maid.

"Well, First Class Female Attendant Ryuna is very early today," Moriyama Tomomi said sarcastically.

Ignoring the sarcasm, Ryuna hastily knelt to pay her respect and said, "Wife pays respect to Your Highness the Imperial Empress, may the Heaven bestow health and happiness to Your Highness the Imperial Empress. I apologize for my tardiness, Your Highness."