In the Court of the Crimson King

Chapter V: 一言既出，驷马难追 (A word spoken can never be taken back)

If you're interested, you can watch Legend of Zhen Huan/Empresses in the Palace on viki. The short version is also available on Netflix. Please read the author's note for information about the place/history.

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 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. This chapter is edited by AokazuSei. Thank you so much for your help.

In the Court of the Crimson King

Chapter V: 一言既出，驷马难追 (A word spoken can never be taken back)

New Years, also known as the Spring Festival, was one of the most important celebrations for the people of Teiko Empire. It was a long celebration that traditionally ran from the evening of the last day of the year to the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day of the New Year.

All buildings in the Crimson Forbidden City needed to be thoroughly cleansed, sweeping away ill-fortune to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors were decorated with ruby, paper-cut couplets in hopes to bring good fortune, happiness, wealth, and longevity.

And with its soon arrival, the Empire was hectic in preparation.

Shota Higuchi had inspected everything on his list and checked it once more. The New Year was a chaotic season and to miss even one slight detail would be problematic. To add to his anxiety, Emperor Seijuro had summoned him.

Finally he arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, giving a respectful greeting once he entered the room.

"Greetings to Your Imperial Majesty."

Emperor Seijuro looked at him from behind his desk. "Since this is the first year for the concubines in the palace, Tetsuya wants their families to be allowed to enter the palace for the New Year celebration."

Shota blinked. Usually only the biological mothers of the concubines were allowed to enter the palace during the birth of a prince or princess.

"On the seventh day of spring festival, they are allowed in the palace. They can enter when the gate is opened and must leave when the gate is closed," Emperor Seijuro ordered.

"Servant understands, Your Imperial Majesty," Shota replied. Inwardly, he was busy thinking about transportation issues for family who lived outside Rakuzan. Though, it was no wonder that Emperor Seijuro agreed to such request if Empress Tetsuya had asked.

As the absolute ruler of Teiko Empire, Emperor Seijuro had many concubines, easily the most beautiful women in the empire. People would think that Emperor Seijuro's love would be divided after being targeted by the affections of many, and yet Empress Tetsuya's position was clearly on another level.

Shota would hardly be surprised if Emperor Seijuro's only concern for the concubines was for the sake of his future heir.

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A dinner was held on New Year's Eve, during which all members of the imperial family gathered for celebration. It was an extravagant feast, with pork, chicken, leek which was an auspicious symbol of wealth, and seafood like lobster and abalone; there were mandarin oranges, sweets, and, of course, the traditional New Year glutinous rice cake.

After dinner, Tetsuya returned to his palace, and he was not alone. Seijuro was there with him.

It was their own tradition they started years ago, spending New Years together. Seijuro ordered that they were not disturbed during the holiday, and with Tetsuya's favour of inviting the concubine's family to the palace, the concubines would be focused on their families, and Seijuro and Tetsuya would be able to spend New Year's in peace.