Concubine's Greed (Revising)

Nine

"Jiayang wait up!"
I looked behind me to see Choi approaching, when he was at arms length he bowed down to me, I nearly burst out laughing.

"Choi what are you doing you look ridiculous"
I giggled as he stood up embarrassed and loomed over me.

"Just being respectful"
He said as we began to walk with each other.

"Are you heading to the new Empress orientation, I'm really surprised it wasn't you."

He said, as he glared at all the guards we passed. I sighed heavily remembering my disappointment.

"Mengyao said he didn't want to burden me with all that responsibility, but what else am I supposed to do, besides sword practice it's boring here."
I mumbled annoyed, Choi grinned but stayed silent. It had been nearly a month since I had last seen Mengyao, or actually got to be alone with him. It seems like he has completely forgot about, I felt my shoulders slump but I quickly shook it off.

"At least he has kept his promise to attend your practice every time"
Choi said calmly, I sighed and kept quiet as we entered the throne together.

The throne room was filled with servants, eunuch, guards, and many other concubines, I stared in amazement at the amount of people that lived in this palace. Choi and I were in the far back, I struggled to see the thrones. Choi grabbed my hand and pushed his way through the crowd and to the front of the gathering.

Hwei-ru wore a green formal hanfu with golden hair pins in her small hair bun. She was sitting on a throne, looking more pissed than usual. Next to her, Mengyao sat with his legs crossed, he also wore a formal dark green Changshan. My heart nearly skipped a beat as I quickly looked away from him and to the empty throne chair.

The large amount of people in the throne room made it loud and unbearably hot, eventually everyone was settled down, and a familiar man hopped on to the platform. I struggled to stifle a laugh, as I saw Yu Lei wobble around, as usual he looked like a greasy pig.

"Our great Emperor Mengyao has finally chosen from his many concubines, an Empress to rule the nation next to our new Emperor."
The crowd buzzed with excitement, in the far side of the throne room they began to split, letting the new Empress through. As soon as she was on the platform form, we were instructed to bow to the royal family, I dipped my head slowly wishing this would end.

The throne room was silent all that was heard was the shuffling feet of the new Empress. Tired of waiting, I quickly snuck a peek of the thrones. A smug face and glaring eyes were looking directly at me.

It was Baozhai

I nearly let a gasp escape from my mouth, as I quickly let my head fall again. I felt my raging jealousy bubble inside me, she was chosen instead of me? I can say goodbye to my peaceful life. I thought as I let out a silent irritated sigh.

A few more formalities were carried out for the new Empress but most just for the royal family. I stayed silent as I walked with Choi out of the throne room. He casted occasional glances at me as if he could feel my frestrastion but he stayed silent, eventually we arivved at my room.

"Hang in there kid."
He sighed and waved goodbye to me before he made his way through the palace.

My room was empty and dark, as if it had been desolated for days. There was no sign of the twins, or of Orochi. I quickly removed my clothing and slipped into a light tan hanfu, and disappeared under the covers. My head was racing with so many questions and my anger was sitting on the edge of my tongue, I was glad I was alone.

***
The sound of the window opening startled me a little before I heard a muffled voice calling to me.

"Lady Jiayang please wake up, it's too early to sleep, it's unhealthy."
Orochi's voice said sternly as he stroked my head. I opened my eyes slowly and turned to face Orochi.
"Why do you never use the door?"
I mumbled to him, he gave me a small devious small.

"What's the matter? You seem a little down."
He suddenly said, I stared at him surprise, before smiling a little.

"Why do you always show up when I'm emotional unstable?"
I grumbled as I sat up slowly. He smiled and sat on the bed.

"I can always tell, just because I'm not allowed around you doesn't mean I don't watch you from afar."
He said as he winked to me. I tilted my head curiously.

"Your not allowed around me? Who said? your my attendant."
I said slightly angry with the palace rules. He turned away from me and was silent for a moment.

"Actually, I am not your attendant.."
He mumbled quitely as he kept his head down, and away from me.

"What are you talking about?"
I felt my eyebrows scrunch up as I heard the suspension in my voice.

"I was never officially assigned as your attendant, I came to you on my own accord without palace permission."
He said as he turned towards me, there was a faint smile on his face, but his eyes seemed empty.

"When I first met you, I knew you were a different kind of concubine that would definitely grab the emperor's attention. I desperately made situations where you would be alone with the Emperor on his free time, hoping he would chose you to be Empress."
He let out a weak chuckle. His face quickly turned sullen.

"Seems I have failed you."
He said with a heavy tone in his voice.

"Then, tell me who you are."
I said, all of my anger had disappeared and was replaced by admiration. He seemed confused by the expression I gave him and stood up and faced me. He hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"My name is Orochi, I am.. the second prince of this empire, next in line for the throne, after Mengyao.. my brother."
He finished with a small smile, I stared at him expressionless, I was at a lose for words, but he continued.

"We are only half siblings, we share the same mother but I am the son of a eunuch, who was killed by the previous Emperor."
He said with no hesitation. I felt my head spinning from the sudden information. He suddenly came closer to my face, and kissed my cheek. I snapped out of my trance, as I felt my cheeks flush and my eyes widened.

"Unless you make progress with Mengyao soon, I will ask for you to be placed in my harem, in the future."
He smirked and made his way out of the room where two guards waited for him. He turned back to me and gave me a small wave.

"Until next time Jiayang."