scarlet heart | exo

Ascension

A/N: In this chapter, there will be references to the ranking system of concubines in the Qing Dynasty royal harem. It may be a bit confusing, so here it is:

1st: Empress
2nd: Royal Noble Consort
3rd: Noble Consort
4th: Consort
5th: Concubine
6th: Noble Lady
7th: First Class Female Attendant
8th: Second Class Female Attendant

This will probably be the only chapter with so many references to this ranking system, so don't worry if you can't quite remember it.

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"It's done, Your Majesty."

The servant girls fastened the final button on Xuefeng's collar with a smile.

She opened her eyes, from when she closed them as the servants spent ages fussing over the layers of ceremonial robes she had to put on, making sure that every thread, every crease and every button was in the right place - even on the layers that were not outwardly visible.

Everything had to be perfect for the coronation.

When she finally cracked open her eyes, she saw her reflection in the full-body mirror of polished bronze.

"Oh. My. Goodness."

She couldn't believe her eyes.

It was her, alright. Onyx Zhao, Maertai Xuefeng.

But she was dressed in the best grandeur that the Palace had to offer - the Empress' ceremonial robe. It looked like something straight out of a museum, but untainted by age.

She donned a cobalt blue sleeveless overcoat, embroidered through with images of dragons, bats and clouds, in gold and silver thread that shone in the sunlight streaming in from the windows. Under that, she wore a long-sleeved dress of bright yellow, similarly covered in embroidered patterns. A stiff, short cape had been fastened to her shoulders, spreading out like tiny angel wings, broadening her stature and making her seems almost otherworldly. Several long necklaces of gleaming pearl, bright agate and translucent jade framed her neck, and pearl-tipped earrings adorned her ears, clanking crisply with her every movement.

Her long, dark hair had been washed, perfumed and neatly woven into the shape of a swallow's tail at the nape of her neck, just like how all women of the Palace wore their hair. She didn't wear any hair accessories, but she only needed to take one look at the Empresses' crown sitting on the table nearby with it's fluttering gold phoenixes and jewelled trimmings, and Xuefeng knew that she was going to be stunningly beautiful.

"If you're gonna stare at her more, you'll bore a hole through her," came a male voice from the door.

Xuefeng turned to see Luhan at the door. As a Prince and a general, his ceremonial robe was a deep Prussian blue, embroidered with tigers on the chest and shoulders. He flashed Xuefeng a megawatt smile, and teased, "Hello, beautiful."

Zitao was standing beside him, but he wasn't in the mood to chide Luhan for his insolence. He simply stared at Xuefeng, eyes wide as saucers and jaw loose.

He was in the Emperor's ceremonial robe, a bright yellow robe with a small cape much like Xuefeng's, trimmed with black fur and embroidered with gold dragons unsheathing five talons - the symbol of the Emperor. He too wore long necklaces of pearl, agate and jade, colours creating a sharp contrast against the yellow silk. He had yet to don his crown, of red velvet and accented with more gold and jewels, but held it tucked under his arm.

"I'll go check on how the other Princes are doing," declared Luhan. He nudged Zitao, and whispered very loudly. "Snap out of it, bro"

He gave Xuefeng a cheeky wink and slipped away, closing the door behind him, barking orders to the servants to leave the immediate vicinity.

"Hi, Xue. You look beautiful." Zitao turned his gaze to the floor.

Jolted back into reality, Xuefeng suddenly recalled the Palace protocol that she had been taught, and hurriedly sank to her knees. "Greetings to the Emperor!"

Zitao looked stupefied for a moment, then quickly walked over, helping Xuefeng up by her elbows. "You don't have to do that. I may be the Emperor, but I'm still Zitao, your husband. We're equals."

"But protocol—"

"Screw that. You know I don't care."

"But—" Xuefeng was hesitant about disregarding protocol. She knew that showing respect through ceremonial protocol was a big thing in ancient China, especially so in the Royal family. Even if Zitao personally didn't mind, his allowing her to be 'insolent' towards him reflected poorly on him as a ruler. There were eyes and ears everywhere in the Palace, and she didn't want to leave any weaknesses or flaws in her behaviour that Zitao's political enemies could exploit against him.

"Maertai Xuefeng." Zitao declared, reaching for Xuefeng's crown. "Empress, Mother of the Nation, wife of Aisingioro Zitao." He placed the crown upon her head gently, and pecked her forehead tenderly.

"Promise me that you'll stay the same? Don't fear me as the Emperor, as so many people already do. There are already few people I can trust, and if even you close yourself up to me, who else can I have a sincere talk with? Whatever happens, I'll always be your husband, Zitao."

Before Xuefeng could reply, a servant knocked on the door to remind that that the coronation was about to begin.

I can't promise you that, thought Xuefeng. We can't share a simple husband-and-wife relationship anymore...

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As Zitao and Xuefeng entered the throne hall, the entire court, consisting of Princes and officials, knelt before them, recognising them as the new Emperor and Empress.

"Emperor, may you live for ten thousand years! Empress, may you live for a thousand years!" they chorused, kowtowing thrice.

Zitao took his place on the golden dragon throne, whilst Xuefeng took hers in a mahogany throne beside him.

Zitao then began his first address to the court as Emperor. He detailed his plans, including several radical reforms of old ways and inefficient practices that had the officials murmuring, setting the tone for his upcoming reign— there were going to be changes, and lots of them.

He concluded the court session with announcements of rankings within the Royal harem.

"My mother, Consort De, shall be Empress Dowager Xiaogongren（孝恭仁皇后）. My wife, Maertai Xuefeng, shall be Empress Xiaojingxian（孝敬宪皇后）."

A shiver ran down Xuefeng's spine as her name was mentioned, but she wrung her hands and maintained her composed position.

"My concubine, Niohuru Wenyi, shall be 4th-rank Consort Xi（熹妃）. My other seven concubines shall be 6th-rank Noble Ladies（贵人）."

Murmuring broke out amongst the officials. Most expected the concubines to be granted higher rankings, as several came from influential families. Official Nian was especially surprised, as he was a close aide of Zitao's and expected his sister, Concubine Nian, to enjoy a high status in Zitao's harem. Other officials were puzzled at why Wenyi, who was neither the most senior nor the most noble in lineage, exceptionally surpassed the other concubines in ranking.

Xuefeng, of course, was well aware of why Zitao favoured Wenyi over the others. But she couldn't help but worry. Zitao was headstrong, and would never cave to the demands of the officials. But this attitude of his might cause bitterness and dissatisfaction amongst the officials, driving away even those who were most loyal. To do so would be detrimental, especially in the early years of Zitao's reign.

She had to think of some way— any way— to help him.

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Written by CrystallineSnow