Chapter Text
Shen Yuan dipped his brush into the black ink and added a few lines to his drawing. His older sister looked scandalized at his parchment and Shen Yuan grinned at her. She rolled her eyes, but continued to write down what Teacher Meng Po was explaining. Fortunately, the teacher was reading the Sishu and didn't notice anything.
Yesterday, he found a yellow book on the shelf of the Imperial Library. He wanted to share it with his friends, but he couldn't take it out of the Imperial Palace so he decided to copy the drawings.
The bristles stopped the soft rustle as Shen Yuan tried to remember the position he saw. How were the protagonists positioned? Maybe the woman was on her four on the bed and the man was behind her.
He nodded in satisfaction and drew the man's abdominal muscles. The man's back was slightly arched forward, one hand pulling at the woman's hair, the other wrapped around her waist. All of a sudden, Meng Po snatched the scroll from his hands. His face turned red with anger. “Crown Prince, you must pay attention to the lesson! You are the next in line to rule, you cannot be distracted by drawing these atrocities! This is not the time or place for this! Where did you see those drawings?"
Shen Yuan lowered his head and feigned a look of sorrow on his face. "A few days ago, in the library. I was looking for..."
A quick glance on his sister's scroll. “One of the Sishu, but I mistook one of them for a yellow book”.
Meng Po threw the painting on the ground and stepped on it. "It is impossible to confuse a book of culture with these impurities. Get out of this classroom right now. Get out! I don't a student with a head full of this filth. The Empress will hear about this!”.
Shen Yuan winked at his sister and ran out of the classroom. The warm rays of the sun warmed him, and Shen Yuan opened his outer robes so that he would not suffocate in the summer heat. The lesson had started half a shichen ago, if he had gone to the army training camp, he would have seen Liu Qingge instructing the new recruits.
He guessed right. His mother's third concubine was standing in the middle of the field, and he was waving his wooden stick in a demonstration. In front of him, there were about forty soldiers lined up in four rows, their expressions focused, and some of them were sweating.
Shen Yuan hid behind a blooming three, to see the scene without being noticed. The General's blue eyes were focused on the formation in front of him, his gaze proud and determined. His posture was firm, his legs were positioned in front of each other, ready to spring into a lightning attack.
Liu Qingge ran a hand over his sweaty forehead, placed the wooden stick on the ground and pulled off his robes. "If you are hot, you can take off your clothes. This training will be useless if you faint from the heat”.
Many soldiers sighed in relief and followed his suggestion. Many of them were in good shape, but their physiques paled in comparison to Liu Qingge's muscular one. Liu Qingge picked up the stick again. "Pay attention to this sequence, it's really important."
His mighty arms performed the lunge and his pecs darted, the muscles of his shoulders relaxed. A droplet of sweat fell on his sternum, caressing the strained muscles up to his navel.
Shen Yuan swallowed. Watching Liu Qingge train was a sight to behold, and he fully understood why his mother had insisted that he join her harem. His movements were clean and elegant. Liu Qingge was the perfect soldier, and Shen Yuan would have loved to become as capable as him.
A retainer’s voice distracted him. “Crown Prince, the Teacher ordered me to bring you to the Empress”.
Damn, the middle aged man was walking towards him. Shen Yuan got out from his hideout and hid behind Liu Qingge, grabbing the hem of his trousers. For a brief second, his fingers brushed the hot skin and Shen Yuan swallowed. He was far too old to act like this childish, but Shen Yuan had no desire to be scolded by his mother.
Liu Qingge looked at him. “Why are you here? You should be studying with your teacher”.
Shen Yuan snorted. “Meng Po kicked me out of the classroom because I wasn't paying attention and I came here to watch your workouts”.
Liu Qingge sighed. “You should listen to what Meng Po is teaching you, you’ll learn military techniques later on”.
It wasn't Shen Yuan’s fault if what Meng Po taught him was boring. "But seeing your workouts is more interesting".
Liu Qingge caressed his head and Shen Yuan enjoyed the feeling. “When you’ll learn everything Meng Po want to teach you, I’ll train you personally. I promise”.
This was playing dirty. Shen Yuan nodded unwillingly. “Fine, I’ll continue my lessons with my teacher, but …”.
If the servant could catch up to him, he would have carried him by force in front of the Empress. Liu Qingge gave him a small push towards the old man, but Shen Yuan ran in the opposite direction. He would have continued his lessons with his master, but tomorrow: today he really didn't feel like it.
The retainer ran after him, calling him. “Crown Prince, please, come back”.
There was only one place where that old man would never go after him: the palace quarter reserved for concubines. He ran across the bridge to the Chrysanthemum Yard and looked back. He ran across the training courtyard and crossed the bridge that separated the imperial palace from the wing reserved for concubines.
He rested his hands on his knees and turned back. The retainer gazed at him with an annoyed expression from the beginning of the bridge. Shen Yuan waved his hand in a goodbye and walked around some more.
He felt dizzy and he had to lean against a column of a palace. Perhaps it was time to find a cool place to sit for a few minutes. It would not have been difficult: of the ten palaces built to house concubines, only three were currently inhabited.
A melancholy melody wafted through the air as Shen Yuan walked quickly toward Yue Qingyuan's palace. Only his mother’s second concubine could play such a yearning melody on the shamisen.
The shamisen laid on Yue Qingyuan's legs and his fingers expertly plucked the three strings. Beside him, Shen Jiu was bent over the table, writing on a piece of parchment. He filled the small glass with a clear liquid and emptied it in one gulp, picked up a piece of peach with tapered fingers and brought it to his lips.
A drop of juice slid down his wrist and his red tongue slowly licked it to the nail of his thumb. Just then he caught his eyes and for a brief second Shen Yuan stopped breathing. There was something in Shen Jiu that made Shen Yuan feel a strange warmth in his chest. Was it the way his green eyes seemed to read his soul, or was it the beauty he exuded at that moment with his long hair falling over his right shoulder?
Shen Jiu pulled down the long green sleeve. “Good morning, Crown Prince. Can we assist you in any way?”.
Shen Yuan stuttered. “N-No, I-I just wanted a peaceful place to stay for some time”.
Why was he behaving in such a stupid way?
Yue Qingyuan stopped playing the guqin and looked at him too. The two concubines cast each other a look of understanding and Yue Qingyuan smiled. “I heard some servants screaming from the training yard. Did you do something?”.
Shen Yuan looked away bashfully. It was difficult holding Shen Jiu's gaze for a long time without feeling a sense of awe. “Crown Prince, you should answer to Yue Qingyuan’s question”.
Yue Qingyuan nudged Shen Jiu. "Don't use that tone with the Crown Prince, he doesn't have to answer to us".
He turned in Shen Yuan's direction. "Would you like to stay with us for a while?”
Shen Yuan nodded. Sooner or later, he would have to face his mother, but for now, he just wanted to relax. Yue Qingyuan made some space between him and Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan sat down next to them and his knee collided with a second earthenware jug with clear liquid in.
Without any further words, Yue Qingyuan resumed the melody he had interrupted, and Shen Jiu picked up his brush again. Shen Yuan leaned forward to see Shen Jiu's small, elegant handwriting more clearly.
Next to the bowl of fruit was a scroll in Chinese, and underneath it was the scroll on which Shen Jiu was writing in a language that Shen Yuan didn't know.
Shen Jiu's warm breath brushed against Shen Yuan's ear. "I am translating this treatise on the importance of balance and moderation in human life into Japanese. Do you know what I'm talking about?"
A chill ran down his spine and he felt a strange warmth on his cheeks. Why was Shen Jiu whispering? It had made the atmosphere strangely intimate. Shen Yuan's heart began to beat in a strange rhythm in his chest again. "Yes, Mengo Po had mentioned the Zhongyon: he said it was too advanced for me and that he would teach me in due time."
Shen Jiu snorted. "How can he think of educating a future ruler when he delays the most important teachings?".
Shen Jiu was so close that their elbows touched. Shen Jiu's eyes looked directly into his eyes, and Shen Yuan could feel the blush rising to his ears as well. Neither Shen Jiu nor Yue Qingyuan had to notice his embarrassment, otherwise Shen Yuan would die of shame.
Yue Qingyuan handed him a glass of water. "Would you like something to drink, Crown Prince? Your face is quite red.
Shen Jiu stifled a laugh and Shen Yuan chugged the cup, dying of shame inside. His head spun around and for a second, he rested his head on Shen Jiu's shoulder. What he was drinking was definitely not water.
Yue Qingyuan touched his hot forehead. "Is something wrong?"
"You poured him the peach liqueur that you and I were drinking. The jar with the water was here on the floor."
Yue Qingyuan looked at the two pitchers in horror. "Ning Yinyin, get some rags soaked in cold water and bring them here immediately."
Shen Yuan opened his eyes. His sight was drowsy. "No need, I'm fine."
Shen Jiu's cold hair brushed away the hair from his face. "Trust us, the liquor is quite strong, and judging from your glassy eyes, you are already tipsy. A cool towel will help lower your body temperature, you don't want to feel bad in this heat".
Shen Yuan wanted to protest that he wasn't drunk, but it was too difficult to move his tongue, so he remained silent. His tongue was sticky. What a shitty alcohol tolerance he had.
Shen Jiu picked up a piece of strawberry with his finger and placed it in front of his pursuing lips. "Be a good boy and listen to me, open your mouth, some sugar will help prevent heat stroke. Don't talk, you can close your eyes if you want, but don't fall asleep".
Shen Yuan quietly obeyed and parted his lips. Histongue grazed Shen Jiu's fingertips and wrapped around the sweet fruit. A cool cloth refreshed his face. Ning Yinying must have returned already, she was fast.
For an indefinite amount of time, Shen Jiu fed him fruit while Yue Qingyuan wiped his face with a wet cloth and brushed the hair from his forehead.
When he felt better, he opened his eyes. He was still slightly tired, but he couldn't tell if it was the effect of the alcohol he had drunk or the heat.
Shen Jiu gave him another piece of peach and Shen Yuan puckered his lips. "Do you feel better now?".
Shen Yuan nodded. "Yes, I feel better, but I'm a little tired."
Shen Jiu laid Shen Yuan's head on his lap. "You can rest like this for a shichen, then you'll come with us to have lunch with the Empress."
Shen Yuan nodded, his consciousness already drifting away. He woke up with a small jolt. "It's time to wake up, Crown Prince. Ning Yingying called for us and told us that the Empress is waiting for the three of us”.
Shen Yuan blinked twice and stood up. Right, he had come to the concubines' quarters to avoid being bothered by the servants, then the mix of alcohol and heat knocked him out, and Yue Qingyuan and Shen Jiu nursed him until he felt better. Shen Jiu lent him his legs to rest. A shy smile appeared on his lips. It was the first time someone had taken such tender care of him.
As soon as they entered in the banquet hall, Shen Yuan hid behind Yue Qingyuan. She could feel her mother's enraged gaze, and Shen Yuan swallowed: this time, he would not get away with a simple scolding.
Servants stood on both sides of the hall, ready to carry out any order, and the only seats occupied were those high seats reserved for the royal family. Obviously, this was a more intimate dinner for royal family members and concubines only.
His mother sat in the middle, with a pitcher of water and a glass on her side table. Liu Qingge was three seats away from his mother and Shen Yuan's sister was close to the Empress. Shen Yuan took his place between the Empress and his sister. His mother was clutching the drawing he had made during the lesson in a livid grip. Now he began to regret his actions. "Good day Mother."
The Empress gave him an infuriated look. "My day would have been better if Mengo Po had not told me what you had done during his lesson. This is already the third teacher who has reported to me about your lack of interest in your lessons. What am I supposed to do about you?"
Shen Yuan lowered his gaze and said nothing. Ten servants placed four bowls each on their tables, perfectly suited to their tastes.
"You are the future Emperor. I do not expect you to keep on doing this: I will now look for a fourth teacher, and if he also complains about you, you will be removed from your position as Crown Prince. Do I make myself clear?"
It was just a drawing. Why was his mother acting so exaggerated?
Shen Yuan took a spoon and drank some turtle soup.
Shen Jiu wiped his lips with his napkin and stroked the Empress's hand. "The prince told us about his problem, and he deeply regrets his behavior. But I think he's not entirely wrong: a good teacher knows what interests his disciple most and does his best to keep him engaged even in less likable topics. Therefore, if the Empress is in agreement, I'd like to suggest that she entrusts me and the other concubines with the education of the Crown Prince".
Shen Yuan nearly choked on his dumpling, and the Empress looked at her concubines in astonishment. "You?".
Yue Qingyuan nodded, "Yes, Your Highness. Before joining the harem, I and Shen Jiu educated many nobles, and Liu Qingge was an army general. Besides, as Shen Jiu pointed out, we already know the Crown Prince's interests. I don't think there are any more suitable candidates than us."
Liu Qingge cleared his throat. "I promised the prince today that I would personally train him in military techniques if he diligently pursued his lessons, and I'd be honored to keep my word."
Shen Yuan glanced hopefully at his mother. The Empress thought about it in silence for a few minutes. "Very well, you have my permission. Shen Yuan, remember this is your last chance."
Shen Yuan bowed. “I deeply thank concubines Liu Qingge, Yue Qingyuan and Shen Jiu”.