Disclaimer: I do not own Kuroko no Basket, nor do I profit from writing this fanfiction. This story is inspired by Legend of Zhen Huan and includes quotes from the manga, anime, wiki, and other sources. This fanfiction has not been beta-read. As I am not a native English speaker, please excuse any language errors.
In the Court of the Crimson Emperor
Chapter IV
Several months had passed since the concubines entered the imperial palace, and with the arrival of winter, tensions grew within the palace walls. Of the eight concubines, Emperor Seijuurou had summoned six of them, with the exception of Furihata Kouka and Mayuzumi Chiharu. But of these six, it was Sakurai Ryuna who had caught the Emperor's attention the most.
This fact gnawed at Haizaki Shiina's insides. Her residence, situated near Sakurai's, gave her a front-row seat to the Emperor's increasingly frequent visits. Every night, the maids and eunuchs would gossip, and it became clear to everyone who the Emperor favoured. Sakurai was the one who had captured his interest.
Shiina's chest tightened with frustration. How had this happened? She was undoubtedly more beautiful than Sakurai, that much was obvious. She was also from a family of greater standing. Her father, a high-ranking official, held far more influence than Sakurai's brother. And yet, the Emperor seemed to prefer her rival.
Her thoughts initially drifted to Mayuzumi Chiharu, who bore a striking resemblance to Empress Tetsuya. Surely, the Emperor would favour her, wouldn't he? The resemblance had to mean something. But to her surprise, the Emperor showed no interest in Chiharu at all. Instead, he continued to shower his attention on Sakurai. The resemblance had backfired—Chiharu's beauty, it seemed, was of no consequence.
And now, Sakurai was becoming a serious threat to Shiina. If things continued like this, it was only a matter of time before Sakurai bore the Emperor's first child. Shiina would not allow that to happen.
She clenched her fists at her side, her mind racing with schemes. She would not let the Emperor's favour slip through her fingers. She, Haizaki Shiina, would become the Emperor's favourite concubine. She would bear him a son, a future heir to the throne. And once she had secured her position, she would bide her time, waiting for the right moment to rid herself of Empress Tetsuya.
Tetsuya was nothing but a commoner. His late grandfather, despite his status as a great doctor, had little influence. The late Emperor Masaomi owed the elder Kuroko a life debt, which resulted in Tetsuya being made Empress. Yet, Tetsuya had no true power in the palace. He was dependent entirely on Emperor Seijuurou's favour.
Shiina's lips curled into a smirk. The Empress was vulnerable, and Shiina intended to take full advantage of that. After all, Tetsuya had no powerful family connections to protect him. Once the Emperor's affection for him waned, Tetsuya would fall from grace—and when that happened, Shiina would be there to take his place.
Her smirk widened as the vision of power began to take shape in her mind. She would be the one standing at the Emperor's side. She would be the one to rule the court, not Tetsuya.
"My Lady, look at that," her personal maid's voice interrupted her dark thoughts.
Startled, Shiina turned her gaze toward the window. From the vantage point of her residence, she could clearly see a convoy entering the Palace of Eternal Harmony, the residence of Emperor Seijuurou's favourite concubine. Eunuch Reo, the head eunuch, led the procession, flanked by four maids, each carrying large, ornate gifts.
Anyone with eyes could tell who those gifts were meant for. Sakurai Ryuna.
Shiina's eyes narrowed as she watched the convoy make its way across the palace grounds. A deep, simmering anger began to rise within her. So, it's true, she thought, her jaw tightening. Sakurai is still the Emperor's favourite.
But that would change.
Shiina turned away from the window, her mind already plotting her next move.
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The air in the hall was tense, thick with unspoken judgments. All the concubines were seated, their eyes glancing at the door, waiting for Ryuna's arrival. Each passing second stretched out, amplifying the unease in Chiharu's chest. Why was Ryuna late today of all days? Chiharu couldn't help but feel a prickle of worry, her thoughts swirling with questions.
Her gaze darted to the other concubines, who were similarly looking at each other with nervous glances, the silence in the room palpable. There had been a sense of discomfort ever since Ryuna had become the Emperor's favourite. The others resented her, and some, like Shiina, found it difficult to hide their disdain.
Finally, the eunuch's voice echoed through the hall, announcing Ryuna's arrival.
"First Class Attendant Ryuna has arrived!"
Ryuna entered hastily, her steps quick as she hurried toward the group of concubines. She was accompanied by her personal maid, her face flushed with embarrassment. It was rare for her to be late, and she could feel all the eyes on her.
"Well, First Class Attendant Ryuna is very early today," Moriyama Tomomi's voice rang out, dripping with sarcasm.
Ryuna didn't respond to the jibe but instead immediately knelt, her voice trembling as she paid her respect. "Grace to Your Majesty, may the Heaven bestow health and happiness to Your Majesty the Imperial Empress. I apologize for my tardiness, Your Majesty."
Empress Tetsuya's eyes flickered briefly before he spoke. "Why are you late, First Class Attendant Ryuna?"
Ryuna's cheeks flushed deeper. "I apologize, Your Majesty," she said quietly. "I woke up late this morning and..."
Before she could finish, Haizaki Shiina's voice sliced through the air, cutting Ryuna off. "Your Majesty," Shiina said, her tone sugary sweet but laced with malice, "please forgive First Class Attendant Ryuna. Attendant Ryuna served His Imperial Majesty last night, so she was tired and woke up late."
The words hit Ryuna like a slap. She froze, her breath catching in her throat as her wide eyes met Shiina's. How dare she?
Moriyama's voice, dripping with disdain, echoed in the chamber, accusing Ryuna of insulting the Empress. "It is no excuse," Moriyama continued, her voice sharp. "Your Majesty the Empress is the leader of the inner palace. Coming late to pay respect to the Imperial Empress is an insult. All of us are still here, waiting for your arrival. Do you assume that your position is higher than Your Majesty the Empress?!"
The words hit like a slap to Ryuna's face. Ryuna's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she stammered, "I... I do not mean that..." Her voice was barely a whisper, lost beneath the weight of the accusations.
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence before Fukuda Hiroko added her voice, her tone cold and unforgiving. "First Class Attendant Ryuna should be given appropriate punishment."
Apparently, this had already begun. Chiharu had already suspected it. The other concubines certainly disapproved of Emperor Seijuurou's decision to select Ryuna to serve him, and they had seized this opportunity to malign Ryuna in front of Empress Tetsuya. What was worse, Haizaki had attempted to pit Ryuna against the Empress, using Moriyama Tomomi and Fukuda Hiroko to aid in this scheme. She had invoked the Emperor's name before the Empress, insinuating that Ryuna, feeling herself a favourite concubine, had dared to dismiss the Empress.
Chiharu glanced at Empress Tetsuya. Alas, the Empress's inscrutable expression revealed nothing. She could not discern whether Empress Tetsuya was offended by Ryuna's tardiness or whether he was merely contemplating the matter. However, Chiharu knew she must assist her friend.
"Your Majesty," she interjected, her voice measured yet respectful.
All eyes turned towards her.
"First Class Attendant Ryuna bears no ill intentions. She, along with all of us, holds Your Majesty in the highest regard as the leader of the inner palace."
Ryuna offered her a grateful look.
Meanwhile, Moriyama and Fukuda exchanged looks of disapproval.
"I humbly request that Your Majesty allow First Class Attendant Ryuna the opportunity to explain the reason for her delay."
"First Class Attendant Ryuna," Empress Tetsuya said, her tone cool but commanding. "Explain why you are late."
"Your Majesty—" Moriyama began to protest.
"Silence," Empress Tetsuya ordered sharply. "Let First Class Attendant Ryuna speak."
A heavy silence fell over the room. No one dared to challenge the Empress's command.
Chiharu felt a sense of relief. In that moment, Haizaki and his allies could no longer continue their attempts to slander Ryuna before the Empress.
Ryuna took a deep breath, endeavouring to calm herself. "I woke up late this morning, Your Majesty," she began, "but I would not have been delayed had it not been for a eunuch who collided with me. He was carrying a pot of chrysanthemums, and when we collided, the pot was broken. The soil spilled and soiled my clothes, compelling me to return home and change. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
There was a brief silence.
"Very well," Empress Tetsuya said, her voice composed, "since it was not your fault, you need not worry. I shall forgive you this time."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ryuna replied, visibly relieved. "Your Majesty the Imperial Empress is very wise."
Chiharu glanced at Haizaki. For a fleeting moment, Haizaki's face betrayed a look of great displeasure before she quickly masked her expression.
"You may sit now."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Ryuna said, rising gracefully from the floor before settling beside Chiharu.
Chiharu thought they might soon be permitted to leave, but instead, Empress Tetsuya motioned for her maids to bring forth drinks, which emitted a delightful fragrance.
"Vanilla milk," Empress Tetsuya announced. "It is my favourite drink. It is truly exquisite, and I would like all of you to try it."
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty," the concubines responded in unison.
Chiharu had heard of vanilla, though it was a rare and expensive commodity. The cultivation of vanilla beans was labour-intensive, requiring specific conditions only found in Seirin province. It was the second most expensive spice after saffron, and though costly, it was highly prized for its distinctive flavour. Only the royal family could afford such luxuries, given the astronomical cost, and the spice was often traded with foreign lands.
After partaking of the vanilla milk, Empress Tetsuya dismissed them. Chiharu cast a quick glance at Ryuna. The girl still appeared somewhat dazed, though the soothing drink seemed to have brought her some measure of comfort.
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"Are you feeling better?" Chiharu asked once they had arrived at the pavilion where Ryuna resided.
Ryuna nodded, though her expression remained uneasy. "I was truly frightened, you know," she said in a low voice. "I thought I might faint."
It was no wonder. Ryuna had always been pampered and protected at home, and what had just transpired—Haizaki and her faction attacking Ryuna so ruthlessly—had been a sharp contrast to her sheltered life.
"I was deeply worried," Kouka admitted. "I feared you might be punished."
"Actually, what happened?" Chiharu inquired, her brow furrowed in concern.
"I woke up late, and in my panic, I hurried to Empress Tetsuya's palace," Ryuna explained. "On the way, a eunuch was carrying a pot of chrysanthemums. It was so large that he did not see me in time. We collided, and the pot broke, spilling soil that soiled my clothes."
Ryuna's personal maid nodded in agreement. "That is correct, Lady Chiharu. I accompanied Lady Ryuna back here to change, which is why we were delayed."
"But how could Moriyama say such things about you?" Kouka muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Yes! That Moriyama…" Ryuna complained. "Everyone knows that His Imperial Majesty never spends the night with any concubine. He only stays in Empress Tetsuya's palace."
Emperor Seijuurou might summon a concubine to serve him, but he had never once stayed the night with any of them. The concubines were always required to return to their own residences afterward. He only ever stayed with Empress Tetsuya.
"We must be cautious," Chiharu advised.
Kouka frowned, her concern deepening.
"Today, Haizaki, Moriyama, and Fukuda deliberately provoked Empress Tetsuya in the hopes of getting you punished. I believe they will try again if they see another opportunity."
"But why?" Ryuna asked, confusion clouding her face. "I haven't done anything to them."
Chiharu sighed, her gaze soft with sympathy. Ryuna's innocence, while endearing, often made her vulnerable.
"They are jealous," Kouka explained bluntly.
"Eh?"
"Among all the new concubines, His Imperial Majesty visits you the most. Your residence is also next to Haizaki's."
"But it's not my fault!" Ryuna protested, her voice filled with injustice.
"They won't care," Chiharu remarked quietly.
"That's why we all have to be careful," Chiharu added with a more serious tone. "And don't forget the eunuch with the chrysanthemum pot. It's winter now."
"What do you mean?" Kouka asked, perplexed.
"The Bureau of Imperial Gardens and Parks has arranged for all chrysanthemums to be moved once their blossoms wither," Chiharu explained.
"Ah! You're right," Kouka said, her eyes widening with understanding.
In the imperial palace, it was forbidden to display withered flowers, as they were considered to bring bad luck. Chrysanthemums, which bloomed in the autumn, had to be moved back to the nursery after their blossoms faded, where they would be cared for until the following autumn.
"That means…" Kouka trailed off, realisation dawning on her.
"Someone deliberately sent that eunuch to make you late," Chiharu finished.
Ryuna looked shocked, her expression a mixture of confusion and disbelief.
Kouka, too, was stunned.
"But why would they…?" Ryuna asked, her voice tinged with sadness.
Chiharu felt a pang of sorrow for her friend. Ryuna's innocence was both her strength and her weakness. Ryuna had managed to escape punishment this time, but what about the future? Chiharu was certain this was only the beginning.
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The following day, at the Hall of Mental Cultivation...
"Please, Your Imperial Majesty," said Higuchi Shouta, presenting a tray of name tags.
Of the eight concubines who had entered the palace, six had been selected to serve Emperor Seijuurou, as indicated in the report compiled in the Imperial Concubine Record. Overall, the time Emperor Seijuurou spent with his concubines was far less than the time he dedicated to visiting Empress Tetsuya's palace. For instance, in the past month, Emperor Seijuurou had spent twenty-three nights at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. It seemed that, even with the arrival of new concubines, the Emperor's affection for the Empress remained steadfast and unchanged.
"This one will do," Emperor Seijuurou said.
Shouta glanced at the name tag: Furihata Kouka.
"I understand, Your Imperial Majesty," Shouta replied.
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Kouka was still at Ryuna's residence when a eunuch arrived to inform her that she had been selected to serve Emperor Seijuurou.
"Madam Mai will come to guide you, First Class Attendant Ryuna," the eunuch announced.
"Thank you," Kouka murmured, her voice faint as the weight of the situation began to sink in. She had not expected her turn to serve Emperor Seijuurou to come so soon.
Once the eunuch departed, Ryuna exclaimed in excitement. "Finally, your turn has arrived!" She appeared to have forgotten everything that had transpired just moments earlier.
"Go back to your pavilion quickly," Chiharu urged. "You must prepare."
"I..." Kouka hesitated, her nerves beginning to take hold.
"Yes?" Ryuna asked, sensing her unease.
"I'm afraid..." Kouka admitted quietly, her voice tinged with anxiety.
"You needn't worry," Ryuna reassured her, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. "His Imperial Majesty is truly handsome."
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Everything seemed to blur for Kouka, from the moment she returned to her pavilion to the moment she was escorted to Emperor Seijuurou's palace. Her nerves were so overwhelming that she felt detached from reality. She sat on the bed, trembling like a leaf, when Emperor Seijuurou finally entered the room.
This was the first time she had been this close to the Emperor. It was also the first time she could properly gaze upon his face. There was no denying that Emperor Seijuurou was extraordinarily handsome, with a strikingly aristocratic visage.
The longer she stared at him, the more her heart raced, and the more her anxiety intensified. The heavy incense filling the room did little to calm her nerves. In fact, it only made it harder to breathe. Her vision began to blur, and the last thing she saw before everything went dark was the frown on Emperor Seijuurou's face.
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"Your Majesty."
Tetsuya looked up from the book he had been reading, a treasured heirloom passed down by his grandfather.
Riko, his personal maid, stepped forward and spoke. "Eunuch Yuta has just delivered his report, Your Majesty."
"What is it, Riko?" Tetsuya asked, his tone calm yet attentive.
"First Class Attendant Ryuna fainted when it was her turn to serve His Imperial Majesty. They summoned a doctor, who determined that it was due to extreme nervousness and fear."
"She fainted from fear?" Tetsuya asked in disbelief. He thought for a moment, remembering Furihata Kouka. Eunuch Yuta had reported that she was the only concubine who had not attempted to bribe him with money. Furthermore, they shared the same city of origin.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"I find it hard to believe His Imperial Majesty could be that terrifying," he muttered, a note of curiosity in his voice.
Riko, with great wisdom, refrained from commenting. The Empress was likely the only person in the entire empire who did not fear the Emperor.
"Is anyone aware of this?" Tetsuya asked.
"The eunuchs and maids who serve His Imperial Majesty, the maids who attend to Concubine Kouka, and Madam Mai. By tomorrow, the news will have spread throughout the entire imperial palace," Riko replied, raising her head. "Does Your Majesty wish to take any action?"
"Let it be," Tetsuya said, his voice steady. "Continue to monitor them as usual."
"I understand, Your Majesty," Riko answered. "I will report any suspicious activity."
"Thank you, Riko. You may leave now."
"I shall take my leave, Your Majesty."
Tetsuya considered the situation for a moment before closing the book he had been reading and placing it in a drawer. It seemed pointless; after all, his thoughts were scattered, and he couldn't concentrate. Rising from his chair, Tetsuya walked toward his bedroom. Of course, this was not the first time Seijuurou had spent the night with his concubines, nor would it be the last. Tetsuya had grown accustomed to it. He sighed softly. He would have to be patient until he and Seijuurou achieved their goal.
His bedroom was vast and opulent, so large that his residence in Seirin could fit comfortably within its walls. The room was furnished with a bed of golden nanmu, intricately carved with phoenix motifs. Two bedside tables flanked the bed, and the room also contained a table, two long sofas, a desk, and several chairs. As it was winter, a coal stove provided warmth. A partition divided the space, leading to a wardrobe room and several storage chambers filled with treasures, gold, jewels, and valuable gifts, many of which had come from Seijuurou himself, along with presents from others.
Tetsuya changed from his daily attire into his sleeping robes, the soft silk flowing around him as he made his way toward the large, ornately carved bed. The room, lit only by the warm, flickering light of oil lamps, felt particularly quiet that evening. He had just reached the edge of the bed when, unexpectedly, a pair of strong arms wrapped around him from behind, pulling him into a firm embrace.
"Good evening, Tetsuya," Seijuurou whispered, his breath warm against Tetsuya's ear, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Good evening, Your Imperial Majesty," Tetsuya replied coolly, his voice steady, though the unexpected contact had caused his heartbeat to quicken ever so slightly. He could feel Seijuurou's warmth seeping through the fabric of his robes, but he maintained his composure.
"You're as formal as always," Seijuurou said with a hint of amusement, his breath brushing against the sensitive skin of Tetsuya's neck. "There are only the two of us here, Tetsuya. Is that how you treat your husband?"
Tetsuya paused, his lips curving ever so slightly, betraying the faintest sign of affection beneath his usually stoic exterior. "Good evening, Seijuurou," he finally relented, his tone softening just a fraction.
Seijuurou chuckled, his voice rich with amusement. "I see the news has traveled quickly," he remarked, still holding Tetsuya close, not yet letting go. "I didn't think I had such an impact."
"This is the first time I have witnessed a woman fainting from fear," Tetsuya observed, his eyes narrowing slightly as he recalled the earlier incident. "Usually, they are utterly captivated by you."
Seijuurou raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Perhaps I am more intimidating than I thought."
Tetsuya's expression remained neutral, though his lips quirked in a subtle smile. "You think very highly of yourself, don't you?" His words were almost teasing, yet his voice remained calm, controlled.
Seijuurou let out a hearty laugh, the sound rich and genuine, filling the room with warmth. "Ah, so you think I'm not as terrifying as I seem?" he said, his voice taking on a teasing lilt.
Tetsuya allowed a rare, quiet laugh to escape his lips, a soft, fleeting sound that contrasted with his usual seriousness. "Not at all," he replied, his tone laced with humor.
Seijuurou, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, gently turned Tetsuya around, so they were face to face. The movement was smooth, and for a moment, Tetsuya found himself trapped within Seijuurou's gaze. "Of course, since it is Tetsuya we're talking about," Seijuurou said, his voice a little softer, as if he was savoring the intimacy of the moment.
And for a fleeting moment, the weight of the palace and its politics seemed to fade, leaving only the quiet, shared amusement between the two of them. It was a rare and precious moment of true connection amidst the pressures they both faced, and for that, both of them felt a quiet, mutual amusement.
Author's Note:
Hello, everyone! First and foremost, thank you so much for reading! I'd love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to leave a review.
The world of this story blends various Chinese dynasties with a bit of my own creative twist.
