From CEO to Concubine-Chapter 142: Courtesy

Yan Zheyun had always worn blue on Qixi. There was no significance to this, no long-ingrained tradition that he was following. Just Lixin’s preference for the colour on him, her eyes taking on a proud gleam every time she picked out a hanfu for her brothers. She’d always insisted that they dressed up to go to town with her so that they could satisfy her superficiality by allowing her to parade them in front of all the green-eyed girls sneaking glances at them. She’d known that it would have been impossible to get her dear older brother to wear anything too frivolous, so she’d favoured sober, mature shades for him. But poor Liheng was a whole other story; Yan Zheyun swore that she would spend more time dolling her long-suffering twin up than doing her makeup.

The date brought a flood of memories to the forefront of his mind, the haunting echo of their laughing banter making his inner chambers in Yuyang Palace seem larger and emptier than ever before. Yan Zheyun might have complained about having to accompany them out on Qixi—"If you don’t like it, find a sweetheart to settle down with," had been his mother’s blasé reply—but he’d also taken it as an opportunity to drag them both to the Kui Xing Temple in town to pray for better results. According to myth, Qixi was also the birthday of Kui Xing, worshipped as the God of Examinations. Hardworking, obedient Liheng probably hadn’t needed to go, but as always, had patiently accompanied his reluctant sister in to stand before Kui Xing’s altar. Yan Zheyun had waited just outside, his gaze following them into the sea of people, ever-watchful.

"Academics are easy for you because you’re born on the same day as Kui Xing," Lixin had retorted more than once when Yan Zheyun had held her accountable for any results that were not up to the expected standard. "Big Brother was born with an advantage." It was a shameless argument, especially since no one really celebrated the lunar date for birthdays in modern times. The family meal that his parents had always insisted they all went out to enjoy together was held on the 9th of August each year.

But it was because of Lixin’s constant good-natured grumbling that Yan Zheyun hadn’t forgotten that his lunar birthday was Qixi too.

Same as Yan Yun’s. Just another eerie coincidence or...?

"It’s time, Little Master."

Yan Zheyun let Xiao De fasten the new robes for him, looking on impassively as the light silk fabric fell to the floor in waves. His hair was deliberately left half down and fastened neatly with a ribbon. Yan Zheyun had made sure to wash it well the previous evening, where it was scented with incense and combed through neatly with the finest of oils.

Xiao De finished making the last adjustments before taking a step back, gazing upon his master reverently.

"This look is befitting on Little Master."

Yan Zheyun studied himself in the oval bronze mirror that sat on the table. He could not get a clear picture of himself but traced a thoughtful finger down a lapel. It hadn’t been until yesterday when he’d learnt through a conversation with Hua Zhixuan that this robe, painstakingly prepared by the emperor, was actually in the form of ceremonial attire for his coming-of-age ceremony. Today, he was dressed neither as a slave nor a concubine. To the world, Yan Yun, the disgraced son of a treacherous prime minister, had no place in a society that did not welcome him. The world at large did not care about his right to wear his hair up or to participate in politics. It did not concern itself with whether he had been bestowed a courtesy name by a respectable elder.

But Liu Yao did. And because Liu Yao did, Yan Zheyun was finally able to fulfil his promise to the soul whose body he resided in.

Yan Yun, Big Brother did what he said he would. It had taken him a little over a year to reach this stage but he had finally gotten somewhere. Or rather, survived to this point. Perhaps you may rest a little more at ease now.

It still wasn’t enough but Yan Zheyun still had time.

Breakfast was a quick affair and accompanied by Hua Zhixuan and Lord Chen, the former’s excited chatter drowned out by the jealous griping of the latter at Liu Yao’s unabashed show of favouritism.

"Try your best to keep your head still during the ceremony," Lord Chen added reluctantly, once he got his daily list of complaints off his chest. "Whichever old geezer His Majesty finds for your capping isn’t going to be skilled at hairdressing, it hurts when they yank off half the hair from your scalp in the process. And yet you still need to smile obediently and thank them after like they’re doing you such a favour."

Despite the petulant look on Lord Chen’s face, Yan Zheyun could feel the sincerity behind his words so he smiled and gave his thanks for the advice.

"I’m confident Brother Yan’s ceremony will go smoothly," Hua Zhixuan chimed in with his usual optimism.

The capping ceremony was traditionally held in the second month of the year and chosen after divining an auspicious date. Liu Yao didn’t seem to wish to wait for the new year to arrive, though, nor did he seem concerned that it should be held in the family’s ancestral temple. In the eyes of the law, the Yan Family no longer existed, so Yan Zheyun was curious as to where Liu Yao planned on hosting the ceremony for him.

His anticipation was soon replaced by shock when Head Eunuch Cao personally to lead him to the ancestral temple in a corner of the inner palace, which housed the tablets of the deceased members of the imperial family.

"Liu Gonggong," he said hesitantly. "His Majesty is certain..."

Head Eunuch Cao gently replaced Xiao De at Yan Zheyun’s side. By the end of the hour, word that the emperor had sent his closest servant to guide his favourite concubine to the Liu Family’s ancestral temple for his coming-of-age ceremony would leak out of the imperial city. Yan Zheyun didn’t have to be a minister to know how preposterous this was; such a noble location should be reserved only for true royalty. A mere concubine was not even allowed onto the imperial family register, let alone have an important ritual acknowledged by the forefathers of the country.

What was Liu Yao thinking? To say that he wasn’t touched by the gesture would be a lie but now he was more worried than ever about the price Liu Yao would have to pay in exchange.

Head Eunuch Cao shot Yan Zheyun a fond smile. "Langjun’s concern for His Majesty is touching," he said. "But Langjun should also place some faith in His Majesty’s capabilities." He was implying that Liu Yao could handle the backlash that was to come...assuming the officials hadn’t already caught wind and given him trouble during morning court.

So be it, Yan Zheyun thought with a sigh, trying his best to force down the bubbling unease and allow himself to enjoy the day that his boyfriend planned for him. Things were a lot more complicated when dating the leader of a country embroiled in hidden political strife but that didn’t mean he shouldn’t appreciate the effort Liu Yao had made for him.

"Since Langjun has already been surprised by His Majesty’s choice of venue, this old servant feels the need to give Langjun some warning," Head Eunuch Cao added. He walked a companionable distance from Yan Zheyun, just close enough that onlookers would note their familiarity with each other but not so close as to be disrespectful. Once again, this must be Liu Yao’s orders, Yan Zheyun realised. A show put on to remind the inner palace that no matter how preposterous Liu Yao’s plans for the day were, no one had any right to comment because Imperial Concubine Yue was the precious treasure he housed at the apex of his heart (1).

"What warning would this be?"

"The honoured guest His Majesty invited to perform the rite for Langjun is of an impressive background. Langjun should take care not to express any feelings of unworthiness or doubt later, lest others take it to mean that you do not appreciate His Majesty’s well-wishes for you."

Yan Zheyun didn’t need to be told about the importance of schooling his expression to mask his thoughts but he appreciated Head Eunuch Cao’s advice regardless. Whoever Liu Yao had invited—more likely bullied into the task—was probably of such social standing that Head Eunuch Cao anticipated he would be unable to hide his surprise.

Sure enough, he had good reason for feeling grateful for the heads-up. The coming-of-age ceremony was a capping ritual that involved a host, an honoured guest, and the participant. The host was usually the father of the participant or an elder male relative. Yan Zheyun supposed that in very exceptional cases...husbands counted as a male relative too.

As he took in the sight of Liu Yao in matching ceremonial robes, he felt his heart thump against his rib cage. Liu Yao’s wardrobe was of a darker shade of blue than his but designed in a similar style. By his side stood an elderly gentleman, whose features would be highly distinguished if not for the telling mischievous spark in his eyes when he regarded Yan Zheyun.

"..." Yan Zheyun didn’t have any idea who he was but he was getting strong eccentric uncle vibes from this one.

Liu Yao reached out and gently drew Yan Zheyun over to where a cushion lay on the floor in the centre of the hall. The tablets of the imperial ancestors formed an imposing backdrop as Yan Zheyun stepped forward to greet the honourable guest whom Liu Yao was presenting him to.

"Ah Yun, this is this sovereign’s teacher, Grand Preceptor Du Yi."

The grand preceptor. Liu Yao was outrageous. Come tomorrow, there would be a mountain of memorials on his desk in Tianlu Pavilion chastising him on the inappropriateness of inviting such an estimable member of his court to perform the capping rites of his concubine and one with such a tarnished past at that.

He felt a faint protest rising unbidden and hurriedly swallowed it back down. Head Eunuch Cao was right. Refusing to go ahead with the ceremony now would not be protecting Liu Yao’s reputation, it would be destroying it altogether by insinuating that even a member of the harem, ignorant of the ways of the world, knew better than His Majesty.

In giving him such a birthday gift, Liu Yao was placing him above all else. Yan Zheyun would rather die than slap him across the face with ingratitude.

But it wasn’t worth it for Liu Yao. He was very touched, very happy, but he wasn’t worth it, he wanted to say. Whatever malicious words wagging tongues could concoct, whatever schemes the empress dowager, disturbingly silent on this issue, was brewing in her palace, Yan Zheyun wasn’t worth it.

Lowering his gaze such that Liu Yao could not see his reddened eyes, he didn’t have any trouble keeping deathly still as Grand Preceptor Du undid the ribbon in his hair before combing it up into a full topknot. It wasn’t as unbearable as Lord Chen had made it out to be or maybe it was because Yan Zheyun was so nervous that he couldn’t concentrate on anything else but the thought of whose eyes were watching. Who he might have to defend Liu Yao against. Whose nefarious plots he would have to avoid falling prey to.

Grand Preceptor Du then fastened the inner and outer cap over Yan Zheyun’s bun before covering them both with a sombre black scarf.

"As of this moment on the seventh day of the seventh month in the sixth year of the reign of Emperor Xuanjun (2), you have officially transitioned into adulthood and granted adult attire. Your maturity should be reflected in your demeanour; dress and act with dignity and do what is morally right. We wish you a long and successful life."

This was the point where the participant was supposed to bow to his mother but the ancestral hall that should be in the Yan Family’s estate was no longer around, long since sacked with the downfall of the prime minister. Whether there were tablets for Yan Yun’s father and mother, Yan Zheyun didn’t know, and he looked towards Liu Yao for direction.

"Good boy," Liu Yao murmured, his tone so light that Yan Zheyun almost failed to catch his words. "Bow towards the direction of the entrance, I have prepared an altar slightly further away for your family." Even Liu Yao, who seemed to through caution to the wind at the best of times, was aware that it would be too controversial to bring the tablets of deceased criminals into the imperial ancestral hall.

Nonetheless, he had already done more than many men would have done, let alone an emperor who did not have to pander to anyone’s wishes.

A hard lump lodged itself in Yan Zheyun’s throat and he nodded, glad that it was requisite that he remained quiet for this ceremony so that no one would notice the sudden flood of emotions that threatened to overcome him. Perhaps it was residual feelings from fragments of the soul of a little boy who remained deep inside this borrowed shell but it was all he could do to hold back the waves of loneliness that crashed upon him.

When he bowed deeply to the ground to pay his respects to his ancestors, a part of him thought about the late prime minister and his wife but the other half pined for his real parents.

Ma, pa. Wherever you are, thank you for raising me. Your son couldn’t be filial and stay by your side to care for you but know that I am well and I have found someone to share a life with. I wish health and happiness to both of you for years to come.

With the ceremony almost over, the grand preceptor made to help him to his feet before halting in his tracks, his hands outstretched as they clenched at the air awkwardly.

"Ah, this subject has forgotten..." he trailed off sheepishly as he stroked his beard. Yan Zheyun was perplexed for a split second before remembering—of course. Although he was in the role of a youth from a younger generation, he was also the emperor’s concubine, a lesser ’wife’ of sorts. One had to avoid doing anything to rouse suspicion.

In the end, it was Liu Yao who offered Yan Zheyun a hand to his feet. If the robes weren’t so cumbersome, Yan Zheyun might not have required assistance but the last thing he wanted now was to fall flat on his face in front of many a dead emperor and their wives and kids.

"Hmm...ordinarily, Young Master Yan’s capping ceremony should conclude with the bestowal of a courtesy name from your honourable guest," Grand Preceptor Du said, his gaze darting swiftly over to Liu Yao before returning to his newest charge. "Although this subject has not had the opportunity to become Young Master Yan’s teacher, this honour should still have been mine. However..."

"What my teacher is trying to say," Liu Yao interjected, "is that this sovereign has selfishly stolen this opportunity from him."

The long beard of the grand preceptor flared in indignation as the old man rounded on his most capable student. "This old subject is pleased to see that Your Majesty has still retained a strong sense of self-awareness," he huffed.

Liu Yao remained unfazed by his teacher’s temper, ignoring Yan Zheyun’s polite attempts to placate the elder to nudge him gently over to a side table where a scroll was already prepared.

"Ah Yun," he said, stepping so closely behind that Yan Zheyun felt the hairs on the nape of his neck rise from the feel of Liu Yao’s breath against the sensitive skin there. This was—Liu Yao’s lack of decorum astounded him.

"Your Majesty," he hissed. "Not now!"

To Yan Zheyun’s relief, Liu Yao’s actions didn’t become more brazen, although it was now abundantly clear that he didn’t think much about his ancestors’ opinions or how the rest of the world might regard him either. He remained close to Yan Zheyun’s side as he unfurled the scroll in front of Yan Zheyun’s eyes.

"But this sovereign has a little secret that he wishes to share with his Ah Yun right now," he murmured. "And it is only for your ears. My Ah Yun, look."

Knowing that Liu Yao’s obstinacy could put mules to shame, Yan Zheyun redirected his gaze downwards and—

One character for child. Zi.

One character for plume. Yu.

"A boy with feathers, with wings, with the ability to take flight." Liu Yao was talking even as Yan Zheyun felt his blood turning to ice. "I thought carefully about the rules around courtesy names and decided to follow the tradition of linking it to your birth name ’Yun’. A boy named after the clouds should have the chance to soar high above them."

But Ah Yao, he wanted to protest. It sounds so much like one character for child and one character for jade. Ziyu. Ziyu.

Before Yan Zheyun could say anything though, he felt Liu Yao take his hand and squeeze it with a rueful chuckle.

"I haven’t even had the chance to defend myself and Ah Yun’s fingers are already clammy with dread." He leaned in close so that their arms pressed tightly against each other, side by side like they were equals. Like they were what Yan Zheyun dreamed about in the dark of the night when the silence was like a yawning chasm and he woke up from nightmares that he couldn’t remember.

"What should this concubine be accusing you of?" Yan Zheyun asked hoarsely.

"Ah Yun, I promise you that what I am about to say next is true." The playful tone in Liu Yao’s voice had dissipated, leaving behind a seriousness that made Yan Zheyun straighten up subconsciously. "No matter what anyone says, no matter what it may seem to be, know that when I chose this courtesy name for you, I had many reasons. I know what it looks like, I know what the capital will think of you once word gets out that you share the same courtesy name as the emperor’s dead lover."

In front of Grand Preceptor Du, the eunuchs that were helping to facilitate the ceremony, the spies that were potentially lurking in every corner. In front of the souls of the family that founded Great Ye, the spirits of the host body’s lost family, and the gods that dictated the fortune of the dynasty. They were all watching but it didn’t matter to Liu Yao; he brought Yan Zheyun’s hand up to his lips and kissed it reverently.

"Trust me, Ah Yun. When I named you, you were the only one in my heart."