From CEO to Concubine-Chapter 148: New Blood

The capital was abuzz with the news of the emperor’s latest ludicrous actions.

Tang Yuqin couldn’t tell what invited more censure from the nobility; the emperor’s clear favour for his male concubine or his sudden implementation of a whole host of new policies that would reshape education and the official system in the years to come.

In taverns, restaurants, tea parlours, and music halls. Out in the streets by the roadside vendors and in the stately horse carriages that passed by. The discussion was endless.

As far as Tang Yuqin could tell, the common folk didn’t care about the so-called ’demon concubine’, who had seduced the emperor with his unearthly beauty and cunning wiles. This rumour had spread like wildfire overnight, so voraciously that Tang Yuqin was certain there was someone fanning the flames. However, if they were hoping to sow the seeds of discontent towards His Majesty amongst the populace, they were probably sorely disappointed; the ordinary civilians were too distracted by the prospects the new education reforms were going to bring.

"Aiya, Household Manager (1)! I heard from Ah Lao in the marketplace that His Majesty is opening schools that will accept anyone that is hardworking! Do you think Gourou (2) will have a chance?"

"Did you know? His Majesty wants to let little girls go to school too...does this mean they’ll have a shot at the imperial examinations as well? That’s preposterous, right?"

"What do we do now? We told the matchmaker we were willing to accept the proposed bride price for Nannan (3). Quick, go visit them now and tell them we want a little longer to consider...we don’t have a son..."

These were the sorts of conversations Tang Yuqin couldn’t help but overhear in the last couple of days and they pleased him greatly. Not just because he came from a quiet background himself and could empathise with the down-to-earth realities that troubled the common folk, but because he had been tasked with the responsibility of disseminating this information to them.

Judging by the dissenting mutters he could hear echoing in Weiyang Hall and the dark glances thrown his way by officials from more influential families, he knew that he had done a decent job.

He kept his gaze trained humbly on the ground and did not attempt to engage anyone in conversation. The hem of his official’s robes was a splash of maroon against the stone floors, the twin silver pheasants against a background of peonies stitched onto his buzi an eyesore to those of the morning court who refused to acknowledge officials from a non-noble background.

As the newest principal graduate and one that the emperor had broken with tradition to promote directly to a ’Lower Five’ rank, two whole ranks above the norm. Tang Yuqin was, from the moment he had been called into the emperor’s study for a private audience, a ’lonely official’.

From that day onwards, he knew that whether he liked it or not, he would be viewed in the eyes of all as belonging to the emperor’s camp. He would have no faction to support his political endeavours in court. Consequently, his loyalty was owed wholeheartedly to his liege.

This suited Tang Yuqin just fine. Emperor Xuanjun had the country’s best interests at heart...as did his ’demon’ concubine.

Setting aside his reservations about Imperial Noble Consort Yue—the memory of that night in the alleyway still left a chill down his spine—the beautiful youth was impressive. Tang Yuqin would never forget his astonishment at learning that Imperial Noble Consort Yue had been the one to suggest some of the current reforms or his creativity when he volunteered different ways that Tang Yuqin could use to increase awareness. The set-up of ’public service announcement’ stations around the capital, solely for citizens to go to listen to ’broadcasters’ call out the daily updates of the events happening in morning court in simple language, had been shockingly effective.

And yet, despite all his contributions to the kingdom, Imperial Noble Consort Yue’s name was currently being besmirched by the mouths of the very officials who had contributed less to the betterment of Great Ye than a ’mere’ concubine.

Granted, unlike Tang Yuqin, they didn’t know the full extent of his involvement in the plans. But, Tang Yuqin thought with a wry smile that it was probably a blessing. If they had known, calling him a ’demon concubine’ would be considered a compliment compared to some of the things they might wish to say about him.

They would say he ruined a nation. Their nation, to be precise. A nation where, if they had their way, the stench of meat and wine wafted out of vermilion doors as frozen bones ladened the pathway outside (4).

"Your Majesty," another official, whose faction was unclear to a newcomer like Tang Yuqin, painstakingly pleaded. "It is all fair and well to appreciate nonpareil beauty but the fact of the matter remains that the first and foremost duty of the imperial harem is to provide the imperial throne with potential heirs. To promote a concubine to such a prestigious rank before they fulfil this expectation...forgive this humble subject for speaking frankly but—"

Emperor Xuanjun did not seem in the mood to forgive humble frankness. "Preposterous," he interjected with a dismissive smile. "If this sovereign’s Imperial Noble Consort Yue had borne me a child, you would all be telling me to behead that nefarious demon by now."

An awkward silence expanded through the hall, finally broken by a quiet cough from an elderly official who ran in the same circles as Right Prime Minister Ren. His brows were tight with concern, kindly eyes sincere, but Tang Yuqin had been taught a precious lesson on judging people by their appearances.

"We are just worried for Your Majesty’s reputation," the elderly official said gravely.

Tang Yuqin could only spare a fraction of an incense-burning duration to debate whether to speak up on Emperor Xuanjun’s behalf when Grand Preceptor Du adjusted his sleeves with exaggerated pomp, before bowing towards the throne. "What’s the point of worrying about trivialities?" he said, the very picture of calm amid the heightened tension. "Have any of you high and mighty lords taken a walk through town recently? The people’s heart remains with His Majesty." He raised his voice as he turned his attention back to Emperor Xuanjun. "On behalf of the poor scholars who have earned a chance to enter the court and display their talents by supporting the kingdom, this humble servant thanks Your Majesty!"

Without waiting for anyone to interrupt him, Grand Preceptor Du dropped down upon his knobbly knees into a full kowtow, intoning "Long Live His Majesty (5)!" in a sonorous voice. Like sheep fearful of standing out from the rest of the flock and catching the wolf’s attention, the rest of the hall competed with each other to follow suit.

"All rise," Emperor Xuanjun’s voice floated lazily down from the dais, where he watched his court with a satisfied smile. Tang Yuqin didn’t dare to raise his head and gaze upon the intimidating visage of the son of heaven. Now that he was properly attending court, he could understand why officials were always discussing the emperor’s moods and thoughts behind his back, even though it was disallowed. A good emperor knew how to conceal his innermost feelings and opinions and Emperor Xuanjun had long since perfected this art. Even though Tang Yuqin was nothing but loyal, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of apprehension when he realised he had no idea whether His Majesty was truly pleased at the moment or putting on a show.

"The lack of equal opportunity offered to the poorer classes in this sovereign’s kingdom has long since troubled my dreams," Emperor Xuanjun went on to say. "Hence, this sovereign looks favourably upon Beloved Subject Zhao’s achievements with the setup of the new schools. However, Beloved Subject Zhao, though undoubtedly driven by altruism, remains at the core a noble and has a limited understanding of the needs of the poor scholars. Is this sovereign right in saying so?"

Left Prime Minister Zhao stepped forward and bowed. "It is as Your Majesty says," he agreed. "This old subject has approached the task assigned to me with the intent to carry out Your Majesty’s expectations, but...this old subject regretfully admits that I am not suited to the task."

Tang Yuqin watched the performance unfold masterfully like this was a scene acted out by one of the roadside opera troupes that he would sometimes pause to watch.

"Beloved Subject Zhao belittles himself," Emperor Xuanjun said expansively. He was in a theatrical mood, Tang Yuqin noted, which seemed to be his favourite persona to bring to morning court sessions; the more dramatic His Majesty allows himself to be, the more on edge his officials became it usually meant he was about to do something they really didn’t like.

Sure enough.

"This sovereign believes that with the right support, you will be able to exceed this sovereign’s expectations wholly. As such, Principal Graduate Tang"—oddly, he never addressed Tang Yuqin by his current official title ever, as though he’d never intended for Tang Yuqin to take on that role, was merely using it as a stepping stone—"this sovereign hereby promotes you to Counsellor of the Ministry of Rites, but reporting directly to the Left Prime Minister Zhao."

The court exploded, unified once again by their shared consternation for their unorthodox emperor.

"Your Majesty! Please consider a thousand times!"

"Your Majesty, Reader-in-Waiting Tang has already been rewarded for his excellence in the imperial examination with his rank! However, his inexperience in court matters...this subject fears that he would ruin the project rather than save it!"

Emperor Xuanjun raised a lofty eyebrow. "Is this sovereign too foolish to comprehend what you’re saying or are you honestly trying to tell me that Left Prime Minister Zhao would be unable to provide adequate mentorship to a new but promising official?"

That official looked like he’d swallowed a fly but Tang Yuqin was unable to focus on his amusing expression just yet.

Counsellor. Counsellor. Also a ’Lower Five’ position, Tang Yuqin couldn’t technically be said to have gained a new promotion. However, everyone worth their weight in court understood the significant difference between the two jobs. To put it bluntly, Reader-in-Waiting was just the emperor’s glorified pageboy. A pale copy of the study companion, the role required Tang Yuqin to read to the emperor when he requested it, but it came with none of the emotional goodwill gifted to childhood friends.

But Counsellor was far more central and relevant to the matters of politics. A subordinate in the six ministries, a counsellor had superiors with their personal agendas, did a lot of the in-between practical work that brought the abstract concepts of their supervisors’ goals to life. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Not to mention, he was a counsellor in Minister of Rites Wu’s dominion, a seat of one of the old noble clans, despite their slow fall from grace.

But Emperor Xuanjun handed the reins, which would tie Tang Yuqin’s hands up and leave him unable to fulfil his purpose, to a complete outsider to the Ministry of Rites. It wasn’t even a matter of hiding a traitor; Emperor Xuanjun had openly announced that he was planting a spy.

Tang Yuqin had suspected that Emperor Xuanjun would utilise him sooner or later. He just didn’t anticipate that the day would arrive so early. Despite having backing from the second most powerful official in court, he was terrified...and yet thrilled, all the same.

This was what he came to the capital to do. If he backed down now or caved to the intimidation he had no doubt he was going to face, he would amount to nothing more than a disappointment to himself.

"Principal Graduate Tang, what’s the matter?" he heard Emperor Xuanjun bark. "So shocked you’ve lost your voice?"

Tang Yuqin stepped out. He bowed. Although the other scholars from affluent backgrounds had once jeered at him for the cheap fabric of his robes, had once insisted that he would be unable to present himself elegantly before the imperial throne as his back was too bent, too crooked from tilling the fields, his posture was flawless now as he carried himself in front of the entire court, the brightest jewel discovered in the mines of the latest imperial examinations.

"This subject thanks Your Majesty for the decree." He eagerly awaited his first set of orders.