Scum Consort Guide (Bl) Ch.2

              
Son and mother sat on chairs near a table, where fresh tea was placed, embroidering. Well, at least one of them, the young master couldn’t figure it out.

“MÇ”qÄ«n, even though I’m going to be a consort I’m still a man. I don’t need to know needlework.”

Yaozu knows his mother only wants the best for him, but he also knows from the past that the emperor didn’t like when he was ‘acting like a woman’.

So, he would prefer to not give the emperor any reason to dislike him and live peacefully in the palace.

“MÇ”qÄ«n knows, but perhaps his majesty would be touched to receive some clothes embroidered by you.”

Yaozu looked at his mother with a bored expression.

“I’m sure his majesty will have many clothes embroidered by the other concubines.”

Madam Xiao was confused by her son’s actions. Her son was so madly in love that he was bedridden at some point.

How come Zu’er wasn’t excited to marry the emperor? Did he realize how dangerous the palace is..?

…..It is too late to cancel the marriage, but…-

“Zu’er, you don’t seem as happy to enter the palace, did something happen?”

-…Perhaps, there might be something that can be done.

Yaozu looked at his mother hesitantly, he didn’t know whether he should tell the truth or not.

Would she be at ease if she knew he wasn’t in love anymore..?

“If Zu’er changed his mind…We can discuss with your fùqÄ«n and find a solution.”

Yaozu’s bright black eyes met the ones of Madam Xiao.

The warm smile on his mother’s face gave him hope, hope to live a happy life outside of that hell place.

“Thank you, MÇ”qÄ«n..”

Perhaps his hug was awkward, but could he be blamed? He wasn’t this affectionate with his mother since he was a child.

Of course, it’s something normal for higher ranks people…It still was..quite unbearable.

This is the reason he became indifferent, he wasn’t too familiar with this kind of human interaction.

..He started to crave it so badly when he was alone in the abandoned palace…

…..He was afraid to die alone…

Yaozu was brought back to reality by Madam Xiao, who had kissed her son’s forehead gently.

Yaozu smiled, happy to be held by his mother.
Yes, maybe he was a big child, after all.

********
“Feng’er, what’s…his majesty’s opinion on this marriage?”

Minister Xiao was quite surprised by his wife’s words. She usually avoids the subject, pretending it isn’t happening.

Minister Xiao took a glance at his son, quite reluctant

“Well…His majesty is pleased.”

Truth be told, he doesn’t know either. The emperor was hard to read, but it seemed he didn’t hate it.

“FùqÄ«n, is there no way..to cancel it?”

Minister Xiao’s eyes widened after hearing his son’s statement.

“There are just two more days, it can’t be canceled now…However, I thought you were happy about it, what made you change your mind?”

Xingfeng feels that he failed his son…How could he not notice his son’s change..?

“FùqÄ«n…The palace is a dangerous place. What would I do if his majesty doesn’t like me?..”

The family hopelessly looked at each other not knowing what they should do now, even the servants were worried.

“…I would try to talk with his majesty.”

Yaozu frowned deeply at his father’s statement.
He was worried about him, knowing the emperor’s attitude, it won’t go too well…

“But FùqÄ«n, won’t that anger his majesty..!?”

Xifeng’s features softened seeing his son scared.

“Don’t worry, even if his majesty would be angry, he doesn’t have any reason to get rid of me. Trust your FùqÄ«n.”

******
Many officials were waiting for the son of heaven in a grand hall.
All of them had emotionless expressions except one, who was slightly frowning but their eyes didn’t hold any emotion.

“May peace and grace be with your majesty!”

All the officials bowed before the elegant man dressed in golden attire.

“May the court begin.”
A cold voice echoed in the hall, which made some tremble frightened by the man that sat on the throne.

~~~~
“I end today’s court here.”

Officials began to leave the hall one after another, however when the emperor rose from the throne to leave he was stopped by a minister.

“I would like to discuss something with your majesty, If you may allow it.”

The emperor wanted to refuse but when he saw who approached him, he gave in.
Prime Minister Xiao was one of the few officials that weren’t corrupted and good at handling their duties.

“Alright, I’m listening.What does the prime minister wish to discuss?”

The prime minister who usually had an emotional expression,now he had a slightly worried one.

“I wish to discuss with your majesty about my son.”

The emperor’s face shifted slightly, but only for a second.

“Is something in the matter?”
The emperor raised his eyebrows slightly.

“Well…Does your majesty really wish to marry my son,Yaozu?”
The emperor frowned at the prime minister’s statement.

“Why would the prime minister ask Zhen such a question?”
The emperor’s eyes darkened slightly, a thing which intimidated the minister a little bit.

“Forgive my daring self, your majesty, but my son is..quite reluctant to enter the palace.”

Emperor YongZheng is confused by the minister’s sudden statement.
This minister’s son..wasn’t he the one who requested this marriage?

Shouldn’t he be grateful that Zhen granted his wish,and not only that but Zhen also granted him a wedding?How dare he be reluctant?
Did this emperor seem like a joke in the prime minister’s and his son’s eyes?

“I think I misheard the prime minister just now.”,the emperor gritted his teeth,”Was the prime minister asking Zhen to cancel the marriage with your son,that you requested for?”

The prime minister started to feel anxious, the emperor wasn’t a very predictable person after all.
The prime minister lowered his head and stayed silent.

The emperor’s eyes darkened at the minister in front of him.

“But prime minister,wasn’t this marriage what your son wished for?”

Many ministers and officials were trying to marry their daughters into the royal family but the emperor rejected all of them, expect one.

The emperor accepted the prime minister’s only child to enter his harem.
Emperor YongZheng was quite happy to have a male consort.

He wanted the male consort to be a trusted aide for him and perhaps more.
However, he just got himself another whiny partner….

But still, he couldn’t cancel the wedding now. What would his people think of him?

“Your majesty, my son just..heard some gossip about the harem,and that made him hesitant.”

The emperor’s eyes began to burn a hole in the anxious minister’s head.

“The prime minister seems reluctant as well….”,the emperor smiled slightly,”Zhen wonders what opinion do the father and son have about the harem.”

The emperor never raised his voice, keeping his dignity but his voice was cold.

“No,your majesty we wouldn’t dare have unsightly opinion about the royal!It’s just..that the royal consort in charge of the harem affairs is a little lenient..”

“I see. It’s Zhen’s fault for not having an empress yet.” Emperor Yongzheng began, “Don’t worry Prime Minister after the wedding, I would make sure to find a suitable noble lady for the empress’ seat.”

“Your Majesty..—”

“Zhen has some paperwork to do, please excuse this emperor.”

The prime minister bowed slowly,blaming himself for making matters worse for his Zu’er.
He chose the wrong words..and now the emperor will surely be harsh towards his son…

********

“Zu’er, don’t forget, you need to be very wary of your surroundings, alright?”
Madam Xiao was holding the soft hands of her son tightly, as if not wanting to let go.

“..Yes, MÇ”qÄ«n I will be careful, don’t worry.”
Yaozu’s face was covered by a veil that was hiding the young consort’s face.

Yaozu raised from his seat and walked, along side his mother and Meihui, towards the carriage.
Prime Minister Xiao was standing near the carriage, waiting for his pitiful son.

The minister approached Yaozu and put his hands on his son’s shoulders.

“Érzi,listen to me carefully” the minister began,which draw the young master of the Xiao household’s attention
“The emperor’s love is like a thread of silk, you never know when it will break…So, don’t have too many expectations, alright?”

“Yes, FùqÄ«n, I will keep your advice in mind..”

Yaozu entered the carriage with the help of Meihui, and the two took their seats.

Yaozu’s face was pale, under the red veil, due to overthinking and anxiety.
Seeing the hand tapping of the young consort, Meihui put her hand on her master’s lap, making Yaozu look at her.

“Your Highness, everything will be alright. Don’t worry,I will be beside you no matter what.”

Yaozu calmed down a little after hearing Meihui’s reassuring words.

Meihui on the other hand,was quite uneasy about her master’s change.
He changed so much all of a sudden without any explanation, which confused her a little but mostly worried her.

However, she got to the conclusion that her master became anxious about the palace.
After all,the palace is a ruthless place, especially the harem.

She is still uneasy though, there’s something different about her master..but she can’t quite put her finger on it.

~~~~~

“Your Highness, it seems we have arrived.”
Meihui stated with a soft voice to her master.

Yaozu, however, remained silent and rose from his seat to get out of the bridal carriage and the dowry maid helped mindfully.

The two were met with servants kneeling before the palace, which was named ‘The Palace Of Eternal Harmony’, judging by the letters written at the entrance.

Yaozu entered the chambers gracefully with Meihui by his side.

The chambers were red decorated for the royal wedding, everything was too..red for Yaozu’s pleasure.

“Your Highness need to wait on the bed for his majesty, I would be guarding the door, if you need me.”

As the maid was ready to leave, she was stopped by her master.

“No,you can stay in the chambers with me.”

Yaozu was more relaxed now because he remembered that the emperor won’t consummate the marriage with him.
If he didn’t do it in the past, why would he do it now?

The young consort took off his red veil and placed it on the table near him, surprising the dowry maid.

“Y-Your highness,only his majesty can take off your veil..”

Yaozu looked at the naive maid with a bored expression.

“His majesty won’t come. So, help me change.”

“But, your highness..!-“

“Stop making a fuss Mei.”
Meihui blushed slightly after hearing the nickname and gave in.

*******
“Consort Xiao went to sleep right after arriving?..He didn’t wait at all?”
A cold voice echoed in the grand hall.

“Yes, your majesty..”

Emperor Yongzheng was surprised and irritated after hearing about the new consort’s behavior.

Normally he wouldn’t mind, because he wouldn’t visit anyway but this is Xiao Yaozu.

The prime minister pleaded with him for a marriage because…well, his son is lovesick.
He expected him to request a audience or something.

“Hah..Lovesick,huh?.Seems impertinent to me.”

After the discussion with the prime minister, he thought that perhaps he misunderstood him.

After all, why would you want your son, who can’t bear an heir, to hold the empress title but it seems that may be the case after all…

However,his reaction can also be out of worry for his son who is a consort now.

It would be a pity if the capable prime minister was exactly like the rest..