After the breakfast, Emperor Qing Jinhai was having his tea in the garden. Looking at his light frown, Nianzu couldn't help but ask.

"What's on your mind, your Majesty?"

"Hm?" Qing Jinhai glanced at his captain before looking back at the swaying flowers. "I was just think about last night."

"What about it, your Majesty?"

"There is something not right." Emperor Qing Jinhai stated. "Nianzu, investigate that dancer girl. There's no way that sly fox Longwei would just make someone his concubine on a whim. A veiled dancer girl he just saw!? Longwei never was the one to do things like that. He had always been cunning; calculating; carefully crafting a web before capturing his prey. If not for his strategic mind, he wouldn't have been able to win all those wars. Making a mere dancer girl his imperial concubine just because he liked her dance!?" Jinhai snorted. "Too absurd." Not to mention, his own thoughts about the girl when she danced bothered him. Something wasn't right.

Nianzu nodded. He had also found it strange for the Emperor of Song Empire to do something like that. He wasn't the one of those Emperors who were fond of seeking out and collecting beauties. "I concur, your Majesty. I've also found it strange. I'll have the girl investigated."

***

Xiao Lin woke up in a softest bed which was big enough for 3 adults. The room was luxurious and was lavishly and extravagantly decorated.

Yesterday night, when he was going back to his room, he was stopped by some eunuch and was brought here at Spring Palace. Apparently, this new place was his as he was now a part of Emperor's harem and because of his rank as an Imperial concubine, he received his own palace.

The place was beautiful. But Xiao Lin couldn't stay here. Not only it was insulting to him to get something like that by becoming some monarch's mistress but also when the Emperor found his identity as a male, he was sure he would be tortured to death by the Emperor. Didn't ancient people have those torture chambers? He had read about those in novels. Killing by thousand cuts; throwing in hot oil! And those horrible torture devices! He shuddered at the dreadful thoughts. He would rather kill himself first than experience hell like that. No way he's going to stay here. He has to get out of this place as soon as possible. Especially before that Emperor's visit.

But how he was going to do that? Even Su Ming hasn't returned yet. That stupid boy was crying tears of joy when he heard Xiao Lin became imperial concubine, making Xiao Lin feel insulted and angry. Of course, he couldn't show his emotions otherwise Su Ming would have pestered him by asking why he wasn't happy and how lucky he was blah blah. Often times, that boy became a gossip-loving nagging auntie!

Last night eunuch informed him that Su Ming wasn't allowed to stay with him unless Su Ming was a eunuch because Xiao Lin was now a property of His Majesty Song Longwei. So, no other man was allowed to stay with him. But who knew Su Ming was already a eunuch. He never told Xiao Lin that until yesterday making him surprise.

Su Ming was taken away by that eunuch last night to check if he was telling the truth or not. And he hasn't returned yet. I hope he's okay.

Xiao Lin would need a help of Su Ming or someone else to escape. Because not only was he new in this palace, he also had not been here in this world long enough to know well about it. No one knew he was a male neither he had shown his face during his last night performance. He will use those things to his advantage.

***

After a day, Su Ming returned. He was wearing his new eunuch uniform and was smiling like an idiot.

"What's wrong with you?" Xiao Lin asked, suspicious.

Wiping the smile off his face, Su Ming replied, "nothing, my lady. How have you been?"

"Good. What took you so long? What were you doing?"

"Ah, that's because they were teaching me about rules and my responsibilities."

"Hmm..."

"Oh, and I've collected some information for your lady's benefit." Su Ming said in that tone that Xiao Lin's gossip-loving neighborhood auntie in his previous life used whenever she started gossiping.

"What is it?"

"My lady," Su Ming moved a little closer and lowered his voice, "I've heard that His Majesty is really brutal and has ravenous appetite in bed that often times one concubine isn't enough so multiple ones serve him at th— oww what was that for?!" Pouting, Su Ming rubbed his head where he was smacked by Xiao Lin.

"You Idiot! What kind of info is that!? Is this the kind of info you should be collecting! How's that helpful to me?!"

"So, my lady can prepare herself mentally!" Su Ming defended. He hesitated before continuing. "I also heard that emperor really likes it when his concubines scream under him. My lady, you're a virgin. I was just worried for your bo— oww, why again, my Lady! It hurts."

"It should!" Xiao Lin raised his hand, his face was red with anger and embarrassment. "Stop! I don't want to hear any more nonsense."

Seeing the red face of his lady, Su Ming thought his lady had gotten more angry, so he didn't continue.

"Instead of snooping around Emperor's bed affairs, have you found anything better?"

"Of course! Haven't my lady heard the news yet?"

"What news?"

"A small, private dinner is going to be held tomorrow. The other country's Emperor has to leave soon. So, it's held for him, before his departure. Only close relatives and important personals of both Empires are invited. Concubines of His Majesty would be there too. That meant, my lady, you have to go too."

And just like on a cue, head eunuch came to relay that same info. He announced that Xiao Lin had to be present at the dinner tomorrow as he was now an imperial concubine.

Of course, Xiao Lin wasn't happy with this news.

"My lady, this is a good opportunity to see other concubines of His Majesty. And you should be careful of them. Don't be too trusting." Su Ming said after the head eunuch was gone.

"Hm. Let's go!" Xiao Lin said as he stood up.

"Eh? Where to?" Su Ming asked, confused. But reflexively stood up when Xiao Lin did.

"Exploration!" Xiao Lin announced as he made his way out of his garden. Su Ming followed after.

Rest of the day, they explored some places of Imperial Palace. Su Ming knew a little more about the palace grounds than Xiao Lin did. He showed his Lady to the kitchen area on Xiao Lin's inquiry.

If Xiao Lin had to make an escape plan, knowing his current location and about palace grounds was crucial. So, he paid extra attention, asked Su Ming questions and tried to memorize which path led to which area. Of course, they couldn't explore the whole palace as it was so big and also there were some restricted areas. As he surveyed his surroundings, his hopes kept crashing. There were guards everywhere. And surrounding walls were high as sky. And he knew the front gate was heavily guarded too. How was he going to escape? He went back to his place feeling dejected.

***

Xiao Lin wore a simple but a beautiful white robe which contrasted beautifully with his long black hair. A maid was going to put some makeup on him but he stopped her and did it by himself. His skin was flawless and soft-looking that if his elder sisters saw the now him, they would be really jealous. He applied some rouge on his cheeks and applied light lipstick to give a natural and cute look. When you had three elder sisters, at some point they would make you your model to practice their makeup skills on. And Xiao Lin had a good experience at that. So, he knew a thing or two about makeup.

Once ready, he was led by a maid and Su Ming to a room. Two guards outside questioned as they have never seen this concubine before. Su Ming replied to them then opened the door for Xiao Lin to enter once they nodded their approval.

He looked around. The room was really big and was beautifully decorated. Long cream-colored curtains with flowery patterns swayed as fresh evening breeze flowed in through the large windows.

"My Lady, over there. Those are Emperor's other concubines of rank." Su Ming whispered before retreating to go and stand at his place. Xiao Lin nodded and looked at where other concubines sat. He found them already looking his way, some with curious eyes and some with unreadable expressions. He noticed one peculiar thing about them. All these ladies had a peculiar black-markings circling their necks, like a tattoo choker.

Xiao Lin took a few steps to go and sit at his place. But, suddenly, he felt something pull at his ankle which made his right foot to slip forward.

A startled "aah, oh mamaa!" unknowingly in English, escaped his lips. He got ready for his head to smash open on the floor but the painful impact he expected never came. Instead, he landed in someone's arms. Reflexively, his hand grabbed the front of the other man's robe to stable himself.

"Phew! That scared me!"

Strange. What happened?

Xiao Lin looked up to see his savior glancing towards the concubines' direction before lowering his eyes to meet his. Surprise flashed across the taller man's blue eyes which was soon replaced by amusement. The man had golden hair, Xiao Lin noticed. The blinding smile blossoming on the man's face made him more handsome.

Xiao Lin smiled back. "Thank yo—"

His smile frozen. Words stuck as his eyes landed on the man standing next to the golden-haired man. There he stood, Emperor Song Longwei; taller than the blue-eyed man. Coldly looking at the Xiao Lin who was in other man's arms. Because of a scare earlier from the fall, Xiao Lin missed the announcement about the arrival of both the Emperors.

His frozen expression was replaced by a mix of worry, shock and fear.

What was this situation?! Emperor stood there and his concubine was in the arms of the other man in a very cliché position often seen in romance dramas. The hall was eerily silent. Xiao Lin started to cold sweat.

"Oh my, Xiao Lin meimei*! How could you do that!? Don't you remember who you belong to? Purposefully falling in the arms of the Emperor of Qiang Empire. Blatantly trying to seduce other man in front of His Majesty Song. How shameless can you be!" Xiao Lin turned his head to look at the speaker. It was one of the concubine wearing a bright red robe. He immediately felt a great dislike for her.

(*Meimei: Little/younger sister. Doesn't mean literally.)

What! What the hell is she saying?! Seducing who? Golden-haired man is the guest Emperor!? Xiao Lin looked at the man who hasn't let go of him yet and was still sporting a light smile on his face even in this situation. He pushed him with both hands and the man let go. Why was he still smiling? Is he enjoying this? Creepy! Xiao Lin gave him a disapproving look before turning his head towards the man who seemed to be releasing a dark aura.

Blood drained from Xiao Lin's face as he looked at the Emperor's dark expression. He had this weird thought that he was standing by the sunny day while looking at the haunting night.

He won't believe her, would he? Did it really look like I fell on purpose? But I definitely didn't!! Something pulled on my ankle. Strange, I know!! But would he believe me if I told him this? Who would believe a ghost-story like that?! Didn't in the historical-drama I watched the Emperor threw his concubine in the cold palace because of misunderstanding! And in another one, the Emperor executed the concubine because he thought she was having an affair. Ok she really was! But I'm innocent! Xiao Lin thought as he slowly moved closer to the Emperor Song Longwei before kowtowing in front.

"I...I didn't fall on purpose, your Majesty. My foot slipped, promise. Please don't...hurt me!" Remembering the concubine's words, he added, "I... I only be- belong to you, your Majesty."

Of course not, I only belong to myself, he corrected himself internally. This palace is too dangerous. I'm not staying! I need to escape soon! Ah! He decided, more determined to leave this place.

Xiao Lin waited, getting anxious by every second that passed. But no reply came. Instead, he heard the leaving steps.

What?! What's the meaning of this?

"Rise. Come, serve Zhen dinner." The deep voice commanded from behind.

"Eh?" Dumfounded, Xiao Lin took a moment to comprehend the meaning. He stood up, turned around and looked at the seated figure of the Emperor.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

***

H

ope you enjoyed! See you!