From CEO to Concubine-Chapter 209: Firstborn

Every time Liu Wei believed he was making progress with his plans, he found himself inevitably met with another setback.

The snowstorm raged on in the dark skies overhead on the night of his heir’s birth. It was already approaching spring and yet the chill gave no signs of abating, an ominous cold lingering in the air like an ill omen. Initially, he had thought this to be in his favour; the more hardships the common folk faced, the less faith they would have in their emperor. After all, it was Liu Yao who held—for now, at least—the mandate of heaven and it was Liu Yao whom they would blame for falling out of favour with the gods. The civilians who so revered their foolish liege for his benevolence would also be the first people to turn against him when natural disaster struck and strange rumours started abounding that it was the emperor’s disregard for the natural order of things—choosing a man for his official bride being the latest one—that incurred divine wrath upon them all.

But after many shichen spent pacing outside Side Concubine Wu’s chambers, impatient for her to be over and done with it, Liu Wei could only believe that it was he that the heavens sought to challenge with trials and tribulations. The toy that he had given to that useless Prince Yenanda had developed a spine and murdered his ally, robbing Liu Wei effectively of his support in the north.

It was such a waste too. That boy whore, sold into Yutao Pavilion by happy coincidence, had been the closest substitute he’d ever laid his eyes on to Yan Yun. He’d been delectable too, a true veteran in the ways of the night, but had lacked the zest for life that Yan Yun now flaunted shamelessly. In comparison to his royal brother’s pet—nay, wife now—this boy still paled in comparison.

Chun Xue, that whore had called himself. Snow in spring. A fitting name indeed, bland, muted white failing to live up to the vibrant splash of spring blooms that his face was born to imitate.

But despite his failings, he was the closest thing to Liu Wei’s desires and it had pained Liu Wei to give up such a delightful body to that stupid Yenanda. He had heard of Yenanda’s penchant for the boys of Great Ye; this brutish warrior enjoyed slaking his lust on the feeble bodies of his enemy people. On the surface, Liu Wei had given Chun Xue up as a gift, a bribe, to show his sincerity towards forming an alliance. But in truth, it was the fastest way to draw Yenanda’s attention to Yan Yun. To make that lout lust after Great Ye’s emperor’s favourite concubine. To deliver a satisfying slap to Liu Yao’s face.

His only comfort was that war had finally broken out, causing Liu Yao no small amount of trouble and pulling Great General Pan away from the capital where he was within reach to come to the emperor’s aid should the need arise.

After receiving the news that his child finally swelled in the belly of one of his women, Liu Wei had become confident that the gods had deemed him worthy and deigned to bless him. With a son on the way—he had clarified time and time again with the imperial physicians as well as the physicians he carefully maintained outside of his royal brother’s watchful eye—there was nothing to stop the morning court from firmly standing behind him in a power struggle. There was much he could promise them, the return of the nobles to the grand heights of prestige being the main one, and there was no reason for them not to favour him over Liu Yao and his radical policies.

All he needed was a son. This was enough to prove to them that, unlike Liu Yao, he was ready and willing to beget heirs and—more importantly—form close marital alliances in the process of doing so. Side Concubine Wu would have a special place in his harem for carrying his first child, of course, since this baby of theirs was the important signal that he was sending to the rich and influential ministers that...if they chose him, the next crown prince could carry their blood in his veins. That if they were willing to do what it took to get him to where he needed to be, the one wielding the phoenix seal could very well be one of their daughters.

Most people couldn’t resist the benefits that went along with being the emperor’s father-in-law. Liu Yao was an idiot for not realising what he could barter in exchange for a silly little title and some harmless privileges.

It was too cold to wait outside on the corridor anymore. With one last disgruntled glance at the door, Liu Wei wrapped an arm around his latest warm servant girl and proceeded over to the main reception hall of Side Concubine Wu’s quarters to wait. Side Concubine Wu’s screams were more chilling than the night air itself; if he didn’t know better he would have thought someone was being murdered in there. The midwives running the show had been adamant that he remained outside as the bloodshed during delivery was inauspicious for men and Liu Wei had been irritated that they had assumed he would even consider going in there.

To bear him children was Side Concubine Wu’s job, a job that she should be honoured to have since he was now considering elevating her above the status of his legitimate wife. She was obedient enough that it pleased him to have her at his beck and call, decorous enough to be brought into the public eye, and yet mild-mannered enough that he expected no resistance when he chose another more noble woman for his empress.

Compared to that failure of a woman who had held the position of crown princess for so long but didn’t manage to bring him anything but doubt and ridicule, she was a far better choice to present to the morning court indeed. Given that the Wu Family had been executed so swiftly, she had no more family backing to support her, no one to help her attempt to manipulate him.

Easy to use, easy to discard. That was the way Liu Wei liked his playthings.

"Your Highness, this servant is so envious of Side Concubine Wu." The pretty little face nuzzling against his arm gazed up at him with admiration in her doe-like eyes.

Liu Wei’s gaze darkened as he admired her beautiful long lashes. Xiao Lichun had gone to great lengths to procure her from her parents after passing by her coincidentally on the streets. Compared to Yan Yun, her face shape was more almond and her nose less daintily crafted, losing her some of that heart-stopping refinement that made him the far more exquisite choice.

But her eyes matched his expectations.

Dotingly, he tapped her on the nose before pulling her onto his lap. The heavy furs that lined the seats and the braziers burning merrily away kept the bite of winter at bay and if Side Concubine Wu was going to take a while longer, he might as well keep himself occupied with other indulgences...

Tracing a thumb under her right eye, he smeared it lightly on a beauty mark just beneath the corner of her lower eyelid, as though trying to erase its existence.

"Next time, remember to cover this up," he admonished gently. Yan Yun didn’t have one here. He could only regard it as a blemish. "Do you know what this type of beauty mark is called?"

She wrapped slender arms around his neck and gazed up coyly at him. "In response to Your Highness, it’s a tear mark."

He nodded. "Smart girl," he said, pulling her close by her delicate waist. "When this prince was a youth, my nursing maid once told me that the bearer of a tear mark is destined for heartbreak. You will cry for a bitter love in this lifetime, you will weep for a troubled heart in the next, only to be set free on the day you are reborn without such a mark on your face."

Her face grew pale but he tapped her cheek gently until some of the rosiness returned to her visage. What a pity that she was so quick to scare. Like a real deer, she had none of the irresistible mettle that Yan Yun had so carefully stowed away from prying eyes until certain that he was safely tucked away under the emperor’s protective wings.

"Don’t fret, my dear. Now that you’re in this prince’s arms, what need is there for you to fear lost love?" From the moment she became his, she would never belong to another.

Liu Wei hated the very idea of sharing. No, she would forever be a stranger to love but if she continued to bring him pleasure, then he saw no reason why she couldn’t become intimately acquainted with wealth, station, all the material comforts that only one of status would be able to enjoy.

Love was overrated. When would Liu Yao learn?

The quick pattering of footsteps on the wooden floorboards seized his attention. His hand halted on the ties of the girl’s robes as Xiao Lichun came rushing in.

"Your Highness, Side Concubine Wu has delivered."

But the triumph that soared in Liu Wei’s heart was short-lived at the pallor on Xiao Lichun’s face.

"What is it?" he asked sharply, pushing the girl off his lap as he stormed over to seize Xiao Lichun by the arm. "Stop wasting this prince’s time and spit it out! What happened?"

The tremble in Xiao Lichun’s arms made Liu Wei’s blood, which had been heated all evening at the thought that victory was finally nigh, freeze over like the imperial lakes, which had still yet to fully thaw.

Xiao Lichun’s gaze slid uneasily over to the girl, whose coquettish pout had long since been replaced by a tremulous uncertainty.

"Y-Your Highness? Congratulations..."

Liu Wei’s smile had fallen off his face. "Xiao Lichun."

As his most trusted right-hand man, Xiao Lichun didn’t have to be told what to do. He flicked the whisk he carried, a symbol of his status as Head Eunuch of the Bright Price of the First Rank’s manor, and made a curt gesture towards the servant girl.

Instantly, two guards stepped up to seize her by the arms, one dragging her out roughly, the other smothering her mouth with his large hand.

"Your High—mmph!"

Liu Wei waved them off, the apprehension constricting itself so tightly around his chest that he felt suffocated.

It was always like this. No matter how hard he struggled in the net, little hiccups and big setbacks always ensured that he would be unable to run out of his royal brother’s control.

When would these days of having to stick his tail between his legs and suck up to Liu Yao for a treat end?

He was sick of it all.

"What’s wrong now?" he asked poisonously. "Is the child dead? Disfigured? You better have a good reason for scaring me." Now that they were alone, he dropped all pretences at formality.

Xiao Lichun shot a furtive look around the room before leaning in close. "Your Highness...it’s a girl."

A girl.

There was an acrid taste in Liu Wei’s mouth. So this was how the gods chose to mock him. They’d raised his hopes just to have them dashed violently at the final moment.

A dangerous thought occurred to him.

"Who knows about this?" he asked in a low voice.

A flash of viciousness crossed Xiao Lichun’s face. "The three midwives who were present and the physicians outside the room have already been rounded up by the guards," he said. "No one else knows..."

"Side Concubine Wu? Is that wretched woman aware?" Any fleeting affection he’d harboured for her had all but vanished, replaced by a disappointment that bred a disgust so strong in him he was considering what vile punishment he could inflict upon her.

"In response to Your Highness...Side Concubine Wu fainted from the pain and has yet to see her child or hear about the child’s gender." Xiao Lichun must have read his expression because he added with reluctant nervousness, "Please forgive this servant his impertinence but...this servant would advise keeping her around..."

Liu Wei’s eyes narrowed. "What for?" he barked harshly, kicking the chair next to him with such force that it snapped into two. This did little to quell his anger and he knew that he would have to vent it well tonight if he wanted to get any peace of mind at bedtime. "What use is a woman who can’t even give me a proper heir?"

"Your Highness. This servant’s words might be blunt but so far, she’s the only chicken that has managed to lay Your Highness an egg. If someone else gets there before her, then naturally, Your Highness doesn’t need her anymore. But otherwise..."

With great effort, Liu Wei composed himself, starting to pace around the room as he formulated a plan. Xiao Lichun was right. She might not have met his expectations but hers was the only womb in which his seed had taken hold. If he killed her now, the gods alone knew when one of the others would swell with his child. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"You’re right." Patting Xiao Lichun on the shoulder, Liu Wei calmed down and rearranged his robes, which had become dishevelled from his undignified actions. He was overreacting, there were still ways and means to work around the circumstances he was faced with; they weren’t dire yet.

Running a hand through his loose hair, Liu Wei indicated for Xiao Lichun to open the doors.

"Prepare the carriage."

Xiao Lichun didn’t miss a beat. He had instinctively headed in the direction of Side Concubine Wu’s bedchambers but Liu Wei had no more tolerance for niceties today.

"The beauties in Yutao Pavilion have missed Your Highness’ company, for sure."

Liu Wei hummed noncommittally. "Where is the child now?"

"In response to Your Highness...she—" Xiao Lichun caught the glare Liu Wei shot at him and quickly amended his words. "Your Highness’ heir is currently in the care of the nursing momo Dowager Niangniang sent over."

Good. That was someone Liu Wei knew he could trust.

He took a deep breath and said, "Make the announcement. This prince was blessed this evening to receive a son, delivered by Side Concubine Wu. Feeling overwhelmed by love for my firstborn, this prince has decided to personally raise him in my quarters." Without hesitation, he sealed the fates of the midwives and physicians who had served him dutifully up until now. It was a shame to lose so many people he could utilise at once but what he was doing was akin to deception of the emperor and Liu Wei could not take any chances.

"During Side Concubine Wu’s delivery, the negligence on the part of the physicians, midwives, and servants tending to her resulted in injury to her health and the near loss of this prince’s son." Liu Wei’s mouth crooked up mercilessly. "In a fit of rage, this prince has had them executed and is now remorseful at my reckless actions. This prince will humbly beseech His Majesty for an audience tomorrow to beg for clemency."

"After all, I only did it out of ’love’."