Author’s Note:
The author has great news! I have started a new job, which means I have more time to write, and more time to interact with all the amazing people who read my silly story.
Also, one of your fellow readers and dear friend of mine PumpkinEwe has made an adorable meme featuring everyone’s favorite eunuch, Su Ao and her Alpha OC who has been bullying poor Su Ao.
——
“Are you happier, Li Changyu?”
Jin Xiyan raised his head from the weiqi board and looked at Li Yunmeng, who was at his side. Across from him was his youngest Son, Jin Haoran – he was also his opponent.
“That is a very sudden question, isn’t it?” He placed another piece on the board, once again defeating his Son. Jin Haoran’s cheeks puffed out in his exasperation. Truthfully, he did not have a knack for the game, but he was still young. He was turning six in just a few short days, and after some cajoling, he convinced Jin Haoran to let him, “the Empress,” organize the party.
Li Yunmeng was a decent if not strange fellow by Jin Xiyan’s estimation. It really looked like there was nothing between his Wife and him, and he was a Li, so his presence was more than tolerated.
The man shrugged his broad shoulders, “I mean, all you talked about was finishing the campaign so you could head back to the capital and start a family with some mystery boy you loved.”
Jin Xiyan paused his hand over the pieces that he was straightening up to start a new game. He stared at Li Yunmeng blankly. This was the first time he ever heard about this!
“Pardon me? Mystery boy?”
Li Yunmeng plucked the straw that was resting at the corner of his mouth out and sat up straighter. “Did you already forget him because of…” Li Yunmeng tilted his head over at Jin Haoran a few times and lowered his voice, “You-know-who.”
“Are you asking if I…” Thinking better of finishing his sentence, Jin Xiyan reached over and covered Jin Haoran’s ears. The boy stuck his lip out in a pout. “If I had a lover before I was married?”
“I wouldn’t say lover, exactly…” Li Yunmeng blew out a breath and twirled the stalk of grass in his fingers. “You just seemed more interested in settling down with some guy you wouldn’t reveal than fighting all the time.”
Li Changyu actually wanted to do something other than go to battle? And it seemed he wanted to do it with someone else – someone not Jin Xiyan. This knowledge did not sit well in his chest.
And because covering a child’s ears was really ineffective, Jin Haoran pulled down his hands and beamed a smile up at them.
“Omegas are supposed to marry and have children and take care of them!” Jin Haoran studiously answered, likely parroting one of his teachers. His little hands grabbed onto as many pieces as they could – most of which were spilling over – to help set the board again.
“That is right,” he lightly booped his Son on the nose, making him giggle. “You really have been studying the Three Obediences and Four Virtues for Omegas, haven’t you?”
Jin Haoran bobbed his head so hard that his tiny ponytail swayed wildly. He had taken to wearing his hair like that recently, but he wasn’t sure why. (the author wishes to point out the obvious, which is that there is an Emperor walking around with such a hairstyle!)
“Nanny Chu says I need to work extra hard because you are a bad influence.”
For a second time Jin Xiyan was forced to pause. Li Yunmeng’s brows rose, but he looked more amused than upset.
“How can I, the Empero–Empress of our Land, be a bad influence?”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Jin Haoran counted his fingers as he recited off a list, “Empress Mother does not conduct himself like a good omega.”
“He–I–I mean…” Li Changyu was a trained warrior and as far as Jin Xiyan knew, the only omega in history to be in the army. That technically wasn’t omega-like conduct…
“Empress Mother has disrespectful speech.”
“…” It was no secret that Li Changyu cursed up a storm.
“Empress Mother does not hold himself to the standard of an omega or an Empress.”
Jin Xiyan opened his mouth, a finger raised and poised to make an argument, but he looked down at himself. He had picked up the habit of sitting like Li Changyu; all spread legs and hunched forward. Jin Xiyan pushed his knees back together and corrected his posture. When he tried to correct Jin Haoran, his son went on, cutting him off.
“–and Empress Mother plays with swords and deadly weapons instead of busying himself with appro…appa…” Jin Haoran fumbled over the words, “–aporopreet hobbies.”
Jin Xiyan wracked his brain over that. Did Li Changyu know anything about omega or womanly arts? He looked at Li Yunmeng, hoping he would give any hint, but the man just shrugged again. Surely Li Changyu can do something? Jin Xiyan tried to imagine Li Changyu doing something sweet like embroidery. The image of him holding a dainty bit of fabric and thread with a coquettish smile quickly morphed into an infuriated Li Changyu that brandished the needle and threatened someone with it.
Each accusation felt like a series of arrows that shot itself in his back. Then in a sudden epiphany, Jin Xiyan finally countered with, “I do something far more important, like obeying my Father.” Li Changyu’s love for his Father was quite evident and he stayed under the former General’s command during the entire campaign.
His Son blinked up at him, innocent in his tone as he said rather bluntly, “But you are married now and do not obey Emperor Father.”
That was the last arrow and it was a kill shot. Jin Xiyan dragged a hand over his face with an exasperated sound. Do those nannies have so much free time that they can gossip about me-I mean Li Changyu!?
“I should change over all the staff,” he muttered.
“Imperial Noble Consort, Consorts Chen, and concubines come to greet His Highness!”
The sudden call from a eunuch jolted him out of his current thoughts. He motioned for Jin Haoran to come away from the game table and rose. They stood together side by side as his Wives entered the Phoenix Palace’s courtyard. They filed in by order of ranking, first Qin Yuze, then the twin consorts Chen Ziwei and Ziyin walked together, and followed by concubines Qian Jing, Song Rushen, until lastly Wu Shanjin. Each of them were immaculately dressed, and each came with their own servant that settled in beside their respective master.
Qian Jing was the first to greet them, “Your Highness Empress,” then she dipped again to Jin Haoran, “Seventh Prince.”
The others did the same, though there were varying degrees of enthusiasm from them. Not wanting to stand on ceremony, Jin Xiyan waved his hands.
“There is no need. I called you all for a reason,” he explained. “His Majesty has tasked me in organizing for Young Seventh’s birthday.” With no response, Jin Xiyan continued. “With this in mind, I have decided on tasks for each of you in order to contribute to a harmonious event.”
Jin Xiyan scanned the small harem to gauge their reaction. Song Rushen was his normally polite self and kept his eyes to the ground, but his posture was alert and his expression clear. The twins exchanged looks that could only be deciphered by the other, and Qian Jing bowed once.
“It would be this one’s pleasure to assist, Your Highness.”
“Hmph!”
He settled his gaze on Wu Shanjin. His head was turned up, nose in the air and gaze cast down to examine his nails. Jin Xiyan had not forgotten the omega’s behavior that fateful day when Li Changyu’s jade was destroyed. How had he thought this brat of a person to be sweet and docile? Looking at him and the twins, Jin Xiyan’s palm itched with the memory of Chen Ziwei crunching his hand and the jade under his boot. Needless to say, Jin Xiyan was in no mood to put up with any attitude.
Jin Xiyan looked to Qian Jing first, “Qian Jing, you will be in charge of directing the servants to clean the celebration hall.”
Since that day they had tea, he had come to rely on Qian Jing. The servants of the Palace did not answer to him still, which was the real reason behind him delegating tasks. He alone would not be able to pull this off even if the Li’s strong armed each servant and guard. So like any Emperor, he fell back to doing what was best: ordering the Court. Except this time, it was an Imperial Harem.
Qian Jing nodded in acknowledgment and whispered something to her servant, who nodded as well. Satisfied, Jin Xiyan looked to Qin Yuze. He was strangely quiet compared to the other day when he charged in and yelled at him.
“Imperial Noble Consort, you will be in charge of the decorations.”
At his command, Qin Yuze’s cool expression turned frosty. His dark gaze stared into his eyes, and if Jin XIyan had been a lesser person, he probably would have crumpled under that glare. The only form of acknowledgement was a curt nod and his eyes cut away, now peering off into the distance. Internally, Jin Xiyan breathed a sigh of relief.
“You two,” he addressed Chen Ziwei and Chen Ziyin together. “Are in charge of the furniture and seating arrangements. Make sure there is a good flow in the room.”
The pair shared yet another look before giving a curtsy. In unison they said, “Yes, Your Highness.”
Next it was Song Rushen. Song Rushen’s typical shyness came out under Jin Xiyan’s attention. His little concubine sucked in his lower lip and worried it lightly. To reassure him, Jin Xiyan gave a small smile.
“You know the staff the best. You will select the best to serve us and our guests for the party.”
This was more than true. Song Rushen was once his Mother’s slave and he served in the Palace for quite some time before Jin Xiyan had selected him to be his most recent Wife. Well, the most recent Wife besides Li Changyu.
In the order of marriage, it was Qin Yuze who came first as his Princess Consort. Shortly thereafter, Qian Jing. The Chen twins were unexpected and he had to marry them to avoid scandal. When he was not producing any heirs, someone suggested taking an omega. Wu Shanjin’s family were low-ranking officials, and with him being a son of a concubine, it was acceptable for him to take Wu Shanjin as one. Then he married Jin Haoran’s Mother…
Frowning at the sudden memory of his deceased Wife, he looked down at Jin Haoran. His Son never had a chance to get to know their Mother, since he died from a coughing illness shortly after he was born. Jin Haoran’s Mother was another omega male named Ming Yue by Qian Jing, as he was once her servant. But that too was a bit of a rushed marriage since it was sort of love at first sight, if one could call it that. Jin Haoran looked nothing like his Mother, because…a slight throb began to build at the base of his skull.
It was just now that Jin Xiyan was struck with a realization that, from a distance, Ming Yue had looked a lot like Li Changyu! Yes, Ming Yue was smaller and daintier like other omegas, but his complexion and eyes were like Li Changyu’s. Ming Yue’s hair was not nearly as black as his, but if one squinted…
He peeked at his reflection in the pond nearby the table and frowned. Do I just have a type of omega I like?
“We don’t have all day, you know!”
Pulled from his thoughts again, he ignored Wu Shanjin’s rudeness. “You will be in charge of the food. Haohao does not like beef or prawns, so stick with pork.”
Very few people knew that Jin Haoran was allergic to prawns. When it came to weaknesses in the Royal Family, it was best to keep them as hidden as possible. Smiling down at Jin Haoran, he patted the small boy’s head affectionately. As Li Changyu, he could be a bit more affectionate like this.
“Why are you acting so high and mighty, huh?”
Wu Shanjin was eager to instigate, it seemed. Jin Xiyan took in a breath and exhaled.
“This is not about my standing, or any others. It is a celebration for the youngest Prince.”
“He is not even one of the important ones, so why bother seeking the Emperor’s favor still?”
Jin Xiyan’s eyes narrowed on Wu Shanjin, “What did you say?”
“That little kid is just an orphan filling up a courtyard.”
“I am the rightful Mother of all His Majesty’s Children, how dare you imply he is an orphan!”
“He’ll be forgotten as soon as one of us gives His Majesty an heir. So I ask you again, why even bother?!”
Jin Xiyan’s nails dug into his palms as he balled his hands into tight fists. Did Wu Shanjin expect that he was like his own Emperor Father? Jin Xiyan was once the alpha heir, and he saw how much his siblings resented him for it, or sucked up to him in order to gain a shred of favor from the then Emperor. He also understood that the only reason he was useful for his Father was because he needed a successor – nothing more. However, Jin Xiyan worked hard to show each of his Children that they were to be cared for.
As his headache grew, he felt Jin Haoran shift his stance and slide behind Jin Xiyan’s leg. Looking down, Jin Xiyan caught sight of Jin Haoran’s soft, quivering lip. The ache in his chest hardened and he turned back to Wu Shanjin.
In three quick strides he made it in front of Wu Shanjin before the other omega could register he was moving. Wu Shanjin flinched and his eyebrows flew up, breaking his haughty, smug expression for a moment. Jin Xiyan was glad that Li Changyu was tall for someone of his status, because Wu Shanjin had to look up at him.
Jin Xiyan lowered his voice, but not enough that he could not be heard by everyone. “You are lucky that it is his birthday, because spilling blood would be inauspicious.”
Indignation made Wu Shanjin’s lip curled, and his bravado returned. “You think your threats scare me? You don’t even have the Phoenix Seal, what makes you think you can order any one of us around?!”
“Just because I do not have the Seal means that you, a lowly concubine, are any closer to getting it yourself, Wu Shanjin.” Jin Xiyan made sure to stand to his fullest height and glared down at him. “I currently have the Emperor’s favor. Who is more likely to listen to him, I wonder?”
Wu Shanjin pointed a finger in his face, “You!–”
“Relax,” purred a sultry voice. Qin Yuze sidled up beside Wu Shanjin, resting a sleek pale hand over Wu Shanjin’s that was pointed at Jin Xiyan. He slowly lowered Wu Shanjin’s trembling fist and his lips curled into a smile. “Your Highness, these petty squabbles are beneath the Harem, hmm?” Qin Yuze visibly squeezed Wu Shanjin’s wrist, “Is it not?”
Qin Yuze’s smooth words quickly deflated the bubble of tension. Wu Shanjin looked to his side, then up at Jin Xiyan, before huffing and turning away. Jin Xiyan was still annoyed, but he did not want to make it any more a spectacle.
But the fate of the day had a different plan.
“His Majesty has arriiiiived!”
These x?!!t!ch better not ruin cute little Jin Haoran’s party!
JXY totally doesn’t have a preferred type of Omega. Hehehe
Thank you for chapter! Congrats on new job!
I am glad you enjoyed! I knew it would make some folks angry for little Jin Haoran to be abused
Thanks for the chapter, can’t wait for the next one
You are very welcome!
Love at first sight? A scandal with the twins? And he’s worried about Li Changyu’s one unnamed person that he thinks isn’t him? Haha, stupid alpha. I hope at least he’s recognizing that he’ll have a better chance at changing the standards for omegas and empresses than getting Li Changyu to conform to the current ones. I can’t wait to see what’s about to happen next!
I think you can guess why it was love at first sight 🫣
Yes, I understand. I wonder if he got one of his headaches when he died then? Losing Ming Yue could have been as confusing as much as painful, especially if Jin Xiyan had a subconscious fear of Li Changyu dying on the battlefield. At least, until the next Qin Yuze treatment.
JXY did mourn a lot for Ming Yue and I think the reason the feeling is a little dulled is because he forgot LCY due to QYZ’s dealings. Ming yue’s desth made him fear for LCY’s doubly so.
Why do I feel that the JXY with his memory, made a stand in for LCY with Ming Yue it makes all his love for LCY feel cheap as he can always find a substitute, so even if LCY dies he can always get a second or third one since he’s already done it before.
Now I’m picturing a whole harem full of different versions of Li Changyu 😂. They couldn’t be any worse than the current harem anyway!
The author will reveal this: Haoran is turning 5 years old. The events that started this conspiracy happened two years ago, so he saw Ming Yue about a year and a half before the accident. At the time Li Changyu was still in the military and JXY’s father was still the emperor. If you remember, JXY tried to propose that day on the pond when they were attacked by that dog, and LCY was sent away. Instead, the time he could marry LCY (his father had passed away) his accident happened, and so he forgot. 🙁 so please forgive this idiot alpha.
Oh my I really want to kill her. I can’t wait for the next chapter. LC since u are the emperor now pls be more firm and don’t disappoint me pls
Are you happy JXY stood up for Haoran?
Of course at least he still has conscience..
Congrats for your new job!
One good thing about JXY is his love for his children. And that b!tch deserves a sla for saying that to a kid!
Im excited for more! Thank you for the update
I am very excited too! And I have a long weekend, expect a new chapter soon!
JXY ordering the harem is so fun! He’s also finally seeing the true faces of most of his beloved wifes, which are just evil beings. But I have a bad feeling about this bday banquet… I feel like someone will try to muder the young prince during it but I hope I’m wrong.
Thank you for the chapter!
I am very happy you liked the chapter! I think you are the reader that is most critical of JXY. How is he doing, to you? Is he almost forgivable? 👀
Not yet forgivable, maybe if he regains his memory and regrets deeply for the rest of his life and cries over the pain he caused LCY and suffers some more… All in all, he hasn’t suffered enough pain yet for me to forgive him. But when he does I might 😅
Well with the thing that happens in the final battle, I promise you he will have lots and lots of pain.
Now you’re scaring me, deat author. I might not really like JXY but he’s still much loved by my favorite LCY so I hope the emperor will remain alive and in tact. He still owes LCY a baby