Will not bear this pent-up frustration!

The Qin Emperor’s twelfth year of rule. 

Winter. 

Snowflakes fluttered and fell outside the window.

The cold chill filled the air. The palace maids, wearing heavy winter clothes, swept the snow on the palace road as they occasionally rubbed their palms, blowing out cold breaths. 

The accumulated ice and snow lowered the blossomed plum flowers’ branches, covering them in a layer of frost.

It wasn’t that much warmer inside the room, as the charcoal fire in the stove had long burned out. As if the cold had seeped through the joints between the bones, enough to make all four limbs rigidly cold.

A young man with a snow-white fox fur coat draped over his shoulders, sat by the window, and the originally hot tea he was holding was also cooled by the wind and snow pouring in from the opening. The fingers around the cup were slender and smooth as jade, with distinct joints, two features that made the hands very beautiful.

Chang Shou walked forward carefully. “Young Master, it’s cold outside. Please allow this servant to close the window.”

The young man turned his head upon hearing the request. His posture was upright and elegant, and his face was gorgeous.

Even Li Chonghua, the Princess of the Yan Empire, known to be the number one beauty of the seven lands, would be outshone when compared with the young man. An attractive appearance that could rival any gorgeous woman, yet fell short to that of a man’s appearance.

Wei Lian smiled, “When the window is open, I can still see the wind and snow of my homeland. When it’s closed, I won’t be able to see it anymore.”

His voice was soft and crystal clear as jade, with somewhat of a smile on his face. From any outsider’s point of view, he was just a simple Young Master spending his leisure time admiring the snow.

Yet, Chang Shou’s nose was stuffed up and he was on the verge of tears when hearing this.

The Chu Empire had abundant snow. Lian GongziYoung Master must be feeling homesick. 

But as a hostage in the Qin Empire, he feared that the Gongzi could never return home in this lifetime...

The Lian Gongzi was only nineteen this year, but would waste the rest of his life in a foreign country. 

Wiping the tears at the corner of his eyes with his finger, Chang Shou, choked with emotion, said, “Gongzi needs to take care of his body. If the Gongzi was to catch a cold from the weather, this servant fears…”

Fears that the Qin Empire won’t even consider summoning a medical officer for the Gongzi.

The Gongzi was a noble of the Chu Empire, but had fallen to this position of hostage. 

* * *

Today, the world was separated into seven empires: Qin, Chu, Yan, Lu, Liang, Chen and Xia. Each with its own independent regime and ruled by each respective emperor. 

It had been twelve years since Emperor Ji Yue ascended the throne of the Qin Empire at the tender age of nine. He was a brave warrior and a resourceful strategist, well-known for his ambition and his cruelty. During his twelve years of rule, he declared nine wars, annexed countless cities, forced five out of six empires into submission, and was receiving annual tribute from those empires. 

The weakest—the Xia Empire, was only one step away from total annihilation. 

The strongest, the Chu Empire, had crossed blades with the Qin Empire army for many years. While the other five empires had long fallen, only the Chu Empire remained standing to this day. 

Until the fight that happened at Yan Mountain Ridge, followed by the Qin Empire’s army breaking through the Chu Empire’s three defences in quick succession. Facing the danger of subjugation, the Chu Empire quickly sent the Gongzi to the enemy empire as a hostage, with the promise of offering gold and silver, precious jewels, money, and horses to show its submission. 

On paper he was a hostage, but in reality, he was someone on death row. Qin and Chu fought for many years, as hatred for each other seeped into the bones. When a Chu Empire prince arrived in the Qin Empire, it was no different from a sheep being delivered into a tiger’s mouth. It wouldn’t be unusual for him to be immediately sentenced to death either by hanging or being shredded into pieces. 

The Gongzi was an outcast of the Chu Empire. 

Wei Lian’s birth mother was a mere palace maid who died in childbirth. Although he had the Gongzi status, he had experienced the fickleness of human nature. As for his future, he had long known of his so-called-fateThis will be explained later, but essentially he was told he would die young. . 

The envoys from the Chu Empire entered the capital, but the Emperor did not grant them an interview. Instead, a message was passed to them: Leave Lian Gongzi behind, the rest leave. We孤 is a word for an emperor or a king addressing themselves. So the royal 'we', or royal plural will be used in these instances.  do not want an audience. 

The envoys left just like that, with Wei Lian remaining behind. Along with him were his two close attendants, Chang Sheng and Chang ShouChang Sheng and Chang Shou: Interesting side note, both of the attendants’ names mean 'longevity'.. 

Wei Lian stayed in the post house for two days, waiting for a summons that didn’t seem to be coming any time soon. 

While he was calmly arranging flowers and making tea, his two attendants were worrying round and round. Chang Sheng even suggested, “Young Master, we should make our escape.”

Of the two trusted aides beside him, Chang Shou was skilled in tasks and a pleasant conversationalist. He was responsible for preparing and serving tea, one who personally served him the most. Wei Lian often teased him, and looked to have a closer relationship. While Chang Sheng had excellent martial arts, a serious man who was respectful to Wei Lian. He was by no means stepping out of line, but one who Wei Lian could trust in handling important tasks too. 

Perhaps Chang Sheng was the only one in this world who knew that his handsome and delicate Lian Gongzi was actually more masterful in martial arts than he was. It was not impossible to escape from the Qin Empire. 

“Escape?” Wei Lian unconcernedly trimmed the flower branches. “Where can I escape to?”

“With the world being so big, we can be unfettered anywhere, as long as we are out of Yongping! The Gongzi would never be caught with his skills!”

“Everything under Heaven is the Emperor’s land.” Wei Lian fixed the flower branches into a nice-looking shape and put down the scissor in satisfaction. “Even if I can escape from Yongping, I can’t escape from the Qin Empire. If I escaped, the Qin Emperor would only need to give an order for the other six empires to capture a criminal like me. That includes my home empire. A solitary Gongzi of the Chu Empire or a Qin Emperor who commands over a million of soldiers. Chang Sheng, they know who to please.”

After hearing this, Chang Sheng felt the dread of being powerless. “But Lian Gongzi...If you don’t escape, you’ll die...There’s no movement from the Chang Emperor of Qin for two days. Who could predict if he would send a decree to kill you tomorrow to appease the Qin Empire’s people’s rage against our empire.”

Wei Lian said softly like a cloud drifting in the light breeze, “Then die I shall.”

Chang Sheng was startled. “What did you say?”

“Whether it be death by a thousand cuts, dismemberment, or to be granted a merciful death with a cup of poisoned wine from the Chang Emperor of Qin.” Wei Lian raised his eyes and asked with a smile, “The results are all the same, so why fear the thought of death?”

Chang Sheng lowered his gaze. “The Gongzi is clearly...not someone who waits for his death.”

“Chang Sheng,” Wei Lian kept smiling. “I can escape. But what would happen to the Chu Empire once I do?”

Cheng Sheng huffed, “The Chu Empire has already abandoned you. Why must you keep this wistful duty!”

“I’m not being sentimental. To me, the Chu Empire’s Royal Court is the same as the Qin Empire, without any warmth.” Wei Lian shook his head gently. “The Chu Empire sent me to stop the war. If I escape, the Qin Emperor would become furious and declare war once more. Tens of thousands of soldiers and commoners of the Chu Empire will die. It’s worth exchanging my one single life for theirs.”

Chang Sheng was at a loss for words. After a long silence, he dropped both his knees to the ground and performed the Chu Empire’s grand etiquette of bowing. 

Wei Lian chuckled to himself. “I’m not dead yet. What’s with this farewell manner? Things are still not as bad as they could be.”

—On the third day, they received news from the Qin Emperor. It wasn’t regarding an execution, but...to bestow Wei Lian the position of ShijunShijun: 侍君 is combination of 'to serve' and the honorific title 'Jun'. Since Jun or 君 is often associated with male rulers, and since this is an ancient setting, the assumption is that this word is used for a concubine who is also a nobleman.  and accompany the Emperor in the palace.

What in the world was this...Shijun?

At the age of twenty-one, the Qin Emperor had a harem that existed in name only. Because of the never ending cycle of wars and busyness with expanding territory. Not only was there no empress, there was not even a single concubine. 

And when the Emperor finally accepted his first beauty...The beauty was a man.

In the back palace hierarchyPalace hierarchy (for this story): Empress (皇后), Noble Consort (妃), Consort (夫人), Concubines (姬妾). the empress was at the top, followed by four FeiNoble Consorts and three lesser consorts, with countless concubines at the very bottom. Then what about the Shijun? No different than being without a title, the same status as a concubine. 

A concubine.

This was an absolute humiliation—even if Wei Lian was a Gongzi of the Chu Empire, he only had the privilege of being a male pet in the Qin Empire, a simple plaything. 

The ministers of the Qin Empire obviously all came to the same conclusion, so they had no objection to his Majesty’s decision to allow a man into the harem, they even applauded for it. To vanquish someone殺人誅心 this is a Four-character idiom. It means to destroy someone socially (it could lead to death indirectly as well—such as being sentenced to death). In this instance it is to destroy a man’s pride and dignity.  by forcing him into a submission role, an outcome more painful than death. 

His majesty was very wise.

When Chang Sheng and Chang Shou heard of this news, it was as if thunder crashed from a clear sky. The corner of Chang Shou’s eyes immediately turned red. “Lian Gongzi, this is beyond bullying, how could the Qin Emperor humiliate you like this!”

Wei Lian disagreed, “Isn’t this good? At least I can keep my life.”

Chang Shou cried, “It’s better to die than to live on in degradation!”

“...Don’t be like that. I still want to live.”

Wei Lian entered the palace.

Everyone in the palace knew that his Majesty made him a Shijun, not as generosity towards a favourite, rather for the purpose of humiliation. Naturally, the treatment towards the young man wasn’t very good. His Majesty didn’t call for him even after half a month, making everyone more convinced that Wei Lian’s position was unstable. 

Not being assigned with more palace maids to serve him, Wei Lian and his two close attendants lived leisurely. The food that was sent to them was coarse and diluted. They could manage to swallow it as long as it was not soured or cold. But it was really tough to spend the winter. 

Entering into the bitter cold winter, the amount of charcoal for fire in Wei Lian’s palace was less than that of palace maids. There wasn't even thick bedding, only a thin quilt. If it wasn’t for the Gongzi being trained in martial arts, he wouldn’t have survived the severe winter. 

Chang Shou went to the internal management and was ridiculed before being kicked out. 

Life was also challenging. 

“Lian Gongzi, when the tea gets cold, I’ll go change the pot.” Chang Shou was only eighteen this year, and a nervous wreck. The tea sent to the Qingzhu Pavilion Qingzhu Pavilion: Green Bamboo Pavilionwas of inferior quality. It was not meant for consumption, just as a hand warmer for them. 

Wei Lian glanced at him and his pupils dilated. “What happened to your hands?”

Chang Shou quickly retreated his hands into his sleeves, but Wei Lian was faster in restraining his movement and holding his wrists. 

Ten swollen fingertips from growing frostbite. 

Wei Lian and Chang Sheng have durable bodies because of martial arts, they were not afraid of the winter chill, but that was not the case for Chang Shou.

Chang Shou said anxiously, “Gongzi, this is not serious…”

“I have some ointment there.” Wei Lian’s eyes drooped slightly. “The third shelf by the headboard, use it for now.”

Chang Shou shook his head over and over again. “No, Lian Gongzi, you need to save the ointment for yourself. The imperial medical physicians don’t care about us. The ointment must not be wasted on this servant, even just a little bit.”

“Enough words from you. This is my order.” Wei Lian’s words were incontestable. “Now hurry.”

Chang Shou covered his mouth and looked near tears. He gave a bow and went into the house to apply the medicine. 

Wei Lian gazed at the pot of cold tea for a while. 

Then he got up to close the window. 

Making the house just slightly warmer. 

Chang Shou came out and was greatly moved by the closed window. 

The Young Master cared about him, who couldn’t stand the cold as well.

Even if the amount of temperature increased inside was nothing, as the cold in the house was still bone chilling. 

Yet, Chang Shou could feel a comfortable warmth in his chest.

* * *

As usual, the three ate dinner together. 

In a foreign land and in a difficult situation, Wei Lian didn’t pay particular attention to master and servant etiquette. He asked straight out for them to eat at the table with him. At first, the two attendants ate rather restrainedly, but they gradually relaxed over time. 

In their situation, there was obviously no way for them to have someone deliver meals especially to them, they had to collect the food themselves. In the past, they received steamed buns and cold noodles. Not being a picky eater, Wei Lian lived quite comfortably. 

But it all changed when Chang Shou returned with reddened eyes today. 

“What were you crying about this time?” Chang Sheng frowned. “Did the workers at the imperial kitchen make things difficult for you again?”

“They told me I arrived too late, and these are the only things left...But I was clearly one of the earliest there!” Chang Shou complained sadly. “How could I give these things for the Gongzi to eat?”

When Chang Sheng opened the meal box, the thing that made him close the box immediately was the smell. 

...How old was this?

The people of the Qin Empire were bullying the Gongzi more and more aggressively, and even the food they received was increasingly perfunctory. 

“How dare they!” Chang Sheng gritted his teeth. “I’ll go find them—”

“Find who?” Wei Lian came out of the house and saw his two servants standing by the door. 

The two choked for a moment. 

Wei Lian looked at the meal box, before grabbing it. As soon as he opened it, what he met with was unsightly leftovers, in addition to a foul odour. 

He re-shut the meal box without changing his expression, but the tone he used was colder by a few degrees, “Not eating it.”

Chang Shou was on the verge of tears, from the sound of his voice, “But Lian Gongzi, if they continue to do this every day, we can’t just keep skipping meals.”

Wei Lian sighed, “They dare to act so disrespectfully because I’m not favoured by the Emperor.”

“I have been living in a too docile fashion. I don’t know what the Emperor looks like after half a month in the palace. This won’t work if it continues.” Wei Lian mumbled. Then, he suddenly asked, “Chang Shou, judging from how good-looking I am, what’s the chance of me obtaining the Emperor’s favour?”

Chang Shou: “...”

He wailed, “Lian Gongzi, you can’t accept a compromise and give your body to the Emperor!”

Chang Sheng carried a silently enduring posture as well. 

A courageous spirit would rather sacrifice their lives than be humiliated. The Gongzi as of noble blood, how could he...

“I don’t feel any grievances.” Wei Lian turned around lazily. “Anyone would want to live a good life, like myself.”

“As humans, we have to die happily as well as live happily. I won’t accept this pent-up frustration.”