Loved By The Emperor (MPREG)

Yu Chen's days grew busier, though not for reasons the emperor—or anyone else in the palace—might suspect. Every moment alone was spent plotting and preparing for the royal hunt. He had hidden a growing stash of small valuables in a lacquered box, including the jade hairpin gifted by the emperor, a few pieces of gold-threaded fabric, and even a pouch of rare spices he'd managed to pilfer from the kitchen stores under the pretence of making medicinal tea.

However, despite his best efforts, Yu Chen couldn't entirely mask his unease. The harem was a treacherous place, and his hurried glances and furtive movements didn't go unnoticed—not by the emperor's hidden guards, tasked with observing him from the shadows.

*********************************************************************The emperor sat in his private study, pouring over plans for the upcoming royal hunt. Scrolls detailing hunting grounds, guest lists, and logistics cluttered the desk before him, though his attention remained sharp and focused. This year's hunt, like every year, was as much a political battlefield as it was a display of skill, and he had no intention of leaving any detail to chance.

"Your Majesty," came a quiet voice from the shadows. Without looking up, the emperor gestured for the hidden guard to approach. The man knelt silently before him, his head bowed low.

"Speak," the emperor commanded, his voice calm but laced with authority.

"Your Majesty," the guard began, his tone measured. "As per your instructions, this one has observed Bai bā zi closely."

The emperor finally looked up, his dark eyes narrowing. "And?"

The guard hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Bai bā zi has been behaving... unusually. He has been gathering small valuables—items that are portable and easy to trade. He spends long hours alone, often appearing deep in thought. This one suspects he may be planning something."

The emperor leaned back in his chair, his lips curving into a faint smile. "Planning something?" he echoed, his tone almost amused. "Tell me, what does Chen'er look like when he's scheming?"

The guard hesitated again, unsure how to answer. "He appears... anxious, Your Majesty. Distracted. As though he carries a great burden."

The emperor's fingers tapped idly against the desk. "Interesting. And has he said or done anything to suggest rebellion or betrayal?"

"No, Your Majesty. He remains courteous and obedient in public. However, his unease is evident, even if he tries to hide it."

The emperor's smile deepened, though his eyes remained cold and calculating. "So, my little consort is hiding something." He stood, his robe flowing behind him like a dragon unfurling its wings. "You may leave. Continue your observation but keep your distance. Zhen will handle this personally."

"Yes, Your Majesty," the guard replied, retreating into the shadows as silently as he had come.

The emperor returned to his desk, but his focus on the scrolls before him had waned. His thoughts lingered on Yu Chen—the consort who had claimed to be reborn yet seemed to harbour secrets even from him. The emperor's smile softened, a glint of curiosity lighting his gaze. "What are you so afraid of, Chen'er?" he murmured to himself. "Let's see if Zhen can unravel your mystery."

Yu Chen sat in the courtyard, nibbling on a sweet dumpling Wu Feng had procured for him. The food, though delicious, did little to settle his nerves. His mind was a whirlwind of escape plans, calculations, and rising doubts. Am I truly ready for this? he wondered. What if it all goes wrong?

Before he could dwell further, the crisp voice of a eunuch rang out. "THE WÀN SUÌ YÉ APPROACHES LÁN LIǓ COURTYARD.

The courtyard erupted into a flurry of movement. Servants dropped to their knees, their foreheads touching the ground in practised unison. Wu Feng, holding a tray of freshly prepared snacks, yelped and nearly toppled over before kneeling awkwardly, the tray wobbling precariously in his hands.

Yu Chen hastily stood, smoothing his robes and bowing low as the emperor strode into the courtyard, his every step radiating command. "This humble consort greets Your Majesty," Yu Chen said, his voice steady but his head lowered.

"Rise," the emperor said, his tone casual yet firm. His gaze swept across the kneeling servants before landing on Yu Chen. "Such formality, Chen'er. Do you greet Zhen as though we're strangers?"

Yu Chen straightened but kept his head bowed slightly. "Your Majesty, it is only proper—"

"Proper," the emperor interrupted, his lips curving into a teasing smile. "How rigid you've become. Zhen preferred you when you clung to Zhen so shamelessly."

Shamelessly?! Yu Chen's jaw tightened as his blush spread to the tips of his ears. You're the shameless one! Look at what you say in front of everyone!

"Y-Your Majesty!" he stammered, glancing nervously at the servants who were still kneeling.

The emperor chuckled, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "What? Zhen speaks the truth." He stepped closer, lifting a hand to brush the food crumbs from Yu Chen's mouth. "Or do you not remember?"

Yu Chen felt his cheeks burn hotter. "This humble one does not recall any such thing," he mumbled, eyes darting to Wu Feng, who was valiantly trying—and failing—to hide his smirk.

The emperor leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just enough for Yu Chen to hear. "How convenient, Chen'er. Zhen wonders if your memory has grown selective."

Selective? Selective?! If I weren't in this ridiculous palace, I'd punch your smug face! The emperor straightened and glanced at the tray Wu Feng was holding. "What's this?" he asked, gesturing to the snacks.

"Snacks for His Highness," Wu Feng piped up, his voice overly enthusiastic. "Would Your Majesty like some?" The emperor raised an eyebrow, then smirked. "Ah, so this is how Chen'er spends his days? Feasting on delicacies while Zhen attends to the empire?"

"Your Majesty, this humble one—" Yu Chen began, but the emperor waved him off."Enough. Walk with Zhen." His tone left no room for refusal. Yu Chen glanced at the servants, who were still kneeling, then quickly bowed his head. "As Your Majesty commands." The emperor turned toward the dwelling, and Yu Chen followed, his mind a storm of nerves and indignation. He's doing this on purpose! Shameless tyrant!

Inside the room, The emperor gestured for Yu Chen to sit, but as Yu Chen moved to take a chair, the emperor's strong hand wrapped around his wrist, pulling him firmly into his lap. "Sit here, Chen'er," the emperor said, his voice low and amused, his breath brushing against Yu Chen's ear.

Yu Chen's heart slammed against his ribs as he found himself perched awkwardly, the emperor's warmth seeping through their robes. What in the heavens is he doing? This shameless tyrant!

"Your Majesty—" Yu Chen began, but the words caught in his throat as the emperor's fingers brushed a stray strand of hair from his face, tucking it gently behind his ear. His touch was light, deliberate, and far too intimate.

"How can Zhen ignore such beauty when it's right in front of him?" the emperor murmured, his dark eyes fixed on Yu Chen's wide, startled gaze.

Beauty? I'm a man! Yu Chen's mind screamed, but his body betrayed him, heat rising to his cheeks and spreading down his neck. He tried to pull away, but the emperor's arm circled his waist, holding him in place.

"Your Majesty, this humble one—"

"Shh," the emperor interrupted, his thumb brushing lightly across Yu Chen's lower lip. The gesture sent a jolt through Yu Chen, his breath catching involuntarily. "So soft," the emperor mused, his tone low and almost reverent. "Zhen wonders if your lips taste as sweet as the desserts you've been eating."

"Y-Your Majesty!" Yu Chen stammered, his hands pushing weakly against the emperor's chest. Is he serious?! This is harassment! Tyranny!

The emperor chuckled, his other hand sliding up Yu Chen's back to rest between his shoulder blades. "Why so tense, Chen'er?" His voice dipped even lower, like a caress. "Are you afraid of Zhen?"

Yu Chen's voice came out higher than intended. "Of course not!" Why does my voice sound like that?! Pull yourself together, Bai Yu Chen!

The emperor's lips curved into a knowing smile. He leaned closer, his face mere inches from Yu Chen's, his breath warm against his skin. "Then why is your heart racing so fast?"

You bastard, how could it not? Yu Chen wanted to retort but found himself frozen as the emperor's lips brushed the corner of his mouth. It was fleeting, almost chaste, but the heat it sent coursing through Yu Chen's body was anything but.

"You..." Yu Chen started, but the words dissolved into a breathless whisper as the emperor shifted, his lips trailing along Yu Chen's jawline, slow and deliberate.

What is this man doing? Yu Chen's mind was in chaos, but his body refused to move. His hands, which should have been shoving the emperor away, were trembling uselessly against his chest.

The emperor's mouth moved lower, grazing the sensitive skin of Yu Chen's neck. A soft gasp escaped Yu Chen's lips before he could stop it, and his eyes widened in mortified disbelief. Was that... me?

"Chen'er," the emperor murmured against his neck, the vibrations sending shivers down Yu Chen's spine. "Do you know how intriguing you are? Zhen finds himself drawn to you more with every passing day."

Drawn? Intriguing? Is this man insane? Yu Chen's thoughts were a mess of indignation and confusion. I'm straight! STRAIGHT! This body is just... malfunctioning! Yes, that's it. It's not me!

The emperor pulled back slightly, his gaze locking with Yu Chen's. "You're trembling," he observed, his hand tightening gently on Yu Chen's waist. "Is it anger? Or something else?"

Yu Chen's face burned as he blurted, "Anger, of course! This humble one does not—"

"Hmm," the emperor interrupted, his lips curving into a wicked smile. "Zhen wonders if that's true."

Before Yu Chen could respond, the emperor's hand slid up to cup his cheek, his thumb brushing the corner of Yu Chen's mouth again. "You're quite the contradiction, Chen'er. Your body seems honest, but your words..." He trailed off, his tone dripping with amusement. "Deceitful."

Yu Chen's jaw dropped, his outrage bubbling to the surface. "Your Majesty—!"

The emperor silenced him by leaning in once more, this time grazing his lips over Yu Chen's temple. "Tell Zhen," he murmured, "what is it like to be reborn? Does it trouble you as much as Zhen's presence does?"

The abrupt shift in topic made Yu Chen's mind stutter. "I... Your Majesty, this humble one—"

"What is it like to be reborn?" the emperor asked again a note of seriousness edging into his voice.

Yu Chen's heart nearly stopped. His palms grew clammy as he turned to face the emperor, who was watching him intently, his gaze sharp but not unkind.

"It's... difficult to describe, Your Majesty," Yu Chen began, his voice faltering. "This humble one only remembers flashes—pieces of a life long gone."

The emperor drew him closer, tilting Yu Chen's chin up with two fingers. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down Yu Chen's spine. "Flashes?" the emperor repeated softly. "And what do these flashes tell you, Chen'er? Do they trouble you?"

Yu Chen's breath hitched. The proximity, the intensity of the emperor's gaze—it was overwhelming. "This humble one... does not wish to trouble Your Majesty with such things," he managed, though his voice wavered.

"Trouble me?" The emperor chuckled, the sound low and intimate. "Chen'er, you've already done that simply by existing."

Yu Chen's blush deepened. "Your Majesty jests."

"You're avoiding the question," the emperor noted, his tone light but probing. "What are you hiding, Chen'er?"

Hiding? What am I hiding? Besides my sanity that you've stolen with your nonsense! Yu Chen's thoughts screamed as he tried to gather himself. "This humble one only wishes to serve Your Majesty faithfully," he said, though his voice was far weaker than he intended.

The emperor smirked, clearly unconvinced. "Faithfully, hmm?" He released Yu Chen's cheek but kept his arm firmly around his waist, their proximity still far too close for Yu Chen's frazzled nerves. "Zhen will hold you to that."

Finally, the emperor shifted, allowing Yu Chen to slip off his lap. Yu Chen stood shakily, his legs feeling like jelly as he tried to compose himself. What just happened?

The emperor rose gracefully, his expression calm but with a lingering amusement in his eyes. "Rest well, Chen'er. Zhen will visit you again soon."

As the emperor exited the room, leaving the door slightly ajar, Yu Chen collapsed onto a nearby chair, burying his burning face in his hands. This man will be the death of me.

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