Loved By The Emperor (MPREG)

Bai Yu Chen leaned back on the chaise, cradling his bloated stomach with a groan. "Wu Feng, you glutton. How did you eat more than I did, yet I'm the one who feels like a stuffed dumpling?"

Wu Feng, nibbling on the last remnants of a sesame ball, looked unrepentant. "Your Highness, it's because you were too slow. You can't blame this humble servant for being efficient."

Yu Chen glared half-heartedly. "Efficient? You mean shameless."

Ignoring him, Wu Feng licked his fingers. "Perhaps a walk in the palace garden would help, Your Highness. Movement aids digestion, or so the imperial physicians say."

"Fine," Yu Chen grumbled, rising with some effort. "But if I collapse, you'll carry me back."

The pair were soon joined by two maids. Xiao Lian was a tall, slender girl with a heart-shaped face and delicate features. She had a soft-spoken demeanour, a calming presence, and a tendency to overthink every situation. Mei Ling, on the other hand, was a petite maid with a round face and sparkling eyes. Her cheerful energy was infectious, and she loved gossiping. However, her tendency to speak before thinking often earned her scoldings from both Xiao Lian and Wu Feng.

As they entered the palace garden, Yu Chen couldn't help but marvel at its beauty. Summer had transformed it into a vibrant tapestry of colours. Rows of peonies, chrysanthemums, and jasmine bloomed in abundance, their scents mingling in the warm breeze. In the centre, a large pond shimmered under the sun, its surface dotted with pink and white lotuses, emerald lily pads, and koi fish darting gracefully beneath the water. Atop the pond stood an elegant pavilion, its red pillars reflected in the clear waters.

"This place is wasted on people who don't appreciate it," Yu Chen muttered as they strolled. "Like me."

"Your Highness, you should write a poem," Mei Ling chirped. "A beautiful garden deserves beautiful words."

"Let him walk first, Mei Ling," Xiao Lian scolded gently. "His Highness can't write anything while holding his stomach like that."

Yu chen: (-__-)

Their lighthearted banter was cut short when they approached the pavilion. Yu Chen's steps slowed as he spotted several figures gathered there—palace ladies and gers, dressed in resplendent silks, chatting and laughing. Among them, Yu Chen recognized one face that made his stomach tighten.

Yang Liqin.

Tall and striking, with flawless porcelain skin and refined air, Yang Liqin had an effortless grace that made him a favourite of the court. The faint smile on his lips as he spoke carried a hint of superiority. Once the emperor's favourite, he now regarded Yu Chen with a mix of jealousy and disdain.

"Let's turn back," Yu Chen whispered to Wu Feng, already edging away. The last thing he wanted was to be drawn into their circle.

But just as he turned, a melodic voice called out. "Consort Bai! What a pleasant surprise."

Yu Chen froze, plastering a polite smile on his face as he turned back. "Liqin gōngzǐ. It is an honour to encounter you here."

Yang Liqin beckoned him closer, his eyes glinting with something unkind. "Please, join us. We were just admiring the flowers. It would be rude to refuse, would it not?"

The underlying challenge in his words left Yu Chen no choice. Reluctantly, he approached, Mei Ling and Xiao Lian trailing behind with nervous expressions. Wu Feng muttered something about bad timing but followed nonetheless.

The conversation was a battlefield disguised as a courtesy. Yang Liqin's voice was smooth as silk, but every word was a dagger.

"Consort Bai, you seem pale. Are you sure you've recovered fully? It must have been dreadful, enduring such an illness."

Yu Chen's smile tightened. "His Majesty's care and the imperial physicians' expertise ensured my swift recovery. How kind of you to be concerned."

"Of course," Liqin said, his smile sharp. "It would be a shame if His Majesty's favour were to wane due to poor health. Such things can happen so suddenly."

Another lady chimed in, her tone syrupy sweet. "But Consort Bai's complexion looks better than I expected. Perhaps His Majesty sent rare tonics to aid his recovery?"

"Not just tonics," another said with a coy laugh. "His Majesty's personal attention is the best medicine, wouldn't you agree?"

Yu Chen inwardly groaned. This is a trap. He deflected their comments with vague niceties, each exchange leaving him more drained.

Just when he thought the situation couldn't worsen, a ripple of excitement swept through the pavilion. Heads turned, whispers erupted, and then a familiar voice cut through the chatter.

"Everyone seems to be enjoying the garden today," the emperor said, his tone mild but commanding.

Yu Chen's heart sank as the ladies and gers leapt to their feet, their demeanour changing instantly. The disdain and smugness they'd shown moments before vanished, replaced by simpering smiles and fluttering fans.

"We greet the emperor," they said in a chorus as the emperor walked into the pavilion taking a seat at the centre.

"Your Majesty!" one exclaimed, her voice dripping with delight. "What an honour to see you here."

"His Majesty graces us with his presence!" another chimed, nearly tripping over herself to bow low.

Yu Chen watched in stunned disbelief as the group practically threw themselves at the emperor, their earlier composure forgotten. The sheer absurdity of it was almost comical. Even Yang Liqin, who had been so composed, was now leaning forward with a coy smile, his voice soft and inviting as he greeted the emperor.

The emperor's gaze swept the group before landing on Yu Chen. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes lingered a beat longer than necessary.

"Consort Bai," he said, his tone carrying a hint of amusement. "It seems you've made new friends."

Yu Chen bowed low, his mind scrambling for a reply. "This humble one was merely enjoying the garden, Your Majesty. The others were kind enough to invite me to join them."

"Kindness," the emperor mused, his lips quirking slightly. "How... refreshing."

The others fawned and giggled, their earlier cattiness replaced with over-the-top admiration. Yu Chen straightened, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. If this isn't karma at work, I don't know what is.

The emperor's arrival transformed the pavilion. Where moments ago there had been smug smiles and thinly veiled jabs, there were now simpering faces and overly sweet voices.

"Your Majesty!" Yang Liqin's voice rang out, soft and melodic, as he rose with practised grace. He stepped forward, his silken robes flowing elegantly, and gestured to the seat beside the emperor. "Please, allow me to pour Your Majesty tea as you rest. The flowers are particularly lovely from this spot."

Yu Chen, who had been standing to the side and hoping to blend into the shadows, could practically see the invisible crown atop Liqin's head as the man vied for attention.

The emperor's gaze flicked toward Yu Chen, unreadable yet piercing. "Yuer," he said smoothly, "come and sit with Zhen."

The pavilion fell silent. Yang Liqin froze mid-step, his charming smile faltering for just a fraction of a second before he recovered. Yu Chen, on the other hand, stared in wide-eyed disbelief.

"Your Majesty," Yu Chen stammered, already feeling the heat of the collective stares boring into him. "This humble one—"

"Zhen insists," the emperor interrupted, gesturing to the seat beside him. His voice left no room for argument.

Awkwardly, Yu Chen shuffled forward and lowered himself onto the seat, feeling the weight of a hundred daggers—some metaphorical, some quite literal—being aimed at him. Yang Liqin, still standing, clenched his hands so tightly his knuckles whitened. But what could he do? The emperor's word was law.

With an almost imperceptible tightening of his jaw, Yang Liqin gracefully retreated to a seat farther down the pavilion, his every movement controlled but stiff. He wore a serene expression, but Yu Chen, sitting stiffly beside the emperor, could feel the waves of unspoken anger radiating toward him.

"Consort Bai seems uncomfortable," the emperor remarked casually, sipping his tea.

Uncomfortable was an understatement. Yu Chen felt as though the combined fury of the sun, the stars, and the harem were focused directly on him. He cast a glance toward Wu Feng, who was lurking near the pavilion's edge, looking extremely pleased.

Yu Chen: -__- Great! What a wonderful servant I have. Here I am, the master, suffering, and he is pleased to see me carrying a hot coal.

"This humble one is merely overwhelmed by Your Majesty's kindness," Yu Chen managed to say, though his words sounded wooden even to his ears.

From across the pavilion, one of the ladies let out a forced giggle. "Consort Bai is truly fortunate to have His Majesty's favour. Such generosity is rare indeed."

"Generosity?" another lady chimed in, her tone dripping with mock sweetness. "Perhaps Consort Bai has a secret to share with us? How does one gain such attention?"

Yu Chen resisted the urge to shrink into his seat. If the glares from the others weren't bad enough, Yang Liqin's tight-lipped smile and dark, glittering eyes were the finishing blow. The man looked as if he were calculating how to throw Yu Chen into the koi pond without raising suspicion.

"Zhen believes Consort Bai's recovery deserves recognition," the emperor said, cutting through the tension with the authority of a sword. "Few could survive such dire circumstances with such grace."

Yu Chen's head snapped up, caught off guard by the comment. The emperor's tone was mild, but the underlying amusement was unmistakable. Is he enjoying this?!

"Your Majesty is too kind," Yu Chen mumbled, bowing his head.

Yang Liqin's nails dug into the armrest of his chair. "His Majesty's benevolence knows no bounds," he said with a strained smile. "Though, curiously, Consort Bai has the strength to join us today. Perhaps his constitution is stronger than it appears."

Yu Chen winced inwardly. Another barb. Before he could respond, the emperor spoke again.

"Indeed. Consort Bai has proven resilient. Perhaps Zhen should assign him more responsibilities to make use of his strength."

Yu Chen's eyes widened in alarm. "Your Majesty, this humble one is unworthy of such trust."

"Nonsense," the emperor said, leaning slightly closer. "Zhen believes in rewarding loyalty and perseverance."

Yu Chen's heart sank further as the tension around the pavilion thickened. He could practically feel the consorts and gers sharpening their claws, their forced smiles barely concealing their hostility.

If only the earth could open and swallow him whole.