Taking a Concubine

The woman dressed in rose-red palace attire toyed idly with the small ring in her hand, her gaze drifting now and then toward the teahouse entrance. Her beauty was striking, her almond-shaped eyes luminous and captivating. The other patrons, all secretly glancing her way, could not help but speculate about the identity of the person who could make such a woman wait for an entire hour.

The tea in her cup had been changed again and again, and as she waited, her patience began to wane. With a sharp crack, she slapped the table and rose to her feet; those seated nearby clearly saw a slender split appear in the sturdy wooden surface. They stared in shock—who would have expected such strength from a woman who seemed so delicate and lovely? Heads lowered in haste, no one dared look at her again.

“Well now, who’s provoked you to such anger?” A youth’s voice rang out—clear, warm, as melodious as an oriole in the vale or rain on banana leaves. His tone, ever so slightly lilting, carried a teasing undercurrent, like the gentle sweep of a brush across one’s palm, tingling and ticklish.

All present could not help but look toward the source of the voice, and at first glance, they were utterly struck. The youth wore a silk robe the color of pale goose-yellow, belted at the waist with a silver-white dragon-embroidered sash. A white jade coronet, inlaid with gemstones, adorned his head, from beneath which his long hair fell smoothly to his waist. He had phoenix-like eyes and an elegant nose; his lips, naturally red, needed no rouge, and his skin was fairer than frost—so beautiful, so peerless, that the world held none other like him.

The youth seated himself across from the woman. She cast him a sidelong glance and spoke with a cold edge, “Truly, every moment of the young master’s time is worth a thousand pieces of gold. You look quite radiant—I suppose you've finally tasted the sweetness.” Leaning forward with both hands braced on the table, she stared him down and hissed, “But you’d best beware—too much indulgence is never a good thing!”

The two sat so close that, to onlookers unacquainted with the truth, it seemed a lovers’ quarrel. And indeed, with their exceptional looks, the pair made a strikingly well-matched sight.

The youth chuckled softly, pouring himself a cup of tea. “My apologies for making the Grand Master Ruan wait. It’s my fault entirely—let me offer you a toast, tea in place of wine.” With that, he raised the cup and drained it, while the woman opposite him immediately darkened.

“You’ve investigated me,” she said, her tone sharp—not a question but a statement. Beigong Qiyi, unhurried, filled her cup and replied quietly, “Naturally, I had to know exactly who I was dealing with. One must be cautious in both life and business, don’t you agree, Grand Master Ruan?”

Ruan Luo snorted, lifting her cup with an irritated face. “You’re certainly careful and calculating, young master—or Beigong Manor’s master would never have fallen into your hands.” She fixed him with a mocking smile. “Beigong Qiyi, making a deal with you—truly one of my greatest mistakes.”

Beigong Qiyi gently blew on the tea at his lips, glancing up at her before dropping his gaze to the pale steam. He spoke carelessly, “Now that’s unfair, Grand Master. We both sought what we needed. You crafted the ‘Binding’ for me; I helped you break the 'Love Gu.' How could that be a mistake?”

Ruan Luo’s eyes lowered, her laughter cold. “If it’s as you say, our deal is straightforward enough. But choosing to deal with someone like you was the mistake from the start. You’re so shrewd that even Beigong Manor’s master was outwitted. I’m but a feeble woman—so I only hope that, once you’ve given me the antidote for the ‘Love Gu,’ we’ll have nothing more to do with each other.”

“A feeble woman? The one whose cult, Gen Sha, stood shoulder to shoulder with the notorious Bai Sha Palace? If you’re a feeble woman, Grand Master, then I can’t imagine who in this world isn’t. Well, perhaps your master, but as for the last part, I quite agree. Once our debts are settled, let’s not cross paths again.”

Ruan Luo forced a smile, her face dark. She glared at Beigong Qiyi, gritting her teeth, “Then let’s hope you produce the antidote for the ‘Love Gu’ quickly, as you promised!”

Beigong Qiyi nodded calmly. “But of course. I don’t like owing people things.”

“Miss, why have you come to this teahouse again?” Ying’er, pouting, followed behind a young lady. As soon as they entered, the girl’s gaze was drawn irresistibly to the youth in pale yellow, and she missed Ying’er’s words entirely. Joy blossomed across her lovely face, but when she spotted the woman seated across from him, her smile slowly faded.

Biting her lip, she strode over and plopped herself down beside the pair. Ying’er, upon seeing Beigong Qiyi, went pale and tugged her mistress’s sleeve, whispering, “Miss… Miss, why are you sitting here? Let’s go…” But the young lady brushed her off, staring fixedly at Beigong Qiyi.

At that moment, Beigong Qiyi and Ruan Luo were silent, startled by the sudden arrival of this girl. Beigong Qiyi found her face familiar, though he couldn’t recall where he’d seen her before. He glanced at Ruan Luo, who shrugged back, equally perplexed.

Ying’er hid behind her mistress, peeking out now and then at the group. The girl shot Ruan Luo a fierce glare, then turned to Beigong Qiyi and demanded, “Was it she who gave you that jade pendant?” Beigong Qiyi blinked, suddenly recalling a certain audacious woman.

Now remembering who she was, Beigong Qiyi lost all interest in responding. Ruan Luo, having just been inexplicably glared at, was even less inclined to engage. Thus, the elegant pair sipped tea in companionable silence, while the young lady sat beside them, glaring fiercely.

“The manager—she’s here again,” whispered a passing attendant to the proprietor, who was descending the stairs with a beaming smile after seeing off some esteemed guests. The proprietor’s smile froze instantly. He cast a furtive glance at the odd trio and said flatly, “Clear the place—send all the customers home.”

Once the guests had been ushered out, the proprietor hid behind the counter, face twisted with frustration. The attendant scratched his head, about to speak, when the proprietor ground out, “Never let that jinx set foot in Jade Rinsing Pavilion again!”

The young lady, coddled and adored since childhood, had never known such disregard. Seeing that neither of them intended to acknowledge her, she clenched her fists and slammed them onto the table. “Hey! I’m talking to you!” Beigong Qiyi shot her a sidelong look, setting his teacup down slowly.

She thought he meant to speak to her and turned away with a huff, only to find he had indeed begun to speak—but not to her. He looked at Ruan Luo and asked, “Have you nothing more to say? I’ll take my leave, then.” Ruan Luo gave a perfunctory nod, eyes lowered.

The young lady stared at Beigong Qiyi in disbelief. He rose unhurriedly to his feet, straightening his robe and turning to go. In a flash, she grabbed his sleeve. “You still haven’t answered my question!”

Beigong Qiyi frowned, shaking off her grip coldly. “Why should I answer your question?” The girl’s pretty face flushed red, her eyes brimming with tears. “You… you…”

Ruan Luo, watching with her chin propped in her hand, took pity and said, “If you like this boy, my advice is to give up.” She meant well, but to the girl, it sounded like a taunt. She spun on Ruan Luo, shouting, “What business is it of yours if I like him? Just because you do, no one else is allowed to?”

Ruan Luo, bewildered by the attack, glanced at her sidelong and fell silent. Indeed, misfortune comes to those who court it...

Beigong Qiyi, amused and exasperated, massaged his brow. The girl, eyes red, looked at him stubbornly. “Was that jade pendant from someone you love?” Beigong Qiyi nodded, pointing at Ruan Luo. “It was given to me by someone I love—but not her.”

The girl bit her lip, glancing at his incomparable face; a blush crept up her cheeks. “I—I like you!” she declared, voice clear and bright. Beigong Qiyi nodded, expression unchanged. Seeing he offered no reply and was about to leave, she cried anxiously, “You haven’t answered me yet!”

He paused, not looking back. “I already have someone I love.” But she darted in front of him, unconcerned. “That’s all right—I don’t mind being your concubine.” Ruan Luo, quietly sipping her tea, sputtered, laughing so hard she nearly choked. “Concubine? Ha! Beigong Qiyi, considering whether you can even ‘marry’ him is already a problem, yet you’d make him your concubine? Hahaha…”

Beigong Qiyi shot her a cold glare, and Ruan Luo clamped her mouth shut, suppressing her laughter. Glancing at Ruan Luo’s look of amusement, then at the girl’s earnest face, he pressed a hand to his brow, exasperated. “Who said I wanted to marry you?”

“You won’t marry me?” The girl stared at him, stunned. “I’m the legitimate daughter of Prince Rui, and I’m willing to marry you, yet you refuse?” Beigong Qiyi cast her a cool glance. “Even if you were the emperor’s own daughter, I would not marry you.”

“You…” The girl’s eyes widened. “Just who are you?” Beigong Qiyi replied icily, “You don’t even know who I am, yet you want to marry me? Is this how Prince Rui raises his daughter?” With that, he strode away, paying her no further heed.

She watched his receding figure, crestfallen, head bowed. Ruan Luo, seeing the drama at its end, also rose to leave. As she passed the girl, she murmured with a smile, “The one he loves—no one in the world could ever compare.”

At last, tears welled up in the girl’s reddened eyes and rolled down her cheeks. Ying’er looked at her anxiously, whispering, “Miss, are you all right…”

The girl shook her head forcefully, her face hidden.

Author’s note: Hehehe~ A bit of clickbait with that title!