《His Unwanted Male Empress》 1 The Child Born With Auspicious Signs It was in the middle of the night. When he cried his first cry, the sky was lit with aurora of colorfull light. The Imperial Seer all predict a great future for the Prince! The only problem is, that night, there are two Princes born at almost the same time. The first was born of the Empress, while the second was born of the lowest tier concubine. It was not a hard choice for the servants of the palace to choose whom those Auspicious signs were for. It automatically became the Empress born. The servants was sure because, the low tier concubine passed away not long after she delivered her baby. That in itself was an inauspicious sign. Though the young Seer looked like he wanted to say something, his Master signalled him not to say anything. Life at the Imperial Palace was like treading on blades. One wrong movement could cause a life. Years of experience told the Master Seer, it was probably best this way. That way, the true son of a dragon would be able to grow up safely... Or so they thought... Years passed, the Prince born of the Concubine were tested and confirmed by the experts as a cultivation trash. While on the other hand, the Crown Prince, was tested with a high level Fire affinity. The Trash prince were sent to the remote place to live by himself. Slowly getting forgotten even by the Emperor himself. The Crown Prince on the other hand got all the education he needed to become the next generation Emperor. Two Prince born on the same day... Lead a life of two vastly different paths... Today, both were 9 years old. The palace were filled with joy and festivities to celebrate the Crown Prince''s birthday. They were celebrating the Crown Prince''s advancement into the second layer of Body Tempering. He was the first to achieve such an advancement in years! While the Main Palace were filled with happiness, in a remote corner of the palace, a skinny pretty boy stared into the sky filled with non-stop firecrackers. A simple smile was on his face. "Happy Birthday, Yue Ming" Of all days in the year, he would definitely loved his birthday the most. Because when they celebrate the Crown Prince birthday, he knew it was also his birthday. Although he got no words of congratulation or gifts from anyone, he still felt the day he was born as the greatest. At least he was still clothed and fed. He was not starving or had to work hard to get by. He gets inside his courtyard and sit on his bed to continue his cultivation. "Everyone thought I''m a trash that can''t cultivate. While it''s true, it''s also because this people of the lower planes had no idea about the seven dragon veins body constitution." No one knows it, but actually, Yue Ming was born with his memories from his previous life intact! Who was he in his previous life? A Divine Alchemist! If it''s not because he failed to transcend and became the Alchemist God he would not die. The only reason of his failure is because he was attacked while under tribulation from the heaven. He was 5 years old when the expert were testing him, he purposely hid his cultivation level from them. Making it as if he was a trash with no future on cultivation. A five year old Spirit Tempering cultivator is unheard off. He might be the one and only existed in this lower planes but he also knew he had more enemy than friends in this world. He knew that his mother was poisoned when she was pregnant. He already knew he was born a cripple because of the poison. But over the years, he slowly cure his poisoned body by circulating his Inner Qi and purge the poison out bit by bit. Who would have thought he had started his cultivation since he was a day old? He might look skinny, but he was no weakling. He just normally hides away in his dwelling and focused on his cultivation. So the chances that people came to cause trouble for him are almost neglible. No one seemed to care of him. The wet nurse who fed him her milk already stopped coming once he was 6 years old and able to take care of himself. He can''t blame the servants for the lack of care, there are no merits in serving him at all. Thus he was mostly alone. He sometimes spent months in the mountains to train his skills, collect spritual herbs for pill refining, or just simply wonders off to see the world where he currently lived. He even joined a powerfull sect! Yet no one would notice him missing. Years passed... Now he was a beautifull 16 years old teenager. An age where marriage is set. For the first time in his life. He got a golden scroll from his father the Emperor. "Prince Yue Ming is the most talented of all Prince in Northen Empire. For the hard earned truce between the country, we of the Royal Blood would set and example for it''s subjects. Thus we decreed Prince Yue Ming to be married off to the Emperor of the Southern Empire, Emperor Tian Ming as his Male Empress." When he got the decree, he smiled. "So Father had choose me to spite the Emperor of the Southern. He truly did not care if I''m alive or dead then. What most talented? I''m the renowned Trash Prince. He was sending me to my deaths door!" But as one born with memories intact, he calmly accept the decree before preparing to set for the long journey south... 2 Thieves Are Everywhere. The Emperor truly was not stingy with his dowry, at least 13 carriages were filled with wealth. But why did he not give him a spatial chest for it? 13 carriages filled with spirit stones and lots of other cultivation treasures would only mean trouble. When he saw the grand proceedings with at least 100 cavalries and 50 servants to set along with him on the long journey south, he knew he was sent for his death. The envoys for two countries were made public. If he was attacked on the way, his Father the Emperor could very well use it as a mean to restart the war! Even if he safely arrived, his life would be one that is constantly on the edge. Imagine a strong Emperor to be paired with a trash Male Empress. He would be killed sooner or later by the Emperor himself! No Emperor would choose a trash that cannot cultivate to lead his Inner Palace. How Would someone that is weak ruled over the strong? His Inner Palace would be in chaos! The best decision would be to kill him due to ''natural'' manners. Afterwards the spot for Empress would be open for grabs again. According to Yue Ming''s speculations, The only deterent towards his death is the situation between both Empire. Both already had problems with financing to due to the long extended war. The Southern Empire had it worse than the Northens as the Southern still had to defend itself from both East and West Empire. So no matter how much the Emperor hated his trash Male Empress. He still would never kill him. The proceeding of Prince Yue Ming started their journey at last. In his heart he already planned on how to ''steal'' his own dowry before it got stolen by the bandits. Night came, so the envoy had to stop for the night. "Your Highness, your tent had been errected, please rest there for night." the head Servant respectfully called for him from outside the carriage. "Alright, I''ll be out soon" he nonchalantly replied them. When he stepped out, he noticed how his tent was placed quite far away from the others. In normal circumstances, this meant they respect the owner of the tent. But he was not normal. For a trash that cannot cultivate, this setting is the most dangerous situation for him. So it has started! He knew that something was amiss when he saw how far his tent is from the others. He was getting isolated. If something happen to him in the middle of the night, the servants won''t be blamed for this was the ''normal'' tent setting for powerfull aristocrates. In the end the Prince was out to fend for himself tonight. His guess were proved correct! Late in the night when everyone was supposed to be asleep, someone sneak into the Prince''s tent. He light up a Whitemist incense stick. The smell was sweet but if inhaled for over 3 hours, it would cause bleeding on the heart. "That is a sweet smelling incense," the Prince nonchalantly commented. "y-yes Your Highness. It would help you rest better for the night" the Head Servant replied stutteringly. "okay, goodnight" He was heaving a relieved sigh. In his heart he was filled with disdain over the Prince. "I''ll steal some of the dowry before I leave and lived somewhere else. Who told you to be born a royal while being a trash!" But unfortunately for the Head Servant, he was dead before he could see his killer. The next morning the servants was panicking with the sudden dead Head Servant. While they busy trying to find out the perpetrator, the Cavalry Captain stepped up and said his piece. "we are out in the wild. In this situation everyone is to protect each other. Those who are dead would remain dead. Let''s just continue the journey forward else the Prince would be delayed!" The others reluctantly agreed with the Captain. Since they had lost their leader, they had temporarily elect someone to take over his post. No one would have guessed that the Trash Prince was the one who killed the Head Servant. Along the way, Yue Ming had seen how the servant ''unconciously'' pocketted a few of the dowry. If he was a trash without cultivation then there is no way he would be able to found out about it. But Yue Ming is a genuine Divine Realm cultivator! His senses were keener than the strongest in their group. "This cockroaches were stealing my stuff right under my nose, see if I dont take it back. I won''t be Yue Ming!" The next day, the envoys lost more servants mysteriously. The remaining people in the envoys are those who never touched the Prince''s dowry. Since. Then, they all had a tacit agreement that the Prince''s dowry were jinxed. One of the servant refuse to listen and stole a few spirit stones, the next day he was found dead and hanged by a tree. The words written in blood sent chills down their spine. "Thieves will be killed without mercy" By now, all of the envoy members was sure that there is a hidden expert protecting the Prince on their journey. None of them would have thought that the expert was Prince Yue Ming himself! 3 Bandits Of The Pi Xiu Mountain On their journey down to the south, they had to cross the Pi Xiu Mountain. There is only one path connecting the two country and it''s through the war site. The war site between Northen Empire and the Southern Empire was never a vast plain but it''s always in the rainforest jungle. The original 100 strong cavalry were now only left with 85. The rest were killed because of thievery. They all felt going inside the Mountain Path would only bring about trouble but they still had to move forward. Of the 50 servant that were tasked to serve the Prince and guard the Dowry, only 15 were still with the envoy. Making the total number at 101 including Yue Ming himself. "Your Highness, the road ahead would be dangerous with just us. How about we hire mercenary to add protection?" The Captain suggest with a goodwill. Yue Ming lazily replied the Captain "No need to waste money on them. We will be fine. Continue the journey tomorrow morning. We shall not stop in the mountain path tonight" with the number of carriages they had. Coupled with the news about his journey to the south, there has to be bandits that already planned to ambush them on the way wether they are carefull or not. To him, hiring mercenaries doesn''t mean it''s safer. Who would knew if the mercenary decided to be the robber instead? The servants and calvalries camped outside while Yue Ming spend the night in the inn. The next morning they all continue their journey forward as the Prince instructed. As they progress forward, no one notice that the Prince had a companion inside the carriage. "The Northen Emperor is a fool. To let a hidden gem like you to the enemy country, he would lose out a lot" the owner of the voice was none other than Yue Ming sworn brother, Ji Han. "That is if I find the husband of mine worthy of my service or not." he nonchalantly commented. "I don''t know if you''re a blessing or a curse for the Ghost Emperor." he chuckled. "That would depends on how he acts around me" he sips the tea leisurely. If the servants saw him at this moment, all of them would definitely be enchanted away. His indolent posture only gave off a noble air more noble than any royalties. While his body had no sorts of martial aura leaked out, one cannot help but feel opressed by his mere presence. "Why didn''t you just leave quitely? You of all others acting docilely under the decree seemed definitely unlike you at all" his best friend continued probing. "Perhaps I could..." but in this world, no one acknowledge me as the strongest... He kept his thought to himself. To him, this bridal exchange is his ticket to final get out of the shell and trample upon all others. He had yet exact his revenge for those who killed him in his past life, the betrayal he got were deeply etched in his bones! Mu er, I''ll be back for you sooner than you expect! .... The smooth and peacefull journey were broken by the sound of battle cries and the swords clanging. "Leave the Carriages and we''ll spare your lives!" "we are from the Wolves Fang Group! If you know what''s best for. You then you better not mess with this daddy here!" "Protect the Prince! Charge!!!" Out side the situation were beyond chaotic. Cultivators fights off with their affinity elements. Some bends the fire, some controls the wind, some heals with the water, some used the plants to poison. It was almost uncontrolled. No one notices a man leisurely get outside the Prince''s carriage and stood on top of it. "What a good Wolf Fang Group. Have you forget this daddy?!" he bellowed. For a moment, both fighting parties were stunned from the Martial Qi pressure he emitted. "T-this... This venerable one is at the Profound Realm!" the weaker Bandits panincked. Only the leader of the bandits group seemed to be able to somehow stand againts the pressure. "So it''s Silver Moon Fox vice leader. We didn''t know you had eyes on this envoys. But we all knew the rules. First come, first serve" "I''ve been with the envoy since they stepped foot inside the Mountain path! If there''s someone who should scram away, it''s you guys!" his words made the Captain stunned, if he cannot sense the man amongts them, then his cultivation could only be at least a realm higher than him. Right now, he still didn''t know if the man is a friend or a foe. "The Prince is my friend, he is under my protection. Try and see if I don''t dare obliterate you all. Your leader is well aware of this fact. It must be you who are ignorant of this. I believe he won''t reprimand me for setlling his mischievious underlings!" Upon hearing the words, the Bandit Leader turned pale. It was true. All the small group leader were given notice about the Prince Envoy. They were all told not to act againts this envoy but he thought it was stupid to not rob the trash Prince. Thus he took it upon himself and lead his 60 strong underlings to attack the envoy. "So are you going to scram or not?" he bellowed. The bandits all scrambled to their feet as if running from a plague. But before they could go far, one by one the bandits fell to their deaths. Even the Prince Envoy were shocked at the sudden death. They had no inkling on how the perfectly fine man suddenly fell to their deaths. The only one who knew only raised his eyebrows in a nonchalant manners. "Ruthless as ever, tch tch tch" "I spare no mercy on those who tried to steal from me" the reply he got only made Ji Han shakes his head. 4 Meeting His Husband The rest of their journey were smooth sailing. The only ones who are still alive and well are those who had no idea about the Northen Emperor scheme to kill his own son on the way. But because of the cleanup he made, the original 150 strong progression was now only 78 strong left. Their arrival were warmly accepted by the citizens of the South. Yue Ming doned a face mask to hide his countenance. But even if the mask covered his face, it cannot totally hide his beauty. Just from his eyes alone were enough to make the citizens squeals. "Long live Empress Yue Ming!" "Long live Empress Yue Ming!" The words echoed all through the capital. Yue Ming smiled at the grand reception he gets. This Emperor of his surely is an interesting person. He was led straight to the White Courtyard. While he could keep the remaining 4 servants into the Courtyard, the cavalry led by the Captain were ordered to return back home after they safely reached the Southern Imperial Palace. Yue Ming must have been the most pitifull future Empress with only 4 servants by his side. Normally with such a status, one could bring up to a hundred servants to serve by their side. Yue Ming had never cared for such thing, having 4 servants was only for a front. No one knows he had a number or shadow guards on his beck and call. "Prince Yue Ming. The Emperor called for you in the Palace Hall" an eunuch aged around 15 respectfully announce it. Yue Ming had yet to finish looking around his dwelling when the eunuch came with the Emperor''s summon. He walked out side with a smile and said "Gong-gong please lead the way" The Eunuch were stunned at the beauty in front of him before he forcefully cast his eyes downwards. "Follow me Prince Yue Ming" he said before he lead Yue Ming all the way to the Palace Hall. The distance would be nothing for cultivators, but as a trash that cannot cultivate, the walk alone would be a hard task to accomplish. He didn''t blame the eunuch though, he might not knew about his ''special circumstances''. But even if he don''t know, how could the Ghost Emperor not know? He was clearly trying to humiliate him subtly isn''t he? Yue Ming pursed his lips as he thought about it, if you want to play then I''ll play along. When he arrived at the Palace Hall, he saw the Emperor on his Imperial Seat. To his right where the Empress were suppose to sit, surprisingly sat a woman around 16 years old. That''s supposed to be my seat isn''t it? He thought inwardly. "Long live the Emperor for thousands and thousands more years" he said while giving a full kowtow. The Emperor kept silent for a while, as if savoring his torture upon his future Male Empress. While beside him the girl sweetly laid her head on the Emperor''s shoulder. As if she was afraid that the others did not know that she was favored by the Emperor. Yue Ming kept his head on the floor for a long while. The Palace Hall were dead with silence as they witness their Emperor shows his might upon the Northern Empire''s Prince. "Dear, it won''t be good if his forehead is bleeding for tomorrow ascension, Empress in name or not, we still had to keep our front." The woman who sat on the Empress seat said with a sweet melodious voice. The Emperor smiled and replied, "My Liu Ya is right, you can rise" The glance he gave over Yue Ming was once that filled with undisguised contempt. He saw mask covered most of his face, revealing only his eyes. But when he met that gaze, somehow his heart skipped a beat. A trash is still a trash, what use of a beautiful eyes if he''s as weak as an ant!? He unknowingly released a heavy pressure due to his uncontrolled anger towards the Northern Emperor. He dared give me this trash to be my Male Empress?! The pressure of a Profound Realm cultivator is not something that is easy to withstand. Among hide who are inside the hall, most of them had sprawled on the floor, some of the other fell to their knees. Even the proud Liu Ya were no exception. If it''s not because she already sit down, she would still be kneeling The only exception was Yue Ming himself, he stood there at the centre of the Hall staring straight into the Emperor''s eyes. There could only be two reasons as to why the Emperor''s Martial Qi pressure was ineffective towards Yue Ming. One was because, being the trash meant he cannot feel the Martial Qi. Since he cannot feel the Martial Qi, it would have no effect whatsoever at him. The other reason is because the cultivation of the later is at least a realm higher. Of course the Emperor would never have thought the reason why his pressure did not effect Yue Ming at all was because his cultivation is higher than himself. "Tomorrow the Empress Ascension ceremony would be held. So make sure you are not late. Dismissed" with that, he withdraw his heavy aura while the others all heaved a relieved sigh. "Yes your Highness, But before I leave, may I know why she is sitting in my seat?" He bravely asked the Emperor The Emperor smirked at the question before he replied "She is the real Empress of the Southern Empire. You are just an Empress in name. Stop wasting my time" His reply was cold and heartless. "I never said she could take what''s rightfully mine. Husband." He nonchalantly said it. He acted like a jealous wife which made the Emperor laugh mockingly at the joke he made. In his eyes, this Male Empress of his is truly an idiot without brain. "This is my palace, my words are rules. You should be thankfull I decided not to kill you. You better leave before I lose all of my patience!" 5 A Change Of Hear "Seems like you already made your decision to never let me be your Empress. Your Majesty, Let me give you a little piece of advice. Next time before you decided to trust rumors, you better find out about it yourself. Else you''ll regret your past decision" he nonchalantly said as if he did not even feel afraid over the Emperor''s wrath. The Emperor stood up in indignant. He was about to personally teach Yue Ming a lesson when he suddenly was forced to sit down by a pressure many times stronger than his. Right now, every single on in the hall had fainted or directly killed. The only exception was the Emperor who struggled to withstand it. "Remember this my husband-in-name, since you never had the heart to know me at all then I suggest we shall take our own path after this. I won''t bother you and you don''t bother me. That would be according to your wish isn''t it?" Right now, the Emperor ''s mind was blown away. What trash Prince, he clearly is way stronger than I am and he''s just 16 years old! The way he looked at Yue Ming had changed, at least there was no longer contempt. There was a mix of fear, surprise yet also a tinge of regret. Yue Ming pulls back his pressure before he turned and walk away to leave while he indolently said "Sorry I killed your true Empress, I never quite fond of sharing. The Empress could only be me, unless you find someone stronger than me to forcefully take my seat!" The Emperor were stunned. He never would have doubt his intelligence gathering. The Prince Yue Ming if the Northern Empire is truly a waste. Any citizen of the Empire knew it. How come he suddenly became a once in a millennium talent?! He made a gesture in the air, suddenly a man appears out of nothingness in a kneeling position "Your Majesty" "Ning Ni, go contact people from the Hua Pavilion, Zhen want all information about Prince Yue Ming!" "Yes, Your Majesty" with that the man dissappeared , leaving only the Emperor amongts the dead and fainted. Towards the girl Liu Ya, she was actually just one of his shadow guards. She was just acting but now she had become the first to be sacrificed. She was in no way weak, but just now Yue Ming purposely killed her, and he was powerless to prevent it. Sighing, he regrets his decisions. ''I am never fit to be an Emperor'' The next morning, rows upon rows palace servants came to get the Prince Yue Ming ready for the Empress Ascension. With all the commotion, Yue Ming was supposed to be awake early. But it seemed like he was adamant about sleeping in. No matter how the Eunuch tried to wake him up, he just won''t get up. Leave with no choice, the Eunuch ran over to the Emperor''s Dragon Pavilion to report the situation. "Your Majesty, we had tried every possible way we could but Prince Yue Ming won''t wake up." The Eunuch looked like he was about to cry. This is the first time he had problem waking up someone. If it''s any normal day, then it would not be a problem. But it just happen that today is the Empress Ascension day! The Emperor already clad in his Ceremony Robe, he too had to wake up earlier than usual just for today ceremony. He already had a sleepless night, but when he heard of his future Male Empress still asleep, rage filled his heart. How dare he still be sleeping! See if this daddy don''t spank that boy up! He didn''t even reply the Eunuch when he already head towards the White Courtyard. Inside the white courtyard inner chamber, Yue Ming slowly woke up. He first saw a pair of voluptuous milkiness of a servant who tried to shake him up. With a mischievous smile he hugged the servant and snuggled his face into the servant''s breast. "Mmmn... What a good pillow" It was right at this moment that the Emperor kocame striding in. He was already having a bad mood, seeing his suppose to be Lord Empress rolls around on the bed with a female servant only made it worse. "Yue Ming! What do you think you are doing?!" The Emperor bellowed. Somehow the voice filled with rage woke him from the stupor completely, as he realise what he had done, he sheepishly smiled to the Emperor "I thought it was a dream..." He then vanished to the back room to get himself the morning ablution and a bath. He was so fast that the Emperor didn''t have a chance to say anything. He stared at the servant with a glare that could kill. The girl kowtowed on the floor trembling in fear. He did not want blood to spill on the day he married, so he just dismissed all the servants inside the room out of anger. Yue Ming did not take long, he soon came out from the back room clad in a towel around his waist. His wet hair cascade down on his white skin. His body was beautifully sculpted. The rage the Emperor felt vanish into thin air when he saw his future Empress countenance for the first time. He took his mask off when he wash his face and think it''s a hassle to put it back on. Yur Ming would never had thought that the Emperor was still inside the room. He confusedly looks around but the room was devoid of servants. He saw the fire inside the Emperor''s eyes. Somehow it made him feel a bit uncomfortable. "Hmn, I need to get dressed, would you mind calling in the servant to help me with these Ceremonial Robe?" I was not that he can''t wear his own clothes. But the Ceremonial Robe was a complicated apparel that had layers upon layers to put on. He was not familiar with it so it was impossible for him to wear it by himself. When the Emperor heard him, jealousy crept in his heart. This man is mine! Somehow he hated the idea of letting the servant saw him like this. With his heartbeats fast. He tried to control his feelings from leaking out on his face as he strode forward and pick up the first layer of clothing. "Remember this, as long as you are Zhen''s Empress, then that means all of you are mine! Since were going to be husband and wife from now on, I''ll let you know one thing. I hate sharing too! If I found out you were putting on a green hat on me again, see if I don''t kill each and everyone of them!" While he spouts his warning, his hands were gently working around Yue Ming''s body. One by one the clothes were placed on Yue Ming''s body, up to the Outer Robe that is red in color and embroidered with the 7 tails phoenix. Signifies the status of the wearer as the Empress. 6 Empress Ascencion Ceremony "Remember this, as long as you are Zhen''s Empress, then that means all of you are mine! Since were going to be husband and wife from now on, I''ll let you know one thing. I hate sharing too!..." The words from the Emperor''s mouth echoed inside his heart. He would be lying if he didn''t feel happy by the words. That is why he only gently stare at his husband as he dress him up. Trying to commit everything into his memories. The Emperor was only 18 years old. His black Ceremonial Robe was embroidered with 5 claws dragon. A symbol that only the Emperor could wear. His look was perfect. Tian Ming was well aware of the Yue Ming''s stare on him but he didn''t reprimand him. He just kept a stoic face, as if he didn''t feel anything although his heart could burst from the excitement he felt. He might thought his act of keeping a stoic face working as the future Empress of his didn''t even make a sound as he dressed him up. But it''s actually because Yue Ming was enjoying the pampering he got. Besides, his red ears give away his true feelings. But of course the Emperor would not know about it. As he slowly works around Yue Ming, he was partially hoped that it would last longer. When he doned Yue Ming with the belt. He purposely took longer and got closer. He was so close his breath touched Yue Ming''s cheeks. Yue Ming closed his eyes as he tried to reign in the tears pooling up on his eyes. How long has it been since the last time someone cared for me like this? When Tian Ming were done with the belt, he notices how Yue Ming closed his eyes. He took the moment to stare at the man that would soon be his Empress. Beautiful, truly beautiful. He raised his hand to do Yue Ming''s hair. As he did so, he purposely took longer and he even sneak to smell his hair. "Your Majesty, the auspicious hour is here" Both of them were secretly praying for the moment to last longer, but unfortunately the ceremony still had to be done. The Eunuch reminder woke the two of them from their dream. "Don''t embarrass me!" Was what the Emperor said before he left Yue Ming behind. The news about how the Emperor personally dressed his Lord Empress would soon travel throughout the world. Some disdain the act while others feels it''s shows how an Emperor suppose to act towards his Empress. In years to come the act would be a tradition. But of course, it was for the future to be told. The Empress Ascension was a long and strict Ceremony. Yue Ming was sent to the Imperial Gate before the parade started. The Imperial Gate was normally closed and only opened for ceremonies like the Emperor''s Ascension or the Empress Ascension. Today was the day where the citizens of Southern Empire would be allowed to go inside the Imperial Palace ground. But they were only allowed to be at the Imperial Plaza. The citizens slowly followed behind the Empress ''s carriage at a certain distance. Once the carriage arrived at the Imperial Steps, Yue Ming slowly get out of the carriage. Today he did not wear his mask for it was considered inauspicious so the crowd gasp at the beauty of their Male Empress. Even the Emperor waiting at the top was stunned. Yue Ming took a step at a time as he look up to the Emperor. Their gazes met and the happenings at the morning filled their thoughts. It was a tradition for the Empress to try to skip the stairs. As it was also to show the citizen that their Empress is someone who are strong enough to rule beside the Emperor. Yue Ming knew of this, and the warning he got from the Emperor was actually about the stairs. So after he took the third steps, he directly leapt up and arrived in front of the Emperor in a blink of an eye. The crowd cheered loudly as there has never been someone who could skip almost a thousand stairs in one go! Even the Ministers and the Eunuchs were surprised. They all knew Prince Yue Ming is a cultivation trash. So how did he manage to skip 997 flight of stairs?! Even they themselves could never do it! The only one who knew Yue Ming is not a trash is the Emperor himself. He smiled at Yue Ming as he took his hand and lead his Empress to the altar for their vows. They kneel face to face on the altar, ready to be officially married. "First drink for the citizens of the Empire, May our Empress bring blessing and fertility to the land and its people!" The ceremony Eunuch bring a cup of plain water on a tray for both Yue Ming and Tian Ming. They each took a cup. Then they cross their hand as they drink the water in one go while kneeling on the altar. "The second drink for the Royalties, may the Empress brought upon the next generation of wise and emphatic ruler!" At the words, Yue Ming blushed as he was surprised at the proclamation of having him bear the Emperor''s children. In this world, even a male could get pregnant so it was not surprising to find a male marrying another male. This time, the cup were filled with Fertility drugs for Yue Ming and a Vitality drugs for the Emperor. They crossed hand again before they drink from their respective cups. "Third drink is for oneself, may the Emperor and Empress lived happily ever after filled with love and care upon each other!" This time the cup was filled with wine. It symbolizes pleasure and wealth. Once they finished with their drink, the Eunuch announce "The Phoenix has landed on it''s nest!" And the ministers who all kneeled inside the hall kowtowed as the Emperor and Empress stood up. They walked out to see the citizens and once the citizen saw the Emperor, they all kowtowed while reciting "Long Live the Emperor, Long live the Empress," seven times in a row. Silence filled the Imperial Palace while all the citizens kowtowed, Yue Ming was feeling quite overwhelmed by the view of hundred thousands people kowtowing towards him and the Emperor. He unconsciously grasp Tian Ming''s hand tighter. "Things would be different if I was truly a waste, don''t you think so Your Majesty?" He said without looking at Tian Ming. "I''m sorry, I knew I was not suppose to vent my anger on you. Come to think of it, you''re just another victim of your Father''s cruelty." The Emperor said gently. "From now on, I would have nothing to hide anymore..." Yue Ming''s word was filled with relief and determination. 7 No, Ism NOT Bottoming For You!! After the Ascension Ceremony, the Imperial City were bustling with festivities. The Emperor and the Empress retreated into their nuptial chamber while the citizens having fun with the festivities set by the Palace. An awkward silence filled the room once the two newlywed were left alone. Yue Ming was having fun staring at the awkward Emperor who looked bashfull and embarrassed to get near. "Husband, are you afraid of me?" He teasingly ask Tian Ming while he sat on the bed. Tian Ming frown before he scoff. "Who''s afraid of his wife? I was just thinking if you are worthy of my love." Yue Ming chuckled at the answer as he could see the flushed look on the Emperor''s face stated otherwise. He stood up and pour a drink on the table before he sat down and then said "They said it''s a custom in the southern for the newlywed to feed each other once they enter the nuptial chamber. They said it symbolizes the purpose of a wedding. That is to provide for each others need. Is it true?" There''s a full course meal served on the table but only one bowl to eat from. Yue Ming was almost sure that they had to share the same bowl and same chopstick to eat. "That is just a silly custom. You don''t have to follow it if you don''t want to." Tian Ming strides into the back chamber to take off his Ceremonial Robe. He was feeling stuffy and hot after a whole day wearing such thick clothes. Ceremonial Robe was truly complicated to wear and take off, usually he would always need a servant to help him take it off but there''s no servant in the nuptial chamber at the moment, so he had to struggle by himself. "stupid ceremonial robe!" Just when he was about to just tear the clothes off, a pair of slender white hand came from his back and helped him took off the clothes. He turned abruptly and when he saw it was Yue Ming, he frowns before he asked "What are you doing?" "Just fulfilling one of the Southerner''s customs inside the bridal nuptial chamber. They said, the newlywed had to help each other when they undress for the night. It symbolizes the marriage ties two people together, that they had to help each other through thick and thin." Yue Ming continued to took off the clothes layer by layer up to the last before he stopped. "It seemed like you love doing this kind of stupid things. It''s surprising." Tian Ming tried not to show his delight by mocking Yue Ming. But deep inside his heart he too felt happy to get the attention. "We only get married once. Besides, not everyone had the chance to wed properly. I used to think that I''d be married off to someone as a male concubine. You do know that this customs is only for husband and wife don''t you?" Deep inside his eyes, Tian Ming could detect a hidden sorrow. "Why did you hide yourselves so deeply? With your talent, I doubt there would ever be a father who would still cast you away, even if you''re just a concubine born." "It''s not that I don''t want to be acknowledged, it''s just my enemy is the Emperor and Empress themselves. The only way I would truly be safe is once I was sent away from that place." There''s a tinge of loneliness behind his words. Tian Ming somehow could see a lone boy, isolated and off to fend himself. The sadness in his eyes, burns his heart with determination. I''ll make you smile again. Whomever tried to hurt you shall face my wrath! He pulls Yue Ming closer as he started to undress him. "You''re right, we only get married once. So let''s do all the customs you ever heard off if that''s what you wished for. From now on, you are this Emperor''s Empress. I would give you everything you ever wished for but in return, I expect only greatness from my wife. Understood?" When he finished, he saw tears running down Yue Ming''s cheeks. 16 years! 16 years he had to struggle all alone. He made name for himself but no one knew it''s him. His other self could instill fear just from his name but no one knew the real him. Tian Ming wipes off the tears from Yue Ming''s eyes. Slowly he pulled him into his embraced and they stay that way for a while. "Come on, it''s bad luck for the marriage if the bride is crying on their first night together" Tian Ming tried to console his wife. Yue Ming chuckled at the bad attempt his husband did. He jokingly said "Can''t you find better words to appease me? If I were a girl that would only made me cry harder you know?" Tian Ming pouted before he replied. "Then it''s my luck to get a male as my bride then." Yue Ming felt better at the words Tian Ming uttered. The luckiest one is me... "So, what should we do now?" Tian Ming ask after he saw Yue Ming had calmed down. "I heard that the husband had to carry the wife wherever she wanted to go for the night. It''s bad luck to let the bride walk on her feet around the nuptial chamber when she had a husband to rely on" "what silly custom is that?" Tian Ming muttered but he still carries Yue Ming on his back despite the complains "where do you want to go?" "The bath... We have to bath together as we had to wash each other. It signifies a clean start between the two of us. Whatever happen in the past, stays in the past... Or something like that..." Yue Ming blushed. He could just pretend not to know about this customs but he truly wanted to try it as well. Besides, after a long day wearing the Ceremonial Robe, he felt all sticky and sweaty. "Just my luck to have a male instead of female to enjoy the bath together..." Tian Ming whined. "What? Are you not satisfied having me as your partner?" Yue Ming asked. "..." And so the night progressed smoothly for the Emperor and his Empress. The mood was set, but soon their first quarrel as husband and wife arise... "No..... ! I''m not bottoming for you!" the scream woke up half of the palace''s servant awake... 8 The Memories Of His Pas The night for a newlywed were usually filled with silence, or passionate sounds between two entangled bodies. But for the Emperor and his Male Empress, the night were spent fulfilling superstitions and... The quarrel on who should be the top... "I''m waaaay stronger than you are, You should carry my child and I''ll protect you!" "Y-you! Have you ever heard of a pregnant Emperor! You are the Empress for a reason! Idiot!" "I''m not bottoming for you, so what are you going to do about it?!" "Fine! You think this Emperor could only sleep with you? Rather than waste my time here I''d better of sleeping with one of my concubine!" Tian Ming were vexed at the hardheaded Yue Ming. He jumped off the bed and started to pick up his clothes to wear. Yue Ming who were similarly naked could only stare as he watch Tian Ming get dressed in fury. Seeing as the Emperor was adamant on leaving, he panicked. "H-Husband..." He weakly called, he felt something tugging hard on his heart, making him feel as if he was suffocated. Unfortunately, Tian Ming kept silent as he continue to dress up. "Just sleep, I''m leaving" was what he said in anger before he leave the room. Yue Ming were shocked. He almost cannot believe that he was left alone on his wedding night. As he stared the retreating figure, something inside his heart broke. It triggered a forgotten memory from when he was 5 years old in this life. That day, he was sneaking around the palace and he stumbled upon the Emperor. "Who is this child?" He asked the Eunuch. Clearly he had forgotten his own children. "Imperial Father" He called with a smile. Even when he was 5 years old, he looked beautiful. So the Emperor picked him up. "Are you Yue Ming? You''re so light." He said. Yue Ming was happy to get his father attention. Maybe if he showed how talented he is, he might get the protection he needed to safely grew stronger. "Father will come to play with you tonight okay? For now, go back and be a good boy. Father had a lot of work to finish" he said amiably. "Alright father, take care of yourself" was what he said at the Emperor. That night, the Emperor truly came. At first they were playing the go. But as the time goes, the Emperor get touchy feely way to much. He kept kissing, hugging and tickle him. At first he though that the Emperor just like playing with his children. But he was wrong. That night the Emperor do something that no father should have done to a five years old. It was a traumatic experience for him. He was tortured. His screams of agony that reverberates through the palace feels as if no one heard it. That is when he decided to hide his talent altogether and hides away from the rest of the world. Yue Ming hugged his legs while he cried. It''s not that he didn''t want to serve Tian Ming, but he was too traumatized by the experience that it broke him deep inside. While he cried, another set of memory from his past life came into his mind. On the Upper Plane, he was born as a commoner''s daughter. She had the talent and the look envied by even the nobles. As she get older, her suitor for marriage also increases. Finally she was married of to a Prince as his Main Wife. At first, she thought her life were blessed, she had a noble husband and wealth that her family could never gave. But she was wrong. She was infertile, to a woman, being infertile is the worse that could happen. She was striped off her place as the Main wife by the concubine. One day she get pregnant, but her pregnancy came late. The Main Wife forced her to drink the abortion drug. Which she denied with all her life. While she was struggling, her husband came. He was the light she could hoped for but his words cruelly crushed her dreams. "Just die and save me from the trouble would you?" The retreating back made her heart broke. His retreating back left her with no hope. That is the day she died, killed by the wife of the man she loved with all her heart. He betrayed her, he betrayed her all. The retreating back of his husband triggered all the bad memories... "Don''t leave me... Don''t hate me... Don''t hurt me..." The words repeatedly came out of his lips but there''s no one that heard him. The pain from all the memories broke something inside him... That night, something change inside him... In the meanwhile, the Emperor retreated to his Study for the night. He was about to sleep when His Shadow Guard came with all the info he asked for about Yue Ming. "Bastard! Shit!" Tian Ming feels like he wanted to personally go to the Northern Imperial Palace and kill the Emperor for what he had done to Yue Ming years ago. He was regretting his actions. He was not suppose to let his anger took the best of him. But he just did. He remembered how Yue Ming called for him weakly and he ignored him. He took a fast stride to their nuptial Chamber. Only to find and empty bed. He touched the pillow and he realized, it was wet from tears. He slumped weakly on the bed side.. Just what have I done? 9 Going Back To The Qilin Sec "Qingliu, what''s the commotion is about?" A slender and beautiful figure of a lady rested on a recliner on the Blossom Courtyard. Her beauty could rival the flowers in the vicinity, but the tranquility she loved were broken by the sounds of marching soldiers. "This servant shall go inquire, My lady." Not half an incense stick had passed before she came back with the news. "My lady, The Emperor decreed a search party for the missing Lord Empress" she whispered. Such a news was not to be said out loud, it might offending the Emperor. "Really? Just what in the world Senior Brother is thinking? Though I must say, it was quite a surprise yesterday. I never knew that Senior Brother is the renowned trash Prince of the North. He really hides deeply" "My Lady, what should we do?" "What to be done? It''s none of our business, we can''t go offend any party so just act like we don''t know anything." The Senior Brother that she knew of was truly a devil incarnate. Often more than not he was cold and ruthless. Who knew what would happen if she goes blabering about him to the Emperor. She better just act as if she didn''t know this Senior Brother of her. "My White Lily little sister, how could you act as if you did not know this Senior Brother of yours?" Yue Ming came out of nowhere and cradles the girl inside his embrace. "You! Did you forget where we are? I''d be dead if the Emperor caught us like this!" "Tch, ever since you became his concubine you never let me hug you anymore. Is this how a sister supposed to act?" Yue Ming pouted playfully while he pinch the tender bottom of the girl. "Auch, that is what I wanted to ask! Is this how a Senior Brother suppose to act?! You are the Emperor''s Lord Empress for goodness sake!" "He doesn''t deserve my love. I still loved women more. They are cuter and much more fun to be with. So what if I''m a Lord Empress? I still had to share him with others!" "Your possessiveness is going to be the worst of you" she rolled her eyes. "Anyway, you brother here thought it was time for him to go back to meet Master." He said while he plays with the girl''s hair. "What? You know you won''t be able to leave if you back this time. Master was adamant on making you the Sect Patriarch." "That would be the best for me. I''d just leave this secular world and focus on my cultivation. But I''ll missed you like always of course." He kissed her nose as he slowly rocked her inside his embrace. "Just go die already! You were never serious with any girl. Don''t think I don''t know that you''re still a virgin" the girl pinched his cheeks cheekily. From afar. The two truly looked like a pair of lover teasing each other playfully. Only the two of them knew that they had the bond like a real brother and sister. Maybe more but never a lover. White Lily had once fall for this Senior Brother of her. But he politely reject her and treated her like his own little sister. In this world, if Ji Han is his brother, then White Lily is his sister. Only the two of them were close enough to him to joke and play like this. Even so, Ji Han only knew he was a North Prince when they crossed the Pi Xiu Mountain, while White Lily found out yesterday at the Empress Ascension ceremony. While the two continued to play and joke with each other, a raged Emperor was watching from a distance. His heart was filled with unexplainable emotions as he watched his Empress having an affair with one of his concubine. "Bai xia, heed my words. The concubine Bai Hua has commit adultery with the Lord Empress Yue Ming, had disgraced the Emperor and thus, concubine Bai Hua were to be exiled to the Pi Xiu Mountain!" He then left the place and head to the Imperial training grounds. The unknowing soldiers had to face the wrath of the Emperor as he spar with them until they cannot stand up or severely injured. When White Lily got the edict, she was calm. She was suppose to be a goodwill sign between their sect and the Southern Empire. So she just treated this as a mission she need to accomplish. The Emperor cannot kill her, so an exile would also mean to let her go back to the sect. The sect will punish her on his behalf for the adultery reason. But of course, the Emperor never knew that his Lord Empress is the next generation Patriarch. "Seems like you''re stuck with me, my lovely sister." Yue Ming joked. "Idiot brother! You had to take responsibility for me! You''re the reason my child is now fatherless!" She fumed. Yue Ming were shocked, he looked at the slight bulge on White Lily then to her frowning face, then back to her belly. "You''re pregnant?!" White Lily sigh as she sat down. "Don''t think too much about it. I''ll go back to the sect with you. It''s just... Growing up without a father like me... My child would have it hard." As she reminisce her past. She too grows up without a father. Her mother was an abandoned concubine before the sect elder took her in as his adopted daughter. Yue Ming felt guilty over the matter, he was sure the Emperor saw them, he just want to tease that man before he left. Who told you to leave me and sleep with your concubine? How do you feel if I go play with them huh? But what he doesn''t know is, the Emperor came back not long after he left. He did not sleep with his concubine either. Now, the joke went too far and it even affects the future of innocent lives. "I''ll be his father. I could be a good father too you know?" He gently caress the slight bump on her. "Silly brother, you could only be his uncle." She was about to cry but she held it in. "Did you forget? The child of my husband is also mine..." He hugged her as he calmed her down. She finally cried her heart out. Acting tough all the time was tiring for the girl as well. "Let''s go back home" he whispered. 10 The Alchemist Emperor "So, your Male Empress had an affair out of nowhere with your concubine and they even ran away together?" A youth not older than 20 dressed in a white scholar robe asked while he drank his tea. "Mnn" Tian Ming grunts. Judging by how the two interacted, they seemed close. "You, the Emperor just got cuckolded? Bwahahahaha... you are the first emperor in history to have such a bad luck with his Inner Chambers. Hahahaha" the guy clad in white laugh out at the later. It''s as if he didn''t care about offending the Emperor of the Empire. "It seemed like you enjoyed laughing at my misfortunes brother. Are you done with your life?" Tian Ming grimaced at his older brother. "Say, that Empress of yours surely had the look that could swoon any lady he wanted. But how long has that particular concubine be with you? If I remembered correctly she''s from the Qilin Sect isn''t it?" "You seemed to know my concubines better than me. Don''t tell me you too had a fling with my concubines while I''m busy" "I''d rather called it acompaniment. Those flowers are true beauty it would be a waste not to go see them once in a while." "tch. If you like them so much go ahead and ask for a few. Take all of them if you want. Save me the trouble to try for babies everyday like I had nothing else to do!" Tian Ming''s words made the nearby eunuch twitched weirdly. "Anyway, I''m going to find him. So you had to take over my job here until I manage to drag that ungrateful Lord Empress back home." "This is temporary right? I don''t want to stay an Emperor for long you know. I won''t be able to handle it.!" He pleaded. "Then you should pray for that Lord Empress of mine to get back sooner." Tian Ming had said his piece, he stepped into the teleportation Array before he vanished into thin air. "Tian Ming, giving up your seat like this is too careless..." He shakes his head as he stared at the empty spot his brother previously stands at. "So, which flower should I enjoy for the night? Hmn... The Prime Minister''s daughter had a good voice...or maybe Shu er from the Talented Ladies Hall? Ah.. I''ll go pester that hot tempered lady then." The eunuch felt headache coming. The two men looked exactly the same. If not for their different temperament, it would be very hard to differentiate between the two. The ministers of the Southern Empire are going to have a hard time while the older brother act as the Emperor... Tian Ming stepped out of the teleportation array in the middle of the city. He was going to search for Yue Ming under disguise. He cannot go around with his identity as the Southern Ghost Emperor. He got too many foes than friends. He first go to the Alchemist Association, not many knew it but he was one of the multi talented cultivator. He practice both Martial Dao and Alchemistry. "I wished to take the alchemist test" he said his purpose. Going around the globe with the identity as and alchemist sounds safer because no one wished to blatantly offend an alchemist. The profession was a united one. Offending one would result in offending all the alchemists under the banner. He choose the most distinguished Alchemist Association named the Godly Couldron Association. They had branches scattered all over the 4 Empires and most often than not had no political ties with the ruling monarch. They treated everyone equally, they speak with money and no reason at all. But because of it, the enrolment test were often set too high for alchemist with mediocre talent. The only alchemist manage to get into the Godly Cauldron were often only the best of the best. "The fee would be 10 Medium Grade spirit stones" the guy at the counter said. He was a rank 2 Alchemist. Tian Ming spared no qualms when he paid the fee. The guy at the counter then lead him inside an enrolment chamber. There was always people trying to pass the test. So there are many enrolment chambers build solely for the testing purpose. Inside each chamber, there would be an alchemist of rank 3 or higher as the judge. Tian Ming step into the chamber with a calm demeanor. There was only an empty table in the middle of the chamber. "Welcome, I''m Hong Ma. A fourth rank alchemist. We shall test your basic aptitude with a Clear Mirror. This mirror would be able to tell your aptitude class without error. " The appraiser placed an oval mirror on the table for Tian Ming. Tian Ming did not say anything, he just placed his right palm on the mirror and slowly inject his divine sense into it. Martial Dao cultivator cultivates their inner qi while Alchemist Cultivator cultivates their divine sense. That is the difference between the two profession. Light oozed out of the mirror surface before it dimmed in a after a few second. Tian Ming took of his hand and the there it shows seven colors mixed randomly on the water like surface of the mirror. The Appraiser almost couldn''t contain his excitement as he saw the aptitude result. "7 colors! It''s actually seven colors!" To an Alchemist, 7 colors meant the highest aptitude. It signified an affinity for all 7 elements existed. Alchemistry needs affinity with certain element to produce corresponding dao pill. Martial Dao cultivator also had affinity to certain element but it was cultivated into Martial Qi instead. An Alchemist on the other hand used the affinity to the element during pill refining process. For example, a pill to help a fire attributed Martial Dao Cultivator need an alchemist with fire affinity to make their pills. They cannot use a wind element Dao Pill or it would cause in deviation to their cultivation. The relationship between a Martial Dao Cultivator and an Alchemist is that of a mutual partnership. An Alchemist that had multiple affinity was sought after by many big establishment. Many of them would willing to invest in the growth of such individual as to nuture one alchemist is cheaper then to nuture two. "Such a talent is the first to come for a hundred years! I only ever heard of the Ghost Emperor with such talent. But no one had actually seen it if it''s true or just a made up rumors. You on the other hand... gosh, this is big. Would you mind if I called the higher ups? This is beyond my capabilities" the appraiser were beyond excited. Today would be the most memorable day of his life!