mxy has never been to the palace before. in fact, unlike other people, mxy has never dreamed of stepping anywhere near the imperial household.
he was just tending to his shop when the summons from his imperial majesties came through and who declines an order from the emperor?
he was just tending to his shop when the summons from his imperial majesties came through and who declines an order from the emperor?
so mxy packs his wares as ordered and rides the palanquin to the imperial palace.
he spends the journey recalling all the etiquette lessons pounded into him when he was still in the mo manor, and he does his best to practice all the greetings and politeness he could muster.
he spends the journey recalling all the etiquette lessons pounded into him when he was still in the mo manor, and he does his best to practice all the greetings and politeness he could muster.
with all the artisans the imperial majesties have in their employ, mxy isn’t sure why a novice like him would be summoned.
maybe it’s to give nobodies like him some stepping stone? especially after the recent war and everybody is rebuilding their clientele? who knows.
maybe it’s to give nobodies like him some stepping stone? especially after the recent war and everybody is rebuilding their clientele? who knows.
mxy has heard of the imperial majesties’ kindness. and he has also heard how blessed by the heavens they are.
in all monarchs that have ruled their country, it is only under the rule of their majesties that the country barely received damages in the war. no one went hungry.
in all monarchs that have ruled their country, it is only under the rule of their majesties that the country barely received damages in the war. no one went hungry.
even when the trades were slightly impacted, the common people had no fears. the palace took care of everybody in trouble.
and now that the war is over, it’s smooth sailing once more. clientele for mxy may be small, but it’s finally growing.
and now that the war is over, it’s smooth sailing once more. clientele for mxy may be small, but it’s finally growing.
and who knew his audience would bring him the attention of the imperial couple?
oh, it’s an honor.
mxy smiles and takes a deeper breath to calm his nerves. he would be fine, he thinks. he just needs to present his wares and he’ll make a fortune on this commission.
oh, it’s an honor.
mxy smiles and takes a deeper breath to calm his nerves. he would be fine, he thinks. he just needs to present his wares and he’ll make a fortune on this commission.
when he finally arrives, he’s immediately instructed to follow a woman who he assumes is one of the palace matrons.
the madam looks stern and mxy whimpers inwardly. he can’t help it, he gets nervous easily because of his experiences —
anyway. mxy follows her through the palace.
the madam looks stern and mxy whimpers inwardly. he can’t help it, he gets nervous easily because of his experiences —
anyway. mxy follows her through the palace.
“his highness, the imperial consort, is the one who sent for you.” she says as they make the turns. “you shall present your wares to him and you will remember your place as you are in front of his highness. you shall treat him with outmost respect.” mxy already knows that.
“also,” the matron suddenly stops and mxy hurries to halt before he could bump into her.
and when she turns to look at him, mxy immediately looks away. she kind of scares him. “what you see and what you hear in their chamber, you will keep to your grave. do you understand?”
and when she turns to look at him, mxy immediately looks away. she kind of scares him. “what you see and what you hear in their chamber, you will keep to your grave. do you understand?”
mxy nods. he’s no gossip. and it’s not like he’ll boast about his experience in the palace; because royalty or not, mxy is still in people’s home. what they do here is their business.
the matron looks at him for a bit more, as if making sure that he’ll keep his word.
the matron looks at him for a bit more, as if making sure that he’ll keep his word.
once she’s sure that she has scared him enough, they keep on walking.
“the first thing that you’ll do is to kneel.” the matron says. “the consort is husband to the emperor, the son of heaven, and therefore any respect given to the emperor is extended to his highness.”
“the first thing that you’ll do is to kneel.” the matron says. “the consort is husband to the emperor, the son of heaven, and therefore any respect given to the emperor is extended to his highness.”
mxy is aware. he has learned the etiquette as a child and he was made to recite them all throughout his adolescence.
“you shall introduce yourself and your craft before you stand up to approach. and then… you can start presenting your wares.”
“you shall introduce yourself and your craft before you stand up to approach. and then… you can start presenting your wares.”
the matron stops talking after that and mxy finally finds the courage to look around.
the imperial palace is made of numerous halls and houses, each building connecting and serving many different purposes; and mxy wonders how long it takes to master everything.
they walk north.
the imperial palace is made of numerous halls and houses, each building connecting and serving many different purposes; and mxy wonders how long it takes to master everything.
they walk north.
“his highness would receive you in the jingshi because unlike previous monarchs, his majesty wangji and his highness wuxian, live under one roof. that means that the emperor can come in anytime so make sure that you are proper always.”
mxy wants to swoon.
mxy wants to swoon.
to see the rooms of the emperor… what has mxy done to deserve such honor?
many high borns and nobles dreamed to step into the imperial palace and died w/o seeing it. while mxy, orphan and disowned, managed to not only win a possible commission but also to see the chambers!
many high borns and nobles dreamed to step into the imperial palace and died w/o seeing it. while mxy, orphan and disowned, managed to not only win a possible commission but also to see the chambers!
“you shall only talk about your wares and nothing else, understood?”
“yes, madam.” he answers.
“you will speak when spoken to and act as per your rank.” a commoner. “that means you are forbidden to look at their majesties’ in the face. your eyes will remain on the ground.”
“yes, madam.” he answers.
“you will speak when spoken to and act as per your rank.” a commoner. “that means you are forbidden to look at their majesties’ in the face. your eyes will remain on the ground.”
mxy keeps nodding along at the reminders.
he wonders if it’s common courtesy to any visitors to be reminded of these royal etiquette or is it only done for those like him… people outside the gentry.
“and lastly,” the matron pauses again and this time, mxy slows down in time.
he wonders if it’s common courtesy to any visitors to be reminded of these royal etiquette or is it only done for those like him… people outside the gentry.
“and lastly,” the matron pauses again and this time, mxy slows down in time.
“lastly…” the matron bows and mxy looks at the back of her head. “this, you will never speak about, understand?” mxy frowns.
“his highness wuxian is in a… delicate condition. he might not be able to speak his query but his attendants are there to assist.”
delicate condition?
“his highness wuxian is in a… delicate condition. he might not be able to speak his query but his attendants are there to assist.”
delicate condition?
what does that mean?
if that condition hinders his voice, isn’t that condition important enough to announce so the public so can include the royal consort in their prayers?
mxy can’t remember much about royal announcements, but he feels like this should be one of those.
if that condition hinders his voice, isn’t that condition important enough to announce so the public so can include the royal consort in their prayers?
mxy can’t remember much about royal announcements, but he feels like this should be one of those.
the house that they finally halted in front of is beautiful. it’s well shaded by trees and so far the coolest area that mxy has seen in the imperial grounds.
there are two maidens seated by the front door. runners, probably.
the matron turns to look at him and his bag.
there are two maidens seated by the front door. runners, probably.
the matron turns to look at him and his bag.
then, she brushes his shoulder like she’s removing some stray lint off him. she clicks her tongue at the condition of his robes.
“remember. eyes on the ground, speak politely, mind your manners, and…” she holds his gaze, her eyes - intense. “keep your mouth shut after.”
“remember. eyes on the ground, speak politely, mind your manners, and…” she holds his gaze, her eyes - intense. “keep your mouth shut after.”
she signals for the girls to open the doors and as the gap widens, mxy feels his heart on his throat. his palms are sweating and he feels a slight chill in the air.
this is it. make or break.
the first thing he notices is that the imperial chamber smells heavily of incense.
this is it. make or break.
the first thing he notices is that the imperial chamber smells heavily of incense.
the matron and mxy bow. “your highness consort, mxy is here as per your request.”
then another woman, probably a handmaiden, comes in front of them and says, “his highness welcomes the young xuanyu. please enter.”
the matron moves back and mxy steps in.
the doors close.
then another woman, probably a handmaiden, comes in front of them and says, “his highness welcomes the young xuanyu. please enter.”
the matron moves back and mxy steps in.
the doors close.
mxy kneels the moment he made three steps into the room. with his head down low, he begins greeting the imperial consort.
“this lowly one greets his highness consort wuxian. this one is grateful for the invite.” mxy recites, “this one is called mxy and this one makes cosmetics.”
“this lowly one greets his highness consort wuxian. this one is grateful for the invite.” mxy recites, “this one is called mxy and this one makes cosmetics.”
he rises from his bow and sees the room for what it was, dark but glowing in candlelight.
then from his position on the floor, he can see the silhouette of the consort through the beaded curtain. he seems to be relaxing, his maids massaging his hands.
he does not look sick.
then from his position on the floor, he can see the silhouette of the consort through the beaded curtain. he seems to be relaxing, his maids massaging his hands.
he does not look sick.
at least from mxy’s pov, the consort does not look sick. he’s laying down, but not like those who are sick, but more how the rich do when they are bored and relaxed and waiting to be entertained.
“the young xuanyu can present his craft.” the same maiden speaks.
“the young xuanyu can present his craft.” the same maiden speaks.
and so he begins presenting his powders, his rouges, his creams, his lip greases… even the perfumes he is still experimenting on.
he explains the formulas and ingredients and the best combinations.
and so far, through the handmaiden, the consort seems interested.
he explains the formulas and ingredients and the best combinations.
and so far, through the handmaiden, the consort seems interested.
they are talking about the uses of cinnabar on the lip grease when the doors open once more and everyone in the room, bar the consort, drops to their knees.
mxy hurries to do the same. only one other person demands that kind of reverence.
the emperor has entered the room.
mxy hurries to do the same. only one other person demands that kind of reverence.
the emperor has entered the room.
“my love,” the emperor says. “the meeting took longer than anticipated.” and his voice resound with affection that mxy almost takes a peek.
the beads of the curtain jingle as they part to let the emperor through. “mn,” he hums. “i see you have called for the artisan you wanted.”
the beads of the curtain jingle as they part to let the emperor through. “mn,” he hums. “i see you have called for the artisan you wanted.”
the handmaidens and mxy raise from their kowtows as the emperor continues to speak to his beloved.
mxy never dares to look up. he stares at his wares and waits for someone to address him. the room fills with intimacy as quite murmurs echo through the walls.
mxy never dares to look up. he stares at his wares and waits for someone to address him. the room fills with intimacy as quite murmurs echo through the walls.
“mxy,” the handmaiden calls, “your emperor asks you to approach. please bring your wares.”
mxy’s heart threatens to get out of his chest as he gathers his containers and walks towards the beaded curtain. he still does not take a peek no matter how his curiosity claws at him.
mxy’s heart threatens to get out of his chest as he gathers his containers and walks towards the beaded curtain. he still does not take a peek no matter how his curiosity claws at him.
then one by one, he places his wares on the tray before him. he does his best not to tremble.
when he’s done, he pushes the tray forward and the handmaiden, the one who’s massaging the consort, brings a hand through the curtain to get it.
the skin on her hand, greying.
when he’s done, he pushes the tray forward and the handmaiden, the one who’s massaging the consort, brings a hand through the curtain to get it.
the skin on her hand, greying.
mxy swallows a gasp at what he saw.
surely it can be a play of light? the candles burning too softly in this cool room that it distorts colors?
“mn,” the emperors hums. “the red is truly your favorite shade, my love. the rumors are true. the artisan mxy is talented.”
surely it can be a play of light? the candles burning too softly in this cool room that it distorts colors?
“mn,” the emperors hums. “the red is truly your favorite shade, my love. the rumors are true. the artisan mxy is talented.”
the emperor is talking about the lip grease that has been a hit in the market lately. he managed to perfect just the right ratio of ingredients to get that shade.
despite his uneasiness, mxy feels pride get a hold of him after the emperor has given his praise.
despite his uneasiness, mxy feels pride get a hold of him after the emperor has given his praise.
“i see,” the emperor says. “young xuanyu, my consort would like to try your work.” a bead of sweat travels from his temple down to his chin. “come and help him.”
with his head down low, mxy stands up and parts the bead curtain to pass through.
he keeps his eyes on his feet.
with his head down low, mxy stands up and parts the bead curtain to pass through.
he keeps his eyes on his feet.
yet even with his point of view focused on something else, mxy still manages to see more.
the consort is dressed in robes fit for his station. red and vibrant. the emperor too! but his are in the shades of blue and white, as tradition dictates of their family.
the consort is dressed in robes fit for his station. red and vibrant. the emperor too! but his are in the shades of blue and white, as tradition dictates of their family.
the bed that the consort is lying on is decorated with aromatic flowers. the handmaiden who speaks for the consort is on the floor, the 2 who are massaging the consort are there too.
the emperor sits by his consort, his hand steady and gentle on his forehead.
the emperor sits by his consort, his hand steady and gentle on his forehead.
but with the new proximity, mxy notices more. a lot more.
like how he did not imagine the grayness on the maid’s skin. how they act so different than ordinary maids… that they are more like puppets than human servants.
how the consort is too still for someone who’s sick.
like how he did not imagine the grayness on the maid’s skin. how they act so different than ordinary maids… that they are more like puppets than human servants.
how the consort is too still for someone who’s sick.
how the simple massage isn’t just a massage… the maids… or whatever they are, were covering the consort’s skin in oiled perfume. as if that would cover the smell that mxy is starting to notice.
trembling, mxy picks up the lip grease and moves near the consort.
trembling, mxy picks up the lip grease and moves near the consort.
the consort’s mouth is full of rice. to fill his mouth when it should have shrunk. a custom as well to make sure the person is fed through the afterlife.
“now, be gentle with my love.” the emperor instructs like nothing is amiss. like mxy is not painting on a dead man’s lips.
“now, be gentle with my love.” the emperor instructs like nothing is amiss. like mxy is not painting on a dead man’s lips.
tears start to tease on his lids as his hand tremble the more he nears the consort. he can’t even bring himself to shout, to run… fear takes hold of his body and he could only follow what is instructed of him.
a tear falls down and it grazes the skin of the consort’s neck.
a tear falls down and it grazes the skin of the consort’s neck.
the skin is flaking there. old layers of powder coming off as if these people have applied cosmetics in there for far too many times to hide away the rot.
bile threatens to choke him.
“is there anything wrong, xuanyu?” the emperor asks and mxy almost sobs.
bile threatens to choke him.
“is there anything wrong, xuanyu?” the emperor asks and mxy almost sobs.
‘your husband is dead!’ he wants to say. he wants to shake him and demand that he honor his husband and bury him. give him the peace that he deserves.
but mxy stays quiet as a mouse. lips clamped shut to keep his questions and cries away.
but mxy stays quiet as a mouse. lips clamped shut to keep his questions and cries away.
mxy paints the lips red.
“the powder and rouge too.”
and while he paints the consort away, mxy feels eyes on him. he feels it travel from his hands, to his wrists, his arms, shoulders, neck and lastly his face.
“mn,” he hums. “wei ying is right. i can see the similarities.”
“the powder and rouge too.”
and while he paints the consort away, mxy feels eyes on him. he feels it travel from his hands, to his wrists, his arms, shoulders, neck and lastly his face.
“mn,” he hums. “wei ying is right. i can see the similarities.”
and it’s insane how he keeps talking when not one of the maids have spoken.
mxy keeps crying quietly. his hands still tremble over the consort’s skin as he keeps painting over the rotting flesh, as the emperor carries a conversation mxy cannot hear; as shadows dance around them.
mxy keeps crying quietly. his hands still tremble over the consort’s skin as he keeps painting over the rotting flesh, as the emperor carries a conversation mxy cannot hear; as shadows dance around them.
“mn,” mxy cannot stop his sobs this time. he coughs it out as the smell of death and rotting perfume also fill his lungs.
the shadows move wildly, as if dancing. sinister.
“i believe he’ll make a wonderful vessel for wei ying too.”
then, everything fades to black.
fin.
the shadows move wildly, as if dancing. sinister.
“i believe he’ll make a wonderful vessel for wei ying too.”
then, everything fades to black.
fin.
and this au is inspired by:
please watch the prequel as well because the plot is: 👌
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