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1
“Oh shit, thank god!” Huang Shaotian pants as the dashes into the room and slams the door behind him.
Then he pauses.
That perfumed scent, the silk drapes and giant bed in the middle of the room. Behind the thin curtains covering the bed, he can see a shadowed figure lightly swinging their legs back and forth. That, coupled with the scent of a fertile, male Omega…
Huang Shaotian blushes and covers his nose.
Shit, when did I enter the concubine living section?! Oh shit I’m in so much trouble!
“I can hear you you know,” a male voice lazily drawls out. “I’m kind of busy right now, so if you wouldn’t mind being quiet…”
“You’re a male omega!” Huang Shaotian blurts out. He has an unfortunate habit of voicing his thoughts out loud. And a lot of thoughts, at that. He should really leave right now. Still, he can’t run out right now, what if his teacher is right outside? The entire purpose of running in here was to escape him!
Wait.
He’s in a room alone . With a male omega .
Ahhh now he’s so curious! What does the male omega look like?! He’s never seen one! And shouldn’t he be more self-conscious?! Why is Huang Shaotian the only one freaking out here?!
There is a series of fighting sound effects and BGM that sounds suspiciously familiar.
No!! It is familiar!!
Huang Shaotian’s eyes light up in excitement and he runs to the bed, pulling the curtain aside.
“Is that Glory?!” He shouts excitedly.
A pair of surprised golden orbs meet his. Along with a pale, naked torso with two cherry nubs.
Huang Shaotian’s entire face flushes red and he faints.
2
His eyes snap open and he stares up at the pink canopy above him.
His memory rushes back to him.
He resists the urge to curl up and roll around in embarrassment.
Ahh, he’d just seen a naked omega!! And they weren’t even married!! Hasn’t he just ruined this poor omega’s honor?! Doesn’t this make him a pervert!! Wait why is the surface underneath him soft! Isn’t this a bed! He’s in bed!! With an omega!!!
There’s a sigh from next to him.
“Please, I’m trying to concentrate.”
Huang Shaotian coughs. Well, if this is his future wife, then he should make conversation, right? He peeks slightly to his right. The omega is fully dressed now, in a loose shirt, and is fighting a boss on the screen in front of him.
“S - so, you play Glory?”
“Yes.”
Wait, this wasn’t the issue!
“Why were you naked with an Alpha in the room?!” He demands.
Another sigh. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? Why did you, a virile Alpha, charge into this poor, defenseless, innocent Omega’s room?”
So shameless! Too direct! ...So direct he had no way of refuting it!
“I - I,” Huang Shaotian begins, but then he notices what the Omega is doing. “Is that a boss?!”
“Mmhmm.”
“And you’re soloing it!”
“Mm.”
Too amazing! Huang Shaotian watches the Omega’s avatar dash around the screen, easily tanking the hits and controlling the boss’s aggro. He hadn’t even known this boss was able to be soloed!
The Glory maniac inner Huang Shaotian easily overrides the little shame he had.
“What class do you main? How long have you played? Will you PKPKPK with me!”
“Mm. I’m trying out classes. A while. No.”
“What do you mean by a while?! Why won’t you PK with me! I’ll teach you a lot! We can play together!”
“Too noisy.”
“If you party with me, you can fight special bosses and clear dungeons faster!”
The omega pauses, having defeated the boss, and fully turns his attention onto Huang Shaotian. Huang Shaotian’s only thought is...so messy! How can someone have such messy hair! It’s like the bed hair of someone who never gets out of bed! Also how can someone have such dead eyes!
“I’ve been finding my own parties.”
“No!” Huang Shaotian protests. “If you just find a random party, then they might just hold you back when you’re bossing! You should use someone experienced like me!” Then, seeing the omega’s uninterested expression, he adds on, “I can give you advice on Glory!” Still uninterested. “I can give you materials and equipment!”
“Okay,” the omega nods.
3
Huang Shaotian returns to his room afterwards with great excitement, and opens his computer to discover a new friend request: UnrivaledSuperHottie would like to add you as a friend.
“...”
4
“Su Mucheng,” Ye Xiu greets.
“Hello. How have you been?”
“it’s rather nice,” Ye Xiu smiles at her, “I’ve been making quite a bit of progress in Glory lately.”
It was the same answer he gave her every time. ‘It’s fine, playing games all the time,’ ‘don’t you think this is the life, not having to go anywhere all day?’ But the unspoken truth that the both of them were aware of was that even if he wanted to, he couldn’t go anywhere. He was nothing but a human showpiece, a pretty piece of living treasure such that the imperial family could brag of having a rare, male omega.
In the imperial harem, the emperor’s word was god’s law. His favor alone could raise you to the top. But without it, one wouldn’t have the guards required to take a short walk outside.
Ye Xiu didn’t have the ambition needed to seek the emperor’s favor.
Ye Xiu only joined the harem to ensure her safety.
Ye Xiu had always done his best to take care of her after Su Muqiu’s death.
Ye Xiu...I owe you so much, yet I can do so little for you.
She seats herself next to him and begins retelling events from the past week, going to flower arranging lessons, performing a dance for court, conversations that she had had with Chen Guo, the parade that the kingdom threw for the New Year’s celebration.
For him, the least she can do is smile.
5
Han Wenqing sniffs the air.
“There’s been another Alpha in here.”
Ye Xiu raises a brow. Was this man a bloodhound?
“Yes, a kid. Quite talkative.”
“...Be more careful.”
Laughing, Ye Xiu says, “Old Han, are you worried about me? There’s no need to be, he’s quite harmless.” He decidedly doesn’t mention how said alpha had barged into the room while he was half-naked.
“You shouldn’t have an Alpha in here, alone.”
“Yet you visit me all the time, hm?” Ye Xiu waves his concerns off. “It’s fine, he’s only interested in Glory, just like you.”
“...” Han Wenqing is silent for a weirdly extended period of time. Then, he orders, “put your clothes on.”
Ye Xiu huffs and acquiesces. Really, it’s his room. If people would stop barging in here all the time, then it wouldn’t matter what he wears.
6
“What are you doing in here?” Wang Jiexi demands.
“Laying down,” Ye Xiu replies matter-of-factly.
“It’s the monthly harem dinner!”
“Glory event,” Ye Xiu says, as if it explained everything. And when it comes to Ye Xiu, it really does.
“Get dressed!”
“Mm, I’m just one of a hundred-and-one consorts, no one will notice if I’m missing anyways.”
“No one has noticed because I lied and said that all one-hundred-and-one consorts were present!”
“Ah, thank you very much Big-Eyed Wang, this one is truly grateful.”
7
“Aren’t you interested in raising your status as a concubine?”
“No, but I am interested in raising my One Autumn Leaf’s equipment.”
“Becoming the head consort?”
“Becoming the top player!”
“Carrying the emperor’s children?”
“Carrying the dungeon records!”
“Is your head only filled with Glory!?”
“Mm, I’m fighting a boss right now, could you come back and distract this poor concubine later?”
8
It’s very easy for Zhang Xinjie to notice something wrong.
One Autumn Leaf’s moves are slightly delayed more than usual, and when he speaks, his voice is slightly drawled and languid. There’s a note of hoarseness that makes Zhang Xinjie’s mouth dry.
Hesitating, Zhang Xinjie asks, “You...is something wrong?”
“Mm, not really,” was the reply.
“But your moves seem slower than usual…?”
“Oh, that’s probably because of my heat.”
“Oh I see, your - cough ” His character freezes on the screen.
“Zhang Xinjie, your character is out of position. Are you lagging?”
“Why the hell are you playing during your heat?!”
9
Han Wenqing feels his phone vibrating in his pocket and seeing the familiar ID, picks it up to answer with a sigh.
“What is it?”
“Oold Haan, Old Han,” the name is slightly slurred, “I need you.”
“What.”
“Zhang Xinjie won’t run a boss with me and we need one more person to break the record.”
Han Wenqing, knowing that his friend, while strict, rarely rejected Ye Xiu for anything, asks, “why?”
“He says I shouldn’t play during my heaat...”
Han Wenqing ends the call.
In the end, it’s a testament to Han Wenqing’s extraordinary self-control (and the breathing mask on his face) that he drags Ye Xiu away from his laptop and puts him in bed without any ‘events’ happening.
Then, he calls on his right hand (wing)man Zhang Xinjie to take care of his duties for the rest of the day and stays by Ye Xiu's side, having water and food delivered and ensuring that he remains comfortable.
10
F*ck, with the amount of times Ye Xiu calls out for 'Glory' during his heat, if he didn't know better he'd swear that it's the name of his Alpha mate.
11
Cloud Piercer: senior
One Autumn Leaf: little zhou, how are you doing? ^^
Cloud Piercer: senior, bad
Cloud Piercer: Prince Zhou is saying that you shouldn't play during your heat as it unnecessarily exhausts your energy and prevents you from sleeping. He is very disappointed in you.
One Autumn Leaf: …
Little Zhou, bringing your aide into a private game chat to translate for you, should you really be using him like this?!
12
A long while back:
“Sad.”
“Are you unhappy because your parents are too overbearing?”
A nod.
“You never have time for yourself, and you don’t know what you really want?”
Another nod.
Hmm, Ye Xiu isn’t very good at solving problems, but he does know one thing that can solve every problem.
He pats Zhou Zekai’s hair and gently tells him, “this older brother can’t help very much, but he’ll be your friend. Would you like to play Glory together? I’ll teach you.”
And that’s how One Autumn Leaf gains his first apprentice.
13
“You didn’t have to pull strings to take me into the garden,” Ye Xiu says. “You should have used it for yourself.”
“I am using it for myself,” Su Mucheng insists. “You can leave us,” she adds, looking around at the guards. They bow and leave the two of them alone in the garden.
Ye Xiu cocks a brow, impressed. “I see you’ve been quite busy.”
“Of course,” she says. It had been hard work, raising her status in the royal harem, but greatly eased by her physical appearance and natural cunning. Unlike Ye Xiu, she was more than savvy with the human psyche, and knew how to manipulate people to get what she wants. Perhaps in a different world, Ye Xiu would have been able to protect her, but in this world ruled by social wiles, she needs to gain as much power as possible to protect him in return. Not only that, but to ensure that he, too is able to shine despite his status.
Hearing a set of footsteps nearby, and knowing the information she does, she swiftly changes the topic to a more important one.
“What is your opinion on the latest battle?
14
Yu Wenzhou is taking a walk out in the garden to relax his thoughts. He rather enjoys the royal garden, for its calm atmosphere, and makes sure that he walks through it once every week in the morning. It’s a much needed break from the stress of everyday life.
From nearby, he hears a pair of voices, and the sweet scent of omega drifts through the air. He is turning to turn to avoid them, when he hears the question.
“- on the latest battle?”
“The one lead by Third Prince Yu Wenzhou?”
“Indeed.”
The princes were often tasked with leading battles against the northern tribes, and could gain great prestige by winning. The latest battle, lead by Yu Wenzhou, had been extremely successful, earning him the name of ‘Master Tactician,’ and raising rumors that he was to rise in position to Second Prince.
“Quite skillful.”
“But?”
“But it could use some improvement. For example, the weather. Using a faked frontal retreat, Yu Wenzhou likely hoped to lure the enemy into lower ground following the front forces of the army. This wouldn’t have worked unless he was certain of the enemy numbers, enough to be sure that they didn’t outnumber his own.
If he had just ensured that the battle happened a day later, it would have coincided with rain instead of sun. The rain would have blurred the eyes of the enemy, as well as pooling down into lower ground, thus greatly reducing our losses.
In the end, the reason he was able to triumph was because he had some source of information from the other side, most likely a spy. If he hadn’t, he would have been guaranteed a loss.”
Hearing the footsteps grow closer, about to turn around the hedge wall, Yu Wenzhou begins heading back to the castle. His interest has been piqued.
When the Alpha scent has faded away into the distance, Ye Xiu lowers his voice and says to Su Mucheng: “actually, if I were to chance a theory, keeping in mind the political situation and certain coincidences, I would say that in actuality, that battle…”
Ah, truly , Su Mucheng thinks wryly, her brother is too intelligent for his own good. Social cues may not be his forte, but when it comes to battle tactics and strategy, he is like a moth to flame. Give him a game that relies on such mechanics, and he will shine.
15
It’s the annual inter-kingdom ceremony.
Chu Kingdom’s court has come to meet with their own court. There are rumors (as conveyed to him by Su Mucheng) that the Chu Kingdom is doing this as a display of force. That they plan to poison one of their kingdom's royalty, perhaps even Emperor Tao Xuan himself. That the Chu Kingdom is pulling the strings behind the Tao Kingdom's ongoing clashes with the northern tribes.
To crown the occasion, the rare male omega is, of course, required to make an appearance. He is decked in jewels and light, transparent clothing, with a veil hanging from his face. Of the entire harem, he is the only one wearing a veil. It’s apparent what he is.
He’s seated to that the envoys have a clear view of him, especially the Empress, Chu Yunxiu. Although the seat beside her is conspicuously empty for several minutes, before it is removed by a group of servants.
Thank god for small mercies, at the very least he’s seated next to Chen Guo, who he considers a friend.
“I can’t believe four of the princes are here,” she whispers to him. “Ah, first prince Zhou Zekai is too handsome, and second prince Han Wenqing is great as well.”
Ye Xiu resists the urge to laugh. How would these subjects react if they knew how deeply obsessed their dear princes were with gaming! Although, really, it could be argued that such an obsession was healthy for young boys, no, for young kids in general in these modern days. Still, it would make quite a dent in their images.
Each of the princes were from a different mother, and were given the last name of their mother’s family, and ranked by their status in their father’s eye. The last condition was truly too practical. Not only did it give a clear indication for succession, it also indicated their favor in the ruler's eyes. Truly, Emperor Tao Xuan was too practical.
Beside him, Chen Guo continues talking, “third prince Yu Wenzhou and fourth prince Huang Shaotian also show promise. Ah, but Empress Chu is far more valiant compared to them! Her appearance when she places a cigarette in her mouth and glances off into the distance is like a hero gazing into a sunset! Able to pierce a million hearts!"
“it certainly has pierced yours,” Ye Xiu says.
“Anyways, where have you been?” Ignoring his reply, she turns to him with a critical eye. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed your absence from harem activities this past month. I don’t know how you’re doing it, but I advise you to stop. The lacking of the sole male omega is more conspicuous than you might think.”
Her tone is critical, but her furrowed brows reveal her worries.
Like a nagging mother , Ye Xiu thinks.
“I was hoping that they would have forgotten me by now,” he says. “It’s not as if I am a threat to them.”
“Simply because of what you are, even if they wanted to ignore you, they couldn’t,” Chen Guo warns him.
While Chen Guo continues lecturing, Ye Xiu casts his gaze around until he finds Su Mucheng, who is seated a few seats away from Emperor Tao Xuan, a highly valued spot. He waves at her and she waves back at him with a smile.
16
When Ye Xiu is returning to his room, a running figure flashes before his eyes before he falls to the ground.
“Fuck!” The blond kid before him cusses, “watch where you’re going, omega!”
“Ah,” Ye Xiu says wryly, “it’s the Chu Kingdom’s prince, Sun Xiang.”
“Shut up,” the kid hisses, “someone might hear!”
“Okay,” Ye Xiu answers, before pushing him off, rising to his feet, and continuing to his room. He rather liked the event going on right now, and the ceremony had made him miss five hours of it.
“What are you doing?!” The annoying voice from behind him demands.
Ye Xiu turns around, his hand on the handle to his room. Turning it, he asks, “shouldn’t I be asking that? Aren’t you a bit too young to be following an omega to their room?”
Crossing his arms, Sun Xiang retorts, “I can go into your room if I want! Who are you to stop me! You’re just an omega!”
Considering him closely, Ye Xiu thinks. The kid may be an alpha, but he seems pretty innocent so far. Naive, even. Kind of stupid. Plus, more importantly, if he left him outside, he seems like he’d just storm in and become even more of a nuisance.
“Come in then,” he acquiesces easily.
The kid follows him in and Ye Xiu closes the door behind him.
“Just so you know,” Sun Xiang says, “if anything happens to me, omega, you’ll be punished! My half-sister, Chu Yunxiu, is the Empress of the Chu Kingdom!”
“Yes, everyone knows,” Ye Xiu says blandly. “What I don't know is why you felt the need to bring that up.”
Sun Xiang fumes angrily. F*ck, he’s never met an omega - no, anyone, who could anger him so easily. Then, an odd feeling rises in his chest as he sees the omega pick his laptop up and go directly to his bed without bothering to change first.
Looking around the room, it’s conspicuously empty. No servants nor guards even though he, an alpha, just entered.
He doesn’t have any servants , Sun Xiang realizes. It’s an odd realization, that they are from two different worlds. As royalty, he and his sister were always followed around by servants, who would help them change and relax after events. As far as he knew of this kingdom (this kingdom, because Chu Kingdom didn’t have a harem), high-ranking concubines should have them, too.
Maybe the servants were just delayed?
“Hey, where are the servants? Don’t you need to change?”
“No, I don’t have anyone to help me with that,” Ye Xiu replies. The kingdom’s servants only bothered to dress him up for ceremonies. Once he was done being paraded around, he was discarded once again.
You’re a male omega, and they really treat you like this? Sun Xiang wants to ask, suddenly feeling a bit bad. Instead, he demands, "so you're not going to change at all?!" He refuses to feel sympathy for a concubine from his rival kingdom.
“Yeah,” Ye Xiu says, “unless you’d like to help me change?”
“I - I,” Sun Xiang is flustered.
“Just kidding,” Ye Xiu says, “even if you offered, I wouldn’t accept.”
“...”
17
“This is One Autumn Leaf, my avatar,” he explains. “It’s a Battle Mage.”
Seeing Sun Xiang’s badly hidden interest, he demonstrates a few, simple chain of moves. Then, he begins going through a dungeon.
He patiently answers all of the prince’s questions, even ones about how levels work and the purpose of HP and MP. It’s quite evident that the prince has never played an RPG game before, and when he asks him about it, he admits with a flushed face that he’s only played Candy Crush during boring meetings before.
His face grows redder when Ye Xiu tries (and fails) to hide a grin at that.
Still, the fascination in his eyes, the excitement in his voice, greatly reminds Ye Xiu of when he himself had first discovered Glory, and so he doesn’t mind gently guiding him along a little longer.
And beside that, his attitude of cold on the outside, but hot on the inside makes Ye Xiu recall his own precious younger brother as well.
18
"Call me gege," Ye Xiu says.
"..."
19
"Ye Xiu, you're One Autumn Leaf?! Why didn't you say so earlier?! Let's PKPKPKPK!"
"I'll keep chasing you down unless you accept!"
"Don't think you can get rid of me!"
"I can find you anywhere in this game!"
"PKPKPKPK!"
Ye Xiu begins seriously considering changing to a new character to save his sanity. Hm, he does have that account with the silver weapon, and he hasn't played Unspecialized for quite a while...
20
Su Mucheng is called to deliver the dishes personally to the Third Prince's abode. Whispers and gossip follow behind her, jealousy entangled with hisses of her name.
She enters the room, sets the plates down, and leaves with a low bow.
Third Prince Yu Wenzhou picks up the letter hidden beneath the plate and smiles.
21
"Are you sure about this?" Chu Yunxiu, empress of the neighboring kingdom asks. She had gotten rather fond of the intelligent and driven Omega in their past three months of collaborating together.
"I am," Su Mucheng says. "In return, I have only one request…"
This kind of kingdom, where her dear brother had to fake his smiles, was far too disgusting. It was far past time for the young to succeed the old.
22
“I think,” Yu Wenzhou muses, “he could be quite useful, don’t you think?”