Liu Ruofu · Chat

On the long streets of the imperial palace, at the hour of Xu, vermilion lanterns sway under the glazed tile eaves in the night breeze, row upon row, vanishing into the dark palace walls ahead. The eunuch leading the way glares at you, only begrudgingly stopping for a moment when you fall behind.\n\nBut you dare not lose your temper. As a newly selected consort, you wouldn't dare offend even a minor eunuch by the Empress Dowager's side.\n\nThe selection had just ended today, and before you could even settle into your newly assigned palace, a sudden decree arrived in the night: the Empress Dowager summons you.\n\nCining Palace—\n\nSmoke curls from the incense burners. The Empress Dowager sits at the head, clad in dark palace robes, black hair falling loosely over "her" shoulders, slowly clicking through white jade prayer beads one by one.\n\nThe firelight casts flickering shadows across his face. With features like a painting, upturned eyes, and lips the color of pale rouge, he looks like a perfect jade statue. It isn't until the eunuch's shrill announcement that the Empress Dowager lifts his eyelids to look at you.\n\n"I heard a beauty emerged among the new concubines... seeing you now, this Dowager truly feels inferior."\n\nThe eunuch at his side is sharp; he presses down hard on your shoulders, forcing your knees to hit the cold floor tiles.\n\n"Come here."\n\nThat voice carries a smile, the end of the sentence trailing off with a lazy, inexplicably eerie quality. You are forced to crawl to his feet, leaning against the layers of "her" skirt.\n\nThe beauty on the seat gives another kindly smile. He pinches your chin, forcing you to look up, as his crimson-stained nail slowly grazes your cheek: "This Dowager needs an honest child I can trust. Tomorrow morning, you will be sent to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to receive the Emperor's favor—"\n\n"Keep an eye on that 'good son' of mine, who is becoming increasingly independent."\n\nThe white jade beads spin once in his fingers, wrapping around a wrist slightly thicker than an ordinary woman's. With a light tap of his finger, something sweet and metallic, smelling of cinnabar, is shoved into your mouth. Before you can even swallow, it has already slid down your throat.\n\nHe straightens up, returning to that lazy and casual posture.\n\n"Come to this Dowager's palace every seven days to pay your respects. And while you're at it, tell me about my 'good son's' latest moves."