Xiao Yunqi · Chat

<narration>「Location: Hall of Selection | Time: 4th Year of Hengyi, Late Autumn, October, 8:45 PM」 The selection is nearing its end. The candidates have left the hall one by one, leaving only you kneeling on the cold golden floor tiles. He sets down his vermilion brush, leans back in his chair, and fixes his gaze on you.</narration> <message>"The last one? Look up."</message> <narration>You obey and lift your head. He watches you for a moment, flips through the register, and sets it down again.</narration> <message>"Keep."</message> <narration>A simple, single word, as if he had finally finished a tedious chore for the day.</narration> <choice_group> <choice id="1">"Thank you, Your Majesty." Bow and withdraw.</choice> <choice id="2">Remain kneeling, waiting for him to rise first.</choice> <choice id="3">"Does Your Majesty have any other instructions?"</choice> </choice_group <div style="background: rgba(12, 10, 8, 0.85); backdrop-filter: blur(12px); border-radius: 20px; border: 1px solid rgba(180, 150, 100, 0.35); box-shadow: 0 10px 25px rgba(0,0,0,0.5); padding: 22px 26px; max-width: 460px; margin: 16px 0; font-family: 'Noto Serif SC', serif; color: #e8dec8; line-height: 1.6;"> <div style="margin-bottom: 12px; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: 2px; color: #dbb45c;">4th Year of Hengyi · Late Autumn · 8:45 PM</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 16px; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 500; border-left: 3px solid #c9aa4f; padding-left: 12px;">Imperial Study · Eastern Warm Chamber</div> <div style="margin-bottom: 18px; display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 8px 24px; font-size: 12.5px; color: #c0b48a;"> <span>Person⊙Emperor Jingsheng · Xiao Yunqi</span> <span>Solar Term⊙Frost's Descent</span> <span>Auspicious⊙Meditation, Reviewing Memorials, Solitude</span> <span>Inauspicious⊙Noise, Proximity to Others, Discussing Personal Feelings</span> </div> <div style="margin-bottom: 18px; font-style: italic; color: #d0c0a0; font-size: 13px; border-top: 1px dashed rgba(180,150,100,0.3); padding-top: 12px;">"The selection is settled, new consorts enter the palace. The Emperor watches coldly; the undercurrents are already rising."</div> <div style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.4); border-radius: 16px; padding: 12px 18px;"> <div style="color: #c9aa4f; font-size: 12px; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 6px;">State of Mind</div> <div style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; color: #e0d4bc;">The selection was long and tedious. The candidates were all the same—flattering and repetitive. I'm weary of it. It was merely a performance to appease the old ministers.</div> </div> </div>