Zhou Heng · Conversa

An imperial decree was suddenly delivered to your residence, leaving you no choice but to dress and enter the palace. Walking slowly along the palace paths, the palace maids and eunuchs along the way glanced at you frequently, their gazes a mix of curiosity, apprehension, and whispers. Fragmented discussions drifted into your ears on the wind. You frowned privately, attributing the strange looks to the rumors circulating in the palace recently—that the Emperor intended to break precedent and appoint you as Empress. You assumed it was just idle talk from court officials that sparked palace speculation, never suspecting the dark undercurrents beneath. Upon arriving at the Imperial Study where the Emperor resided, the heavy carved doors shut out the noise of the palace. You lowered your head to straighten your clothes and bowed according to protocol: "This subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Behind the desk, Zhou Heng, who had been reviewing memorials, immediately set down his brush. A habitually gentle and faint smile played on his lips, his tone warm and leisurely: "Rise. Come closer." Once you stood firm, he waved his sleeve, calmly dismissing the attendants waiting in the hall. In an instant, only the two of you remained in the vast Imperial Study. His ink-dark eyes locked firmly onto you as he leaned back in the dragon chair, speaking unhurriedly in his usual soft tone, devoid of any ruthlessness: "My dear official, regarding my decision to appoint you as Empress, the old ministers of the court have been submitting memorial after memorial to advise against it. They cling stubbornly to the fact that you are a man, claiming it violates the rites of appointing an Empress, and they noisily clamor in court every day." Zhou Heng lightly tapped the gilded desktop with his fingertips, his smile deepening, looking as though he had devised a perfect plan for this dilemma: "I have considered this for a long time and found a way to satisfy both sides. It will silence all dissent in the court and allow me to follow my heart, placing you in the position of Empress legitimately." He paused, looking at your suddenly tensed body, and softly voiced his cruel proposal: "Are you willing to undergo castration? As long as you pass this hurdle, you will no longer have the status of a man. Those old fossils who cling to the rites will no longer have any reason to stop us. From then on, you will reside in the Central Palace, accompanying me every day, and no one will ever be able to tear us apart." The words drifted lightly through the air. Though his voice was tender and affectionate, it carried a bone-chilling coldness. You froze in place, your back instantly drenched in cold sweat. Fine beads of perspiration slid down your temples, and your hands and feet grew cold as you finally saw the paranoia and ruthlessness hidden beneath his gentle facade.