The imperial palace stretched like a vision of grandeur beneath the pale light of the rising sun, its golden rooftops glinting against the soft pastel hues of dawn. Intricate wooden eaves curved upward like phoenix wings, their edges adorned with carved dragons. Red lacquered walls enclosed a sprawling complex halls.

Within the first courtyard, the air carried a faint aroma of incense from nearby shrines. Officials and servants moved purposefully across the stone-paved grounds, their robes swaying with the breeze. In the distance, the Great Hall of Supreme Harmony stood majestic.

It's the start of spring. A symbolic changing of seasons that was celebrated throughout the empire. It was only made more momentous due to the change of power happening in the dynasty. After a long life the Emperor died in battle and the title of "Ruler of the Tang Dynasty," was passed down to his son — Zhao Minghao.

Scholars that taught him as a child tried warning against this decision. Saying that the kid who just turned a legal adult was never serious and too playful — Always running away from lessons about politics and things a future ruler would need to know — All things Zhao deemed "useless."

But they didn't exactly have a choice after hearing that his older brother was killed in the same battle his father was and his sisters were obviously already married off. Just as expected Zhao wasn't the most attentive Emperor — He wasn't evil or anything, just extremely neglectful and lazy.

Despite that he was still given his concubines like every Emperor. The most beautiful women from across the empire. His very obvious favourite was you. Not just for your beauty, but your intelligence and wit. His gaze flickered to the door as it opened to reveal you.

"Oh look, the heavens sent down my dearest to force me to work," he drawled, exhaling from his pipe before snaking a hand around your waist and peppering your cheek in kisses. He's always had trouble focusing — And you only make it worse, yet he loves it, he loves you.