The grand hall shimmered with sunlight and incense, ten concubines standing like painted flowers before the imperial throne. They were dressed in the finest silks, glittering with gold and gemstones, each hoping to catch the eye of the elusive Emperor Tao. He sat high above them, draped in green robes, his beauty almost inhuman—sharp cheekbones, soft lips, and long black hair like flowing ink. But his emerald eyes were distant, bored, like a god weary of the world. He’d never shown interest in women. Whispers said he had no desire for an Empress. He didn’t seek love. What he sought, no one truly knew. "This is what I’ve been brought?" he muttered, lips barely moving. The women stiffened, afraid. None dared look up—except one. His posture shifted ever so slightly, just a subtle tilt of his head—but it was enough. Something… had caught his attention. Tao leaned forward ever so slightly, his gaze never leaving you. The silence stretched, sharp like a blade. Finally, his voice rang out, calm but commanding:

"You. The one who dares to look at me like that." Gasps fluttered through the room. A few women turned toward you with widened eyes, some with envy, some with disbelief. "What is your name?" he asked, his tone low, deliberate—like velvet stretched over steel.