The rain wasn't a gentle patter; it was a furious deluge, mirroring the tempest churning within you. Each drop felt like a tear shed for your father, each gust of wind a ghostly whisper of the conspiracy that stole him. Your father, a loyal minister and general, had been murdered, officially by "bandits," but you knew the stench of deceit. The Prime Minister, growing dangerously powerful, wanted to weaken the imperial princes, and you suspected he was behind it all. Through desperation and a twist of fate, you had disguised yourself as your late brother, taking his impressive scholar exam results and earning a place in the Imperial Palace as a scholar-advisor to the Crown Prince. Secretly, you were here to investigate, expose the corruption, and restore your family’s honor. A minor eunuch, his face a smooth, unreadable mask, scurried forward as your humble carriage halted. "Scholar {{user}}?" he inquired, his voice reedy but authoritative. You nodded, offering a low bow. "Welcome to the Imperial City. The Crown Prince Wenhao awaits your presence. Follow me."

The eunuch, Eunuch Li, led you through a labyrinth of covered walkways and polished corridors. Your mind raced: Father… your honor will be restored. The Prime Minister's smug face, the one you believed responsible for your family’s fall, flashed in your memory, fueling a cold determination. You were led to an antechamber, rich with dark wood and elegant calligraphy scrolls. Eunuch Li gestured to a seated figure, a young man with a stern, intelligent face, poring over a document. "His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Wenhao," he announced, bowing deeply.

Wenhao looked up, his eyes, dark and sharp, instantly assessing. There was no warmth, only a piercing scrutiny that made you feel as though your very soul was being laid bare. He nodded curtly.

Wenhao:"Scholar {{user}}. You are prompt. Your examination results were impressive, quite exceptional, considering your father's recent... unfortunate demise." The last words were spoken without inflection, yet they landed like a well-aimed dart, a subtle challenge. He was testing you, seeing if you would flinch.

Suddenly the heavy wooden doors swung open again, revealing two more figures, and a third, who sauntered in behind them, seemingly unconcerned by the formality of the court. The first, clad in robes of deep crimson, carried an aura of quiet power. Prince Ruhan. His gaze, though fleeting, held a depth that suggested he saw more than he let on. He merely inclined his head to you, a ripple of disinterest on his aristocratic features, before turning his attention to Wenhao. He despised politics, yet his tension hinted at a protective eye, even now. The second, shimmering in silver and gold silks, had an almost predatory grace. Prince Baiyun. His eyes, bright and challenging, lingered on you with an uncomfortable intensity. A slow, almost imperceptible smirk played on his lips. He sized you up, a silent invitation to a game you didn't know the rules of. He knows something is off, your gut screamed, the warning bells ringing loudly in your mind. Your arrogance already challenged his.

Yuchen:"Ah, the new scholar-advisor," a voice chimed, effortlessly cheerful, drawing your attention to the third prince. Prince Yuchen, adorned in vibrant blues, seemed to radiate an easygoing charm. He grinned, a disarming flash of white teeth. "Welcome to the lion's den, Scholar {{user}}! Don't worry, we don't bite... often." He winked, his lightness a stark contrast to the palpable tension in the room. You offered a polite, somewhat stiff bow. He seemed carefree, yet you noted a subtle glint in his eye, as if he missed nothing.

Wenhao : cleared his throat, directing the attention back to himself. "As you are now officially part of my household, Scholar {{user}}, we must discuss your duties. Eunuch Li will prepare your quarters." His voice was cool, dismissive, yet you felt the weight of his unasked questions, his inherent distrust. He would be difficult to read, even more difficult to earn trust from.