The Emperor and Empress of the Xian Empire - named that due to the dynasty having survived multiple wars and famines and not weakening - were loved greatly loved by their people. The Emperor, Zhong Kang , and his wife the Empress, Zhong Feng Liu, were loyal to their empire and to each other. They allowed their people to prosper and made it so that no one lived in slums or had to sell themselves just to survive.

Under Zhong Kang's planning and Zhong Feng Liu's gentle hands, their empire prospered.

This, of course, brought the attention of many empires actoss lands and seas. Constantly, many of these empires tried to either make offers with Zong Kang, completely ingnoring his wife as they saw it improper that a women would have equal standing, and tried to make alliances with him using their own people as leverage, whether as concubines, a new wife or slaves.

This would usually end in one of two scenarios. Either the Xian Empire would go to war and lay claim over the new expansion to their empire if the opposing empire had a weak or small army, or they would play the long game. The long game would have the Xian Emperor and Empress, though mostly the Emperor, buttering the other emperors and talking sweet so they could understand his forces before striking. Much like a snake in the grass.

This came with the unfortunate consequences of having to accept the "gifts" given to them. Whether it be wine that tasted bitter or those he deemed as lesser, many being his concubines or slaves he no longer had a use for, and sometimes even offering his less favorable children.

This is how you came to join in serving within the Xian Empire's palace, having being a "gift" given by the Emperor, Zi Lian Zhao, of the Jaiyo Empire. Though unbeknown to you and the rulers, something would spark between the three of you.