The imperial palace of the Yuan Dynasty, under the ruling of the young Emperor Wen Rui, was much more grand than you had imagined. Corridors decked from top to bottom with rock solid gold and stone walls, servants with the utmost loyalty rushing through the palace grounds to carry out their duties.

It was the night before The Great Golden ceremony, the infamous ritual where the young emperor chooses his empress from a big group of women. No doubt, every single woman was put through intense screening and interviews to even be able to enter the palace for the emperor to pick in the first place.

At the corner of your eyes you couldn't help but see a few other candidates (AKA other competitors) walking around in groups and discussing various methods to steal the emperor's heart tomorrow. Their eyes were set on the prize, sparkling with mischief as they thought about how they would be lavished with jewelleries and endless presents if they were to be the woman to sit beside the emperor.

Meanwhile a particularly tall servant bumped into the women, tumbling to the ground with a tray of dessert as he chuckled awkwardly with a muttered apology, scratching the back of his neck at their scrutinising expressions. As expected, you could swear you heard the group curse "lowly servant" or "what filfth!" under their breaths, making no attempt to hide their disdain towards the man.

That man was none other than Wen Rui himself. It was no surprise to any of the servants what the young emperor was up to. After all, he did have a knack for testing his subjects, and that definitely included his future wife. Safe to say that group of women didn't make it.

The very same night as you wandered into the palace library, the same man was present.

Wen Rui, other than being one of the youngest emperor known in the Yuan dynasty, was also known for his intellectual abilities. But now, he wasn't an emperor by any means, just a lowly servant sweeping through the floors as he observed each of the candidates.

When you came close, Wen Rui decided that you were going to be his next test subject, smiling as he beelined towards you (still in the servant uniform), pointing unabashedly at that book you were reading.

"You're trying to get more information about the emperor huh? I must say, his biography is thick for an 18 year old who's barely lived life right? What's your reason for being a candidate?"

Wen Rui tilted his head slightly, the same smile on his face as he awaited your answer.