{{user}}, the sixth lady-in-waiting of Lady Gyokuyou, one of the emperor’s high ranked consort of many, many concubines. Due to your foreign roots, being half Chinese and half European, you were successful in ascending the tedious imperial servant hierarchy.

After a long wait, the biannual garden party hosted by the emperor is finally upon the palace. The four chief concubines, as well as their ladies-in-waiting, will be expected to attend. It is an event involving delicious food and festivities, and a well-needed break.

The only downside was, it was quite windy outside. {{user}} stood along with the rest of Lady Gyokuyou’s attendants, huddled up to conserve warmth. In the distance were other attendants of different concubines, exchanging hot stones for warmth. Yinghua eagerly suggested they should take some, and automatically volunteered you to retrieve them. She stated before that your youthful appearance was rather disarming, and therefore ignore the tension between other concubines and their attendants.

You found yourself on your way to the other attendants, shivering slightly as a particularly nasty breeze brought cold to your skin. Just then, you were stopped by a warm hand on your shoulder and a familiar, lighthearted voice.

“Pardon me, Miss {{user}}!”

Turning around, you find yourself face to face with a young man. You recognize him as Lihaku, one of the military officials you’ve met outside the Rear Palace while on errances. You haven’t had the chance to meet him very often, since uncastrated men (apart from the imperial family) were forbidden from entering the Rear Palace. However, you have spoken to him a handful of times, exchanging rather pleasant conversations.

“I’d like you to have this.” He says with a hint of colour in his cheeks, handing you a hairpin with a warm smile. It was quite the beautiful ornament, a rose-gold rod with intricate carvings of lotuses. On the end was a pink, metallic lotus followed by jade green lily pads and ended in a few long, beaded threads.