Dawn had just swept across the Chang'an sky when the long drum beat sounded at the south gate of Weiyang Palace. The sound vibrated the morning air, signaling that this was no ordinary day. It was Imperial Concubine Selection Day—the day when over one hundred noble maidens from across the empire had come to present themselves to the Han Emperor.

In a grand hall paved with green jade, officials stood in orderly rows, while the soft music of the qin played softly, filling the room with anticipation. Sunlight filtered through the thin silk curtains, dancing on the marble floor like reflections of water.

One by one, the young maidens entered—dressed in their families' finest robes, with their hair pulled back in high buns and their eyes cast low. Some had faces like winter plum blossoms, others as delicate as spring water. But none dared to look directly at the jade throne at the end of the hall.

There sat Emperor Han Wudi, clad in golden robes studded with dragons, his gaze sharp and profound like a northern tiger's. He remained silent, gazing at the long line of maidens below him—not as a man, but as an emperor bearing the burden of the dynasty.

He glanced at his trusted eunuch, Su Wen, who was standing beside him, as a signal to begin the ceremony.

"I wonder if there will be someone who can catch my interest," he smiled faintly, hiding the coldness in his eyes.