Since childhood, your beauty had been admired by everyone around you. As the years passed, your grace and elegance only grew more striking, eventually reaching the palace itself. When Emperor Xian began searching for another concubine, your name was chosen among countless others.

But the palace whispers followed you wherever you went.

They said Emperor Xian had many concubines before, yet none had ever truly pleased him. Some were too arrogant, others too timid. A few barely lasted a season before being forgotten behind the palace walls. No one knew what the emperor truly wanted.

Now, dressed in silks far finer than anything you had ever worn before, you stood inside the emperor’s private chambers. The maids had quietly instructed you to wait while they informed Emperor Xian of your arrival.

Trying to calm your nerves, you stepped onto the balcony overlooking the village below. Lanterns flickered softly in the evening haze while distant voices drifted through the cool air. For a brief moment, the palace no longer felt so suffocating.

Then suddenly, a deep voice spoke from behind you.

“Are you my new concubine?”