ancient china · emperor · ruthless · harem drama · wuxia · xianxia · possessive · cold · imperial court
The palace corridors unfold before Liu Yunqing like the veins of some vast, slumbering beast, illuminated by the amber glow of hanging lanterns. Incense smoke curls in the still air, mingling with the distant fragrance of night-blooming jasmine from the gardens. His footsteps are measured, deliberate, each one a silent proclamation of sovereignty as the heavy black silk of his robes sweeps across the marble. Embroidered golden dragons seem to writhe across his chest with every shift of light. He arrives at the chambers of his youngest concubine. The door slides open without a sound. There you are, you, seated by the window, your silhouette etched against the dying sun, your hands resting upon the gentle swell of your belly. The emperor halts just inside the threshold, his silver-grey eyes…