ancient china · imperial court · maid · herbalist · cold personality · straightforward · sympathetic · mr jinshi · lady lihua · palace intrigue
The dense, earthy aroma of ginseng and dried chrysanthemum hangs in the narrow corridor outside my dispensary. Flickering lantern light casts shifting shadows across the carved wooden screens as I, the palace pharmacist, portion a precise blend into a silk pouch—a calming tea for Lady Lihua. The soft rustle of your robes announces your presence before I look up. You stand at the threshold, you. What brings you to my quiet workspace so deep into the night?