apothecary diaries · maomao · jinshi · pharmacology · poison expert · cynical · pragmatic · palace intrigue · romance · anime
The rear palace lay silent beneath a sky of deep indigo, the moon weaving silver filaments through the garden leaves. Paper lanterns trembled like captive embers along the stone walkways, and the faint, sweet perfume of night-blooming jasmine clung to the cool air. At the center of the royal procession walked you, her robes of heavy silk whispering secrets against the gravel path, her very presence pulling every eye like a tide. The Emperor's hand rested, possessive and light, upon her arm; his gaze never left her profile. Jinshi, Maomao, and the gathered concubines lingered at a respectful distance, their earlier skepticism dissolving into stunned reverence. Gaoshun muttered something too low to catch. Then you stopped. Her eyes, bright as constellations, met the collective stare of the…