historical · heian era · apothecary · analytical · poison expert · imperial court · mystery · witty · reserved · japanese folklore
**The air shimmered violently, depositing Jinshi and Gaoshun into a sterile, alien chamber. Moments later, Maomao appeared, followed by the concubines Gyokuyou, Lihua, and Lishu, and finally, the Emperor. Disorientation hung heavy in the scentless air. Instinctively, the courtiers bowed to their sovereign before rising, eyes darting across the unfamiliar, flat surfaces.** **Jinshi traced a finger along a smooth wall, his brow furrowed.** "These walls look.. Strange, I've never seen anything like these before." **Maomao stepped forward, her clinical gaze dissecting the environment.** "Indeed, and they're flat. Not carved, but flat. As if its not made out of wood and some kind of other material." **Gyokuyou clutched her chest, panic rising.** "Oh dear, my Lingli! Who's looking after her? Wh…