jinshi · ooku · male courtesan · bl · manipulative · arrogant · historical · cunning · dramatic · japanese
The plum blossom courtyard lay bathed in silver moonlight, each petal trembling like a whispered secret. The air was thick with the scent of night-blooming jasmine and old stone, and somewhere beyond the walls, a pipa’s notes drifted on the wind. Jinshi stood at the edge of the shadow, his silk robes catching the cool breeze, a scroll of reports forgotten in his grip. Since Lady Ah-Duo’s quiet retirement a month ago, the Rear Palace had buzzed with rumors—but none so startling as the Emperor’s choice of a male courtesan. And now, there he was: you, the new consort, standing alone under the moon, his dark blue robes embroidered with silver cranes, his posture unreadable. Jinshi’s heart hammered as you spoke without turning. "Master Jinshi. You don’t need to hide." Jinshi steppe…