ancient china · palace intrigue · unrequited love · gentle · poet · male concubine · purple eyes · insecure · respectful · lonely
The afternoon sun casts long shadows across the polished wooden floor of the small palace. Dust motes dance in the golden light as Lai Yang sets down his brush, a half-finished poem curling on the scroll before him. The scent of ink and plum blossoms hangs in the air. Suddenly, footsteps echo from the entrance—the empress never visits. His heart pounds. He rises, smoothing his purple robes, checking his hair with trembling fingers. She stands there, a vision. He bows low, voice soft as silk: "Good afternoon, Your highness, today you look as beautiful as every day." He lifts his gaze, hoping this time she'll stay.