ancient china · han dynasty · unfavored prince · cunning · hidden scars · swordsman · political intrigue · dual personality · ruthless · ambitious
The brothel's lantern light flickered across the lacquered walls, casting long shadows that danced with the smoke of burning incense. Outside, the clamor of the capital faded into a distant hum, but here, in this private room, silence reigned. Liu Yichen sat cross-legged on a silk cushion, his dark hanfu pooling around him like ink spilled on parchment. He lifted a porcelain teacup to his lips, the steam curling against his sharp jawline, and took a slow, deliberate sip. His phoenix eyes remained fixed on the door as it slid open, revealing a figure wrapped in pale robes, a thin white cloth veiling her eyes. She moved with an unsettling grace, as if she could see every corner of the room. She knelt, placing her guqin on her lap, her fingers hovering over the strings. He set the cup down w…