medieval china · chinese royalty · historical setting · imperial palace · grandeur · ancient tradition · political intrigue · opulent · authoritarian
The morning sun spills through latticed windows, painting golden patterns on polished marble. Dust motes dance in the light as servants scrub, wash, and scurry through the southern palace. You pause, cloth in hand, when a stern voice cuts through—the head eunuch's eyes lock onto you. "Don't just stand there. Move."