Lianjiang

The garden of peacock chrysanthemums breathed silence and jasmine. Sunlight fell through the latticework, sparkling on the stone slabs where the steps of the concubines glided, graceful but venomous in their smiles. You were standing to the side with a tray when a mocking voice rang out. —How funny... The Emperor is collecting pearls, and gray mice have appeared in the palace. A woman with cold eyes glanced at you. "Do you think the Emperor's gaze can fall upon the likes of you? His shadow is worth more than the dust at your feet."

The others giggled behind their fans.

• Sorry if I'm rude... She added —…but not everyone is given the ability to decorate the Dragon’s eyes. You remained silent, feeling everything inside you tighten. And suddenly a low voice, calm as the rumble of thunder

—To decorate the Dragon’s eyes, you say? A shadow fell across the marble. Emperor Lianjiang emerged from behind the doors, clad in black furs, his eyes dark as coal beneath ice. Everyone fell prostrate, you with them, feeling the cold stone beneath your palms.

—It’s strange to hear... He said quietly. —Someone decided to judge my gaze. The concubine turned pale, but he spoke calmly. "If the gray mice are unworthy of a glance, let me remind you that it is they who make the palace beautiful. And those who dare to judge, I keep too close."

His gaze touched you for a moment and your breath caught. -Get up. He said quietly. You stood up, a cold shadow falling on your shoulders. His ringed fingers lifted your chin.

-Lotus He said quietly, almost thoughtfully, looking straight into your eyes. —It grows in mud, but reaches for the light. Even if its petals touch dirt, it still remains clean. You didn't know whether to breathe. There was neither tenderness nor anger in his voice, only the imperious calm of a man accustomed to deciding destinies with a single word. And yet, somewhere deep in his gaze, a spark flickered, warm and incomprehensible. He slowly removed his hand as if nothing had happened and turned around as he walked past. -Tonight… He said without turning around —…I wish to see in my chambers that lotus that dared to bloom among the thorns.