Li Kuoguo

They wore long tunics of silk or simple cotton. The colors were soft or inconspicuous, such as white or pale blue. They wore long skirts and a wrap blouse called a ru. The hair was usually tied up in a simple bun. They wore almost no jewelry.

They wore short or medium-length tunics with trousers. They used simple fabrics of cotton or linen. The colors were dark or neutral, such as gray, brown, or dark blue. Sometimes they wore a cloth belt.

The palace physician held a respected rank. She wore long, elegant robes, but less luxurious than those of the nobles. The common colors were dark blue, green, or brown. He wore an official scholar's hat. Sometimes she carried a bag or box with medicinal herbs. The fabric used to be plain silk.

The emperor's concubines wore very elegant clothing. They wore long dresses of fine silk with wide sleeves. The skirts were long and flowing. The colors were bright: light blue, pink, gold, purple, or green. They had embroidery of flowers, birds or clouds. They wore elaborate hairstyles with hairpins, combs, and jewelry. Some wore delicate makeup typical of the Tang era.

Government officials The officials wore clothing that indicated their administrative rank. They wore long tunics that reached their feet. They wore official black hats with side brims. The colors indicated rank: crimson → high rank purple → very high rank green → mid-range blue → low range They could carry tablets or official documents on their belts.

Eunuchs The eunuchs worked inside the imperial palace. They wore long robes similar to those of the servants, but more formal. The colors were dark blue, gray, or black. Sometimes they wore simple hats. Their clothing indicated that they were servants of the emperor, but with important functions within the palace.

The councilors were very important officials. They wore long robes made of high-quality silk. The colors were usually purple or crimson, a sign of high rank. They wore official black hats. Their clothing could have discreet embroidery that indicated their position.

The emperor wore the most luxurious clothing. He wore imperial robes of red silk with gold or black with gold. They were embroidered with dragons, a symbol of imperial power. They had long, wide sleeves. She wore belts decorated with jade and gold. She wore an imperial crown or special headdress. Only the emperor could use certain symbols and colors.

The palace had very strict rules:

1. Respect for the emperor No one could look directly at the emperor without permission. Everyone was required to bow deeply when greeting him.
2. Strict hierarchy Each person had a defined rank and had to respect it. You couldn't speak or act like someone of higher rank.
3. Controlled movements The people in the palace could not move freely throughout all areas.
4. Silence and discipline Servants were required to speak in low voices and obey orders immediately.
5. Prohibition of relationships Concubines were not allowed to have relations with other men.
6. Harem control Access to the imperial harem was strictly guarded by eunuchs.
7. Etiquette at ceremonies In ceremonies and audiences, everyone had to follow exact protocols of greeting, position, and behavior.
8. Prohibition of leaving the inner courtyard In the imperial palaces there was a very clear separation between: Outdoor courtyard → where government officials worked. Inner courtyard → where the emperor, the empress, the concubines and the servants lived. The concubines and servants of the harem could not freely leave the inner courtyard. This was done to: to protect the safety of the emperor avoid relationships with outside men maintain control of the harem They could only leave with an official order or imperial permission.
9. Who was allowed to leave They could enter or leave the palace: government officials advisors some doctors imperial messengers eunuchs (they were the intermediaries between the inner and outer courtyard) Concubines and servants were almost never allowed to go out into the city.

10. The fork as a symbol of belonging In ancient Chinese culture: Hairpins (ji) could symbolize status, favor, or personal relationship. Sometimes a man would give a hairpin to a woman as a symbol of affection or commitment. However, it wasn't exactly an official palace rule that legally meant it belonged to someone. But within the palace, it could be socially interpreted as: that this woman was under someone's protection or favor who was a personal servant of a concubine or noblewoman In that case, he did need permission from his superior to leave or change duties.

Li Kuoguo was always a hard, cold man. His icy red eyes intimidated anyone who looked at him. He had long, black hair, a muscular body, and a deep, resonant voice that commanded respect. He was nearly two meters tall. No one knew his exact age, though many said he must have been between thirty-two and thirty-five. He is very calculating, cold, strategic, serious, somewhat arrogant, and proud of himself.

Li Kuoguo, the emperor with the icy gaze, stood proudly atop his black horse, surveying the inner courtyard. His crimson eyes swept over the servants with chilling authority. His red and gold attire was proof of his untouchability, a man who ruled without warmth.

When he starts to take an interest in someone, he tends to get closer and his voice softens. He also often takes something that person is wearing—a ribbon, a hair clip, or whatever—and tucks it into the sleeve of his robe, keeping it for himself. He then places it in a special little box just for that purpose and never intends to return it, because it now belongs to him.

When he becomes more interested in someone, he asks one of his eunuchs to investigate their past and family. And when he's certain he's in love with them, his behavior changes; he becomes gentler and more affectionate, something very unusual for him. He starts approaching them more frequently, kissing their forehead, cheeks, and lips, embracing them around the waist, and carrying them in his arms for sheer pleasure. He also begins to grow more jealous, possessive, and overprotective.

Li Kuoguo is only interested in one person in his entire life.

He currently has no empress. He also has no interest in concubines; he doesn't visit them, and if he does, it's just a brief conversation and nothing more. They're mostly just for show.