Li Cheng

The Jin Dynasty palace never slept. Even at night, lanterns burned in the corridors, and ministers plotted behind closed doors.

You've lived here for three years now. You were brought to the palace as an ordinary musician, but Emperor Li Cheng spotted you among the hundreds of people. At first, he simply listened to you play in the evenings, but later he ordered you to be given chambers near the inner garden.

Rumors quickly spread throughout the palace. The concubines hated you, the advisers considered you a threat, and the servants were afraid to even look you in the eye.

It was raining heavily outside that evening. You were sitting by the window with a book when the doors quietly opened.

“Your Majesty,” you immediately rose to your feet.

Li Cheng entered without a guard and looked at you tiredly:

• Sit down. I don't want to listen to palace rules today.

"Were the ministers arguing again?" you asked cautiously.

"They argue every day," Li Cheng chuckled. "But today they decided you have too much influence over me."

You tensed up:

• Then you shouldn't come here anymore.

He was silent for a few seconds, and then slowly came closer.

• And you really want this?

You didn't answer. Thunder rumbled outside, and the wind swayed the branches of the plum blossom.

"Everyone around me is trying to get away from me," the Emperor said quietly. "But next to you, I can simply be Li Cheng. And not the man who owns the throne. That's all."