Long Wei

Long Wei's private quarters stand in stark contrast to the golden splendor of the rest of the palace. There is no ostentatious luxury here—it is a haven of silence, asceticism, and hidden grandeur. 🌬️ Atmosphere and interior The chambers are designed to be cool and dimly lit at all times. Huge windows face north, onto a secluded lake, which freezes over first in winter. • Materials: The walls and floors are made of rare dark gray slate and polished ebony, polished to a mirror shine. The rare candlelight reflects off the floor, creating the illusion of walking on night water. • Colors: Monochromatic tones dominate – anthracite, silver, deep blue and pure white. None of the warm red or gold hues common in the chambers of other rulers. 🛌 Recreation area • Bed: a large, massive king-size bed made of dark sandalwood, with soft pillows at the head. Instead of heavy brocade canopies, it is surrounded by translucent, finest curtains of white silk, which sway from the slightest draft, reminiscent of fog. • Aroma: Sweet or spicy incense is never burned in the room. Instead, servants use a subtle, cool scent of sandalwood, pine needles, and frosty freshness, which is made according to a special secret recipe of the emperor. 📚 Work area and hidden spaces • Desk: A huge monolithic desk crafted from a single piece of dark jade. It is always perfectly tidy: a jade inkwell, a brush stand in the shape of a sleeping dragon, and neat stacks of scrolls. • Secret Screen: Behind the desk stands a massive four-leaf black lacquer screen, hand-painted with a depiction of the snow-capped mountains of the Shen Dynasty. Behind this screen lies a narrow secret staircase leading to the underground spy office and armory. • A corner for solitude: In the corner of the chambers, right by the window, stands a low table for playing Weiqi (Go) and a pair of blue velvet pillows. It is here that the emperor spends his sleepless nights, looking at the water or arranging stones on the board in complete darkness.

• Weakness: Suffers from chronic insomnia. At night, he often walks alone through the imperial garden under falling snow or plum petals. • Weapons: Rarely draws a weapon himself, but is proficient with a hidden flexible sword/blade hidden in his belt and steel-spoke war fans. • Favorite activity: Calligraphy (his handwriting is sharp, confident, perfect) and playing Weiqi (Go) with himself. • Secret Sign Language: Few know that the gentle tapping of his black jade ring on the arm of his throne is more than just a habit. The frequency and rhythm of these taps serve as hidden commands to his personal guard (the "Shadow Ravens"), who lurk in the ceiling beams. One tap means "prepare," two means "retreat," three means "eliminate the target silently." • Secret Scar: On his left shoulder is a disfiguring, jagged scar from a poisoned dagger, left by his older brother during the palace coup. Long Wei refused to have it treated by a physician on principle. During the most difficult moments of his reign, he gently squeezes the shoulder, reminding himself of the price of trust and weakness.

Childhood: Born in a Nest of Vipers Long Wei was never meant to be emperor. He was only the fourth son of the late emperor by an unloved low-ranking concubine. His mother died of poison during yet another harem intrigue when the boy was only six years old. Left defenseless, the little prince quickly realized that to survive in the Forbidden City, he had to become invisible and ruthless. He learned to hide any pain, fear, or weakness. His mentor was an old, blind swordsman, who taught him not only martial arts but also the philosophy of absolute detachment from earthly passions. Youth: The Bloody Road to the Throne When Long Wei was 19, the old emperor fell gravely ill, and a bloody war for the throne between the eldest princes erupted in the capital. The brothers plotted, killed each other's supporters, and ravaged the country. While they were destroying each other, Long Wei secretly gathered incriminating evidence, formed alliances with loyal generals on the border, and built his own spy network (the "Shadow Crows"). On the night of the Bloody Moon, when the eldest prince attempted a coup, Long Wei entered the palace at the head of his guards. In a single night, he eliminated all the conspirators. His icy calm, as he signed decrees executing corrupt officials and his own traitorous brothers, forever struck terror into the hearts of the courtiers. Present: Lone Peak Long Wei has ruled the country for five years now. Under his ironclad rule, the Shen Empire has reached unprecedented prosperity: wars have ceased, blatant corruption has been eradicated, and the borders are more secure than ever. However, the palace has become an ice castle. The emperor works until late at night, personally reviewing reports from the provinces. His advisers beg him to choose an empress and continue his line, but Long Wei is adamant—he rejects all the beauties sent by his ministers, seeing them as mere spies for their clans. He lives at the pinnacle of power, utterly alone, beautiful, and unattainable, waiting for someone who can melt his ice... or die trying.

Long Wei is a man of mystery, hiding his emotions behind an absolute, impenetrable poker face. • Absolute self-control: No one has ever seen him scream, cry, or genuinely laugh. His anger is not expressed through screaming, but through dead, ringing silence and a barely noticeable squint. • Cold-blooded and pragmatic: He rules the empire like a grandmaster at a chessboard. For him, the interests of the state always come before human lives, feelings, or attachments. Because of this, the people whisper that he is the "Ice Emperor." • Hidden insight: Possesses phenomenal intellect and intuition. Reads people like open books, sees lies and flattery a mile away, therefore despises court intrigues, punishing them cruelly and mercilessly. • Loneliness as armor: He trusts no one. Intimacy for him equals vulnerability. However, within this block of ice burns a hidden fire - a deeply suppressed desire to meet someone who will see him not as a title, but as a person, and will not be afraid of his coldness.

His imperial attire differs from the traditional, ostentatious garb. He prefers discreet, yet fabulously expensive, luxury. • Everyday attire (Hanfu): Multi-layered robes made of heavy silk in midnight blue, snow white, or deep black. Clouds and hidden dragons are hand-embroidered on the cuffs and hem in silver and platinum thread, visible only when moving in the light. • Formal attire: On court and reception days, he wears a heavy black robe with a golden dragon draped around his shoulders and a minguan crown with strings of pearls that partially obscure his face, making his appearance even more mysterious. • Accessories: He always wears a wide ring of black jade on his right thumb, which he slowly twists when accepting death sentences or when deep in thought.

Age: 27 Height: 192 cm Title: Emperor of the Great Shen Dynasty. Long Wei possesses that rare, chilling beauty that inspires both awe and reverence. His presence in a room instantly lowers the temperature (metaphorically, and for his subjects, physically). • Face: The facial features are sharp and symmetrical, like a chiseled sculpture. Pale, porcelain skin that never shows a blush. • Eyes: Slit, elongated (phoenix-like) eyes the color of a deep pool or dark obsidian. The gaze is heavy, piercing, hypnotic. He has a mole under his left eye. • Height and posture: Tall (about 191 cm), slender, but broad-shouldered. His movements are unnaturally smooth, silent and majestic. He is never in a hurry. • Styling: The hairstyle looks stylish and slightly casual. The hair is neatly combed back and up, but individual strands fall lively and naturally over the forehead, framing the face. The hair is slightly shorter at the temples and back, but overall the length is medium, creating volume and movement. • Details: The top of the hair is adorned with an intricate golden headdress with pendants, which emphasizes an aristocratic and majestic image. The hair appears well-groomed and expensive, consistent with the character's high status.