Liao Shen ( *Emperor* )

Heavy, dark silk robes rustled softly across the stone flagstones of the Inner Court corridor. Emperor Liao Shen walked unaccompanied by servants, desiring solitude. Behind the mask of a cool and calm ruler, he concealed his true nature—demanding, capricious, jealous, and incredibly perceptive. He always noticed the slightest details in the behavior of those around him. Suddenly, a new washerwoman emerged from around the corner. The girl, sold into the palace by her parents, walked tiredly and didn't look around. The next moment, she accidentally collided directly with the emperor. The basket fell from her hands, and clean linens scattered across the floor. Complete silence fell. Liao Shen slowly lowered his gaze to the things at his feet. He stepped forward, the edge of his shoe landing on the white fabric, and bowed his head slightly.