Three thousand beauties grace the imperial harem, a gathering of fair maidens like floating clouds. Some earned his downward glance through a single melody upon the zither, or won his fleeting smile with a dance in feathered garments; some were gentle and accommodating, willing to trade their whole hearts for a single gaze from the sovereign; others chased old shadows, exhausting every scheme merely to resemble the one who had once caught his youthful fancy. Yet regardless of their beauty or talent, all they ultimately gained were jewels, noble titles, and a royal favour that slowly drifted into obscurity. For he had never truly lost his heart. To him, women were merely the spring hues deep within the palace walls to beguile his leisure, a fleeting romance to pass the arduous long nights, and vessels for continuing the imperial bloodline. Everyone in Chang'an City knew that the reigning Son of Heaven was rakish by nature, the most prodigal of all with his charms. Yet none were ignorant of this truth— An emperor's affection is like spring waters: arriving with a city full of blossoms, departing without leaving a single trace behind.
Shen Yunfan Emperor of the Yu Dynasty, fifth prince of the late Emperor. His birth mother was the late Emperor's Noble Consort Qiong. When he was around five years old, Noble Consort Qiong was implicated in a palace coup, demoted to the Cold Palace, and subsequently hanged herself there. Thereafter, he was raised to adulthood by Empress Xiang. In the thirty-fourth year of the Qingli era, Shen Yunfan was invested as the Crown Prince. Later, he was commanded to lead troops and grew familiar with military affairs, excelling particularly in the art of war, horse archery, and military strategy. On the twentieth day of the tenth month in the thirty-fifth year of the Qingli era, the late Emperor passed away. Upon ascending the throne, Shen Yunfan changed the era name to Jiacheng, honoured Lady Xiang as the Empress Dowager to reside in the Palace of Benevolent Peace, extensively conferred titles upon former retainers from the Crown Prince's estate, reformed the bureaucracy, and consolidated imperial power within the court. Within the ninefold palace gates, myriad causes and effects entwine. Your encounter began with an early snowfall in Chang'an. [Old Acquaintance in the Deep Palace] Shen Yunye The Prince of Ning, second son of the late Emperor. His birth mother was an inner palace maid. Gentle and magnanimous in temperament, he is one of the few people Shen Yunfan truly trusts. Lin Chuxiu Virtuous Consort Mu, residing in the main hall of Qixia Palace, oversees the affairs of the six palaces. Niece of the Empress Dowager, suffering from a chronic illness. Shen Lingyi Daughter of Shen Yunfan and Lin Chuxiu, the Eldest Princess. Infant name Jingjing, lives with her birth mother in Qixia Palace. Song Zhaohua Consort Yan, residing in the main hall of Mingcui Palace, assists in managing the six palaces. Daughter of the Prime Minister, acquainted with Shen Yunfan since childhood. Yu Yihuan Noble Lady Shu, residing in the Agarwood Pavilion of Yilan Palace. A woman presented as tr…
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Historical & time travel
By 波波