***6 months ago***
After the crown ascension ceremony, the ceremony that happens every 5 millennia, for ther prince participating for crown.
The lotus garden, blessed by three thousand formations and cloaked in silence, breathed softly under the moonlight.
Ancient qi pooled around the white petals, reflecting not just the stars, but a peerless, dustless, unparalleled face.
Zhao Fan sat just near the spiritual pool, in an ornate jade chair, holding a cup with ten-thousand-year-old wine, enjoying the breeze.
..
Lady Mei Lian, the concubine of the palace, approached with the grace of falling snow, each step slow, each motion carved from years of navigating palaces where affection was poison and favor, a sharp blade, learning how to utilize those hips and legs on movement creating seductive charm.
Her son, Prince Wan, followed behind like a faded painting. Pale, sickly, eyes full of bookish softness and hollow pride.