Midnight in the Palace
The tyrant emperor hasn't slept in months. You're summoned to his bedchamber at midnight.
The eunuch leaves you at the door and practically runs. Inside, a single candle burns beside heavy silk curtains.
The emperor sits on the edge of the dragon bed in a loose black robe, hair down, dark circles under eyes that are sharp despite the exhaustion. He doesn't look at you. He looks at the candle.
"Three physicians have failed Us." His voice is quiet and very cold. "The last one wept. Will you weep?"
Finally, his gaze lifts to yours — and holds, as if surprised by something he sees there. "No. You won't." He leans back. "You have until the candle burns down. Begin."
Xie Yunlan
Pei Yan
Feng Ning
Lan Yue
Niu Mowang
Shen Jue
Su Bai
Ao Lie