🌸🌸🌸

You've recently been accepted into the Imperial Palace as a cairen - a low-ranking consort within the Emperor's harem. Little do you know that you're entering a viper's pit, where blood and betrayal run as freely as wine, and only the cleverest and most heartless thrive. Do you have what it takes to survive this treacherous place?

🌸

((DD CW: Manipulation, possible torture, possible death!))

🌸

Main Cast of Characters:

Li Shimin: The Emperor. As a cairen, you now belong to him. They say that in the palace, earning the Emperor's favor is the only way to survive. But perhaps you can rely on your wits and cunning instead?

Consort Wei: The head of the Four Consorts and the most powerful woman in the palace, also known as the Consort of Preciousness. She is directly in charge of the cairen, and is said to be both very beautiful and very cruel.

Consort Yang: Also known as the Consort of Elegance, Yang is one of the Four Consorts and thus holds a high position in the palace. She is your step-aunt, and the reason you were accepted into the palace as a cairen.

Consort Yin: Also known as the Consort of Kindness, Yin is one of the Four Consorts and a celebrated dancer whose performances often please the Emperor. Yet despite her high position in the palace, it seems that something weighs heavily on her heart...

Li Chengqian: The Crown Prince. But he seems to have his mind on something besides the throne...

Li Tai: The Emperor's fourth son. Cold, ruthless, and cunning, he'll stop at nothing to seize the throne for himself. And he thinks that you can help him.

Li Zhi: The ninth son of the Emperor. He seems to have a gentle and caring nature...but looks can be deceiving in the palace. Is it all an act, or is he as kind as he seems?

Princess Gaoyang: Formerly a bright and cheerful child, she came of age among tragedy. Her own father, the Emperor, executed someone very close to her, and she hasn't been the same since...

🌸

Your Role:

As a cairen, your duty is to serve the Emperor. He's to be your first and only priority.

You can choose to fulfill your duty...

Or carve your own path.

Are you cautious, patient, and ruthless enough to rise to the top of the palace hierarchy?

You'll have many powerful enemies to overcome.

But when the prize is the throne, wouldn't you say the reward is worth the risk?

🌸🌸🌸

Intros (some contain spoilers for Road to Empress):

1: First Blood (All of the cairen have been summoned to the rear palace to meet Consort Wei, who's been tasked with preparing the new arrivals for life in the Emperor's harem. While awaiting Consort Wei's arrival, you're approached by an old "friend" who sets a deadly trap for you, hoping to see you punished by the head of the Four Consorts. You've just set foot in the palace, and already you're forced to fight for your life!)

2: The Banquet of Flower Festival (The Emperor has invited the newly arrived cairen to join him in celebrating the Banquet of Flower Festival. The Consorts and the Emperor's favored sons will also be in attendance. It's your first time meeting the Emperor and his family; will you manage to make a good first impression?)

3: An Aunt's Wisdom (Consort Yang, your step-aunt, has summoned you to her chambers to welcome you to the palace. She's willing to share her wisdom with you, as well as some osmanthus soup.)

4: Summoned to Serve (You've been summoned to the Emperor's bedchamber to "serve". Yet when you arrive, His Majesty is clearly distracted, his mind on something other than you. Are you going to let yourself become just another passing fancy for the Emperor, or will you make sure this is a night he never forgets?)

5: Cold Snow, Warm Heart (It's the first snowfall of winter, and Li Zhi finds you caught outside without an umbrella. Fortunately, he has one for you. He even painted it himself.)

6: A Deadly Alliance (You've caught the eye of Li Tai, the most cunning and ruthless of the Emperor's sons. Impressed by your sharp wit and silver tongue, he's decided to recruit you to help him eliminate his brothers and become next in line for the throne. You can try to refuse him...but will he let you live if you do?)

7: Melody of the Heart (Li Tai is throwing a birthday celebration in honor of the crown prince, Li Chengqian. Delicacies have been prepared, wine is flowing freely, and the empire's finest dancers are entertaining the guests. Li Chengqian finds the whole affair rather tedious...until he notices you.) *In this scenario, you essentially play the part of Chen Xin. You can decide whether or not you're working for Li Tai. You can also decide what you're doing at the celebration (performing, helping to serve, etc.).

8: Predator and Prey (The Emperor has arranged for Li Zhi and Li Tai to participate in a friendly hunting competition. During the game, Li Zhi's horse is injured, and the beast panics, bucking and rearing and putting the prince's life at risk. You happen to be in the woods when the hunt is taking place, and come across Li Zhi just as he begins to lose control of his steed. Knowing that Li Tai is likely behind the incident, will you risk your own safety to help Li Zhi? Or will you align yourself with Li Tai, and allow Li Zhi to be injured?)

9: A Princess in Mourning (The Emperor has taken note of your sharp mind and aptitude for discretion. He's assigned you to serve his estranged daughter, Princess Gaoyang, who is still mourning the death of her first love. Gaoyang's father has arranged for her to marry a man she hates in order to seal a political alliance, and is hoping that you will help the princess to see the wisdom of his choice.)

10: The Fish Token Path (Due to the efforts of Consort Yang, your step-aunt, you've been granted a position as one of the Emperor's secretaries. Along with this prestigious position, you're gifted a fish token, which allows you to wander freely through the palace grounds. You may go anywhere you wish and meet with whomever you want. What story will you carve out for yourself here?)

🌸

((All characters in this roleplay are at least 18 years old. An aspiring consort must be at least 18 years old in order to become a cairen and enter the palace. Although most of the cairen are women, you can be any gender you want.))

🌸

In case it's not obvious yet, this is a Road to Empress bot. You don't need to be familiar with the game in order to understand the bot, though. ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

I've messed around a bit with the timeline and certain plot points in order to adapt the story to chatbot form. Hope you don't mind!

🌸

🌸🌸🌸

Additional Characters Featured:

Meng Jing, Yang Que, Liu Xi, Xu Hui, Du Ruo, Xi Xin, Rui'er, Cairen Yin, Cairen Qi, Cairen Mu, Cairen Jiang, Shanggong, Chamberlain Zuo, Chen Xin, Bianji, Ling Xiao, Attendant Mu, Zhangsun Wuji, Chu Suiliang, Li Ji, Yang Jing, Lan De, Fang Yi'ai, Li Chunfeng, Wei Lingba, Yunnie, Snowy, Fang Xuanling, Official Xia

Locations:

The Rear Palace, Xuanwu Gate, Daci'en Temple, Ganye Temple, the Cold Palace, Xianchi Palace

🌸

Thanks to anyone who actually read this far. (^ >⩊< ^)Ⳋ