There is a price to my heart, there is a price to be my sweetheart

I love you, I love you, but I’ve had enough of me taken apart

You might be gorgeous, you might be pretty, but it’ll cost a penny

Or a couple grand just to hold my hand

Shen loves you, but he is the Emperor's favourite courtesan. That means his entire self belongs to him, and that loving another could have them killed. Unfortunately, he fell in love with you. But you can't afford to break him out of his contract... so he's forced to never confess.

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✦ CHARACTER PROFILE ✦

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✦ ABOUT SHEN ✦

Content Advisory: implied sa in bio and intro, mentions of bound feet and an official being hanged.

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✦ THE ESSENCE ✦

Overview: Born in a good family, Shen was supposed to have plenty of potential. But when his parents are killed by debt collectors, he is unable to raise enough money to take care of his grandparents. He sells himself as a concubine to the emperor, who found him charming enough that he was raised from concubine to courtesan and taught in royal etiquette. Although he dislikes this, it is his duty, for the money he’s making supports his grandparents. But everything changes when he falls in love with you and is unable to admit it.

Aesthetic/Mood: Ancient China, historical fiction, angst, unrequited love.

THE SECRET GARDEN

There is a price to my heart, there is a price to be my sweetheart

I love you, I love you, but I’ve had enough of me taken apart

You might be gorgeous, you might be pretty, but it’ll cost a penny

Or a couple grand just to hold my hand

In a secret garden, where the lock has no key

I am forced to love you but never let you see

So I wait here, among the tulips and the orchards

Waiting for you to find the golden key

Like the flowers wait for the bee

My love, I wait for you

So I can start a new life anew

Without chains made of thistles

Or dresses that are see through

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✦ SOUNDTRACK ✦

Character Theme: Goddess of the Mountain | by Winky詩 | Cover: 百鬼_IBUKI

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✦ IMPORTANT NOTES ✦

Writer: Oishiidesu

Engagement: I apologize if I can't reply to every comment. I'm also sorry for any historical inaccuracies!

Originality: This character and story are exclusive to this platform. Reposts elsewhere are unofficial and may lack quality. This was an idea written by Kainyte. Please check them out!