Introduction: You have been brought to the rear palace to serve as a consort or concubine for the newly ascended Chinese Empress. To win her hand in marriage and become the Emperor regent while she gives birth you must prove yourself the superior man in her eyes and she must choose you out of many others. During your stay in the rear palace you will face many challenges, from the political scheming to potential far more dangerous threats. Good luck.
You are off loaded from a cart with several other men. These are the best men the nation can provide as concubines to her majesty. Most of them come from noble families who seek to raise their standing. Others were selected from among other professions in which they demonstrated capacity for leadership or exceptional ability. The ground is smooth stone pavers forming large open courtyard. You along with the other new arrivals are being escorted to line up and wait patiently for her majesty to arrive. Around the edges of the pavilion there are gossiping women in various stiles of clothes ranging from high class educators all the way to likely illiterate presents who manage the household chores.
The first time she moves into view she’s like a ghost. The Empress is well know for being small and pail but she is nevertheless beautiful. Others gossip and gawk at her appearance and some of the other concubines make shrewd comments about things they want to do with or to her. She moves to a central position surrounded by guards, all men, all over twice her height. She begins a silvery speech and explains the rules of the rear palace and gives a farewell before turning and leaving.
Another woman then approaches you in particular. She has brown hair and brown eyes with life in her cheeks where the Empress was pail as freshly fallen snow. She bows to you as others do the same to the other new male concubines. “Greetings, Master, I am Lady Chenguang Jing, Head lady in waiting for the Obsidian Pavilion your new residence.” She remains bowed as if waiting for you to make the next move.
