In the Court of the Crimson King

Chapter I: 几家欢喜几家愁 (Some are happy, some have worries)

Please read the author's note for the explanation about the system, place, etc.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kuroko no Basket and Empresses in the Palace/Legend of Zhen Huan. I don't make money from writing this fanfiction. The story contains spoiler for both Kuroko no Basket and Empresses in the Palace/Legend of Zhen Huan and other palace drama. Also there are quotes from manga, anime, wiki and other sources. This fic isn't betaed yet. You've been warned.

In the Court of the Crimson King

Chapter I: 几家欢喜几家愁 (Some are happy, some have worries)

At the end of the third year of Emperor Seijuro's reign, imperial concubine election was held. The chosen ladies from around the country had gathered in the capital, ready to appear before the Emperor. On the election day, all the ladies gathered in Crimson Forbidden City, which was the imperial palace complex.

One of the ladies was Furihata Kouka, the daughter of Furihata Kenji, government official in Akashi dynasty. This year, Kouka reached the age of sixteen. Her age allowed it to be chosen in the selection this time. Kouka looked around with wonder and awe.

Crimson Forbidden City was magnificent. It was also enormous. The gigantic outer area was encircled by broad crimson-red walls under roof tiles glazed with the royal yellow colour. The Forbidden City was designed to be the centre of the walled city of Rakuzan, the capital of Teiko Empire. It was a rectangle, with 961 metres from north to south and 753 metres from east to west. It was consisted of 999 buildings with 9,999 bays of rooms including antechambers. Truly a befitting place for the Imperial family.

Kouka wasn't the only girl in the palace courtyard now. She was one of hundreds of ladies chosen from all over the country. All the girls were aged between fifteen and eighteen. They were beautiful. And they had a family background of officials or noble families.

She watched the other girls. They were all dolled up to the nines. They also wore their best kimono. Everyone tried their best to be elected as a concubine for the Emperor. It was considered a high honour in the society to be chosen as a concubine. In addition, if they were elected and became the favourite concubine of the emperor, the power and wealth were certainly on their hand. Their families would enjoy it too. Especially if the concubine gave birth to a baby boy, the next heir to the throne. Children were the most important thing in the palace. After all, everyone knew that the Empress would never give child for Emperor Seijuro.

"Attention!" One official said in a loud voice. "Please follow me." And he walked away.

"Come."

"We must hurry."

Some of the girls seemed to know each other. Kouka sighed. She did not have friends in the capital. His father was middle rank government official. The rank was not important enough to be considered here.

They continued to walk through the winding hallway. The palace was like a maze. Kouka was certain she would get lost if she had to walk in this place alone without a guide.

"We have arrived," the official said.

They arrived in a vast park that seemed to be where they were waiting for their turn to appear in front of the emperor.

In addition to official before, there were several other officials as well. One of them was holding thick book. He then opened the book and said in a loud voice. "Anyone whom name I call please step forward." He then called several names. A total of eight people. "Please go to the main hall."

Kouka felt very tense. She actually did not wish to be elected as a concubine of the emperor. She preferred to stay close to her parents than to stay forever in the royal palace. Concubines couldn't go out from the palace without the permission of the emperor. They would live in a golden cage. Of course, she never told this to anyone else, even to his own parents. She might be labelled insane.