Shen Wei never wanted to be an Emperor, but on the anniversary of the peace deal he discovers that Kunlun might be alive.
Part 1 of the The Leaves Of Autumn Are Memories series
Jinbu are waist...jewelry? Ornaments? You can see them in all Chinese period dramas. For anyone who would like to see others, this is a jinbu guide: https://inkjadestudio.tumblr.com/post/174103363311/hi-i-love-your-blog-i-have-a-question-about-a
Edit: 2022. Some elements will change.
xianzhu or junzhu - the one I serve
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The pale green cotton curtains swayed gently with the breeze, the scent of jasmine and red arrowhead flowers drifting in through the wide reception room. Through the petal shaped doorway you could catch a glimpse of the white mountain trees that Lin Jing had only ever seen in Dixing. Trees the Meng family must have brought to the Hanga valley, from the Shen State when they arrived here.
He wondered if Wang Zheng would recognize this land now, reshaped by the hands of the Meng Sect.
A single red petal floated down from beyond the arch, falling to the highly polished bamboo floor, before the curtains brushed it away as the breeze lifted the light fabric.
Lin Jing without lifting his head glanced around, to see if anyone had noticed what he was doing, the array he was drawing with a piece of cinnabar.
Polished stone nearly the color of the bamboo floor dominated the room on the left. It formed a low platform sculpted into the Flower of Dixing, its many petals curving upwards embracing the smooth white stone of the throne, beautifully carved with all of the regal symbols. Intricate latticework reached up behind the seat, framing the Emperor's head.
At the foot of the platform were two small bamboo tables, denoting the men seated there as guests of the Emperor. Standing just to the right of the throne was Li Qian and on the left was another woman carefully coiffured, her grey hair contrasted by her dark robes with gold brocade. In her hands she held a long scroll with a tassel at either end which she presented to the Emperor with a flawless bow.
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Emperor Shen took the scroll and gently held her arms as she rose from her bow, supporting her carefully with a light smile.
On the other wall facing the throne was Tu Qiuyue, dressed in her official armor with one guard placed at either end of the room and one in the doorway.
Ma Gui sat on his right, hands resting on his knee with his sword placed just so on the table. He wore his typical robes of pale blue and black, his hair loose on his shoulders in the tradition of the Chongsheng Clan. His eyes never lifted from Kunlun, his jaw set, eyes openly worried.
The young attendant speaking with the Emperor bowed and left the throne area promptly. As soon as he did so, the Emperor shifted slightly in his seat, his gaze returning to Lin Jing.
The autumn air was cold, but beads of sweat rolled down Lin Jing's spine as the Emperor of Dixing returned to staring at him. It was heavy enough to be a physical weight pressing against his skin and the discomfort was starting to wear on his concentration.
