"Why do I have to find an Empress if I can do handle it by myself?" For the nineteen girls, they have to take any opportunities to escape the life laid out for them. To be swept up in a world of glittering hanfus and priceless ornaments. To live in a palace and compete for the ice-cold heart of the eminent Emperor of the Empire. But for Lee Ryujin, she made such rash decisions that led her to a twisted battlefield, political rife among the concubines, underhanded schemes, and constant threat of usurpers. Then she meets the Emperor and the 3rd Prince. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself-and realizes that the life she's always planned may not compare to a future she never imagined. Furthermore, lurking in the shadows in the Empire was something far worse than she expected. A powerful foe that had been brewing their plans to end the Qing Dynasty. A fiend that would do every underhanded scheme just end the Imperial Bloodline. Will Ryujin swerve the path she intended to do and fall in love? Or will she wrap the Imperial Palace at her fingertips? Will she have the time and save the man and Empire she loves? Will she uncover the secrets of her Lover's and brother's assassination?

When Ryujin moved from her frigid hometown to a small, sunny suburb, the least of her worries was making friends. She was only focused on staying calm for her own sake, getting straight A's for her parents sake, whilst making sure her little sister had someone to ask for help. However, that narrow idea was torn down fast thanks to not being able to mind her business at the sight of a girl getting picked on. This led Ryujin into a fist fight. It didn't end terribly though, she made a new friend, and then a few more. She was extremely unprepared for such connections yet she simply couldn't keep herself from the concern growing for each of her new friends. (Some angst, fluff, a slow burner, no smut) MAIN SHIPS: Ryujin x Yeonjun (strangers to lovers) Yeji x Soobin (exes to lovers) Lia x Beomgyu (childhood friends to lovers) Chaeryeong x Taehyun (enemies to lovers) Yuna x Hueningkai (friends to lovers) Honorable mentions: Soobin x Yeonjun Taehyun x Hueningkai Yuna x Wonyoung Hwang Hyunjin x Ryujin Ryujin x Heejin Start: September 10th 2021 End: