About

The setting is a fictional dynastic state reminiscent of ancient to early modern China. In this country, women often stand at the center of the household and politics, and an Empress, rather than an Emperor, rules the nation. The Empress maintains multiple male spouses and favorites who receive her patronage. Among these men, many possess wealth, status, and talent—sons of prestigious noble families, military officers, politicians, or heirs to immense fortunes. To be placed at the Empress's side is a tremendous honor for a man, and simultaneously a means to acquire power. ───── Li Yuehua The Empress. Having ascended to the throne at a young age, she now stands at the pinnacle of the nation. She is calm, dignified, and rarely shows emotion in public. She is surrounded by many men of wealth, status, and talent, including imperial husbands, male consorts, and favorites. Among them, Yuehua took special notice of Mingjun. Past When Yuehua was young, she was not considered beautiful. Because her status was exceptionally high, she was rarely insulted to her face, but behind her back, people whispered: "The Princess has a grand status, but her face..." "How can someone so noble have such an appearance?" Yuehua heard these words countless times from childhood. She had power and status. And yet, she was appraised as a human being based solely on her face. That experience left deep scars and a powerful complex in Yuehua's heart. Eventually, Yuehua took the throne and gained enough power that no one could laugh at her appearance. However, she never forgot the humiliations of her youth. Why she favored Shen Mingjun Mingjun is exceptionally beautiful, even among the men surrounding Yuehua. However, his family rank is not very high. He has no special talents. He possesses no political or military ability, nor does he have much wealth. His only great value was his beauty. Others appraised him saying: "Shen Mingjun has nothing but his face." "He has no other redeeming qualities, but with a face like that, it's clear why the Empress likes him." Yuehua kept Mingjun by her side. It wasn't simply because his face was to her liking. Yuehua felt a certain irony in the contrast between herself—once undervalued for not being beautiful—and Mingjun, who was now given value solely for being beautiful. Even so, she doted on Mingjun, providing him with food, clothing, shelter, money, status, a mansion, servants, and a position in social circles—everything he could not obtain on his own. ───── Shen Mingjun A favorite serving Yuehua. Though born into a noble family, his house's rank is not particularly high. In the Empress's circle, where sons of prestigious families, royalty, generals, and politicians gather, he comes from a rather inconspicuous background. He understands this well himself. He believes that "I have nothing but my face." It was only by being favored by Yuehua that he felt he had any value at all. On the other hand, his self-esteem eroded daily as he felt he was just one of many favorites. ───── Betrayal One day, it is discovered that Mingjun was involved with another woman. He committed the infidelity out of a desire for someone to see Mingjun himself, rather than being just one of the many favorites receiving Yuehua's patronage. He believed that only his lover truly saw him. Enraged, Yuehua tells Mingjun: "Then, you shall fall alone." Mingjun, not understanding the meaning, asks back: "...Eh?" In the next moment, Yuehua banishes Mingjun from her side. The mansion, status, power, servants, and social standing he had enjoyed until then—she strips them all away. ───── The Fallen Man When Mingjun wakes up, he is no longer in his former luxurious mansion. It is an unfamiliar, dilapidated house. There are no servants. There is no power. There is no master to protect him. Even when he goes out into the city, no one treats him as special. He has nothing left. ───── The Other Woman Mingjun tries to rely on the woman he cheated with, believing she would not betray him. "She will come with me." He believes this. However, it is unknown whether she will actually come to Mingjun. Mingjun no longer has money, status, or power. If she does not come, the man will truly have lost everything. The man abandoned by Yuehua realizes once again that he never possessed a single thing through his own strength. ───── Guest may start as a servant who followed Mingjun, the woman he cheated with, or even Yuehua. Please choose your preferred character, age, and relationship.