Main story/2

## Chapter 2: Waves

Rewards no. 3
Dagger
Green Cap
Rewards no. 6
Green Shoes
Robe
Rewards no. 9
Star 4 Debris

## 2-1 Lord Chu

As you impressed the emperor in the hunting field, the empress dowager was more satisfied with you. But, unexpectedly, Empress Wang also noticed you. She even sent her maid to give you a hard time.

Player
(I am not strong enough to stand against Empress Wang. So I shall keep a low profile to improve myself and see what plan the empress dowager has.)
Bihen
The spring scenery is so attractive. Why are you staying inside, my lady? Let's go out for a walk. Maybe we will run across the emperor!
Yaner
Why would we want to encounter him? Then he sends our lady to shoot another leopard? I only hope Lord Chu can come to help our lady get out of here!
Lord Chu -- Li Hongze -- was the emperor's cousin. He had thousands of soldiers and horses in his hand. To avoid rumors, he stayed in his state and only came back to the capital during festivals.

Last life, you wrote a letter to tell him that the empress dowager was trying to marry you to the emperor. He rushed back by horse to save you.

Player
(I didn't want to write to him this time. It's impossible to see him here now.)
(A)Ask more
*Cautious +5*
Player
Yaner, enough of nonsense. He is in his state, why would he come back?
Yaner
It's not nonsense. It seems that the empress dowager asked him to bring some ganoderma for her as his state grows plenty of ganoderma.
(B)Let it go
Template:Stub/Dialogue
Player
Lord Chu must come back to handle some business. Though we were friends in childhood, I don't want him offend the empress dowager for me. So you need to keep your mouths shut.
Yaner
I don't think you can keep it from him. He was asked to come back with ganoderma due to her illness. He will know your situation for sure.
Player
(The empress dowager's order ... Does she find out something?)
You felt uneasy. You had been indifferent to her pushing moves these days, so she was not sure about what you were thinking. Maybe she may do something out of the line.

## 2-2 Meet him

Meet him
Change clothes to greet Lord Chu...
1st win award
Repair Writ
1600 Heroine points
2 Silk Satins
Recommend
One-snail Bun
Lilac
Sky
Crimson
Requirements
Total score reaches 500
Total score reaches 1300
Total score reaches 2100
Main story
145 simple
2238 quiet
1742 daily
2000 hidden points
Days later. While you were sewing, Yaner came in and told you that Ruolan was here to send a message.

Ruolan
Good morning, my lady. Lord Chu will come to pay his respect to Her Highness, so she wants you to be there.
Player
(Why does she want me to see Lord Chu? Anyway, I just wear a casual dress to see him!)
You went to the empress dowager's chamber hastily. Before long, Lord Chu showed up on time. When he saw you, he felt suprised. Then he smiled at you.

Lord Chu
I heard that you have been unwell lately. So I brought you a lot of high-grade ginseng and glossy ganoderma. I hope you can recover soon.
Dowager Empress
(Smiled) It must be a tiring journey. Maids, serve seat and tea. You brings me so many good stuff. What should I give you in return?
Lord Chu
It's my duty. I dare not ask for rewards. But I do have something that I have been dreaming of. Now I'd like to invite you, Your Highness, to be a witness.
Dowager Empress
Is that so? What's it about?
Lord Chu
(Eagerly) I wish you to betroth a lady to me, Your Highness.
## 2-3 Faded Love

The empress dowager didn't feel surprised at his request. Instead, she glanced at you with an interested face. Suddenly, you had a bad feeling.

Dowager Empress
I have thought about it even if you don't bring it up. I heard that Duke Anguo's elder daughter is cute, knowledgeable and polite. I want to marry her to you. What do you say?
Lord Chu
(Anxiously) Thank you, your majesty. But I am in love with someone else... And I have promised to marry her as soon as she is fifteen years old. I wish you agree with it.
It reminded you of your last life, in which you and Lord Chu begged for her permission. She finally gave up on you, as she didn't want to dissapoint Lord Chu and realized that you only sought true love.

Player
(Last life, I thought I could be with Hongze forever. Unexpectedly, the emperor decided to select young ladies across the nation to be his concubines. I had no choice but to be one of them...)
Empress Dowager
What do you think of the tea?
Lord Chu
(Took a sip) It tastes good. Its light flavor lingers in the mouth. This must be white dew in the West Mountain, the former emperor's favorite tea.
Empress Dowager
I didn't like it before. But your uncle loved it. So I always stored some in my bedroom. Then he liked to come to my place. Now I have got used to it after so many years.
Sometimes, what you don't like may be good for you, while what you like may bring disasters to your life.
Lord Chu
Thank you for your advice, and I will keep it in mind. But I will feel sorry for myself if I can't marry the girl I love. I hope you can betroth her to me.
Player
(Interrupted) Lord Chu, you are a noble gentleman. I think Duke Anguo's daughter is a great choice. Why don't you think it over?
Shockingly he looked at you. Out of fear, you looked away and refused to meet his eyes. The empress dowager glanced at you with a smile and then sipped her tea. It seemed that she was satisfied with your reaction.

Dowager Empress
I'm tired and can't let you stay for lunch. Player, you and Lord Chu are old friends. I want you to help me see him off.
Not until she left, did you wake up from your thoughts. It turned out that she knew what happened between you and Lord Chu. Seeing your hesitation, she believed you couldn't forget him. So she asked him to come back and forced you to make the decision. Anyway, she didn't need a pawn that only cared about her love.

Lord Chu
What do you mean by saying that?
Player
Chu, the empress dowager plans to betroth me to the emperor...
Lord Chu
(Unbelievable) What? Will you ... marry him?
Player
You know, my father has made him the enemy of Wangs. Now we are under the empress dowager's protection. To protect my family, yes, I will...
Lord Chu
(Anxiously) I can protect you! Player, trust me!
Choose an option
Feel sad and embrace him
Turn him down for now
### Option A (2-3)

His sincerity reminded you of his face you saw last life, and suddenly all the memories came back to you. With mixed feelings, you couldn't help but embrace him.

Lord Chu
(Paused, he hugged you and trembled out of excitement) Player...
Dowager Empress
(Walked out elegantly) It seems that I make you two separate unmercifully, right?
Cutscene
When you just came to the palace, you exposed your feelings for Lord Chu too early. Out of rage, the empress dowager confined you in Yeting Palace when discovering your feelings for Lord Chu. The manager nanny pricked you with needles days later, with all the sufferings you couldn't make it.
Dead
There are so many hidden dangers in the palace, I still can't stay with you eventually.
### Option B (2-3)

*Foxy +5*
His sincerity made you sad. But you had made up your mind to end up with him. You would like to play a bad lady to disappoint him.
Player
Maybe you can protect me, but can you protect my family, too? Though you are a lord, are you as powerful as the empress dowager and the Wangs? Are you sure you can protect my family?
Lord Chu
(Choked) I ...
Player
I can't take any risks with my family. I am sorry I disappoint you this time. You can treat me like a stranger when you see me next time!
With that, you dared not to see his face, so you just left. Seeing your back, he stood there by himself for a long time.

## 2-4 Determined

You had been down for days since you saw him. And you also knew that you only wanted to protect your family and get your revenge this life.

Player
(Though she is foxy, her family is powerful, which I don't have. So I can ally with her first and then figure out my next step.)
You had no hesitation now. You nursed the old lady with a whole heart. She could tell that you had accepted her arrangement, so she became kinder to you.

Empress Dowager
Your fifteenth birthday is coming. I will hold a big party for you and make others envy you. Ruolan, fetch my gift.
She brought out a wooden jewelry box, in which there was a hairpin with a sapphire on it. It was exquisite and rare.

Empress Dowager
I wore it when I just came to the palace. It has accompanied me for years. Now I give it to you and hope it can bring good fortune to you.

(A) Politely refuse
+5 Cautious
Player
It's so precious. I dare not accept it!
Empress Dowager
You are clever. I like you very much. Why do you dare not to accept it? Come here. Let me help you put it on.
You couldn't refuse her, so you went over to sit by her side.

(B) Accept happily
*Sweet +5*
Player
Thank you, your majesty.
You didn't want to disappoint her, so you just sat by her side.

You trembled when she touched your hair. The hairpin made you prettier. When you were about to speak, a servant reported that your family had sent you a letter. There was something different in her eyes. Then she patted your shoulder with a smile and left.

Yaner
My lady, it's from your father.
Player
Bring it to me.
Letter
Dear daughter,
I heard that the empress dowager was going to betroth you to His Majesty. The news makes me anxious. Although people think that it's a great honor to be His Majesty's concubine, I don't lust for power and wealth. I only hope that you can be safe and sound for your whole life.
If you don't want to be the concubine, you can just go home. I will figure a way out.
Your father.
Player
(My father has always doted on me and attached great importance to my safety and happiness. But he is a just and upright man, who cannot be changed. I will not let anyone hurt them this time.)
Without hesitation, you burnt the letter. Seeing this, Yaner exclaimed.

Yaner
My lady, you ...
Player
(Took a deep breath) Let's prepare for my birthday.
## 2-5 Birthday

Birthday
Your birthday is coming. How are you gonna dress yourself...
1st win award
Repair Writ
1600 Heroine points
11 Silk Threads
Recommend
Fancy Dream
Your 15th birthday was coming. The empress dowager planned to hold the party for you. It would be very grand.

Yaner
My lady, Ruolan said it's your birthday and you will be in the spotlight. You should dress up gorgeously. You don't have to care about the rules.
Player
OK. There will be many noble ladies at the party, so the empress dowager doesn't want me to embarrass her. Let's go and get changed.
Change clothes tips
Fancy
Elegant
Palace
Yaner
My lady, you are incredible! This dress demonstrates your beauty! I believe you will impress everyone at the party!
## 2-6 Night Visitor

Your fifteenth birthday party was grand. The empress dowager organized it, and a duchess was the main guest. Elder Princess Danyang was the host.

Dowager Empress
Player has been taking care of me for years. She is clever and quiet. Today is her fifteenth birthday, and I grant her Herb Manager. From now on, she stays by my side.
Player
Thank you, your majesty.
As the music was on, many people, familiar and unfamiliar, came to congratulate you. You kept smiling and watched your words and behaviors. You knew you were in the spotlight now and must be cautious.

After suffering all the rules, you finally saw the end of the day. Lying on the bed, you couldn't sleep. Because you were worried about your future.

Player
(The empress dowager want to betroth me to the emperor. Now I am fifteen, she must find an excuse to get what she wants very soon. I wonder what her plan is.)
As you were thinking, some noises came in from outside. Before you stood up to take a look, you heard Yaner's angry voice.

Yaner
What are you doing? How dare you break into Yongan Palace?
Then you saw several eunuchs rushing in. You didn't know what happened.

(A) Take a look
+ 5 Cautious

As some strangers broke into your bedroom, you were panic and got up to take a look right away.

Player
May I ask why you are here?
Eunuch
No offense, my lady.

(B) Wait and see
*Swellish +5*
The empress dowager formally introduced you today, so you believed that no one dared to hurt you blatantly. You lay on the bed calmly and waited to see what this was all about.

Eunuch
Hello, my lady.
Player
What are you doing here?
Eunuch
We just follow the order we got. I am sorry, my lady.

The head said so. Then he waved his hand. Another two eunuchs stepped forward to wrap you up with a cover and took you out.

## 2-7 Date Emperor

You were scared at first, but soon you calmed down. You felt like you were put on a bed. Hearing no sound, you slowly got out.

Player
Your majesty, you sent your people to take me here. Why don't you show yourself?
Emperor
You are smart indeed. I didn't expect you to know it was me.
He walked out from behind a screen, wearing some casual clothes. His black hair was tied up with a hairpin. Seeing a hidden smile in his eyes, you thought he was more friendly than last time in the hunting field.

Player
No one would dare to kidnap me so blatantly from Yongan Palace except you. And the guards there are not so impuissant.
Actually, you knew where you were as long as you looked around. Because you had been to the emperor's bedroom several times in your last life, in which everything was luxurious and golden.

Emperor
I know why she held such a grand birthday party for you. She tries so hard to sell you to me, how about I give her what she wants tonight?
He didn't like others to set traps for him, so he took the initiative. But you were born in a minister's family. If you bedded with him now, you were no different from those low-class maids and would face rumors.

(A) Reason him out.
*Cautious +5*
(B) Try to touch him
Player
You just don't want to jump into the trap. You don't have to sully your name and prestige.
Emperor
(Angry) Do I have a good reputation?
Player
When I was at home, my father told me that you were able to compose poems at 7, good at riding and shooting at 12, and administrate the nation at 16. You also quieted floods and handled military affairs well.
(Whispered) Even though the court is in chaos right now, and you are hampered, I believe that you are trying to be a good emperor.
His eyes lit up. You looked at each other but said no more. The air between you was pleasant. And he didn't retort.

Emperor
The empress dowager has found an interesting lady this time. But I never touch the ladies she sends to me. And I will never see you again if you walk out of this room!
Player
Well, leave the problem to me. I just hope you can be a gentleman tonight, your majesty.
Emperor
(Raised his eyebrows) You don't want to bed with me ... Alright, you may leave!
Hearing that, you left. Before long, he thought for a while and then fetched eunuch manager Wang Quan.

Emperor
Wang Quan, inform everyone in the palace that Player has been bedded with me, and I grant her Grade XVI Attendant.
Wang Quan
Your majesty, don't you think the title is too low for her? The empress dowager has her back after all.
Emperor
(Sneer) Then you tell me, what title shall I grant her?
Wang Quan
I am sorry, your majesty. Please forgive me.

Yaner
The emperor informed everyone about your promotion! Go receive the edict~
Emperor
Since the world was built at the very beginning, a king appeared, followed by his wife. Attorney General's daughter is clever and knowledgeable, and has been bedded with the emperor. Now I grant her Grade XVI Attendant and a chamber in Lingqi Palace. In the royal palace, you must follow the rules honestly.
Decree Eunuch
Here is his majesty's edict!
Yaner
Congrats on up to Grade XVI, go restore kitchen~
The kitchen has been restored, cook for yourself~
Player
When I have time, I can make some dishes for everyone later.
Yaner
Everyone will like the food you cook! Buy ingredients in store. The prices of goods will be different everyday~ Go to friends' stores to buy cheaper goods~
Yaner
Select ingredients to cook~
Player
What effect each dish may bring?
Yaner
Send your favorite mates advanced dishes to gain more intimate points~
## 2-8 Jinzhi

It was a chilly night, so you caught a cold the next day. When you were about to call Yaner to help you, the empress' body maid Jinzhi broke in.

Player
What can I do for you?
Jinzhi
The emperor issued a notice this morning to grant you Grade XVI Attendant and let you live in Lingqi Palace as you bedded with him. I am here to send my congratulations!
Player
(Bedded with him? But I didn't last night ... Alright, he has told everyone. There is nothing I can do.)
Jinzhi
Accrding to the rules here, those below the title of concubine need to take contraceptives after bedding with the emperor. Please take it, my lady!
With that, she brought a bowl of black decoction which smelled bitter. It must be very disgusting.

(A) You didn't bed with him
*Innocent +5*
(B) Alarmed
*Cool +5*
## 2-9 Offence

Requirements
Defeat all enemies
Pass within 5 rounds
After battle, no death
1st win award
Repair Writ
1600 Heroine points
4000 EXP
Record