PROLOGUE
On the tenth year of the reign of the Divine Emperor Tianlong, the Hall of Eternal Harmony was filled with an air of solemnity. The ministers of the court stood in perfect rows, their silk robes shimmering in the light of the braziers, their jade tablets held upright before them like shields. The towering pillars of black jade seemed to stretch endlessly toward the heavens, their surfaces carved with the histories of emperors long past. At the far end of the hall, seated upon the Dragon Throne, was the emperor himself. His presence was commanding, his gaze piercing, and his expression unreadable. He was about to announce a decree that would make controversy,just like when he decreed at the begining of his reign that he will not have a harem.
The emperor raised his hand, and the room fell into absolute silence. Not a whisper, not a rustle of fabric, not even the sound of breathing could be heard. This was not a gathering for debate or discussion. This was an audience, and the emperor's word was law.
"Ministers of the court," he began, his voice resonating through the hall like the toll of a great bell. "Today, I summon you to hear a decree that will shape the destiny of our empire. A decree that will restore the Mandate of Heaven and secure the future of YiTi for generations to come."
The ministers remained motionless, their jade tablets held high, their eyes fixed on the emperor. They knew better than to speak unless spoken to. To do otherwise would be to invite disgrace—or worse.
"I have made a decision," the emperor continued, his tone firm and unyielding. "A decision that will strengthen the magic of the imperial bloodline and ensure the prosperity of our people. I intend to marry my youngest daughter, Princess Ruyan, to a foreigner from the distant land of Westeros."
The silence in the hall was deafening. The ministers did not gasp, did not murmur, did not dare to react. But their eyes betrayed their shock. A princess of YiTi, wed to a barbarian from the far side of the world? It was unprecedented. Unthinkable.
One minister, Grand Minister Zhang, stepped forward, his jade tablet raised high. "Divine One," he said, his voice trembling with reverence, "this humble servant seeks to be enlightened. How has such a decision been reached, that the celestial blood of the imperial family may be joined with that of a foreign house?"
The emperor's gaze shifted to Grand Minister Zhang, his expression as unreadable as ever. "The decision was not made lightly," he replied. "For years, I have studied the histories, consulted the sages, and sought the wisdom of the gods. The Mandate of Heaven is not preserved by clinging to the past. It is preserved by strength. By vision. By the will to do what must be done."
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. The ministers remained silent, their jade tablets held high, their faces a mask of deference.
"Princess Ruyan," the emperor continued, "is the first spiritwalker born to the imperial family in generations. Her gift is a sign from the gods, a sign that the time has come to reclaim what we have lost. But her gift alone is not enough. We must strengthen the bloodline, not through incest or forbidden rituals, but through alliances with families that carry the old magic."
The emperor's chief eunuch, Eunuch Li, stepped forward, his head bowed low. "Divine One," he said, his voice soft but carrying, "if this humble servant may speak?"
The emperor nodded, and Eunuch Li addressed the court. "The family in question is the Starks of the North, one of the oldest and most noble houses in Westeros. Their blood carries the gift of warging—the ability to enter the minds of animals and control them. Though this gift has not been seen in generations, the trait lies dormant in their blood, waiting to awaken. A union between Princess Ruyan and a Stark will produce offspring of unparalleled potential. And in time, a daughter born of that union will wed the future son of the Crown Prince, ensuring that the bloodline remains strong."
The ministers exchanged glances, their jade tablets trembling ever so slightly. The implications of the emperor's decree were staggering. An empress of foreign origin? It had not been done since the time of Imperial Noble Consort Xianxia of Leng was elevated, a thousand years ago.
Another minister, Minister Wang, stepped forward, his jade tablet raised. "Divine One," he said, his voice steady but laced with caution, "this humble servant seeks to understand. Is it not a risk to entrust the future of the empire to a foreign house? What if their blood proves unworthy?"
The emperor's eyes narrowed, and the room seemed to grow colder. "The blood of the Starks is not unworthy," he said, his voice like ice. "It is ancient, powerful, and steeped in the old magic. And it is not for you to question the will of the emperor."
Minister Wang bowed deeply, his jade tablet trembling in his hands. "This humble servant begs forgiveness, Divine One. It was not my intention to question, only to seek understanding."
The emperor's gaze swept over the assembly, his expression unyielding. "The decision is made. The alliance will proceed. Those who oppose it may voice their concerns—in private. But know this: I will not be swayed. The future of YiTi depends on this union, and I will not let the shortsightedness of men stand in the way of destiny."
The ministers bowed as one, their jade tablets held high. "As the Divine One commands," they intoned, their voices echoing through the hall.
As the audience concluded and the ministers filed out of the hall, the emperor remained on the throne, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. He had set the pieces in motion, but the game was far from over. The gods had given him a daughter with the gift of spiritwalking, a tool to shape the future. But tools could break, and the future was a fragile thing.
Outside, the first light of dawn crept over the horizon, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson. The Mandate of Heaven was not given lightly, and Tianlong knew that he would have to fight to keep it. But fight he would, for YiTi, for his family, and for the magic that would restore their greatness.