Your Majesty Has Once Again Rolled Out a New System

The dragon throne was so hard it dug into his backside. That was Li Pingfan’s first thought as he regained consciousness. Then came a second thought, like a bucket of ice water poured over his head: I worked myself to death. Where am I now? He jerked his eyes open. Golden light. Blinding golden light. Nine towering columns carved with dragons stood before him. Vermilion palace doors lay thirty meters away, and white jade steps stretched down from them, packed with kneeling figures. Everyone was dressed in ancient robes, like the terrible period-costume photos his company had taken at last year’s retreat. But the scent of sandalwood mingled with ink in the air was so real it made his heart pound. “Your Majesty...” A shrill voice came from his left. “It is time to receive the officials’ greetings.” Li Pingfan turned stiffly. An old eunuch with a pale, beardless face and a dark purple robe was bowing before him, holding a jade tray with a fist-sized seal on it. There was concern in the eunuch’s eyes, along with urgency and a trace of... barely perceptible scrutiny. Your Majesty? Me?