Ascending to the White Jade Capital

It was a time of chaos, with powerful warlords rising up across the land.

On Mount Xiangli in Xiangli Commandery stood a pavilion built of white jade. From it, one could glimpse the myriad stars in the heavens and watch the bright moon over the Silver River. It was called Yuli Tower.

The master of Yuli Tower, He Huai, was not only cool and otherworldly in appearance, but also a brilliant strategist. A saying circulated among the people: "With his help, you can ascend the golden throne."

Every day, countless people came to seek out He Huai, hoping to persuade him to enter public life, but he never budged.

Until one spring, when Jing Zhu appeared, and He Huai entered the troubled world without hesitation.

Later, just as the saying had predicted, Jing Zhu finally ascended the throne, thanks to He Huai's careful plans at every turn.

After He Huai became Imperial Preceptor, he and Jing Zhu governed with diligence, bringing prosperity and peace to the Chen Kingdom.

At the time, He Huai and Jing Zhu were deeply devoted to each other.

Knowing that He Huai had often watched the stars from Yuli Tower, Jing Zhu had a stargazing hall built for him in the imperial palace.

The hall not only had pear trees throughout its courtyard, but also a stargazing platform carved from pure gold and Xiangli glass.

But time passed, and at some point, Jing Zhu grew increasingly suspicious. The rift between him and He Huai widened until one day they came to blows in court.

No one knew exactly what the two had said that day, but everyone knew that He Huai voluntarily gave up his position as Imperial Preceptor and returned to Xiangli Commandery, never to take part in the affairs of the world again. Jing Zhu, meanwhile, decreed that the Chen Kingdom would never again appoint an Imperial Preceptor.

The histories of the Chen Kingdom made no mention of He Huai at all.

Even the Stargazing Hall was locked after that day, and no one ever set foot inside again.

Also lost to time was the poem Jing Zhu once wrote for He Huai:

A mountain of Xiangli stands in the lake, a rope bridge links its two ends.

At the northern peak, a jade palace rises, stars fall like jewels into a jade dish.

Your crown of precious stone, my minister, your talent and virtue rival orchids in the sky.

My heart turns toward the sun, steadfast and true, helping my lord bring peace to the world.

Versatile emperor, top (Jing Zhu) x All-knowing Imperial Preceptor, bottom (He Huai). One-on-one, no switching, bad ending.

Content Warnings:

1. Set in an imaginary world. Don't nitpick the historical details. The official system is mainly based on the Qin and Han dynasties, but includes original elements, so please don't associate it with any particular dynasty, place, or event.

2. Jing Zhu is warm and cheerful at first, but gradually grows suspicious and paranoid after becoming emperor.

3. After becoming emperor, Jing Zhu will adopt a son from the imperial clan and name him crown prince.

4. A serious court-politics story focused on the plot. The bad ending means Jing Zhu and He Huai become estranged. Both survive.

Theme: My heart turns toward the sun, steadfast and true, helping my lord bring peace to the world.