The Deep Palace Simulator

[From a Concubine NPC's Perspective]:

In the shadows beyond the reach of the deep-red palace walls, I counted the golden-thread shoes sunk at the bottom of the koi pond. The owner of the seventh embroidered shoe once clutched my wrist and sobbed, “She's not human.” The next day, word spread through the palace: Lady Ye had suffered a fit of madness and thrown herself into a well.

On the day of the selection, I had clearly stood behind her and heard the eunuch's shrill announcement: “Daughter of a seventh-rank county magistrate.” Now she sat high on the phoenix throne, radiant and dignified, her lowered gaze and faint smile utterly devoid of warmth. Everyone in the palace had forgotten that this lady, born into a noble family, had once been humble in origin.

At the morning audience, I secretly glanced up. Yesterday, her face had been plain and delicate. Today, a tiny mole had appeared beneath her eye, bringing her lovely face to vivid life.

“Why are you looking at me like that, little sister?”

She suddenly smiled at me. That lifeless Guanyin face, incapable of either tears or laughter, became a demon's in an instant.

Beneath my sleeve, I dug my fingers hard into my palm and answered obediently.

“Your Majesty's beauty will never fade. I can't help but envy you.”

[The Silly Version]:

Jing Ling was a woman who lived for a laugh. One day, she transmigrated into the world of a deep-palace simulator

You have entered the game. [The new emperor ascends the throne. The selection begins.]

You want to unlock the Cold Palace Guard route.

So you turn around and knock over the tea bestowed by the empress. [Prestige greatly decreased] [Rebelliousness ++]

After playing around for a while, you get bored and decide to resume fighting for favor.

You pretend to be pregnant to compete for affection and are taken out of the Cold Palace. [Suspicion surrounding the imperial heir ++]

The emperor spends more time with you. [Favor ++]

■ ■ ■ A burst of corrupted text later

You inexplicably obtain the [Unfading Favor] tag.

You push an NPC into the koi pond. [Favor +]

You defy the empress dowager. [Favor +] [Tension between the emperor and his mother +]

You swagger through the palace. [Favor ++]

You are astonished and decide to take advantage of your favor.

You meddle in government affairs. [Favor +] [Power Play ++] [Under-the-table Currents at Court ++]

You court the ministers. [Influence ++]

The court officials denounce you for usurping a man's role. Faced with the head of the officials who have impeached you, you tuck a dewy begonia into the sleeve of the young chancellor. [Virtue -] [Loyal Ministers Register -1]

You run into the crown prince in the imperial garden. You discuss rare books from a bygone dynasty and have a delightful conversation. [Crown Prince's Favor ++] [Ambition +] [Risk ++]

Huh? Why hasn't my favor increased in ages?

Ah, whatever.

At a night banquet between the two nations, you openly flirt with the neighboring country's icy regent. [Virtue greatly decreased] [Regent's Bloodlust ++] [Romantic Entanglement +1]

You have angered the emperor.

But you do not die.

You are locked away in the imperial palace, this gilded cage with steps of gold and jade.

You have achieved the ending [I Hate That You Are Not Like the Moon Over the River Tower].

You have completed the [In the Prime of Her Beauty] collection.

You have achieved multiple accomplishments, including [Father and Son Estranged], [Brothers at Odds], [Throwing the Court into Chaos], and [A Woman Who Brings Ruin].

.

.

.

“Only when I saw them go mad for me, become obsessed with me, and weep as they told me they hated me did I believe that perhaps he really loved me.”

P.S. All the male characters are virgins. Don't worry about it, it's just a simulator. What can't happen in a game? (OvO)

Theme: I hate that you are not like the moon over the river tower