Crimson Beneath the White Lotus
Chapter 1: The Abandoned Concubine
A clear chime rang through her soul.
System 520
[Calm mechanical tone] Host binding successful. Welcome, Lian Xueyin, to the White Lotus System.
The young woman opened her eyes slowly. Her lashes were long, her skin like freshly fallen snow, lips tinted with the faintest blush of rose. She sat gracefully, even in confusion, like a celestial maiden painted into life.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
[softly, voice gentle as spring water] So it has finally come.
System 520
Host, you seem unsurprised.
The corners of her lips curled into a delicate smile — a smile that looked innocent, but behind it was a sharpness that could pierce hearts.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
I have always known… this world loves weak flowers.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
But behind every fragile lotus, there are roots strong enough to drown all who touch them.
System 520
…Correct. Your directive is survival through manipulation of pity, love, and fear. Failure will result in—
Lian Xueyin (MC)
[interrupting, still smiling sweetly] Obliteration? I understand. Don’t worry. Mercy is a luxury I’ve never learned.
The world around her shimmered, and suddenly she stood in the jade chambers of an imperial palace. Silks draped her figure, her hair pinned with white jade flowers. Her reflection in the bronze mirror revealed an impossibly beautiful woman — delicate, ethereal, but with eyes like hidden daggers.
System 520
Mission One: You are Concubine Xueyin, abandoned in the cold palace. Survive.
System 520
Target: Gain the Emperor’s favor once more while destroying your rivals from the shadows.
System 520
Remember: appear as a pure, gentle White Lotus.
Xueyin traced her finger along the mirror’s surface.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
[voice like a sigh] The world will see a snow lotus, pure and fragile. But when the frost melts…
Her smile deepened, colder than winter.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
…they will realize they’ve been drinking poison all along.
System 520
[Beep] White Lotus mode activated.
Chapter 2: The Abandoned Concubine
The Cold Palace was silent, the air damp with neglect. Dust clung to the faded silk curtains, and weeds grew stubbornly through cracks in the stone floor. It was here that discarded women of the harem were sent — women once loved, then forgotten.
Lian Xueyin sat by the broken lattice window, moonlight falling on her pale form. She cradled a guqin in her lap, her slender fingers brushing the strings. A single note trembled in the air, so soft and mournful it could have drawn tears from stone.
To anyone listening, she was the picture of loneliness — a fragile beauty abandoned by fate.
But her eyes, hidden beneath lowered lashes, gleamed like twin pools of midnight.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
[softly, almost to herself] How pitiful I must seem. Abandoned, unwanted… forgotten. How perfect.
System 520
Reminder: the Emperor has not visited in six months. Your first obstacle is Consort Mei, who monopolizes his favor.
System 520
Objective: reclaim attention while ensuring Consort Mei’s slow ruin.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
[smiling faintly] Consort Mei, was it? The phoenix perched too high forgets how sharp the wind is.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
All I need is a single tear, and the court will tremble.
Her fingers danced across the strings, the melody growing richer — sorrow layered with delicate sweetness. Outside, servants paused, drawn by the haunting sound. Whispers began.
Servant
She plays like the heavens weep…
Servant
Even after being abandoned, Lady Xueyin remains so gentle…
The rumors spread like wildfire before she had even left her room.
Days later, during the Emperor’s evening stroll, the faint sound of the guqin reached his ears. He paused. The music was gentle, fragile, yet filled with aching devotion — a plea without words.
The Emperor frowned slightly.
Longyuan Zhihao
That song… who dares play within the Cold Palace?
Eunuch
[Bowed low]Your Majesty, it must be Concubine Lian. She… she still waits for you, despite her exile.
The Emperor’s expression shifted. Six months had passed since he last saw her, yet the melody tugged at something within him.
Inside her chamber, Xueyin’s fingers slowed. A single tear slid down her cheek, catching the light of the candle. She didn’t wipe it away.
System 520
Host, your tear rate has a 99% chance of drawing sympathy.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
[whispering, smiling softly] Sympathy is the leash. Love is the chain. And when I hold both…
She let her finger pluck one last mournful note, letting it fade into silence.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
…no one escapes me.
At that exact moment, the doors creaked open. The Emperor himself stepped inside, his eyes dark with a strange heat as he looked upon the fragile woman bathed in moonlight.
Her beauty struck him speechless. Even now, abandoned and frail, she was more radiant than anyone else in his harem.
Xueyin rose gracefully, bowing low, her voice trembling just enough to seem real.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
Your Majesty… forgive this unworthy concubine. I should not disturb your peace.
The Emperor reached out instinctively, catching her arm before she could sink to her knees. Her skin was soft, cool, like snow melting against his touch.
Longyuan Zhihao
Enough. Do not kneel. I… have been neglectful.
Xueyin lifted her eyes slowly, shimmering with unshed tears. Her lips curved in the faintest smile — gentle, forgiving, utterly pitiful.
But deep inside, her thoughts were merciless.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
💬[smirk]"Caught."
Chapter 3: The Abandoned Concubine
The moonlight spilled across the imperial gardens, painting silver shadows upon the stone paths. Concubine Lian Xueyin walked slowly among the white lotuses blooming by the pond, her jade robe trailing lightly behind her.
Though thin from her time in the Cold Palace, her figure still carried an elegance that seemed otherworldly. Her every movement — the way her fingers brushed the petals, the way she tilted her head — was graceful, enchanting without intent.
She paused by the lotus pond, gazing at her reflection. Her eyes glimmered with softness, but her thoughts were sharper than blades.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
💭"To play the White Lotus is to let the world lower their guard. They see purity, not poison. Pity, not power. That is the art."
The sound of footsteps broke her reverie. The Emperor entered the garden, accompanied by Consort Mei, whose silks shimmered like phoenix feathers. Consort Mei’s smile was radiant, but her eyes narrowed upon seeing Xueyin.
Consort Hua Mei
[sweetly, but with edge] Oh? So the Emperor has allowed even abandoned flowers to stroll in the garden again.
Consort Hua Mei
What fortune you must have, Sister Xueyin.
Her words were honey-coated venom.
Xueyin turned, lowering her gaze demurely. She smiled softly, her voice tender as falling snow.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
This concubine is unworthy. To be granted a glimpse of the moonlight is already more than I deserve.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
If Sister Mei finds my presence offensive, I shall return to the shadows.
Her tone carried no anger — only gentle resignation. But her eyes, glistening with unshed tears, flickered briefly toward the Emperor.
The Emperor’s brows furrowed.
Longyuan Zhihao
Concubine Lian has suffered greatly. Mei, do not speak so harshly.
Consort Mei stiffened, biting her lip. Xueyin lowered her head further, as though accepting blame. Yet her smile, hidden behind her sleeve, was serene.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
💭"A single glance… and his heart already tilts. Mei, how much farther can you fall?"
Later that night, the Emperor summoned musicians to play in the hall. Consort Mei danced, her movements elegant and fiery. Yet when Xueyin was urged to play the guqin, she hesitated, her fingers trembling as though fragile.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
This concubine’s skills are humble… I fear I may embarrass Your Majesty.
Her reluctance only deepened the Emperor’s curiosity.
Xueyin sat before the instrument. Her fingers glided across the strings, and a melody bloomed — gentle, mournful, yet laced with devotion. Her voice, soft and clear, rose to accompany it.
The hall fell silent. Even the musicians stopped breathing. She did not dance, she did not flaunt, and yet… her presence eclipsed Consort Mei completely.
The Emperor’s gaze never left her.
By the final note, a tear had slipped down Xueyin’s cheek, shimmering like crystal. She bowed her head.
Lian Xueyin (MC)
[softly, trembling] Forgive me… this concubine is still too weak. I cannot play as beautifully as before.
The Emperor rose from his throne, walking down to her side. He lifted her hand gently, his expression unreadable but filled with heat.
Longyuan Zhihao
Do not belittle yourself, Xueyin. No one… compares to you.
Consort Mei, standing forgotten, clenched her fists so tightly her nails drew blood.
Xueyin lifted her eyes to the Emperor’s, shimmering with tears. Her lips curved faintly in gratitude.
But inside, her heart whispered coldly
Lian Xueyin (MC)
💭"The phoenix’s wings are burning. All I did was shed a tear."
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