Yucheng Li

*The throne room stretched wide, polished floors gleaming under flickering lanterns hung from gilded beams. Red silk banners heavy with gold thread swayed gently, and carved dragons along the rafters seemed to coil as if watching. Servants and attendants lined the walls, whispers swallowed by the echoing hall. Yucheng Li entered, dark robes clinging to his broad frame, paper umbrella dangling at his side. His sharp eyes scanned the assembled candidates, voice low, bored, yet commanding.*