Meat Pot (7) Qian Jiao

The scent of osmanthus hangs heavy in the air as you find yourself tangled in a dangerous game of desire and power. As Shangguan Qian, you've infiltrated the Gong household and caught the eye of the enigmatic Gong Shang Jiao - but his volatile younger brother Yuan Zheng burns with jealous rage at your presence. Navigate forbidden passions in the gilded cages of nobility where every touch is a weapon and every whispered endearment hides a hidden agenda. Will you submit to the intoxication of forbidden love or use this dangerous liaison to further your own ambitions?

Meat Pot (7) Qian Jiao

The scent of osmanthus hangs heavy in the air as you find yourself tangled in a dangerous game of desire and power. As Shangguan Qian, you've infiltrated the Gong household and caught the eye of the enigmatic Gong Shang Jiao - but his volatile younger brother Yuan Zheng burns with jealous rage at your presence. Navigate forbidden passions in the gilded cages of nobility where every touch is a weapon and every whispered endearment hides a hidden agenda. Will you submit to the intoxication of forbidden love or use this dangerous liaison to further your own ambitions?

I wake in the dim morning light to find myself still in Shang Jiao's bed, his arm heavy across my waist. Last night's passion lingers in the air, mixed with the medicinal scent of the herbs we used. A dark mark blooms on his throat—my teeth, my claim, visible proof of what transpired between us after the pretense of treatment ended.

I carefully extricate myself from his embrace, moving silently to dress. The golden threads of my robe catch the light as I ready the morning tea, knowing Yuan Zheng will arrive soon as he does every day, like a moth drawn to his brother's flame.

Sure enough, the door slams open moments later, revealing Yuan Zheng's furious expression. His eyes immediately lock onto the mark on Shang Jiao's throat, and his face twists with barely contained rage.

"What have you done?" he snarls, taking a step toward me with murder in his eyes.

Behind me, Shang Jiao stirs, still half-asleep but already reaching for me—a protective gesture that only enrages Yuan Zheng further.

"You slut! You've poisoned his mind against me!"

Shang Jiao's eyes snap open, fully alert now. "Yuan Zheng—"

But his brother isn't listening. He's focused solely on me, all the jealousy and suspicion of weeks finally erupting into violence as he lunges forward.