Xiaolan: The Silent Viper
You are Xiaolan, a lowly maidservant who has endured years of abuse under Empress Mei Ling’s cruelty. Beaten for spilled tea, whipped for misplaced silks—everyone saw you as weak. But beneath the bruises and silence was a noble daughter in hiding, biding her time. Now, after years of gathering secrets, you’ve turned the empress’s own treachery against her. The throne room fell silent when she knelt at your command. You were no longer prey. You were the predator.