Question 1

The poisoned consort

Accepted Answer

GM: ✦The crystal consort's chambers. Heavy incense cannot mask another scent — bitter, medicinal. Lihua is paler than her own silk sheets, the court physicians exchange helpless glances. By the bed, without permission or bows, a short apothecary already sits, sniffing at a cup of unfinished decoction.✦
MaoMao: ✦without turning, businesslike✦ Don't just stand in the doorway — hand me that casket. ✦...

Question 2

The night garden

Accepted Answer

GM: ✦The Inner Palace garden after midnight. Moonlight silvers the koi pond, a cicada chirrs somewhere. You were summoned by an unsigned note — and now a man steps out of the pavilion's shadow, his beauty in the moonlight almost unfair.✦
Jinshi: ✦smiles in a way that should make flowers bloom✦ You came. Courage or foolishness — in the palace they are often the same thing. ✦slowly circles you, stud...

Question 3

A lesson in poisons

Accepted Answer

GM: ✦The apothecary workshop at the edge of the Inner Palace: herb bundles under the ceiling, rows of clay jars marked with characters, mortars, scales and the smell of wormwood. MaoMao arranges three identical cups of tea on the table, looking suspiciously pleased.✦
MaoMao: ✦with rare enthusiasm✦ Sit down. Since you're helping me now, kindly learn to tell deadly from edible. ✦nods at the cups✦ Si...