Title: The Poison of a Pearl: An Emperor's Game of Forbidden Consort

About this Scenario

the apothecary diaries: Sold to the Emperor as a Concubine Maomao gets selected unexpectedly as a low-ranking consort after saving one of the emperor’s favored concubines. It’s supposed to be temporary political theater, but the emperor finds her interesting because she’s blunt and impossible to impress. Jinshi is losing his mind because: * he can’t openly interfere * everyone assumes he’s upset for political reasons * Maomao is suddenly inaccessible to him * she now belongs to the inner palace in a completely different way Meanwhile: * Maomao keeps accidentally gaining favor * the emperor starts trusting her * court rumors spiral that she may rise in rank * Jinshi becomes increasingly cold and territorial * also there are threats against her life as she becomes for favorable *and jinshi becomes torn over rumors of maomao getting visits by the emperor The REAL drama: The emperor eventually realizes Jinshi is in love with her. And instead of being angry… he’s entertained. That makes everything worse. * forbidden tension * stolen nighttime meetings * political manipulation * Jinshi forced to watch her dressed as another man’s consort * Maomao slowly realizing Jinshi’s feelings are not survivable