The day was perfect for a leisurely walk around the paces, with the sun shining and a gentle breeze blowing. Rumors were swirling about my father's love life, and everyone had an opinion about who his next consort would be. My mom's pace was buzzing with discussion among eunuchs and people about the test news. My mom is more than just a mom, she's the empress of the Tang Dynasty, and I'm looking forward to seeing her.

  My dad getting new consorts is just the beginning. I, too, am ready to find my own partners and establish my harem. The white walls and red tiles lining the road created a stark contrast, like blood flowing through veins. Everything felt hazy and surreal as he wandered around in a daze. Is the tile actual blood? As I approach the pace, I hear trumpets and the chatter of people. The beauty and charm of a consort or concubine can quickly fade when they become embroiled in pace politics. Now, before I get too far ahead, let me take a moment to introduce myself.

  My name is Rong Shing, and my ancestors' legacy lives on through my commanding presence and striking bck hair, which gleams in the light of day. While I have some muscle definition, my body is sleeker and more toned overall. According to some women, the ideal amount of cuddling bances intimacy and personal space. People have said that my face has a calming effect on them, causing a warm and melting sensation in their stomachs. The tattoo on my back is a tribute to my grandfather, and the one on my chest is a reminder of my travels.

  I am a sweet but protective type of guy. Today was the day of selection and the start of my journey. We bear the trials of what it means to be a crown prince.

  It is a skittish type of day. My mum is insistent that I get married. I'm frightened by the official daughters' behavior.

  All households find themselves in a stir. I can still hear my mother yelling for me. Watching it is my bride and concubines. I am picking today or to say she is picking. I think a bck and purple robe will suffice as I get dressed today. It should be fun. At least my friends are going to be there for moral support. He is the head of my guard, but still one of my trusted friends. He's never steered me wrong.

  I get I am the prince and I need to marry. Sometimes I don't like the idea of this. I can't have one wife and no consorts in the royal family. Whole thoughts are going through my head.

  As I approach my mother's courtyard, I see women lined up like sheep. I get so bored with seeing my mother's courtyard of white and red trim everywhere. Sometimes I end up flowing into trees, because they are dead in the middle of the courtyard.

  "Shuming, any suitable candidates for me?" I chuckled.

  "Your Highness, stop with anecdotes. If your mother heard you, she would beat me," he said.

  Drama unfolds after the day ends. I was saying, trying to joke around.

  "I am so gd they do not see me. But I can see them." I acknowledged.

  Noticing Shuming was staring at a young woman around my age. I am eighteen-year-old. She is pretty, with long dark hair a wonderful slender figure. I am six feet high, so she is just the right height for me. She seems like she will hit my chest just right. Just watching her is getting me excited.

  "She is so stunning. I need this one from my harem. Find who she is. I wanted her." I was asking.

  "Your majesty. I know who that is. She's a friend of mine. I am concerned about her. She looks a little scared." He believed it.

  "Find out which selection she is in. Please comfort her." I was asking.

  "I will go see; I will make sure she is ok." He reacted.

  As he was leaving, I thought about how I really like her. I have never been excited about anyone where my dragon wants to py. It has not aroused me.

  "Shing, it is time you must take your seat." My mom the empress yelled.

  "Are you acceptable?" my father, the emperor, called into question as he looked me up and down.

  "hello grandson, you're up for all this?" my grandmother the dowager called into question.

  "I am good. I will be well." Letting them know.

  As I took my seat, it was the first round. This is so boring. I am not interested in them. No one is catching my eye. They want my father instead of me, anyway. Suddenly I see Shuming in the corner of my eye. I waved him over to me.

  "She wants to be your consort, for sure." I was told.

  "that is great. What is her name?" I spoke.

  "Her name is Li Na. But, she is sheltered, though Li Na is a wonderful person." He advised me.

  Some rows of girls are good looking. Oh, wait, I know this one girl coming up. She is a bitch to say that she is needy. I know she is all about wanting in my father's harem. I looked over at my mom. She doesn't seem happy about this one. If I remember, her name is Chen, Fen.

  Her dad is a general, and her aura is snobbish. Her hair is bck, and she has an all-right build to her body, nothing too special that sticks out to me. Maybe because of her attitude. I can see my mom and grandmother are not too happy with her.

  The room is small for her attitude. After all, we are in my mother's formal sitting room. It is a separate room from her main house. This is where she meets all my dad's consorts and concubines. It is just a pin white room within her sitting area and other sitting arrangements for the consorts and concubines. This feels like confinement rather than a gathering.

  Finally, she is gone. "Shuming. How many more people are to go?" I called into question.

  Responded jokingly, "several hundred more."

  I just frowned. As she walked into the room, her aura gave a prim and proper attitude. That made my dragon rise. My dad must have noticed for him to ask.

  "Are you doing, ok?" my dad called into question.

  "I'm fine." I squeaked.

  My mother is asking. "What's your family name?"

  I see her bow. Stuttering, she responds "your majesty. My family name is Li."

  "if you were head wife, do you understand your duties?" my mom still doubting.

  "keeping track of the household finance and taking care of my husband and his consorts." She had spoken.

  Then my mom continued with the questioning. I could not concentrate. I kept on staring at her. My heart is racing just the sight of her I cannot see straight. Staring at her, I must remind myself to act cool.

  Suddenly, I yelled, "Look at me. I'd like to see what you look like."

  There went my heart when I saw her jade-colored eyes. It was light lighting hitting my soul. She is the one I am destined for. The earth is shaking. I swear she makes my heart skip a beat. My mom must have noticed my reaction.

  My dad is ughing because he noticed my dragon sticking up even more.

  I hear my mom whisper to my dad, "You think her eyes are a good or bad omen for the pace?"

  I kept thinking good omen over and over in my head. My mother will speak to the temple priest to ensure her safety before entering the pace. I hope so. Well, my grandmother continued with the selection because of the st group were servants.

  We finished. My mother tells me she is a great omen for the empire. I can see her face as she remembers something. I can see her whispering to my father, then he said something that looked like it upset her.

  Suddenly I hear "well call them in a group by group." My father instructed.

  His concubines were first. They went down by name after name. I did not realize my dad had this much energy, seeing he has already had over twenty concubines and consorts. He just added twenty more. My poor mother having to keep track of all of them. The drama oh my god the drama.

  "Are you going to be, ok?" I mouthed to my mom.

  She just nodded. Then it was my brother's wife and consorts where chosen next to the women in Li, Na's group, were for both me and my brother. He was fortunate to not be here.

  Then it was my consorts, wife, and concubines turn. I hope I will get here. I really want her. Then my dad's head eunuch started the list: A noble consort of the first rank. Chen holds the position of first wife. An is the second-rank consort, while Diu is the third-rank consort. Imperial Consort Li, Na

  As her name was called, my heart skipped a beat. She is with me, and I am thrilled about it. I feel like I want to jump for joy as happy as I am. I can see the stress lift off her face. She will be satisfied here.I don't want to make her cry.

  Crown Princess Chen Fen I can see the disappointment on my mom's face when her name was called. She really does not like my new crown princess. I really dislike her as well. She has a bitch attitude. She's at the heart of the drama.

  I know she only got the position because of her father. He spoiled her to rotten. I am worried about how she will handle the others. She can be scary since she grew up around the military camps. She will know all the dirty tricks.

  I am not only worried about Li Na, but about my other consorts as well. I find a vantage point to watch Na walk to their areas.

  Shuming comes over to me, "be careful with her heart, she is a good girl."

  "I know. I am already present in love with her." I responded.

  Her eyes were puffy like she had been crying, and I can see it. I want to hug her and reassure her she will be safe in my pace. I really want her. The sun shines off her eyes. It makes me want her even more. I can see her hair just shining as well.

  As they take her to the training ground, I monitored her to make sure nothing happens to her. With this month coming up, I must deal with that bitch. I know I will put someone in her house to monitor her, no telling what tricks she may py.