"Did you hear?"
Asked a Jade Dynasty official to his coworker and friend following court session.
"Hear what?"
"How can you not know? Word is that his majesty has been spending the entirety of his time with a new consort and now neglects even the Jade Empress!"
The official hushed in his friend's ear after looking left and right, clearly afraid of the tiniest whisper leaking in the wrong ears. Hearing this, the other official's eyes widened in fright.
"How could that be? The world stands witness to his majesty's affection for the empress. But even she couldn't keep him trapped within her chambers. Who could possibly hold such appeal?"
The official scoffed, unable to believe such rumors.
"What do you know? I hear that woman lives within his majesty's personal chambers and shares his bed. Words have been spreading among the eunuchs and maids that he doesn't allow her to step out, and indulge in her body days and nights!