Heavenly symbol: Lotus bracelet

The midwife's ecstatic cry echoed through the palace halls: "It's twins! It's male twins!" The news of Empress Mei's blessed event spread like wildfire, igniting a flurry of excitement throughout the kingdom.

As the sun began to set, a sudden, ominous darkness fell over the land. The heavens themselves seemed to tremble, and a brilliant, ethereal symbol materialized in the sky. Its radiance illuminated the faces of the awestruck villagers, who whispered among themselves in reverence.

"A powerful emperor has been born!" someone exclaimed, and the crowd erupted into jubilant cheers.

Emperor Jian, the mighty ruler of the Qing dynasty, declared a grand feast and celebration in honor of the twin princes. The kingdom was ablaze with joy, as the emperor's subjects revelled in the promise of a prosperous future.

However, beneath the surface of this festive atmosphere, a subtle undercurrent of tension simmered. The birth of twin male heirs had sparked a delicate dilemma: according to ancient tradition, the appearance of the heavenly symbol signified the arrival of a destined ruler. But which of the twin princes was the true emperor?.

The tension surrounding the twin princes' birth had reached a boiling point, prompting Emperor Jian to convene an emergency court meeting with the Eunuchs. The festivities and feast continued unabated, but the atmosphere within the palace grew increasingly somber.

As the court meeting assembled, Emperor Jian sat majestically on his throne, flanked by two imposing guards. The Eunuchs,

revered for their wisdom and counsel, stood before him with bowed heads.

"This unprecedented situation demands our collective wisdom, Your Majesty," one of the Enoch ventured. "How can we determine which twin is the rightful heir?"

Emperor Jian's piercing gaze swept the assembly. "I called this meeting seeking your counsel. What solutions do you propose?"

A soft-spoken Eunuch suggested, "Perhaps we can identify the true heir by determining if either twin was born without magic?"

An elderly Eunuch's face reddened with indignation. "How dare you utter such blasphemy in the emperor's presence?"

The Eunuch who had spoken apologized profusely, bowing deeply before Emperor Jian. "Forgive me, my lord. It was a thoughtless remark."

However, Emperor Jian surprised the assembly by nodding in agreement. "Your words, though unpolished, hold merit. Discovering whether either twin lacks magic may indeed reveal the true heir."

Just then, a maid burst into the chamber, falling to her knees and pressing her forehead to the floor. "My lord! My lord! One of the twins has been born with the magical Lotus Bracelet!"

The assembly erupted into shocked murmurs, with some Eunuch exclaiming, "Impossible!" and "Do you realize the gravity of your words, child?"

The maid, still prostrate, insisted, "I swear on my life, my lord! The midwife instructed me to share this news."

Emperor Jian rose from his throne, his eyes aglow with excitement. "The Lotus Bracelet! The chances of its appearance are infinitesimally small."

He paused, surveying the room. "Whichever twin possesses this sacred artifact shall be the next emperor!"

The Eunuchs nodded in unison, acknowledging the emperor's decree. The maid, still trembling, remained prostrate, aware that her words had set in motion a chain of events that would forever alter the course of their kingdom's history.

Behind the closed courtroom doors, Empress Mei's face twisted into a sly, triumphant smile, hinting at a secret victory. Her eyes gleamed with a knowing glint, as if she had masterminded a subtle yet pivotal move in the imperial game of power...