The idea sounds interesting and the character descriptions are fascinating and detailed, I will look forward to future developments. Will there be any RO’s? (@ohmyvalar) 
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I don’t know if this has been mentioned earlier in the thread–that scene with Long Qing where he talks about the MC and him not being related by blood was great, like really great, but it almost feels like it happens too soon??
I know it’s meant to hint at there being no relation between them–to ease the worries of everyone interested in romancing him but turned away by the incest, I assume–but I feel like its not vague enough. It felt, at least to me, like Qing was straight out being like “we are definitely not siblings so let me just flirt with you so you really know,” which isn’t bad if it was a little further along in the story.
To build tension, especially so early in the story, I think you should definitely have Qing be more vague, so the player doesn’t know if thats what he’s really hinting at or if he’s just screwing with them. I just think that it would improve the pacing. That’s just my thoughts on it though, obviously you don’t have to change it 
(I’m just a sucker for that telenovela type drama, and if I were the author, boy would I draw it out 
“is he my brother? is he not? oh these conflicting feelings!!! /swoon/”)
That aside, I really love this WIP and will definitely be keeping an eye on it. Long Qing is fascinating and and Chen Kun is such a cutie 
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@Pumpkaboo yes, there are ROs! The major ROs are mentioned in the og post and you’ve met some of them already(if someone not on mobile could quote them that’d be great :D), but there will be a few other minor ones (in terms of shorter romance buildup/interactions).
@forestnymph when that update first came up a few ppl did give that feedback too, so you’re not alone haha. It was definitely a case of me trying to balance no overt spoilers+hints to allay incest concerns+urge to add some romance in first=strange and inexplicable lead-up LmAo. I will edit it, but maybe not anytime soon - I’m still figuring out how not to spoil lol.
And tbh, all these romance options are kinda why progress has been rather sluggish 
don’t get me wrong, I love writing romance as subplot especially as a tool to explore different aspects of characterization, but this is both my first time writing IF (with numerous options) and otome(? In terms of the significant, if optional, romance sections), so I’m kinda frustrated between PLOT! PLOT! PLOT! yay we’re making progress in the plot!, and wait I gotta write all the options for all the ROs on scene in case there’s too little buildup for later!! it’s still a balance I’m trying to find, so if yall find anything else weird in the romance parts please do advice!
@gvyn thanks for the typo catching! I’ll fix that next update. The bug however is bc that’s the end of the chapter, once the next one is up it should be OK!
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Having just discovered this WIP and played the demo, being a huge fan of Chinese history, this is now suddenly one of my most anticipated games 
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Combing through the whole thing again, carefully. Theories on who turned the tiger on us? Our most visible enemy would be the consort, but our dear uncle would also benefit from our death. … And they used to be lovers?
The tiger was driven mad by … something. Herblore? Magic? The attacker also knew when and where we would be, when according the MC, even our retainer had no clue. Did anyone ever look into it? The empress does not seem like one to let attacks on her child go.
LQ left for the army, at least nominally by his own will, without the knowledge of his mother, when MC was 11. How old were we in the tiger scene again? Could it be related?
Anyone else interested in meeting our nameless, atheist, scientist! and historian! tutor? Sounds like a very intelligent and practical person. Could use an ally like that. Who apparently also taught LQ: there may be some insights into our brother to be had there, too.
Am I correct to assume that the government structure is modeled on that of the Ming dynasty? What are FY’s actual position and duties?
The MC believes that they will likely be FY’s rivals. She is a neutral party though. Or is MC already planning something so nefarious that even a neutral party cannot stand for.
Just noticed what the MC actually said during the ‘honest’ route of the trial of persuasion. Really, MC? I’m surprised we didn’t get LQ -999% approval there.
Jin. Sounds like he’s trying to warn us about our brother? And yet being purposefully unclear enough to not get the message across. If he’s telling the truth, why would he pick us over LQ? A way to even the scales, or out of personal friendship with CK, or even the start of a recruitment? If that’s a lie, then turning the two heirs against each other would create opportunities for the Uprising. Too early to say.
The religion here… there are vibes from both Buddhism and Taoism (which, historically, have been bitter competitors). The wooden fish, chanting etc are from Buddhism, but the ‘gods’ seem more from the Taoist pantheon. Did they settle their differences in ideology and merge together?
I was hoping that the Taoists discovered magic for real and went on to become the magic community. Ah well.
In this verse apparently women can become the ruler. Since Emperors are expected to have multiple concubines, do female rulers … have something similar? Not that anyone’s planning anything. Just, for the sake of historical accuracy. (Coughs)
minor typo: “the friction of the fauna”, should be flora. Unless we’re actually rolling in a field of animals?
Apologies for yet another overly-long comment. (Runs away and hides) 
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@Noah yup, that’s the ending of Chapter 1 and the current demo!
@Jeeshadow1 thanks for your interest and I’m glad you enjoyed it so far! Nevertheless, a disclaimer: this is a fantasy ver of ancient china set in a deliberately vague time period, so not everything will be historically accurate;;
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i can only safely say that the tiger was manipulated with magical influence… As for uncle dearest Long Juan and Imperial Consort Yi’s relationship… Is that court gossip spread by their detractors? Spread by one of them/they themselves? Romanticised Land legend? or is that just a red herring?
The Empress did run an investigation, and quickly learnt details that necessitated secrecy of the matter. Why that is… Feel free to guess
The MC’s age in the tiger scene is meant to be vague, although Chen Kun’s above 14 in it so that’s where the time line lies. Long Qing’s decision was not directly impacted by this incident (according to the aforementioned time line he would’ve already left, or is my math failing me again rip) but his knowledge of your mothers’ plotting and… Other things… were.
HAHA hONestly the tutor was meant to be a kinda background info narrator for the prologue only, and I can’t even remember if I kept their gender consistent bc they were a plot device lol. But who knows like the tiger, with enough popularity (and if memory serves lol) they may make a cameo near the end of the game.
The government structure is based on the kinda amalgamation of official posts and names normally seen in 架空novels, which I think tends towards the Qing Dynasty’s in this case. I gotta be upfront about this - I’m no (ancient) history student, and my interests (and hence reading) tends towards personalities rather than governance/military structures, so there’ll probably be discrepancies, which I’d be more than happy to fix whenever possible with feedback! Although now that I think about it the next Trivia may be on government structure, if only to force me to do more research lol. I used the term Imperial Administrator to be vague, bc I rly have no confidence in translating 正一品光禄大夫 other than the ‘First Rank’ part lol. However in this setting the 丞相position aka Prime Minister(?) exists, so she is in no way already too OP for promotion, although this is a high rank even for the generational head of the Fang ‘impartial’ faction, especially at her age. This is influenced by both her talents and this generation’s power demographic (for instance, the Fang faction alone has no significant player in the harem). I’ll elab on her duties in the next Trivia tgt w other characters’.
The rival route w Fang Yun names her as your possible rival in court not exactly bc of political policy differences, but bc of political personality differences.
HAHAHA that persuasion scene is mostly played for comedy, but let’s just say that Long Qing for once decided to magnanimously forgive your outright slight and believe your 1 to 1 talk as heartfelt instead.
i can neither confirm nor deny any of these fascinating theories about Jin’s prophecy.
As mentioned before, bc I myself am religious and feel uncomfortable w writing irl religions explicitly in game, the in game religion will draw elements from both taoism and Buddhism (which tbh in my modern day experience actually mesh p well?)
Yes, rulers of all genders will be able to have a harem - or revolutionarily (but not without actual historical precedent irl) dismiss one in favor of a sole Consort.
yes flora sounds about right. Oh no imagine those poor animals… And haha its okay! Concrit like this is valuable and I appreciate the feedback!
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Based solely on the need to keep the Empress’ investigation secret, my otherwise baseless theory on the Tiger is the Emperor set it on you to make the succession easier
Seems the Empire is under multiple threats with the Revolt and what ever your Uncle is planning…
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interesting theory… Although I can neither confirm nor deny it, lol. Certainly the Empress would not have let the possible assassination attempt on her child go unpunished easily…
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This is still being worked on right? Would be a shame to see this wonderful art be forgotten 
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Ahem cough cough, as reflected in my post last update, I’ve been busy with irl stuff that’s been catching up… And writing-wise it’s not quite a writing block yet, but my muse is redirecting me towards other (non game-related) plot bunnies. Also I tend to have alternating periods of writing and reading (?) and currently I’m about halfway through Suetonius so uhhh oops.
But don’t worry! Even if - heaven forbid! - the hiatus stretches months, I do have some content saved up (I wouldn’t be able to write efficiently otherwise lol) so I should be able to update slowlyyyy.
Ive also been writing the framing device+code for the codex (?) It’s mostly explanatory world building I’ve already written, but it’s literally scattered all over the place (with spoilers included!) so uhhh the actual entries will take some time to organize. If yall don’t mind it’s incomplete state, I can probably get that update online by… Next week?
Sorry for the long wait everyone 
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I would say take your time, just know you have fans of you work cheering you on
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@ohmyvalar after giving the speech to the people when I hit next it gives me an error and won’t let me go to the next page
That is as far as the demo goes thus far. At least as far as I know.
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I just want to thank you for the overprotective dork that is Chen Kun. He is adorable. Excuse my outburst but I just love the retainer/royalty trope, and I LOVE HIMMM
It was a pretty cool demo and i really liked the ambiance, can’t wait to see where the story will go ^^
I would say it shows potential, however it seems clichèd. Definitely love to play the whole game once released. Best of luck writing it. 
I dont think this thread is even breathing.
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