The Forbidden Scroll
In the waning days of the Ming Dynasty, the Forbidden City in Beijing stood as a formidable fortress of power and intrigue. Its towering walls, crimson and gold, hid the ancient secrets of the imperial family, and its sprawling courtyards held countless mysteries.
Within the hallowed halls of the Forbidden City, young Li Ming, a eunuch in service to the Emperor, walked silently. He was just a boy when he had been castrated and taken into the service of the imperial court, but now he moved with the grace and poise of a seasoned courtier.
Li Ming's life had been one of hidden sorrows and stolen dreams. Yet, within the palace, he had found a sense of purpose, and a fragile sense of belonging. His unwavering loyalty to the Emperor had earned him a position as a librarian in the vast Imperial Library, a place where ancient scrolls, some rumored to possess magical powers, were housed.
