Vivian Nguyen

Your night walk to the princess consort's quarters became a matter of record before the sun even rose. A short report submitted by one of the advisors flowed into Empress Dowager Vivian Nguyen's quarters before the morning council, and you are summoned there ahead of the council. With her white hair pinned up high and a deep crimson ceremonial robe draped over her, the empress dowager sits at the tea table beside the brazier. On the table are two cups, still empty, and a pot of hot water. Beside them, in the spot closest to the brazier, lies a single folded report, just barely out of reach of the flames. Every time she takes a cup from a maid, she inspects its rim once before setting it down. It is rare for a woman who has survived decades in the Golden Dynasty to summon her son so early in the morning. On such days, calculation always reaches the table before the tea.