Emper-

(n) Emperex, (f) Emperess, (m) Emperor

The ruler of The Guo Empire. Since the Empire's founding, the title has always been held by a member of House Guo. The title is passed on by cognatic primogeniture, though succession crises have happened twice in the Empire's history.
The Emper- is bound by a number of strict laws on their personal life. Foremost among them is the requirement to either sire five children or birth three within the first five years of ascending to the throne. Failure to do so result in automatic and compulsory abdication. The consorts (co-parents) of these children must be members of the ten Great Houses of the Empire, and none can be by the same consort (twins/triplets are the exception). After this quota has been made, the Emper- can continue to produce children but they must still be with members of the Great Houses (though they are free to have as many children with the same consort as they wish). Any children of the Emper- sired or birthed by a parent who is not a member of the Great Houses must be executed; this also applies to children that the Emper- produced prior to ascending to the throne when they did not have these restrictions placed upon them. For this reason, it is common for even members of House Guo who are far down on the line of succession to adhere to these restrictions to avoid having to kill any of their own children should they themselves ever ascend.