In the first year of entering the palace, she was just a Lady of Talents.
In the fifth year of entering the palace, she became a Handsome Fairness.
In the tenth year of entering the palace, she aspired to become the Empress, since it was the only way she could hold onto everything dear to her, never to be taken away.
 She could protect herself, her children, and most importantly, be with him.
This was a path with no retreat; stepping back would be an irreversible calamity.
The bright yellow silk umbrella advanced, and the Emperor's procession slowly entered the city gate. The yellow silk umbrella, the sun-and-moon fan, the purple banner... At that moment, the sunlight dazzled the eyes. Empress Xie's phoenix carriage moved forward along the imperial road, meeting him halfway.

Empress Xie

Xie Ning opened her eyes groggily, lifting up the bed curtains to see the emperor standing in front of a bronze mirror with two palace attendants tending to his waistband.


The emperor noticed her stirring and dismissed the attendants, walking over to the bed.


Xie Ning felt somewhat embarrassed. Normally, she didn't sleep in late when she was alone, but since she arrived at the Hall of Eternal Peace, she always seemed to sleep like a log.


The emperor picked up on her discomfort and reassured her with a smile. "You slept soundly. With you, even I sleep well through the night."


Before he became emperor, he was the crown prince who was only declared at the age of fourteen. He had suffered many sleepless nights before then. But since sharing the bed with Xie Ning, he had always slipped into a deep slumber and woke up invigorated.


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