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

Qinghe waved her hand from the corridor and Hu Rong hurriedly ran over with a smile, asking, "What can I do for you, Qinghe Jiejie?"


Qinghe whispered to him, "Find out which girl fell ill in Yeting yesterday, how she's doing now, and if a doctor has visited her. Once you have the information, come back quickly."


Hu Rong said he'd go and, after about the length of a meal, returned to give Qinghe an update. "The sick girl is called Yang, and I heard she's okay now. Her fever has gone down, and she's even eaten some food."


Qinghe breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear."


Hu Rong was curious, "May I ask why you wanted to know about her, Jiejie?"


"That's not my concern," Qinghe replied.


Hu Rong then understood who was really interested. "Do you know what caused her illness, Qinghe Jiejie?"


The First Snow