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

The emperor turned his head and saw Xie Ning's expression. Perhaps it was because he had just eaten a lot of tangyuan, his smile looked particularly sweet. He rested his chin on his hands, squinted his eyes, and revealed a hint of his teeth.


The emperor couldn't help but laugh and said, "I brought you here to see the lanterns, why do you keep looking at me? You will regret it if you don't look at the lanterns more, but it will be too late when we go back."


Xie Ning bit her lips and leaned closer, whispering, "Your Majesty looks much better than the lanterns."


"Really?" He touched his cheek. "These are the first words I've heard that compliment me like this."


"How did others used to compliment you before? It must have been a lot."


Of course, being the emperor, he would receive endless praises every day. Those scholars and poets who were full of rhetoric and flattery must have praised him in so many ways that surpassed what she had said.


Sweet Dreams