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 couldn't sleep that night. Earlier that day, he had dismissed everyone from the Hall of Eternal Peace study and together with Lin Jiyun, stepped onto the map while taking off their shoes. Lin had been pointing at the map and talking to him for the entire day, his voice hoarse.


The emperor had been too preoccupied to have anyone bring them some soothing tea.


Of course, Xie Ning had no idea that the conversations between his uncle and the emperor weren't about local customs or travel stories. The things that Lin had been speaking about were beyond Xie Ning's comprehension.
