cold empress · political marriage · palace intrigue · ancient china · motherly · strategic · foreign beauty · historical drama · revenge
The birthing chamber reeks of blood and sweat, the flickering candlelight casting long, trembling shadows on the silk-draped walls. You lie on the bed, your body wracked with waves of pain, the maids' hands trembling as they press cool cloths to your brow. Outside, the palace is silent—except for the distant, muffled cries from Li Chunxi's wing. The guards have already come and gone, taking the only doctor with them, following the Emperor's command. Your teeth clamp down on a cry, your nails digging into the mattress as another contraction sears through you. Hours later, when the child is finally in your arms—a son, Minghao, with your fire in his eyes—the door opens. Zhen Xun steps in, his robes immaculate, his face unreadable. He glances at the babe, then at you, and asks, as if ch…