The Empress Dowager

At twenty-two, I was ordered to enter the palace. When Emperor Zhou lifted my veil, he said, "The Liu family's Qingyu is indeed so beautiful that no one can compare."

The light was dim, yet those eyes still looked exceptionally clear.

I endured four long years, and at last Emperor Zhou died before me. The third prince rebelled, and his inside men joined forces with him to kill the crown prince. After the third prince was captured, I joined Chancellor Xie in supporting the young Chang as emperor.

It should have been cause for celebration, with the realm at peace and the people content. But it seemed the ministers below did not feel the same way.

Some clung to the leg of Prince Ding of the Zhou family: "Your Highness, your military achievements are unrivaled! Hurry up, raise an army, declare yourself emperor, and kill that wicked empress!"

Others clung to Chancellor Xie's leg: "Chancellor, your literary talent is peerless and you are a pillar of the realm! Hurry up, usurp the throne, and kill that wicked empress!"

Still others clung to the young emperor's leg: "Your Majesty, we have devoted ourselves to the nation! We only ask that you hurry up and kill that wicked empress!"

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.