The Phoenix Returns to Its Nest, and the Emperor Can't Control His Heart

[Marriage first, love later; heroine reborn; love at first sight from the hero’s perspective, affection that grows over time from the heroine’s perspective; one-on-one romance; both leads are virgins]

In her previous life, she was one of the candidates to become empress, but gave up the position for Prince Qi. She never expected her love to be misplaced, leaving her entire family executed and her own life cut short. Reborn, she vows to rewrite her fate and make those who betrayed her pay dearly. She schemes carefully at every turn, wins the emperor’s heart, enters the palace, takes the throne of empress, and destroys her enemies.

He is an emperor whose power reaches across the realm. He seems gentle and refined, but has a sly streak. At their first meeting in a temple, he takes a playful interest in her. When they meet again, she turns the tables and charms him, drawing him deeper with every step. Later, even after learning that her affection for him was false, he is still willing to accept it.

When Prince Qi launches a coup, he is left on the brink of death saving her. Only then does she understand herself: her feelings had been growing all along as the two of them spent time together.

She leans over his bedside, holding his hand, and murmurs, “I understand myself now. I really, really love you.”

Suddenly, she feels someone gently stroke her hair. She looks up sharply and sees him smiling at her. “Really?”

At his words, tears spill from her eyes. “Really.”