Reborn in the Brothel: I Only Want to Be Empress

On the day of her investiture, the palace walls were stained a dazzling red. Xie Luanyin wore the ceremonial robes and crown of a queen, adorned with nine pheasant feathers and four phoenixes. The pearls on her hairpins swayed gently with each step, casting flecks of light across the vermilion steps. The Third Prince, now the new emperor, Xiao Jingyan, took her hand and pressed the jade token symbolizing the imperial seal into her palm. Inside the Golden Throne Hall, a thunderous cry rose: “Long live the Empress!”

That night, candlelight flickered in the Jiaofang Palace. Xiao Jingyan removed his imperial crown, and the jade flute resting beside the dressing table rang out clear and pure. He reached out to undo her elaborate wedding robes, his fingertips brushing the scar on the back of her neck. “Do you remember the fire at the Dali Temple? Back then, I thought that if we made it out alive, I would place this entire realm in your hands.”