“Xiao Che, your great-uncle is only thinking of what’s best for you.” “You’ve been all alone in Xiao Family Village, and all these years you’ve survived thanks to everyone’s charity.” “Going to the palace is a wonderful opportunity for you. You’ll have enough to eat, and you can repay all your uncles for raising you. Who knows, you might even get the chance to sit on the throne of the empress…” Xiao Che listened to Sixth Great-Uncle ramble on and rolled his eyes. “Great-uncle, I’m a man, seven feet tall. How could I compete for favor like those women? My destiny isn’t the imperial palace. It’s the stars and the sea!”
