On our wedding night, he tossed me a contract. “Once the deed is done, we each go our own way.”
I am Yun Zhiyi. After my family was destroyed, I became a bondmaid and was forced to marry Xiao Lin, a hostage prince famed for his military victories.
He saw me as a burden. I used him to take revenge.
I wove a web at tea parties in the inner residence and planted my pieces amid the household staff’s rivalries.
He fought on the battlefield while I took charge of the home front.
The world laughed at him for marrying a convicted criminal’s daughter. But when enemy forces besieged the city and he lay gravely wounded, he placed the military tally in my palm with his own hands.
“From now on, you are my strategist, my shield, and my only way out.”
Later, I ascended the throne, and he bowed before thousands to pledge his allegiance.
I asked what reward he wanted.
He took my hand, placed the tiger tally in my palm, and declared with unshakable resolve:
“For all my life, I will be the sword in Your Majesty’s hand. My reward is to stand by your side forever and gaze upon this beautiful realm with you.”
From contract spouses who were each other’s prison, to an emperor and empress ruling the realm together.
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