Spring Rain at Court

I lived through two lifetimes. In both, I met Wei Xu at the Broken Bridge, married him, and became Crown Princess. But I never became empress. He praised me for being virtuous.

"...So you should understand that the empress's title is only an empty name. Let Consort Jian have it. It won't harm the affection between us as husband and wife."

He paid no heed to how I managed his household and helped him secure the realm and govern the court. He used my virtue to keep me in line. It took me two lifetimes of struggle to finally understand: being virtuous and well-behaved is worth nothing.

1 Wei Xu's boat approached from afar. I stood on the bridge and didn't move. My maid, Hongshao, asked in confusion, "My lady?" I came back to myself. Following the course of my two previous lives, I should...