Peace Beneath the Imperial Palace

She was a frail, orphaned girl from a butcher’s family, gentle as a willow but tough as grass.

He was the orphaned son of a former dynasty’s crown prince, raised on hatred and burdened by a blood feud.

When she was six, she gave him a piece of tangerine-peel candy. “Eat something sweet, and your heart won’t feel so bitter.”

It was the first candy of his life, and the first ray of light in his dark world.

She whistled to call for help and protected him beneath the butcher’s blade.

He took up a knife and killed for her, carving out a place for her amid the whirlpool of power.

She was the only warmth in his dark life, and he was the strongest armor around her fragile life.

From an alley in Lin’an Town to the glittering imperial court.

From two hearts finding comfort in each other to the legend of an emperor and empress.

This is their story: a story of how light shines into darkness, and how love redeems hatred.

“My empress doesn’t need a powerful family. I myself am her family.”

“I’m not his weakness. I’m his armor. He protects the realm, and I protect him.”