In the third year of my life as a subject of a fallen kingdom, I happened to notice that the palace attendants outside the Yeting Palace were still wearing the old dynasty's clothes.
Seeing my lame leg, Wen Qinzhi dropped the act. "Three years ago, you couldn't accept me marrying Sirou as Empress while you became a concubine. So we had to trick you into believing Nanyue had fallen and keep you locked up in the Yeting Palace. After three years as a convict slave, at least you've learned to behave."
I couldn't believe it.
Then the guard captain beside me tore off his human-skin mask. He was my younger brother, He Linfeng.
"Sis, Sirou is Empress now, and she's given birth safely. We're here to take you back to become the Noble Consort."
My Child Is Already Three, Yet They Still Fear I'll Compete with the Fake Heiress for Affection