The Empress Dowager Wants a Divorce, and the Cold-Faced Tutor Completely Loses It

After the late emperor's sudden death, noblewoman Pei Lingyi was forced to become an empress brought in to bring good fortune to the dying emperor. In the blink of an eye, she became the empress dowager, ruling from behind the curtain.

The court was in turmoil, the young emperor was frail, and the officials eyed one another like tigers stalking their prey.

The only person she could rely on was Xie Heng, the cold-faced Grand Tutor who held immense power over the court.

Their ranks were distinct, and the rules of propriety were as unyielding as a mountain. They should have kept their distance.

But as they vied for power at court, feelings quietly took root through their repeated clashes.

The late emperor had left an edict: once the young emperor took the throne in his own right, the empress dowager could choose her own path.

Pei Lingyi wanted only to fulfill her duty and retire, severing their forbidden bond so she could leave with dignity.

She wanted to end things and escape the power struggles of the imperial palace.

But the usually aloof and self-controlled Grand Tutor's eyes reddened. He gripped her wrist and refused to let her go.

"You want to leave, Empress Dowager? Did you ask me first?"