Cui Tianshu drifted through life, bound to Yuwen Chi for decades. She attended to his clothes and grooming with utmost care, and raised his children without ever slacking. She often reflected on herself by the standards of virtuous women and never visited her own family. In Yuwen Chi's eyes and those of his officials, she was the virtuous mother of the Crown Prince.
Yet the founding rules of Great Zhao kept her from ascending to the throne as empress. The rites she was granted were no different from those of the Crown Prince.
Her one regret in life was that her child could not call her Mother.
Her one foolish mistake was hoping to share an equal partnership with Yuwen Chi.
Her one wish was never to have anything to do with Yuwen Chi in her next life.
As she lay dying, she heard the imperial edict appointing her empress in a bid to bring her good fortune. She gave a cold laugh, covered her face, and refused to see the emperor one last time.
**
Emperor Wendi of Great Zhao, Yuwen Chi, ruled for decades, securing the borders and expanding the realm, a man of grand vision and great achievement. He often measured himself against the sages and never let private interests sway him. In the eyes of his subjects, he was a rare and wise ruler.
His one act of self-indulgence was breaking with ancestral custom for personal reasons and naming the dying Lady Cui empress.
His one regret was that Empress Cui refused to see him before she died.
His one grievance was that the man Empress Cui loved was Du Xi, a general who had once been a stable hand.
After he died, he returned to decades earlier and swore to make up for his regrets, only to discover that the person beside him in bed seemed to have been reborn as well.
He had no choice but to carefully conceal that he had been reborn while trying not to repeat the mistakes of his past life.
However, Cui Tianshu was determined to leave with Du Xi. All his efforts were in vain. Heartbroken, he told himself he had loved her deeply and asked only for a chance to start over.
But Cui Tianshu firmly refused to believe him. In a calm, even voice, she said, "Your Majesty says you loved me deeply, but in truth, you were merely competing with a subject out of wounded pride. You did not truly love me. When I was alive, I never dared presume that I had your favor. How is it that after I was gone, I became your beloved? The absurdity speaks for itself."
"Now that we have lived two lifetimes apart, the past should be laid to rest. Your Majesty, forgive Tianshu, and in doing so, forgive yourself."
Yuwen Chi looked up at the heavens and sighed. He felt he could not defend himself, no matter what he said.
**
In a nutshell, this is a story about a wise emperor who is reborn and discovers that his wife has been reborn too. He can only try to pretend he hasn't been reborn, but ends up giving himself away as he pursues his wife.
Reader's Guide:
1. Both lifetimes are sexually exclusive, one-on-one, happy ending. The emperor had a harem in his past life and early in this life, but never slept with anyone.
2. The male lead does not regain his memories right away. The female lead remembers first.
3. The story takes many liberties, so please don't dwell on the historical inspirations.
4. Includes taking someone by force, a remorseful pursuit, and an outrageous amount of melodrama. Please proceed with caution, and don't read if it's not your thing!
Message: Don't wait until all the flowers have fallen to break off a branch.
