Within the Palace

The Marquis of Yongning died young, leaving behind his newlywed wife, dressed in plain mourning clothes and weeping uncontrollably.

The funeral was grand, and the emperor paid his respects in person.

After the Son of Heaven departed, she received a handwritten letter:

"To the Marquis's wife, I offer my condolences."

"The marquis was a pillar of the realm. I am deeply grieved by his sudden passing."

"When you once entered the palace, I stood by the riverbank and caught a distant glimpse of you."

"From that moment on, I felt that our fates were closely intertwined."

"You loved that bamboo dragonfly. When you lost it and wept for so long, I folded one for you with my own hands."

"When your mother fell ill, the lingzhi she sought came from me."

"You praised that music score as exquisite. I was once a soldier, entirely unversed in music, yet I composed it myself."

"I was also the one who exchanged poems with you all those years."

"But you loved each other, and when you asked me to approve your marriage, I gave my consent with a heavy heart."

"Your marriage was happy. I should have forgotten my feelings then and there."

"But now that he is dead, the delusions in my heart have taken root once more."

"To the Marquis's wife: You must enter the palace in three days and speak with me about everything, one by one."

Written by the emperor

*Possessive love, possessive love, possessive love

Blurb dated June 9, 2026

Theme: Work hard and live well