Her husband died young, and Li Linghui became the Grand Empress Dowager, the first to rule as regent in the Great Xia dynasty.
She supported her young son as he ascended the throne, making ruthless decisions and commanding the loyalty of all.
Five years later, the court and the country were at peace, and Great Xia had recovered from the nightmare of its former ruler's death.
Before long, Xun'er would be old enough to start school. It was time to find him a study companion.
The Grand Tutor's youngest grandson, named Xuechen, was eight years old. He had clear, handsome features and a bright, perceptive mind, making him the obvious choice.
After the two children began studying together, Xun'er made even greater progress, much to Li Linghui's satisfaction.
But for some reason, when Xun'er's study companion looked at her, his gaze seemed to hold a depth and chill far beyond his years.
Li Linghui furrowed her brow, lost in thought.
*
In the winter of the fifteenth year of Zhaoyuan, heavy snow blanketed the capital.
Her son told her with delight that Xuechen had returned to Chang'an from the frontier, and that the two old friends who had been separated could finally reunite.
Unlike the emperor, who was beside himself with joy, Li Linghui felt a vague unease.
Looking at the grown young man, Nian Xuechen, old dreams suddenly came rushing back.
At last, she understood why she had always felt uneasy:
He was growing more and more like her late husband, the former emperor, Ji Che.
*
To his dying day, Ji Che believed that his empress, Li Linghui, had sent him the poisoned wine.
As he lay dying, he swore that if he were ever reborn, he would repay her in kind and never rest until she was dead.
When he opened his eyes, he had become the Grand Tutor Nian's youngest grandson.
All these years, he watched her stand high above all others, watched her govern the realm with order and skill, watched her receive the worship of the multitudes.
After she passed thirty, she suddenly decided to take male favorites.
This was a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. He decided to become her lover.
He would offer her his young body, then claim her life.
Reader's Guide:
1. The male lead has a new body and memories of his past life. Both leads are virgins.
2. After being reborn, the woman is 17 years older than the man. She is 35, he is 18, and the young emperor is 18.
3. Happy ending, romance-focused.
Theme: Leave no regrets.
