Just Mentioning the Deposed Empress Breaks My Heart

Everyone knows that the emperor was forced to marry a woman of the Chen family and make her empress, and that he had not a shred of affection for her. Once he gained power, the first thing he did was depose her.

Everyone in the harem knew it, the court officials knew it, and the common people all repeated it. Everyone knew.

Just as the matter became something everyone took for granted, the emperor suddenly came down with an illness. Whenever he heard or saw the words "depose the empress," he would feel dizzy, his head would throb, and his heart would feel as if it were being cut apart.

Worse still, everyone around him took it for granted that he would depose her, and reminded him of it at every opportunity.

The emperor's birth mother, the current empress dowager, especially detested the Chen woman. She asked almost every day, "Will you depose her?"

The emperor clutched his chest, his expression pained. "Mother, please stop. My heart hurts!"

Empress Dowager: "...???"

The emperor furrowed his brows. "My heart really hurts!"

No one is allowed to mention deposing the empress again! The Chen woman is the rightful empress, chosen by Heaven itself!

Reading notes:

1. This is a fictional setting. Please don't nitpick historical accuracy.

2. Everything serves the plot and characterization. If it isn't to your taste, close the window in the upper right and part ways peacefully.

3. One-on-one romance, happy ending.

My new novel is out! The Glory of a Lifetime After a Marriage Swap

The Zai family had a granddaughter who, though stubborn and a bit slow, was the apple of Old Master Zai's eye. Prince Ping wanted to win Old Master Zai over, so he asked to marry her.

But after Old Master Zai suddenly passed away, his granddaughter became an orphan with no one to rely on. Prince Ping, who had come to dislike her, tossed her to his good elder brother, who was destined never to become emperor.

The little girl was small and thin, with nothing but a little bundle. She stood before Prince Qi and stared without blinking at the lotus pastries beside him.

Prince Qi propped his chin up languidly and looked her over without much interest. Seeing how she stared at the lotus pastries, he gave a mocking laugh. "Fine. I'll keep her for now."

Who could have guessed that he'd end up keeping her for a lifetime? He held her in his arms and kissed her, growing so attached to her that he could never bear to let go.

The little girl was not only dull-witted, but also a "mute."

Prince Qi had originally kept her around as a lucky charm in his residence. Then one day, he discovered he could hear the voice in her heart.

He had killed someone and was covered in blood. Everyone else fled in terror.

Only she took one small step, then another, quietly edging over to him. She reached out a little hand and clutched his sleeve.

Prince Qi twirled a dagger in his fingers. Blood from its blade stained his hand. He lowered his eyes to her. "Everyone else is afraid to come near me. Why did you come over?"

She blinked her clear, guileless eyes and looked up at him. "Good person."

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