The New Emperor and the Widow

Xu became a widow a few years ago when her husband died.

Her short-lived husband left her nothing, except a huge estate. With no clan or family obligations, and using the influence her husband had built up in town, Xu became a landowner in her own right.

Once she had enough to eat and wear, she started thinking about pleasure. She was a mature woman, but still had her charms, and needed to find herself some fun.

And the young newcomer to town seemed rather interesting.

They had a few happy months together, but who knew the young man would take it seriously?

“Big Sister, will you marry me?”

Xu was wealthy and powerful, and used to a comfortable life. She had no desire to become another man’s wife, serve her in-laws, and raise children just for a little affection from her husband.

The young man stormed off that night.

A year later, Xu was still the town’s prettiest, most alluring, and wealthiest widow. Plenty of men wanted to become her lovers.

But a wedding procession with a team of fine horses suddenly stopped outside her door. A eunuch raised his voice and ordered her to enter the palace.

The new emperor wasn’t that young man, and Xu had no way to refuse. In the end, she could only climb into the carriage and head to the palace.

Sitting in the palace, Xu lamented the silver she’d left behind, when a long, slender hand lifted the curtain.

The newly enthroned emperor asked her the same question he had that night: “Big Sister, will you be my empress?”

Xu was stunned.

But then a eunuch beside the emperor reported some news: the long-lost legitimate eldest son of the Duke’s household was kneeling outside the palace, begging the emperor to return his wife, Xu.

Theme: Encouraging women to be independent and self-reliant, to disregard society’s expectations, and to bravely pursue love