The Beloved, Joyful Bride

Born the daughter of a disgraced minister, Baoying entered the palace as a servant when she was little. Well-behaved and clever, with a face said to bring good fortune, she won the Empress Dowager's favor and was sent to attend the emperor personally.

Fu Qingyu ascended the throne as a boy. Stern and severe, he nevertheless never abandoned Baoying when she was left alone and helpless.

Baoying served Fu Qingyu devotedly. At first, it was to repay the Empress Dowager's kindness and secure her family's pardon. Later...

Without realizing it, she had fallen in love with the clever, handsome emperor.

But throughout the ten years they spent relying on each other, Fu Qingyu's heart remained with his fiancée.

When assassins attacked, Fu Qingyu shielded the woman he loved with his body, but pushed Baoying toward the sharp blade.

Baoying thought it was time to leave.

She left with a smile as lovely as a flower, taking all her heartache with her.

Fu Qingyu realized that once, he had been full of ambition yet trapped in the depths of the palace, with only Baoying by his side.

Later, he gained the world, but without Baoying, the ninefold palace and ten thousand miles of land were nothing but a larger cage.

All he wanted was for Baoying to look at him once more and smile at him.

**

Only after he took a knife from her did Baoying realize that a blade sinking into flesh and bone really did make a sound, like the wind blowing past.

Blood ran down the blade. Her hand trembled violently. "Can Your Majesty's heart hurt, too?"

The man simply looked at her intently through the wind and snow. "Is one stab enough to satisfy you? If not, take another."

Theme: Love helps people grow