He was an emperor accomplished in both civil and military affairs, whose power commanded the realm. His rule brought outstanding achievements and a glorious legacy.
She was a noblewoman born into a distinguished family, raised amid grandeur. Beautiful and graceful, she was selected to stand at the emperor's side, becoming the empress who presided over the realm and governed the six palaces.
He believed he would have no regrets in life. He had fulfilled his ambitions, earned unparalleled merit, and won the hearts of the realm. At his side was the wife he had loved all his life, joined to him in marriage and overseeing the six palaces. His concubines were obedient, his children numerous, and his family and country prosperous.
Except that the empress died young.
He believed no match could be more perfect than the two of them.
But in his dreams, night after night, he saw the sorrow and pain she had endured all those years. He saw the breadth of her wisdom and spirit, equal to any man's, yet confined to the inner palace. He saw her momentary dismay in their early years, when he took another woman to his bed and a child born of another mother came into the world.
They had never been entwined together like vines. They had shared a bed while dreaming different dreams.
And he had never known.
Reborn into another life, it was spring, with blossoms stretching to the horizon and peach and apricot trees in full bloom. He was still a young crown prince, splendidly dressed and astride a fine horse, chatting idly with his tutor in the hall. Suddenly, a pretty little girl tumbled out from behind a screen. Her round, rosy face looked like a ripe little peach, and his heart softened.
Reborn into another life, would their fates become entangled once more?
Nothing can bind two hearts together; fireworks cannot be cut and kept.
Please note:
1. In his previous life, the male lead was a conventionally perfect feudal emperor, with concubines and children born to them. In this life, both leads are sexually inexperienced.
2. Both the male and female leads are reborn.
3. The ending is not intended to be a happy one.
This is probably an attempt to reflect on feudal marriage. He believed he loved her as deeply as anyone could, but she did not see it that way.
What was going through the mind of the empress who was gracious to the concubines of the six palaces, treated her husband's children generously, and earned the praise of all the women in the palace for her virtue, appearance, speech, and conduct?
The title, "Partridge Sky," comes from He Zhu's poem mourning his deceased wife, "Partridge Sky: Returning to Changmen, All Is Changed," also known as "Half-Dead Paulownia."
Theme: He believed he loved her as deeply as anyone could, but she did not see it that way.
