Emperor and Empress for a Lifetime

[Rebirth trope]

The empress died after a long illness, and the crown prince was sent to the frontier.

The favored consort, who ruled the imperial harem, waited with hope for an edict naming her empress. What she received instead was the emperor's thunderous wrath.

Twenty years later,

the white-haired emperor walked into the mausoleum alone and lay down beside his empress.

The heavy stone door crashed shut. The final edict left behind by the brilliant emperor recalled the crown prince to inherit the throne.

“The emperor is the sun, and the empress is the moon. The sun and moon have crossed the heavens since time immemorial. The others are but tiny stars for decoration. Why should you care?”

“My heart is too small. I truly am not suited to be empress... Your Majesty, I am so tired.”

“If there is another life, would you still marry me and be my wife for another lifetime?”

“...The affairs of the underworld cannot be trusted. Your Majesty, why ask such things?”

-

“Father refused you another life. How can you still not understand, Father Emperor? He doesn't want to. He doesn't want to be your husband again!”

“Your father and I were married in our youth. We shared a bed in life and a coffin in death. We were meant to lie together and turn to dust. Our love was unlike anyone else's. Why... why doesn't he want to be my husband again? Was I not good enough to him?”

“You were good to him?! If you were, you wouldn't have humiliated him for the sake of some lowly songstress! If you were good to him, how would the favored consort dare to swagger in front of Father?!”

“...What songstress? Who are you talking about?”

“So you really have forgotten. But I still remember, and Father remembers too!”

“My son, those people were nothing but fleeting clouds. Your father was my one and only empress. We were married from the beginning... I always loved him!”

“Then I understand even less. Why would you hurt the person you married for someone whose name you can't even remember now? Just for a moment's pleasure and novelty?”

“Father, why not drive me to my death too, just as you did Father? You have so many sons. You're not going to miss one more. If I ever take the throne, I will never let you be buried with Father. I'll make sure he suffers in his grave!”

-

What emperor doesn't have a harem? Did I really do wrong?

Seated high on the dragon throne, yet abandoned by wife and child, alone in the world.

If there is another life, would you still be my husband?

-

The affairs of the underworld cannot be spoken of. When I opened my eyes again, it was early summer, and I was sixteen.

“I only want to marry an ordinary man. I don't need someone devastatingly handsome or brilliant and ambitious, and I don't need to live in extravagant splendor. I only want us to live a quiet, simple life together, with a harmonious marriage and children all around us... I must decline Your Highness the prince's kind affection.” The delicate-looking youth smiled faintly, then walked away without looking back.

Theme: Even emperors can find true love, and there is true affection in this world.