In her third year after transmigrating to ancient times, Lu Xuanci went up the mountain to gather medicinal herbs and unexpectedly found a stunning woman covered in wounds. She brought her home and carefully nursed her. When the woman awoke, she introduced herself as Ying Zhihui, an orphan who had fled disaster. Lu Xuanci took pity on her and let her stay.
As they spent their days together, feelings quietly blossomed between them. Lu Xuanci gathered her courage and proposed to Ying Zhihui. The woman smiled shyly and agreed.
Then, on their wedding day, a group of soldiers broke down the door, their blades pointed at Ying Zhihui. Lu Xuanci risked her life to protect her and was stabbed through the chest. Her new wife walked away without looking back, never even sparing her a glance.
As she lay dying, Lu Xuanci learned from the soldiers that Ying Zhihui's real name was Li Zhihui, the eldest princess of the Li Kingdom. She had fallen into danger after a coup and had changed her name to hide in Lu Xuanci's home.
In the end, she had been no more than a pawn to Li Zhihui. All that tenderness and all those vows of eternal love had been nothing but Lu Xuanci's own wishful thinking.
*
Five years passed in the blink of an eye.
By then, Lu Xuanci no longer existed in the world. In her place was a female Daoist priest known as Cijing, an exceptionally skilled physician.
Rumor had it that the reigning Empress Li Zhihui suffered from severe headaches. She had sought out famous doctors across the land without success, and could barely sleep at night.
An imperial decree summoned Cijing to the palace to treat the Empress's chronic illness.
On the dragon throne, the lofty Empress's eyes suddenly reddened. Her voice trembled. "Aci... is that you?"
Cijing lowered her eyes and bowed. There was neither sorrow nor joy in her gaze. "This humble Daoist's name is Cijing. I am a stranger to Your Majesty."
"You've mistaken me for someone else."
*
Li Zhihui had always believed that imperial power and the realm were the most important things in her life.
So after her coup failed and she fled in disgrace, although she looked down on the country girl, she still entered her humble home to lie low and wait for the right moment.
She could use Lu Xuanci's sincere love. She could abandon her without hesitation on their wedding day, even accepting that she might die beneath a flurry of blades.
For the sake of the realm, she believed she had every right to sacrifice one country girl.
Yet after she ascended the throne and all the people bowed before her, her dreams were filled with the girl who had once given her all her love.
Only then did Li Zhihui finally realize that the days of simple meals and humble comforts were what she had wanted most.
Unfortunately, the person she had abandoned would never return...
Strong, kind-hearted physician top x ruthless, mad empress
*This is a groveling-after-the-breakup story, and the Empress is a truly awful person. Please be cautious if that's not for you!
Premise: Love should be open and honest.
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