The Emperor and Empress Reveal Their Secret Identities

Liu Yu is born while her father, Prince Anyang, is critically ill. So he can die in peace, her family lies and tells him Liu Yu is a boy.

Delighted by the news, Prince Anyang not only recovers, but also reports the happy news to the imperial court and names Liu Yu his heir. From then on, Liu Yu is raised as a boy.

When Liu Yu is twelve, her frail father dies, and as Prince Anyang's only “son,” she inherits his title.

When she is seventeen, her frail cousin dies. As the prince with the closest blood ties in the imperial clan, Liu Yu of Anyang inherits the throne.

Everyone says the Zhou family is so powerful and accomplished that they overshadow the throne, which is why the late emperor was reluctant to name Empress Zhou's son crown prince.

Only after all the Zhou men die on the battlefield, leaving only Zhou Ning, a girl, does the emperor finally let go of his suspicions toward the Zhou family and make his son crown prince.

After ascending the throne, the crown prince intends to reveal his cousin Zhou Ning's identity to the world at the right moment. But he suddenly dies, and the throne falls to Prince Anyang, Liu Yu.

Liu Yu becomes the new emperor, but the position of empress remains vacant for a long time. A group of senior officials believe Zhou Ning, the “niece” of Empress Dowager Zhou, is the most suitable candidate.

And so...

[At their first meeting on a blind date]

Liu Yu (solemnly): “Lady Zhou and I are surely not a good match.”

Zhou Ning (shouting): “Nonsense! I... I have both brains and brawn. I can be empress, or even emperor!”

[On their wedding night]

Zhou Ning (stammering): “I-I-I toss and turn in my sleep. I-I-I'll sleep in the side hall.”

Liu Yu (nervously): “O-okay...”

[After they both discover each other's secret]

Liu Yu (rolling her eyes): “That's My Majesty's bed. Go sleep in the side hall!”

Zhou Ning (grinning): “I promise I won't steal your blanket this time. Come on, Your Majesty~”

A short, sweet, sweet, sweet story.

Theme: Don't be held back by things, and don't let your heart grow weary.