Marrying the Puppet Emperor

The Empress Dowager ruled from behind the curtain for five years, wielding power as she pleased. The young emperor endured humiliation and bided his time until he finally seized power and took charge of the court, governing with diligence.

The entire court and country celebrated.

Only the empress, confined to the Cold Palace, slipped quietly out of the palace with a scheme to fake her death.

The reason was simple: she was the Empress Dowager's niece, sent into the palace to spy on him.

There was no affection between them. They could barely stand the sight of each other.

Xie Qingwu figured he probably didn't care whether she lived or died.

She couldn't go back to her family, so she happily bought a house and set up a shop in the capital, hoping to keep her head down and live a quiet little life.

But on the day of her shop's grand opening, she watched helplessly as a familiar figure stepped down from a carriage and came over to her with a faint smile.

"Congratulations on your opening, my dear. Why didn't you wait for your husband?"

She swallowed, knowing she was done for.

The emperor was unfathomable and a master of patience. If he dragged her back, she probably wouldn't have a place left to live.

-

Jiang Yunchu ascended the throne as a boy, only to be manipulated by others. In name he was emperor, but in truth he was a puppet.

After their grand wedding in name only, she came to see him for the first time. With a dark look in his eyes, he said, "Go back. Stop wasting your efforts."

She pressed her lips together, looking as if she knew to be afraid.

The next moment, though, he found a handful of osmanthus candies before him, along with a radiant smile.

"Have one and you'll feel better. Don't worry, I won't tell the Empress Dowager."

So even if she'd forgotten him, he would find her and bring her back.

Content warnings:

One-on-one romance, a sweet story, with an amnesia trope.

It looks like forced love, but they're really both falling for each other.

Premise: Always believe in love and tenderness.