In her previous life, Shen Xisui was the empress. She bore the emperor two sons and a daughter, and everyone said she was blessed, favored above all others and surrounded by splendor. Only Shen Xisui knew that wasn't true.
The emperor was aloof and stern, and in his eyes, power came before everything. He was a ruthless ruler with the power of life and death, but he was no considerate, loving husband.
He was always busy. He would only come close to her in their chambers when it was time to continue the imperial line. At all other times, his face was always cold.
He made her empress only because her family was full of loyal heroes, sparing him the trouble of powerful maternal relatives.
Even on the day she died, the emperor was away on an inspection tour and never saw her one last time.
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After Shen Xisui died, she unexpectedly found herself reborn as the fourth young lady of the Yong'an Marquis's household in the capital.
She had planned to take life easy, but in the year she came of age, her former husband, the emperor who had lived alone for years, began holding a selection of consorts!
Before she knew it, Shen Xisui had become a female attendant at the emperor's side.
The emperor was in his prime, vigorous and imposing, and looked much as he had before, only even colder and more intimidating. Even her father in this life, the Yong'an Marquis, was obsequious around him and didn't dare meet his gaze.
On the night she entered the palace, Shen Xisui was summoned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to attend the emperor. She wasn't afraid. She lowered her head and knelt far away in silence.
The emperor reviewed memorials until late into the night. It was so late that Shen Xisui was starting to feel sleepy when he finally rose and slowly approached her.
The man who had been her companion for years in her previous life sat on the couch, his hand clenched as he silently stared at her for a full quarter of an hour.
At last, in a hoarse voice she had never heard from him before, he slowly began,
"I heard from your father that you like gentle and considerate men. I..."
Can I still change now?
Theme: None for now
