The Palace Maid Empress

Ever since entering the palace at the age of eight, Gu Yulian had stayed by the Fourth Prince, Xu Shaolin's, side.

From the Cold Palace to the Eastern Palace, and now to the Golden Throne Hall.

She thought that now he ruled the realm, he no longer needed her, and it was time for her to leave the palace and live her own life.

Xu Shaolin quietly gazed at Gu Yulian as she said she wanted to leave the palace.

After a long pause, he smiled gently. "I kept you from living your life all these years. I'll make it up to you."

His idea of making it up to her was for Gu Yulian to set off for home with countless gold and silver treasures, only to run into bandits on the way.

After barely escaping and finally making it home, she found that the relatives and friends she once knew had become complete strangers: greedy and shameless, they were a constant nuisance.

When she looked for a companion to share her life with, the men who came calling were either vulgar or all talk, and not one suited her.

This miserable life outside the palace made Gu Yulian miss her old life there a little.

The chief eunuch said, "Your Majesty, Miss Yulian has been staring at your jade pendant lately. Perhaps it's time for you to show yourself?"

Xu Shaolin replied, "No rush. The time isn't right yet."

That afternoon, when he heard that Gu Yulian had adopted a helpless but exceptionally well-behaved five-year-old child, Xu Shaolin panicked.

He had been five once, too.

He had been helpless and exceptionally well-behaved, too.

And with only those qualities to his name, he had gradually won Gu Yulian over, keeping her by his side year after year.

Theme: Live earnestly and stay true to yourself