Lin Qingyun was born into servitude in the Prince of Man's household. She was as beautiful as ice and jade, with impeccable grace, and was taken into the heir Gu Zhi'an's chambers at a young age. She followed him from the prince's heir to the throne.
For ten whole years, no one knew Gu Zhi'an's ambitions better than she did. She knew he valued power more than affection and understood the cold ruthlessness of an emperor's heart.
Even so, she believed she was different in his heart.
That was enough.
Later.
Gu Zhi'an took over the palace, and everyone thought he would make Lin Qingyun his empress. Who could have guessed that on the very day he entered the palace, he would personally go to welcome the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister's family, attending to her every need with warmth and care?
Lin Qingyun became the palace's biggest joke, mocked and whispered about wherever she went.
After the enthronement ceremony, the emperor held a grand victory banquet.
At the banquet, the Prime Minister's legitimate daughter shoved Lin Qingyun into the lake before everyone's eyes, accusing her of a servant forgetting her place.
Lin Qingyun thought Gu Zhi'an would surely give her justice.
Who could have guessed that in the cold Panlong Hall, the haughty, stern emperor would gently hold the Prime Minister's daughter in his arms and look down at Lin Qingyun, soaked through? "A Yun, though your status is low and your mind is dull, you've at least been loyal. Today, I bestow you upon General Longxiang. I expect you to be respectful and virtuous from now on, honor your parents-in-law, and not bring shame upon me."
His decree struck Lin Qingyun like a resounding slap, jolting her awake from her foolish fantasies.
If that was what her master commanded, how could a servant dare disobey?
Gu Qingyun fell to her knees and bowed submissively at the man's feet. "Thank you for Your Majesty's grace. This servant will obey your decree. From now on... I will do as you wish, bear the general's children, and grow old with him."
A phoenix crown and crimson robes, a wedding procession stretching ten miles. Gu Zhi'an thought this was the greatest reward he could give Lin Qingyun, enough to repay her years of loyalty.
But when he saw her dressed in red, every smile and glance meant for another man, he regretted it.
I started this on a whim a long time ago, just to practice emotional tension. I plan to finish it in under 100,000 words, though I don't know how it'll turn out.
Theme: Be independent and strong. Love yourself before loving anyone else.
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