Stealing the Emperor's Heart

Liu Xun, the Crown Prince, was refined and elegant, so handsome that none could compare. The only thing people criticized him for was taking a merchant's daughter as his secondary consort while neglecting his Crown Princess, who came from a distinguished family.

By imperial decree, Liangyi was summoned to the palace by Noble Consort Chen, the Crown Prince's mother, to be put through a grueling course of discipline. It was unbearable.

Until one day during the Lantern Festival, she happened to meet a man in the palace.

He was many years older than her, yet treated her with gentle care. He was poised and composed, and even taught her how to deal with the Noble Consort's provocations. He was truly one of the few good people in the palace.

Liangyi was deeply grateful, until the day the Noble Consort made things difficult for her and His Majesty arrived.

Following the black robe embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon, she looked up and saw a familiar, smiling face. Her legs trembled, and she nearly fell to her knees.

From then on, she avoided him, for she had a vague feeling that his fondness for her went beyond the ordinary.

It was certainly not a father's affection for his son's wife.

But soon, news arrived that the Crown Princess was pregnant.

The Crown Prince even demoted Liangyi to a maidservant, using