This was Ning Qiao's fifth year by the side of Xie Yuanqing, the deposed crown prince.
Xie Yuanqing was blind and deaf. For five years, she, his personal palace maid, had taken care of all his daily needs. They relied on each other in the Cold Palace and had long since become inseparable.
"Qiu Niang, if it's inconvenient for you to touch cold water, let me wash it."
Xie Yuanqing's voice was gentle and soft, but when Ning Qiao met his empty gaze, she felt terribly guilty.
Because she was Ning Qiao, not Xie Yuanqing's "Qiu Niang."
Wen Qiu, the maid who had shared his hardships during his childhood, had left the Cold Palace many years ago.
- -
Ning Qiao wasn't someone who enjoyed hardship. The reason she'd stayed by Xie Yuanqing's side for five years was that she'd had a prophetic dream in which he regained power and smoothly ascended the throne.
So when the maid named Wen Qiu left five years ago, Ning Qiao took advantage of Xie Yuanqing's blindness and assumed her identity, all for the riches and glory that awaited her in the future.
But... the longer it went on, the guiltier Ning Qiao felt.
The Xie Yuanqing in her dream was ruthless and no kind of good person. His gentleness was reserved for Wen Qiu alone.
When the truth came out one day, Ning Qiao would meet a terrible end.
- -
You need to be alive to enjoy riches and glory, so Ning Qiao decided to leave and find another patron. After all, Xie Yuanqing had never seen her face and didn't know her real name.
After Xie Yuanqing ascended the throne, Ning Qiao didn't dare ask for a reward. While working in the palace, she even avoided Ganlu Hall. She also found herself a good marriage prospect and only had to wait until she was old enough to leave the palace.
Just when she thought she could live out her days in peace, the real Wen Qiu returned, and the truth came to light.
Ning Qiao was arrested for deceiving the emperor and personally questioned by the new emperor. Xie Yuanqing cast off his gentle demeanor and threatened her in a cold voice:
"Didn't you want riches and glory?"
"Then keep up the act. If I catch even the slightest hint of deceit, don't blame me for showing no mercy."
Theme: None.
