At the Emperor's Side

On the night of the palace banquet, Zhu Wei was drugged.

As her consciousness began to fade, the one who rescued her from her peril was the current emperor, the very ruler to whom her husband had sworn undying loyalty.

He rubbed his fingers over Zhu Wei's slender wrist, his voice low and husky. "How do I compare to Lord Shen?"

Zhu Wei had thought it was a one-time mistake. After all, an emperor sleeping with a minister's wife was a major scandal for the royal family.

She never expected that one time would leave the young emperor craving more.

From then on, Zhu Wei became the most shameful secret hidden beneath the imperial robes. The palace consorts looked at her with undisguised hatred and contempt, while the palace servants fawned over her to curry favor.

Then her husband, General Song, returned victorious from war. In the Golden Throne Hall, he offered to give up all his achievements in exchange for an honorary title for his wife, Zhu Wei.

The officials of the court all praised the general's devotion.

Behind the beaded curtain, the emperor gripped Zhu Wei's cheek and pinned her against the edge of the bed, then leaned close and chuckled. "Tell me, wouldn't it be interesting if your husband found out you're carrying my child?"

The heroine is twenty-five, and the hero is nineteen.

Theme: Freedom is what matters most