Six Years After Marrying the Regent

Ancient setting, ABO, pregnancy and children, switching love interests. Chapters drafted: 1.1/40

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In my first year at the Prince Regent's residence, I never saw Li Xuanshang.

I did hear plenty of gossip.

They said the prince had no interest in women, so they had sent him some neither-man-nor-woman thing. Their voices dripped with contempt. Later, when the prince still never visited the side courtyard, the gossip continued, though the contempt had turned to ridicule.

In my second year at the residence, Li Xuanshang took me in his study.

At the time, he was recovering from an assassination attempt. No one knew why he had summoned me. After that, life got a little easier. People still gossiped behind my back, but at least they were polite and friendly to my face.

In my sixth year at the residence, Li Xuanshang sought to marry the Empress Dowager's niece and make her his principal consort.

For years, rumors had circulated in the capital that I was a shameless temptress. They said that a cold, arrogant man like the Prince Regent had become so enthralled with carnal pleasures because of me that candles burned every night in the side courtyard.

The truth was something only I knew. Li Xuanshang was indulgent and selfish, and years spent on the battlefield had taught him not to hold back. He often called me a mare, saying I was as docile and enduring as a fine steed from the Western Regions. He found it quite a delight.

After six years by Li Xuanshang's side, I received two words from him: "quite a delight."

I sat alone in my room all night.

That night, a fire broke out in the side courtyard.

In the darkness, I saw Li Xuanshang with his hair loose and clothes thrown over his shoulders, the firelight reflected in his eyes. He looked like a trapped beast.

But what did that have to do with me? I took the silver I had secretly saved and ran far away.

I took the child in my belly with me, too.

Yes, I was pregnant. Li Xuanshang didn't know.

After all, my life in the years that followed wasn't exactly respectable either.

No, I can't say it wasn't respectable. For six years, I wasn't even his concubine. Li Xuanshang and I were, at most, secretly sleeping together.

If that's all we were, why should I hang myself from one crooked tree? There were at least two others...

I gently stroked my belly. This was my biggest secret.

Theme: Love yourself more than others, and choose solitude over a crowd