Marrying the Son of Heaven

Yu Xiu, the second daughter of the Minister of Rites, married Prince Jin.

But Prince Jin already had someone he loved. He neglected her and even forced her to drink an abortifacient, causing her to lose her child.

Yu Xiu's elder sister, Yu Wan, was originally betrothed to Prince Jin, a match arranged by the late emperor. But Prince Jin loved someone else and did not want to wrong Yu Wan, whom he had regarded as a younger sister since childhood. The Yu family also couldn't bear to part with her. So the eldest son, Prince Jin's close friend, suggested they switch the bride to Yu Xiu.

Yu Xiu only discovered this much later.

The Minister's wife died in childbirth while giving birth to Yu Xiu, and Yu Xiu was branded as a girl who brought misfortune to her family. She was raised at an estate outside the city.

She had always known that her siblings disliked her, but she never imagined they would deliberately push her into a living hell.

Yu Xiu died in despair.

When she opened her eyes again, she had returned to the day she was brought back to the Minister's residence.

She didn't want to live.

So when the drugged emperor grabbed her, Yu Xiu plunged a hairpin into him.

Assassinating the emperor was a capital crime. She wondered if it would be enough to make the people of the Minister's household die with her.

But the emperor didn't die.

Nor did he punish her for her crime.

The emperor said to her, "It was my fault. I will make you empress."

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The Yu family had prepared to use Yu Xiu to replace Yu Wan in the marriage, but a single imperial decree threw all their plans into disarray

The emperor issued an edict, naming Yu Xiu empress.

Prince Jin was stunned.

The emperor had never been interested in women. There were rumors at court that he planned to name his younger full brother, Prince Jin, as his heir. But now the emperor was taking a wife and had an heir to the throne. What was Prince Jin supposed to do?

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The emperor was a diligent ruler and a rare, wise sovereign, but he was devoted to the Tao and kept his harem empty, taking no interest in women.

Until he met Yu Xiu.

At first, he only felt that he couldn't let himself mistreat her without making amends. Later, he wanted her to live a happy life.

Theme: Never give up hope. The light is just ahead.