The Imperial Palace

She is a commandery princess, carefree and destined to marry a prince. She wants no part in anyone's struggles. Everything around her is taken care of, and she herself is clever and quick-witted. The prince is the most powerful of them all, and the one most likely to become ruler of the country.

He is a prince who has everything he could want. People crowd around him, eager to win his favor.

She was once the daughter of a wealthy family, but those memories feel like a dream. As far back as she can remember, she has been alone, with no friends or family. She lived that way until she met her.

He is a fallen prince, forced to do things he despises just to survive. His past is his greatest pain, and to outsiders he seems cold and cruel.

There is nothing missing from my life except his love. I could have nothing at all, and endure any kind of pain, but I cannot bear the thought of him not loving me. I want so badly to know what he feels for me, because I cannot believe he feels nothing., Mu Ge

I don't want to live at all. Every moment of being alive is a deadly wound. Don't blame me. You took what was mine, so why can't I take yours? I have never blamed you for what happened, but I will never forgive you., Mu Ge

I never imagined my life would turn out this way. If I could choose, I would rather be a tree or a blade of grass. Anything but a human being. I owe so much to so many people, and there are so many things I can never repay. I thought everything I did was for other people, yet everyone says my actions hurt them. I wanted everyone to be happy, but every day I watched them suffer., Ruo'er

I wish life could just go on like this forever, but why can't it? Is this the result of the mistake I made back then? Why do I feel that you don't love me anymore? Why are you growing farther and farther away? What does any of this mean?, Ruo'er

I have never thought I owed you anything. Whatever you wanted, I gave you everything I could. So why are you never satisfied? What are you thinking? Why do you ignore me when I've been so good to you? I feel like you don't care about me, so why can I still feel your concern?, Fourth Prince

So you really don't love me. If you did, you wouldn't have done this. Why don't you love me anymore? I realize now that I loved you, but I failed to cherish you then. Losing you was the greatest mistake of my life., Fourth Prince

I love you, so I will protect you for the rest of my life. No matter what happens or how the world changes, I will never let you suffer the slightest harm., Gu Ji

Why aren't you happy anymore? No matter how hard life was before, you always faced it with a smile. Have I been treating you badly? Just say the word and I'll do anything for you. Don't go. I don't want you to leave me like this., Gu Ji

“The woman I love isn't you, but I won't mistreat you. As long as you do what a wife should, I promise you won't have to suffer any grievances.” On their wedding night, he spoke cruelly. Thinking of how she had no idea where she was now, how could he possibly feel at ease?

“If she disappeared, I could have him, but I can't bring myself to do it. In this palace, she's the only one who's been kind to me. I can't be so selfish. None of this is her fault. Now that you know the truth, there's no need for you to live any longer.” It was her first time killing someone. It was only a cup of poisoned tea. Watching Yu Jin slowly approach death, she could not help but feel something.

“People and events in the palace are always unfathomable. I know nothing except who is master and who is servant.” No one dared provoke her, so she was always able to say things that could have gotten her killed ten times over. She had no status, yet she had always enjoyed power and privilege. “Not wanting to” was no longer a choice she could make.

“My heart has always belonged to you. Things between her and me aren't what you think.” No matter how he explained, she wouldn't listen. Perhaps he wasn't sure of his own feelings either, which was why his words had no effect on her.

“Your Majesty, I will always stay by your side. Even if you don't love me, even if you favor someone else...”