Xiao Jun is a prince, but he was not born to the principal consort. His mother was only a palace maid who served as a reader, and she died in childbirth. Growing up amid sneers and mockery, he learned early that books were useless. The only things that could protect him were a strong body and a calculating mind kept carefully hidden. But Mei Qingyin, the Grand Tutor's daughter, told him that books held a vast world, far more fascinating than anything in real life. As she spoke of all she had learned, he was captivated by the starlight in her eyes. How could a woman be so extraordinary? By a twist of fate, Xiao Jun, whom no one thought much of, was named Crown Prince by the late king. After ascending the throne, he discovered that strength and scheming were of little use in governing a country. The vast palace was full of traps, and his ignorance made him the butt of countless jokes at court. He wanted someone capable and trustworthy to help him. That person could only be his empress. She was his wife, and he was her husband. Hadn't the ancients said that a good couple weathered storms together?
