By the Emperor's Side

[Told in third person, everyone is a villain. No one is love-struck, and the story does not advocate romance.] Before the imperial decree arranging our marriage arrived, I had never imagined that Xue Shaochong would become my husband. We had practically grown up together, studying and playing in the palace, so you could say we were childhood friends. But we never truly opened our hearts to each other, nor did we understand ourselves. Still, we got along well enough when we played together. He loved riding and archery, and I learned to shoot well by following his example. I was skilled at painting, and he once asked me to paint his portrait. He was the son of the Noble Consort, while I was the Empress’s niece. He was noble, and I was no less so. Yet neither of us had ever thought the other would make a suitable match. There was only one reason: his mother had thrown all of Xiliang’s strength behind the Emperor’s ascension, yet never received the title of Empress. My aunt, meanwhile, had secured her place in the central palace through her family’s influence, despite having no children. His mother was Daizhan, the iron-willed Princess of Xiliang, a woman who was every bit the equal of any man. My aunt was none other than Wang Baochuan, who had waited eighteen years in a humble cave dwelling before finally emerging to claim her place as empress. The Emperor has now been on the throne for ten years and still has not named a crown prince. As for our marriage, well, it certainly won’t be an easy one.