The Black Emperor's Runaway Bride

Love, Family, and Sacrifice Part 1

Summary:

Gu Miao Miao ponders for a moment before asking, "Do you love Shi Yi?" She stared deep into Zi Han's brown orbs, gauging his reaction.

Zi Han knew this moment will come eventually, as Shi Yi was someone precious to Gu Miao Miao and Zhen Ru Yu. They treat her like she was their little sister. So courting the Kunze meant that Zi Han had to get the couple's approval too.

" Yes." He said firmly. "In my heart, there is no one aside from her."

Notes:

Maybe some of you had forgotten this fic but hey!

Dropping this here and ran away~~~~~~~

No beta we die like the Yellow Emperor.

Much love.

p/s: Read the end notes. Please >.<

(See the end of the chapter for .)

Chapter Text

The Wu Kingdom Imperial Palace-30 years ago

Empress Chun, died due to chronic illness, just one year after the death of her frail asthmatic two-year-old son. It was said that her condition worsened due to grief. The Yellow Emperor announced the mourning period of four moons. Everyone was not allowed to wear extravagantly and needed to pray for Empress Chun's soul. Her highness was granted with posthumous title Empress Xiaoxianchun by the Yellow Emperor.

These past few months have been a stressful period, especially for Noble Lady Li Chen Yu. She had to manage everything in the Inner Palace as the harem cannot be left without someone to lead. Both Noble Lady Li Cheng Yu and Empress Chun were from the Li clan, so Empress Dowager suggested to the Yellow Emperor to let Noble Lady Li Cheng Yu be appointed as the Imperial Consort Lì [1]

As the mourning period passed, the palace was hit with another bad news. Consort Ling gave birth to a stillborn and Concubine Chu also had a miscarriage. The Yellow Emperor lost two of his heirs. Enraged by the news, Empress Dowager assigned Matron Yang, to investigate the case. Through a thorough investigation, they found out that both Consort Ling's and Concubine Chu's food was poisoned with cinnabar. All the eunuchs and palace maids who were involved were executed. However, Matron Yang is still unable to find the mastermind. She was convinced one of the Emperor's Palace Lady is the one responsible.

Since the death of Empress Chun, the Inner Palace has been unstable. All the consorts and concubines become restless waiting to see who would gain the upper hand in the Inner Palace. The battle for the Empress position began. The weak will fall and be forgotten, only the one who emerges victorious could hold all the power.

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Palace of Gathering Happiness (Imperial Consort Li's Palace)

As the Imperial Consort Li lady-in-waiting, Shi Yi had to accompany her Lady all day attending to her needs. She had to make sure her Lady had enough rest and was well-fed. Shi Yi also acts as a matron, to monitor the other palace maids in the Palace of Gathering Happiness to ensure the maids are doing their job properly. As usual, every night Shi Yi will attend to her Lady. She entered the main inner chamber bringing a pot of warm tea. She put the tray on a low table and placed the teapot on a small burner to ensure it stayed heated.

Her Lady was in front of the bronze mirror at the dressing table. Shi Yi stood behind Li Cheng Yu, and said, " The previous Empress died. All the palace ladies have been restless. As the Imperial Consort, the Emperor trusts you to manage the harem." Shi Yi calmly removed her Lady's nail protector waiting for her response.