Longing for the Lost Lotus

Shen Qingzhao, the Prime Minister's youngest son, was born to stand beside the Crown Prince, either as his most trusted aide or his future consort. Beautiful, brilliant, and admired by the entire capital, his path seemed destined from birth.
But his heart had long belonged to someone else.
Xiao Jingyuan, the abandoned Eighth Prince, was the one no one wanted, except Shen Qingzhao, who stayed by his side since childhood. What began as quiet kindness grew into a love deep enough to defy the throne itself.
Then rebellion tore the palace apart.
Bound by duty, forced onto opposite sides, and trapped in a cruel misunderstanding, Shen Qingzhao dies before Xiao Jingyuan can save him, along with the child he never knew they had.
Broken by grief, Xiao Jingyuan is granted one impossible chance: to return to the past, before tragedy begins.
This time, he will rewrite fate.
This time, he will protect Shen Qingzhao.
This time, he will never lose his lotus again.