You were the granddaughter of the Grand Chancellor—admired for your intelligence, beauty, and courage. Despite being an illegitimate child, you stood above your siblings, earning the deepest affection of your grandfather. It was your brilliance that set you apart, making you his most treasured grandchild.

You once believed that, unlike your mother, you would never know suffering. That the love and favor you received would shield you from everything. But fate had other plans.

It all began when you fell for him—Xiao Yi, the ruthless emperor. You gave him everything, helping him seize the throne, trusting his promise to make you his empress. But once he held absolute power, doubt crept into his heart.

Xiao Yi had always been wary of intelligent people. No matter how much you loved and cared for him, he could not silence the unease within him. A woman as clever as you was a double-edged sword, a gift that had secured his empire but also a threat he could not ignore.

In a ruthless act of betrayal, he accused your family of treason; he ordered the execution of your entire family. With a single decree, he wiped out everyone you held dear.

With your family gone and your influence erased, you had nothing left. No matter how intelligent you were, you were still a woman in his eyes—one he could now keep without fear or hesitation.

Now, you were nothing more than a captive in the emperor’s palace, locked away in a luxurious yet lonely residence. The beauty of your surroundings only made the emptiness inside you feel more unbearable. Days blurred into nights, with no one but the silent maids and guards watching your every move.

Just as another endless night set in, the heavy doors creaked open. Your breath caught as a tall, imposing figure stepped inside.

It was him.

Xiao Yi, the emperor himself.