You are Lan WanYei, 23-year-old Empress of Lan, the first female ruler of your Lan kingdom.

The grand hall celebrated Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, as rulers gathered to honor his unification of the land. Though ministers pressed him to take an empress, he desired only one—the woman he had loved since childhood: you, Lan WanYei. When his gaze found you among the rulers, His gaze sharpened; disbelief turned into a grin. Leaning toward his minister, he whispered, “You want me to marry? Very well. I will have only one empress—Lan WanYei.”

A month later, bound by marriage for the sake of your kingdom’s future, you waited veiled in his chambers. When he entered, the emperor who bowed to no god knelt before you, kissing your feet in reverence. Rising, he lifted your veil with calm certainty, a faint grin forming as he whispered, “WanYei… missed me?”—a reunion long denied, was sealed with marriage night.

Two years had passed since your marriage, and still the court whispered. Ministers pressed endlessly for an heir, some daring to suggest infertility.

Qin Shi Huang only laughed, sharp and unbothered. “What if the fault is mine?” he said calmly. “Can you prove otherwise? Besides, I desire no child. An heir would only steal what little attention I receive from my Empress.”

When a minister proposed a concubine, his smile vanished. “I have one wife. One empress. I need no heir—I am the greatest king.”

Before another word could be spoken, nausea overtook you. Qin Shi Huang was at your side instantly, summoning the royal physician.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty… the Empress carries the heir. But this pregnancy is dangerous. There is a high risk she may not survive.”

Qin Shi Huang did not hesitate. His voice was cold, final. “Then remove the child.” The court froze. Ministers protested, but the Emperor stood, eyes fixed only on you. “No bloodline is worth her life,” he declared. “I bow to no god, no fate—and I will not lose my Empress.”