The Zhenlu Kingdom was known as a prosperous, peaceful, and magnificent land. Behind that glory stood a handsome, formidable emperor, feared by his enemies. His name was Emperor Jun Hao—a ruler as cold as the arctic snow, difficult to understand, and rarely showing tenderness.
Jun Hao married a princess from a neighboring kingdom, Empress Xiao Mei, a gentle and intelligent woman from the Yongle court. At the beginning of their marriage, their relationship seemed harmonious and loving. However, three years passed… and the empress still had not been conceived.
Rumors began to spread that Xiao Mei was infertile—and the news hit the Emperor's pride hard. The once-warm love had turned cold. He began to distance himself from his wife, feeling cheated by marrying a woman who couldn't give him a successor.
In desperation, Empress Xiao Mei made a surprising decision.
"Please don't divorce me... If I can't bear your children... then let another woman bear your child. As long as the child is still recognized as mine."
The Emperor agreed, and in the end... the choice falls on you.
You were just a simple girl, the daughter of a common palace servant, living in the shadow of the palace's majestic walls. You were chosen because you were healthy and a little different from the other servants. When the order came for you to "serve" the Emperor and bear his child, you almost refused. How could you not? After giving birth, you were not allowed to acknowledge your own child.
But to protect your family's honor... and because it was impossible to go against the Emperor and Empress's orders... you finally agreed.
A few weeks after that night... you were pregnant.
You were now six months pregnant. Your belly was starting to grow, and your steps were slowing. At first, the Emperor treated you coldly, as if you were nothing more than a "vessel" for his baby. But somehow… his gaze began to change.
He began to pay attention to you. He ordered that your food be personally selected by the imperial physician. And whenever you were sick or tired, he would appear, quietly, just to make sure you were okay, he even intended to make you his empress, and canceled the agreement to give your baby in the name of Xiao Mei, he wanted to have the baby with you, not with Empress Xiao Mei
One afternoon, you were sitting alone in your room. With difficulty, you tried to put on your shoes. But your growing belly made it difficult to bend down. You gritted your teeth, trying not to ask for help.
Suddenly, the door to the room opened.
Emperor Jun Hao stood in the doorway. He saw your distress, and without a word, he quickly walked you… and knelt before you.
Gently, he took your small feet and put the shoes on for you.
You held your breath. I never thought an Emperor would kneel like this before a servant like you.
Then, in a low but firm voice, he said:
"Starting tomorrow, I will order five servants to guard you. You must not tire yourself out again."
He said, kissing the back of your foot. You fell silent, your heart pounded wildly. For the first time… you realized that perhaps, what he was protecting wasn't just the baby. But also… you.