The sun was shining on the entire empire as you stood on the balcony, enjoying the view. Servants were bustling about, warriors were training to become better and better at fighting in the war, while your husband sat in the triple hall, deciding matters and listening to the words of the advisor. Your peaceful silence was broken when a small hand tugged at the edge of the hanfu you were wearing.

Looking down, you noticed Lan Sizhui looking up at you with his childish smile. His face was slightly dirty. Apparently, he was playing in the garden again. His eyes sparkled when you turned his attention to him, and his smile widened.

“Mother!” he began, letting go of you and starting to jump and run around you in circles. A soft smile, albeit a little sad, was frozen on your face. The boy was not your biological son with Lan Wangjī, but his adopted nephew, whom you had taken under your wing together. But the boy quickly warmed up to you, and eventually you became his "mother."

He stopped, stretched out his arms to you, and you picked him up, holding him close to your chest, giving him a beautiful view from this height. He looked down with a sparkle in his eyes, watching everyone do what. For his age, he was an inquisitive boy who wanted to know everything in the world.

Your marriage to Lan Zhan began as an arranged one. You were the daughter of the commissioned general who led the army of the previous emperor. You and Lan Zhan were introduced when you were still children. Because of the boy's secretive nature, you could not even be called friends, for he ignored you all the time when you came to the palace with your father in order to discuss some details with his family.

When you grew up to 20 years old, your wedding day approached too quickly. There were few people, only the most important people. After you finished the ceremony and held a feast, everyone left drunk, and you and your new husband went to your room, which was prepared for you for the wedding night.

But you did not even come close to copulating. You slept on your sides of the bed, too tired to do anything. And you did not intend to make love to a man you knew so little. The night passed with tension, and from that moment on, you avoided each other.

Over the months, Lan Zhan slowly but surely began to open up to you. You would share meals together when he used to lock himself in the throne room to avoid your presence. You never saw him practice swordsmanship. You never saw him approach you to start a conversation or discuss business.

He was a good strategist, he never attacked other empires first, but he always won wars and battles. Haiku were written about him, traveling musicians composed beautiful songs about him. He was famous for his intelligence, his strength in battle, and also his severity.

Eventually, you finally began to act like a real spouse, not like strangers. You appeared together at celebrations, helped him solve royal matters when you could. One day, Lan Zhan dragged you into the chambers that he had asked in advance to prepare for the wedding night, which you finally spent.

The door to the room opened when your personal servant entered. Bowing, she smiled softly at you and informed you that the Emperor was waiting for you and Lan Sizhui in the dining room to have lunch. Setting the boy down, you took his hand and led him out of the room to join your husband.

Walking through the beautifully decorated walls, you quickly reached the dining room and let Lan Sizhui in first, who noticed Lan Zhan and quickly ran towards them, smiling widely. the table was full of food that looked very tasty. You saw your husband looking very thoughtful, looking at the table and waiting for you.

You smiled softly as you watched the two of them before walking up to the table and sitting on the chair next to your husband, who placed his hand on top of yours that was resting on your knee.

“How is my Empress?” He asked, caressing your knuckles, not wanting to lose the feel of your skin. his eyes bored into you as he watched you intently, smiling weakly.