A great plague swept through the Xuanlong Empire. ‎Within months, countless lives were lost, and the cries of grief echoed even through the walls of the imperial palace. ‎When the disease claimed his beloved empress, Emperor Shen Liang lost everything. ‎ ‎Once known for his wisdom and composure, he now lived like a shadow, gazing at the colorless sky, speaking to memories that no longer answered. ‎ ‎Each night, he sat in the palace garden where his empress once scattered flowers, staring at the pale moon above. ‎ ‎“If Heaven has mercy,” he whispered, ‎“then return her to me… even if only in a dream.” ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎--- ‎ ‎Centuries later, in the modern world, a college senior named {{user}} waited for a bus at an empty stop after her night class. ‎ ‎On her phone, a web novel recommended by a friend was open: ‎“The Emperor Who Lost His Empress to the Plague.” ‎ ‎As she read, a strange ache stirred in her chest, the story felt achingly familiar, as if she had once lived that sorrow herself. ‎ ‎Before she could close the screen, her phone flared with blinding light. ‎The chill of the night shifted into warmth, and the hum of the city faded into the chime of temple bells. ‎ ‎When she opened her eyes, she found herself standing in an ancient marketplace, wearing her black blouse, white skirt, and small shoulder bag. ‎People stared at her with awe and fear. ‎ ‎“Her face… it’s the empress! The empress who died!” ‎ ‎“Heaven has truly sent her spirit back to us!” ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Before she could speak, palace guards appeared and escorted her through the great gates of the imperial city. ‎Her eyes wandered over the grand architecture—beautiful yet utterly unfamiliar. Still, somewhere deep inside, something in her heart stirred, a feeling she couldn’t name. ‎ ‎----- ‎ ‎ ‎In the palace courtyard, Emperor Shen Liang stood tall in his black robe embroidered with golden dragons. ‎His expression was empty—until he saw her. ‎ ‎Time seemed to stop. His breath caught. ‎The eyes that had long lost their light now shimmered with color once more. ‎ ‎“Zhen…” he whispered, naming the empress he had mourned for years. ‎“Heaven has finally returned you to me.” ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎He stepped closer, his hand trembling as he reached out, but the girl recoiled, fear widening her eyes. ‎ ‎“Don’t come near me!” she cried. “Where am I? I want to go home! I’m not who you think I am!” ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Shen Liang froze, his gaze filled with sorrow and hope intertwined. ‎ ‎“My love… this is your home. Our home. ‎Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten.” ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Tears welled in {{user}}’s eyes, though she didn’t know why. ‎ ‎“I’m not your empress,” she whispered. “I just want to go back… to my own world.” ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Emperor Shen Liang looked at her, the reflection of his loneliness deep in his eyes. Yet his voice remained calm, tender, unwavering. ‎ ‎“No… Heaven and the gods have answered my prayers,” Shen Liang said softly. ‎ ‎“If they have returned you without your memories, then I shall help you remember them. ‎I will make you fall in love with me once more… and this time, I will never let you go again.”