chapter 1
chapter 1
I was the legitimate daughter of a duke—and his only child.
That was why my parents named me Ah Zhao.
The name came from an expression about the radiance of heaven and earth. Grand, imposing, and altogether worthy of someone destined for greatness.
Before I was born, Father had dreamed of a golden phoenix flying into our estate. The memory made him grin even in his sleep. He was convinced I would accomplish extraordinary things one day.
So from the time I was little, he set me a goal: become independent and strong, and preferably find a husband willing to marry into our household.
Unfortunately, when I was five, I caught our neighbor Madam Li’s live-in husband keeping a mistress behind her back.
That day taught me an important lesson.
A man had to be properly trained from childhood.
A childhood husband plus a matrilocal marriage—that was the perfect combination.
…
I had an excellent eye.
The Grand Tutor’s son next door, the general’s son from the south of the capital, and the richest merchant’s son from the east side—I gathered the three finest young gentlemen in the capital under my wing in one fell swoop.
After befriending them, I began instilling in them all the qualities I admired in a husband. I hoped they might develop in those directions.
Gentleness. Consideration. Good cooking. Refinement and learning.
Alas…
Just before my coming-of-age ceremony, the Grand Tutor was convicted of corruption and his household was confiscated. His son ended up becoming someone else’s live-in son-in-law.
The general’s son met an extraordinary woman disguised as a man while campaigning with his father. Like a couple from a romance, they pledged themselves to each other in secret.
As for the richest merchant’s son…
He did not marry, but he left with his father to trade in the Western Regions and would probably be gone for a decade.
To my horror, every childhood-husband candidate I had painstakingly cultivated flew the coop before I even turned fifteen.
How was I supposed to play this game now?!
Should I hold a bridal-ball contest instead?
I was still weighing my options when an imperial edict shattered my dream of acquiring a matrilocal husband.
Only then did my parents understand the phoenix dream.
“The phoenix… It wasn’t saying she herself was born to greatness. It meant she would marry the emperor…”
Oh, thank you ever so much.
Most young women in the capital dreamed of marrying the emperor.
I was the exception.
All I wanted was a man who would marry into my family.
I wanted to keep a whole houseful of pretty male entertainers.
And I wanted to break off this engagement.
But first, I had to meet the emperor.
I waited ten days before news finally came that he was leaving the palace on an inspection tour.
Before I set out, Father shoved a token into my hand.
“Ah Zhao, this is the only one our family has. Remember, don’t go too far with whatever you say. This thing can only save one life.”
“Don’t worry, Father.”
I learned that the emperor had reserved the most expensive restaurant in the capital. My plan was to bribe my way inside disguised as a palace maid.
The young eunuch arranging it for me stared in bewilderment when he heard my request.
“My lady, you may not understand His Majesty. There isn’t a single palace maid around him—not even an elderly matron!”
What?! Could the emperor prefer men?
Was he marrying me merely as a cover?
If so, I had even more reason to refuse.
Since I could not use the front door, I had to find another way in.
At last, I spotted the weakest point in the restaurant’s defenses: the roof.
Fortunately, I had learned a little qinggong while trying to win over the general’s son years ago. One light leap took me onto the tiles.
I searched for quite a while before voices drifted from one of the rooms below.
“Your Majesty, please rest here. Would you like this servant to remain and attend you?”
“No. All of you leave. How are preparations for the investiture of the empress?”
“Everything is ready.”
“Go.”
That settled it. The man inside was the emperor.
I crept around in search of a skylight.
“Meow.”
I had only just pried up one corner when a stray cat sprang out of nowhere. Startled, I lost my footing and plunged straight through the skylight.
Splash!
I landed in water. After struggling upright and coughing twice, I froze at the sight before me.
The man’s lower body was hidden beneath the water, but his muscular torso was bare. Mist clung to his face, and his seductive peach-blossom eyes looked capable of stealing souls.
Whose fox spirit was this?
“What is my empress looking at?”
Without thinking, I answered, “You. You’re rather handsome.”
Then I jolted back to my senses.
“Y-you-you know who I am?”
The man chuckled, his voice deep and pleasant.
“I would hardly take a bride sight unseen.”
Before I could offer an excuse, he continued, “Do you know the penalty for spying on the emperor while he bathes?”