After my elder sister passed away, I entered the palace and became the new empress.
The emperor asked me to choose one of the princes to raise as my own.
The moment my fingers brushed against the two princes, I saw two chaotic glimpses of the future.
If I chose the Third Prince, he would one day ascend the throne, slaughter my entire family, and stab me to death.
If I chose the Ninth Prince, then after he became emperor, he would have me fake my death and confine me within the palace, turning me into a reviled temptress spat on by all.
I fell silent for a moment, then raised my hand and pointed at the little princess peeking in from behind the doorframe.
“Your Majesty, I believe I share a greater affinity with the Thirteenth Princess.”