dwanpeach
A folk song about the noble lady Xia Chenyan spread among the people: "Lady Xia's beauty surpasses the world."
Even the young emperor had heard of it.
During the imperial selection, Xia Chenyan tried to escape. The emperor, however, waited patiently until she appeared and chose her.
People said, "Xia Chenyan may be beautiful, but she is not gentle enough. The emperor rules the world; he will never favor a woman like her."
Yet the emperor flipped her token at the very first attempt. For half a month, he stayed in her palace every night.
Whispers spread, "The Xia family is already too powerful. To maintain balance, the emperor will not favor her for long. At most, she can only become a consort."
But the emperor made Xia Chenyan empress.
He dismissed all other palace women and decreed that no more consorts would be chosen.
The entire nation was stunned.
Few knew that before the coronation, the emperor lowered his gaze and personally tied the ribbons on her ceremonial gown.
"Chenyan," he whispered.
"Yes?" she replied.
"Don't leave me."
A Blatant favoritism, open indulgence.
And so, this entire Imperial City bowed at her feet, swearing allegiance to her.