Jiang Yunshu could not deny that she had developed feelings for Xie Lin.
Since transmigrating to ancient times, she had never felt this way about any man before. The men she encountered in this era—whether as handsome as Pan An or as talented as Cao Zhi—failed to stir her heart.
Even when Duan Jinxing had flawlessly presented himself as a true gentleman, and though countless women envied her for being his wife, Jiang Yunshu never truly felt anything for him. Before seeing through his facade, she had believed Duan Jinxing held himself to the standards of a nobleman while expecting his wife to embody the virtues of a refined lady.
At first glance, it seemed fair.
But in this ancient world, the expectations placed on women were far harsher than those on men.
Duan Jinxing’s adherence to these norms meant he endorsed the superiority of men over women.
Jiang Yunshu could never fall for someone who looked down on her.
Of course, she later discovered that even his gentlemanly demeanor was a pretense—he was nothing but a hypocrite!
After transmigrating, Jiang Yunshu had never dared to hope for love in this era. To her, love wasn’t a necessity; she simply wanted to live as comfortably as possible within the constraints of her circumstances.
Being an overlooked presence in the Marquis's Mansion, assisting Duan Jinxing after their marriage, and remaining separated without formal divorce—all were choices she made for a more peaceful life.
She thought her days in this world would continue like this—some regrets, but mostly contentment.
Until she entered the palace as a court official.
Until she met Xie Lin.
Xie Lin was unlike any man she had ever encountered in this era.
Not just because of his breathtaking beauty—though that certainly mattered.
But more importantly, despite his immense power, Xie Lin was humble in her presence, even to the point of self-abasement.
With him, the traditional hierarchy of men over women was completely reversed—she was the superior, he the inferior.
Jiang Yunshu suspected Xie Lin’s insecurity stemmed from his belief that he was no longer a whole man…
For now, she had no intention of telling him that in every aspect, he surpassed even the most complete of men.
Especially in the area he was most ashamed of—where he utterly dominated.
She kept this secret to herself.
Insecurity made a man all the more captivating!
Insecurity was the ladder to a man’s improvement!
If Xie Lin’s beauty alone was a hundred points, the fragility in his aura doubled it to two hundred.
Every dawn, Jiang Yunshu reminded herself that she was still married, still a wedded woman—she should shut Xie Lin out!
But when night fell and she saw his face in the dim light, it was as if she had been bewitched.
In that case, she should hurry and divorce Duan Jinxing!
When she brought it up to Xie Lin, he merely chuckled. "There’s no need to rush, my lady."
"A divorce would tarnish your reputation. Becoming a widow is far more convenient."
"Please be patient a little longer. Unless… the current arrangement is unbearable for you?"
Jiang Yunshu gave him a complicated look. "Sometimes it is unbearable."
Especially when she was exhausted and desperate to faint—yet couldn’t.
Soon, she witnessed the outcome of Xie Lin’s schemes.
Duan Jinxing, stripped of his position as chancellor and exiled from the capital, sought refuge with the Prince of Yanbei.
What shocked Jiang Yunshu even more was that Empress Dowager Wu had also defected to the Prince of Yanbei!
Then, in one swift move, Xie Lin eliminated them all—the Prince of Yanbei, Empress Dowager Wu, and Duan Jinxing.
Only then did Jiang Yunshu realize: the Prince of Yanbei had been Xie Lin’s true target. The others were merely collateral.
Duan Jinxing and Empress Dowager Wu were executed. The Young Emperor took his own life.
Jiang Yunshu was stunned.
What now? With no heir left from the late emperor’s bloodline, would they have to search among distant relatives?
Then, to her astonishment, Xie Lin visited orphanages across the land, gathering children and subjecting them to rounds of selection.
The weak were dismissed, the dull-witted discarded, those with poor character rejected…
After several rounds, the few remaining children were brought before Jiang Yunshu.
Xie Lin said, "My lady, pick the one you like best."
Jiang Yunshu was speechless. He wanted her to… choose the next emperor?
She spent time living and dining with the children, observing their temperaments. In the end, she favored the boy who acted like an elder brother to the others.
When she told Xie Lin, his lips curled slightly. "What a coincidence."
He had favored the same child.
Jiang Yunshu asked curiously, "Why?"
Xie Lin brushed his fingers gently over the corner of her eye. "Can’t you see? His eyes resemble yours."
And so, the boy was crowned the new emperor.
Xie Lin asked Jiang Yunshu to name him. She frowned, unsure where to begin.
Then an idea struck her. "You think of a few names, and I’ll pick one. That way, it counts as my choice."
Xie Lin sighed, amused by her laziness. After days of contemplation, he presented her with half a page of names.
Jiang Yunshu scanned them and pointed. "Yuancheng. I like this one."
She knew Yuancheng would become emperor—but she never imagined Xie Lin had already prepared for her to become empress dowager.
When she saw the grand ceremonial robes the imperial wardrobe had prepared for her, she froze.
"These… are for me?"
Xie Lin smiled. "If my lady could assist a chancellor, she can certainly guide an emperor."
"Allow me to dress you, Your Majesty."
His fingers slowly loosened the plain white mourning robes she had worn since Duan Jinxing’s death. His breath hitched.
Jiang Yunshu had donned the mourning attire, forsaking lavish jewelry, to uphold propriety as a widow—a far simpler status than a divorced woman. As a court official, she needed a spotless reputation.
What she hadn’t anticipated was that after changing into mourning clothes, Xie Lin would arrive earlier each night… and she would wake later each morning.
A minor oversight.
Now, Xie Lin carefully removed her mourning garments, layer by layer, before dressing her in the intricate, solemn robes of an empress dowager.
Maids filed in to adorn her.
In moments, her unadorned face transformed into one of striking elegance—from a simple lotus to a blooming peony, radiant and regal.
Standing there, Jiang Yunshu exuded an aura of undeniable authority without uttering a word.
Xie Lin, utterly captivated, took her hand and pressed a reverent kiss to it.
Then, step by step, he led her to the throne of the empress dowager.
As she sat in full regalia, Xie Lin bowed deeply before her. "I pay homage to Her Majesty, the Empress Dowager."
He knelt before her in complete devotion.
Half an hour later, Jiang Yunshu’s peach-blossom eyes were misty as she glared at Xie Lin. "The robes are wrinkled… What do we do now?"
"Yuancheng is coming to pay his respects soon!"
Xie Lin caught her hand. "Do not worry, Your Majesty. The wardrobe prepared multiple sets."
"I shall assist Her Majesty the Empress Dowager with her bath and change of attire now," Xie Lin offered.
Jiang Yunshu shot Xie Lin a fierce glare. "I don’t need your help!"
If she let Xie Lin assist her again today, Yuancheng might not get the chance to pay his respects until nightfall!
Today was the day for paying respects to his mother and adoptive father, and Yuancheng took it very seriously. He had prepared meticulously in the Palace of Eternal Joy well in advance.
However, when the time for the audience arrived, a servant from Weiyang Palace delivered a message—his mother was occupied and asked him to wait a little longer.
Yuancheng nodded in acknowledgment and began his wait.
He waited… and waited… and waited. After more than an hour, he finally received word that his mother was ready to see him.
Yuancheng was utterly puzzled. What could his mother possibly have been so busy with?
When he finally entered the grand hall, he was stunned by the sight of his mother seated regally above, adorned in solemn and resplendent attire.
Yuancheng knelt and performed the proper rites of respect. "I pay my respects to Mother."
"And to my adoptive father."
All his earlier bewilderment had completely faded from his mind.
His mother’s gentle, affectionate voice drifted down from above. "Rise, my child."
"Yuancheng, come to my side."
He lifted his head and saw his mother’s rosy cheeks and radiant smile—and beside her, his adoptive father, who was gazing at her with quiet warmth.
Though his adoptive father wore no smile on his face, the tenderness in his eyes as he looked at her spoke volumes.
