"The Phoenix Palace: The Humble Commoner Substituting to Enter the Palace"

She was the humble illegitimate daughter of the Yu family, originally having no chance to see the emperor. A twist of fate made her the queen who was sent to the palace as a substitute. Was it a blessing? Or a curse? She didn't care. In order to ensure her mother's comfort in the later years of her life, she resolutely put on her wedding dress and ascended to the court.

He was the frail and sickly emperor in the mouths of the common people. Under the mysterious veil of green silk, he was like a dangerous beast, exuding an aura of gloomy splendor. Knowing that she should not fall in love with him, she still helplessly fell into his trap.

What he gave her was the supreme power and glory, and an ambiguous affection covered in extravagance, along with a faint bitterness of pain.

And what she gave him was just one sentence: "I don't hate you."

"The Phoenix Palace • Yan Song Xing" Part One

On the day of the grand wedding,

The moment I wore the crown of the empress, my heart felt desolate like a forest.

Outside, the sound of joyous music thundered in my ears, voices were noisy and chaotic. As the red veil slowly descended, the noble ladies-in-waiting supported me as I walked slowly through the corridor. Beneath the curved bridge wasn't a pool of spring water, but a hundred miles of icy rivers. What entered my eyes was all deep red. The fiery red color warmed nothing but left a coldness in my heart. At this time, were the people of the world mocking me? Or pitying me? Or perhaps... waiting for me to suddenly die in a quiet room after three years, or even sooner?

"The Phoenix Palace • Yan Song Xing" Part Two

After returning to the Central Palace and checking on Lady Biyue's injuries, I summoned all the palace maids.

If Emperor Xiayou Junyao had planted someone in my palace, it wasn't Lady Biyue. So, who was it?

"Look up," I sat on the phoenix bed, my gaze sweeping over those faces.

Even though I spent little time in the palace usually, I remembered most of them. There was no one among these people who was sent by Emperor Xiayou Junyao. I was sure because their eyes did not have the sharpness and coldness that matched his character.

"The Phoenix Palace • Yan Song Xing" Part Three

The curtain dropped before my eyes. My hand was numb from the shock and still trembling. Through the narrow gap, I watched his receding figure grow distant. His tall and lonely figure passed through layers of mist and pearl curtains until it finally disappeared. Suddenly, I became afraid.

Tonight's events were completely unexpected. If things continued to develop, I had no mental preparation to deal with the entangled scenes that would come in the future. Prince Yi Zizhao actually fell in love with me. Just his risking death to secretly meet me in the palace was enough to confirm that this feeling was terrifying.

Yes, it was terrifying.

"The Phoenix Palace • Yan Song Xing" Part Four

"Princess Chang, do you know? I heard that Consort Wang, who was thrown into the Cold Palace a few days ago, went mad!"

"Oh? Is she so fragile?" Princess Zhao Yang's voice was indifferent without any trace of compassion, instead filled with mockery and disdain.

Seeing the princess's coldness, Consort Shen was slightly startled and then said, "It's said that she curses Empress every day with her disheveled hair in the Cold Palace."

This time, the princess smiled and asked, "How does she curse the Empress? Shouldn't she be cursing the Noble Consort who threw her into the Cold Palace?"

...

Their conversation fell clearly into my ears, word for word.

"The Phoenix Palace • Yan Song Xing" Part Five

Chen Zhong must certainly know about the affair between Yi Zizhao and me. Even though we haven't done anything improper, just one kiss, one late-night meeting is enough to cost me my life. How dare I, how can I walk around the palace bearing the rumors of being unchaste?

I would probably have been granted death by the emperor already.

Therefore, I don't punish Chen Zhong; not only cannot punish him, but I must reward him.

I have a handle on him. Although he dares not speak recklessly, a cornered rabbit will bite too. Not to mention a human.

"The Phoenix Palace • Yan Song Xing" Part Six

Whoosh — An arrow hit the carriage and pierced through the felt.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh — Then came more arrows, each one striking very accurately. If the carriage hadn't run fast enough, both Xiahou Junyao and I would have become ghosts under the arrows long ago.

His reaction was quick. He hugged me and crouched down below the seat, just like last time, using his body to shield me.

My voice choked, "You are the emperor of Tiáo Dynasty, how can you not cherish your own life?"

He suddenly laughed and whispered in my ear, "I am still your husband."

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