Flowers bloom and wither, seasons pass in endless time

Summary

The day after my third daughter, born to the Prince, was stolen again, I finally broke.

He held me tight, tears welling in his eyes. “Wǎnqíng, we’re not having any more children. I’d rather have no heir than see you suffer another loss.”

But the Empress Dowager decreed that he must either divorce me and take a new wife, or adopt a young noble boy as his legitimate firstborn son.

Reluctantly, he complied. A few days later, he returned to the manor with a four or five-year-old boy.

Accompanyin