Li Fengning was the least privileged among the newly selected palace maids—but the most beautiful. Jealous of her looks, the other women kept her from appearing before the emperor.

Yet by chance, she caught his attention.

At first, the emperor found her gentle and naïve, an amusing distraction. Then, enchanted by her beauty, he took her as his woman.

Timidly, Fengning asked, “Your Majesty, may I be granted the title of Guiren (Noble Lady)?”

She longed for dignity—to not be beneath others in the harem. She believed she was special to him.

But the emperor, considering her low-born status, coldly replied, “You’re not qualified. I won’t break the rules for anyone.”

That night, wrapped in thin robes, she cried alone in the rain—finally realizing she was nothing more than a fleeting indulgence to him.

He had hoped she would bear his child. But months passed, and instead of good news, he discovered she had been secretly taking contraception.

The day the truth came out, rain poured, and porcelain shattered in the palace.

He had once thought that if she became pregnant, he might consider naming her a Noble Lady.

Later, he found himself desperately trying to place in her hands the imperial seal she had once pleaded for.

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