“Report!” a eunuch rushed into the palace and knelt down holding a military report, “Western Chu has been defeated!”
“Your majesty, this is the newly born princess of Western Chu. This is a symbol of our submission to you”, the already defeated Western Chu emperor handed over the child to the emperor of Xi.
“Your majesty, the crown prince is gravely ill. The astronomy bureau has seen that the little princess carries high yin energy and is born on a rare lucky day. If  Your Majesty marries her, she would save the crown prince from death!”
That’s right; I was told I was born lucky. Handed over by my parents like a tool, worn by the emperor like a trophy, I was indeed lucky.
But these days will soon be over. I wore my ceremonial robes with my held high.
“The new emperor is very sickly and can hardly manage state affairs. We need an anchor”
“Her majesty, though of noble birth is a foreigner and a woman. It can’t be possible”
Debates sparked on both sides
“Who says a woman can’t rule? Are you looking down on the empress dowager or are you questioning the late emperor’s wisdom?”
That was him - the prime minister of great Xi with the strongest foothold in the entire court.
“Prime Minister, would you dare to play this game with me?”
“I don’t play - I win” he answered

Beneath the Imperial Veil