"He's your son.." I choked.

"My son?" Concubine Zhi laughed and arched her well maintained brow at me. So high that it almost reached the roof.

"Ha! Even from the start, I don't really have any hope for that bastard. I also wonder, without any protection of anyone, all these years how did he managed to survive inside the palace? Li Han is really something don't you think, Lady Bai?"

His small tormented body, his tears and his screams.. the kid Li Han.. I could barely imagine the male lead's desolation during his childhood.

Throughout his life, Li Han was cursed by everyone.

Ignored by his father, bullied by his half-siblings, mocked and pushed down by the servants. Since childhood, the numerous times of assassination attempts to the male lead's life were also mentioned in the novel.

Even his biological mother.. The fact that his great sufferings have all began to his mother.

The male lead have first experienced those mortifying things, the cruelty of life from the person he called mother. Just the thought of it made my chest clenched so tight.

'Li Han.'

For all the readers like me, those things were just tactlessly written by the author for his novel; to gain sympathy to his character. But to the male lead, they were his_ harsh reality.

'Li Han.'

'Li Han.'

I was startled when the male lead's mother presented her hand to me. "I accepted it promptly. Then, as she helped me stand; Concubine Zhi offered one of her cryptic smiles again. "Don't cry, Lady Bai. This is my son's destiny."

I was crying again. 'Why am I crying? Why does my heart hurt so much?'

'Li Han..'

The woman sat me down beside her. "You know why I like you, Lady Bai? It's because I can see my younger self in you. So let me give you an advice dear."

"If you decided to choose one path. Then you must see it until the end." Still smiling, she motherly patted my hand. "Don't waver."

My eyes were stinging.

They were blazing with fire. I desperately tried to calm myself down. However, like the silent river swelled into a raging torrent, I snapped.

As anger poured through me, I impulsively slapped her hand away. Shocked, her smile instantly disappeared.

"Xin'er!"

Bai Muro came.

His worried and nervous expression were evident on his old face. He approached us then hurriedly saluted the royal concubine. "Greetings to Her Highness Concubine Zhi."

Zhi Ruo scowled. My rash action earlier had undoubtedly incurred the deep displeasure of the royal concubine.

"Your Highness is both virtuous and magnanimous. Please forgive my silly daughter if she have offended you in any way." Bai Muro implored.

Bit by bit, the corner of the woman's mouth turned up. "Alright, loyal official. I will let this go."

She stood up and casted a malicious side-glance at me. "I shall now take my leave."

After the royal concubine left the courtyard with her entourage, only then Bai Muro looked at me disapprovingly.

But then, it didn't last for too long.

Like Bai Meili, the Prime Minister was also tolerant and soft-hearted when it comes to his eldest daughter. He sighed, asking me in distressed. "Did she scare you?"

"Nüèr, don't be scared. Füqīn will protect you. But don't do it again, alright? I already reminded you to keep your composure at any time. Even how much annoying that person is." Bai Muro seemed to understand the villainess well.

"Even if the royal concubine notice something, you don't have to worry. The assassin has been arrested."

"A-Assassin?"

"That girl named Chu."

The novel.. just like how it was written in the novel.

I walked back near the bed. Biting my lips, I sat again beside him. I turned my eyes back to the male lead's handsome face. "Füqīn.." I croaked.

"Save him. Please."

Stunned, "Xin'er.."

Holding the male lead's hand to my cheek, I cried. "I'm begging you. Please.. please, save him."

The Left Prime Minister was silent for a moment.

"I know you care for His Highness." I don't care if Bai Muro was being sarcastic. I don't care of the disappointment look on his face.

"We are almost there. My good daughter, this is not the time for you to waver." He forcefully smiled.

"I already received the information from our spy, His Majesty The Emperor is already on his deathbed. He will meet.. Yànwàng (*King Yan or God of Death) tonight. Everything is going smoothly. The duke is also well prepared."

"Once His Majesty died and His Highness Nan King followed, the Duke of Hebei will quickly rise to power, seizing the throne in one swoop. And you.. my dear daughter, will become the empress."

'Empress?'

No.. How can I.. This is not.. This can't be happening. I gently put down the cold hand of Li Han.

Bang! My knees slammed to the floor, determined. "Fùqín, if His Highness Nan King dies, I don't want to be empress."

"You.. What are you doing? Wait, what did you say?"

As I looked at the dignified old man; I clasped my hands and this villainess offered a small bow. I knocked my head to the hard floor.

"If Li Han dies.. I shall die with him."

My words were accompanied by affection and threats. The Prime Minister caught his breath in a horrified gasp, his face gradually turning ugly.

"You.. What's that supposed to mean? How can you.."

Brief silence.

"Xin'er, don't be like that. Don't say such horrible things. Don't scare your father. Nüèr."

Finally, I looked up at my father.

"Li Han is my prince. My emperor."

I must save him. He must stay alive. Li Han will have his happy ending because this poor male lead deserve it. He deserves all the happiness and love.

Blinking back a tear, I said: "Save him." Lips curling, "Or else, you'll never see your daughter again, Fùqìn."

'I will save you, my prince.'