Prologue :
The Fool Male Empress
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In a world where kindness is misunderstood as foolishness, there stands a male Empress,
a figure known for his heart of gold.
Mocked and taunted by those around him, he bears the weight of their cruel words, aching from the unrequited love he feels for the emperor who never spares him a glance.
"I cherish his majesty, yet our hearts Will never Beat as one," he whispers in solitude.
Despite his regal title, respect eludes him, and he finds himself with nothing but a hollow role. The emperor's heart, it seems, was never meant to beat for him.
As the Empress faces his mortality, he makes a solemn vow to never again hope for a love that never reciprocates. His existence is confined to the boundaries of his empress title, an emblem of his isolation. Regret lingers in his heart, stemming from the naive belief that love comes effortlessly. And so, he is granted another chance through rebirth, a glimmer of hope to alter the course of his impending downfall.
Can this Empress rewrite the path carved by fate and change the narrative of his destined tragedy?
***
Xiaoniao suffered yet another fit of coughing, a spasm of blood escaping his lips. Day by day, his condition worsened, leaving him uncertain about how much time remained in his world.
He waited, day after day, hoping for the emperor to grace him with a visit, as he was, after all, the emperor's Empress. Yet, it seemed as though he had been forgotten entirely. His palace was a desolate place, much like the cold palace.
It stood empty, devoid of any signs of life. Not a single maid, eunuch, or guard was in sight. Only his two most trusted attendants, Lixin and Yangfan were by his side.
The palace itself appeared on the brink of collapse, with doors and windows precariously hanging on, the roof leaking when rain fell, and the creaking floor riddled with holes. The yard outside was a testament to neglect, the grass and plants dried out, save for the solitary, grand Maple tree that Xiaoniao had planted himself.
In a world where kindness was a scarce commodity, Xiaoniao possessed nothing more than his hollow title of Empress, bestowed upon him at random by the emperor. Despite this title, respect remained elusive. Servants ridiculed him, and noblemen treated him as though he were an insignificant canine.
To add salt to his wounds, the emperor never once deigned to visit him since their ill-fated marriage. The Empress Dowager even restricted his movements, forbidding him from attending any events. She held deep shame, unable to accept Xiaoniao as her daughter-in-law.
Despite the abhorrent treatment, Xiaoniao tried to cultivate his own happiness. He clung to the blessings he had, always donning a smile. He found solace in playing his beloved melodies on his old flute, an expression of his yearning, hoping the emperor would perhaps hear his unvoiced desires.
Tower life couldn't remain peaceful forever. With the arrival of a new concubine at the palace, Xiaoniao's existence plunged into deeper despair.
This fresh addition to the harem was greatly favored by all. Beloved by the emperor, admired by the Empress Dowager, and adored by the entire nation, her presence ignited the flames of envy and insecurity among the other concubines. Each of them harbored dreams of becoming Empress themselves in the future.
For these concubines, ousting Xiaoniao and seizing the title of Empress felt akin to snatching candy from a child. However, the task became far more challenging with the advent of the new concubine. Unable to target her directly without incurring the emperor's wrath, the vindictive concubines directed their frustrations towards the defenseless Xiaoniao, who was merely striving to endure his days within the palace.
The concubines resorted to a range of inexplicable and cruel acts. They confined him within a wine cellar, at times burn his clothing, or even wreck his living quarters. In a particularly horrifying instance, they attempted to drown him in a frigid fishpond, deriving amusement from his lack of swimming skills. A stroke of luck intervened, as the Prime Minister, who was feeding his fish nearby, rescued him.
Although his life was spared, Xiaoniao's health deteriorated. With no willing imperial doctors to aid him, his two servants, Lixin and Yangfan, took it upon themselves to diligently care for their ill master.
The relentless bullying of the helpless Fool Empress escalated day by day, eventually Ended up in a tragic act of poisoning. This unfortunate incident led to Xiaoniao's current state, lying bedridden, patiently awaiting the inevitable.
Death held no fear for Xiaoniao, for he had nothing left to lose in this lifetime. What concerned him more was the fate of Lixin and Yangfan once he was gone. He fervently prayed that they would find a kind new master who would shield them from further torment.
As he faced his impending demise, he hoped they would not follow him into the afterlife, as they had vowed upon his passing. Both of his devoted servants possessed bright prospects, a stark contrast to the squandered potential they expended in their loyalty to him. Talented and clever in their own right, it was a shame they weren't born into noble families.
In this lifetime, the single remorse that lingered within Xiaoniao's heart was his unwavering belief that kindness would always find its way back to him.
The night sky stretched above, aglow with a multitude of twinkling stars, casting a serene ambiance upon the world below.
"Ah, what a splendid night," Xiaoniao mused, gazing up in window.
The tranquil stillness of the night was disrupted by the sudden burst of a firework's whistle. Brilliant colors erupted against the dark canvas of the sky, painting it with hues of red, yellow, blue, and countless others. The visual spectacle unfolded like a breathtaking symphony of light and sound.
A smile graced Xiaoniao's lips. Tonight marked the Emperor's wedding night, the occasion when he formally took his new concubine as his legitimate wife. This strategic move ensured that upon Xiaoniao's eventual passing, the title of Empress would transition to her. With a deep, contemplative breath, Xiaoniao found a sense of contentment. He could finally find solace, free from the constant burden of worrying about whether someone would sit by his majesty's side, offering him companionship.
Though he could never fill that role himself, the mere existence of someone to share in the emperor's troubles brought him a measure of happiness.
Exerting an effort, Xiaoniao positioned himself a bit more upright, reaching out for an item placed in a basket woven from rattan and stationed beside his bedside.
Resting within the basket was a colossal egg, comparable in size to a newborn baby. The egg boasted an elegant, elongated form, gleaming with a golden hue that signified careful preservation. Light in weight, it lay comfortably within Xiaoniao's grasp, nestling in his arms.
Wrapped tenderly in a blanket he had personally crafted, the Fool Empress gazed upon the egg, a bittersweet smile tugging at the corners of his lips. This egg, he knew, was the very emblem that had bestowed upon him the title of Empress.
The Emperor's egg, a rarity of symbolic significance. Whosoever could nurture it from its original size to a hatching state would be bestowed the esteemed title of Empress. Xiaoniao had achieved this feat within a surprisingly brief span of time, yet he bore a sense of disappointment. Regrettably, he had not succeeded in hatching the egg.
A feeling of inadequacy overcame him, akin to that of a mother who could not bring her child into the world. His egg had not even been afforded the chance to witness the world, to experience the privileges of its princely or princessly status, or even to encounter its own progenitor. The Emperor had already bestowed the title of crown prince upon a Hatchling from one of his cherished concubines.
As if speaking to the egg, Xiaoniao murmured, “I hope you will find it in your heart to pardon my failure to hatch you—" His words were abruptly interrupted by a harsh coughing fit, and blood trickled down from his lips.
Summoning a faint smile, the Male Empress delicately wiped his mouth with his sleeve before placing the egg beside his pillow. With a purposeful push, he toppled the lamp from the table, allowing it to tumble onto the floor. The room's silence soon gave way to the crackling of flames as the fire began to spread.
Contentment settled upon him as he reclined on the bed, cradling the egg in his arms, akin to a mother cherishing her offspring. Xiaoniao was finally able to rest, his heart at ease. He only hoped his loyal friends, who had served as his companions and servants for five years, would find it within themselves to pardon his departure.
Sometimes, life concludes in unforeseen ways, yet amidst the uncertainty, it is vital to treasure what one possesses rather than harbor bitterness over what remains unattainable.
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*Note* this is Raw unedited chapter.