Prologue

Prologue: Whether it is never to be reborn, or to be eternally separated from the celestial beings, whether it is to struggle in the flames of hell for a thousand years, or to kneel before the Buddha in prayer for ten thousand years, as long as there are bonds, there will always be a day of reunion.

This was the last sentence that Du Heng said to me

Even though I had to rely on a deep slumber to gather the strength to wake up, the Empress's hand remained tightly gripping my wrist throughout her unconsciousness, her nails digging into my flesh, causing blood to flow profusely. I could not sleep; I could only sit before her bed, yawning, waiting for her to take her last breath. The once vibrant and beautiful Empress, now reduced to a mere skin covering her bones, resembled an eighty-year-old crone, her time was up.

In her private time away from court affairs, the Empress Dowager enjoyed embroidery. The embroidery thread was soft white silk, both fine and smooth. I took the needle and thread and slowly sewed her severed wrist back together. She trembled all over, gasping for breath, and before long, her furious eyes opened wide, and she fell completely silent.

Only a mournful cry squeezed out from the throat was heard inside the tent, indicating that the Empress had awakened

I said to Du Huang: "Is it acceptable to choose the eighth day of June for our wedding day?"

-

The Empress Qingxuan has passed away, and the sounds of mourning resounded in the city for three days and three nights, with the entire city engulfed in weeping.

If you don't love, then don't love; it doesn't matter if it's not for him anymore

Sister Di, do you have anything to say to me

She turned her head, glaring at me with resentment and fear, her face pale yet silent.

"Do not harm Du Heng, let him go..."

This and the picture book on the right hand, although no longer of great use, still look good just sitting there

The imperial physicians and the female officials are utterly inept, while the monks outside reciting scriptures truly embody compassion and the emptiness of all things, as one among them, despite having soiled his trousers, continues to sincerely chant the Buddha's name. However, the guards are commendable; they are good guards, having suffered a head injury during their martial training in childhood, which has left them somewhat dull-witted. When commanded to strike, they do so without hesitation, executing their tasks with unwavering decisiveness.

Sister Di's hand was still on my wrist, and I had no hands left to grasp anything; I could only hold onto her arm and exclaim in surprise: "Sister Di, you are awake?"

He will not love you

Du Heng slowly revealed a look of disappointment, "I will leave, enough is enough"

A month later, my coronation ceremony was celebrated with joy for three days and three nights, and the entire city was filled with songs and laughter

I thought for a moment, then called in the guard stationed outside the hall, pointed to the empress's wrist, and said, "Come, cut down from here."

The sound of Buddhist chants enveloped the entire Rock City, as I stood guard by the bedside of Empress Sister Qingxuan, with a multitude of monks kneeling outside the tent, praying and reciting scriptures.

The eighth day of the fourth month marks the birthday of Buddha and the *Tushu*. The somber sound of the bell from the Jingling Pagoda in the capital resonated throughout the night

As dawn approached, Doctor Huang entered the palace to take my pulse. Upon seeing my bruised wrist, he displayed a look of distress, saying, "Your Highness, if His Majesty does not loosen his grip, when your hand turns a purplish-black color, this right hand will be rendered useless."

Du Heng shook his head

Do not let go

Humans are truly forgetful and fickle creatures

I joyfully instructed the Grand Chancellor Zheng Kun: "Grandfather Kun, please draft the decree quickly. On the eighth day of next month, I will marry Du Heng. Tell the Ministry of Rites to expedite the making of the ceremonial attire."