The Name of the Flower We Never Knew

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An accident brought my loving husband of ten years and me both back to ancient times.

At first, he repeatedly assured me that he would never be assimilated by the thoughts of ancient people and recognized only me as his wife.

But later, he ignored my heartache and started favoring other women, letting them bear our children, and even shamelessly told me that I should bear his child to inherit his empire in the future.

He has long forgotten the child who disappeared in the modern world, and his grandmother with late-stage lung cancer.

Eventually, the wedding ring returned to my hand, I put it on and returned to the modern world alone.

1

[Bitch! Who allowed you to come in? Get out of my sight!]

A fiery pain came across my face, I even forgot to retaliate, just stared in disbelief at the naked man lying on the dragon bed.

This man, is my husband, with whom I've been in love for ten years in the modern world, and we have a lovely child together.

Not long ago, our child disappeared.

And on the way to search for the child, the two of us unfortunately got into a car accident and both traveled to the Ning Country.

He traveled back as the Emperor of Ning Country, and I became one of his unappreciated concubines.

Although I carried the memories of the original owner of this body.

We also spent about a month getting used to ancient life.

He repeatedly assured me that with his high-level education, he wouldn't be assimilated by the thoughts of ancient people.

Even in ancient times, he firmly believed in monogamy and would never do anything to betray me.

But I never expected that in just three months, he would be sleeping with another woman.

I felt cold all over, pointing at the ancient woman, draped in just a layer of gauze, my voice trembling.

[Qi Ji, didn't you say you wouldn't touch any woman other than me?]

Next to me, Consort Shu heard my words and covered her mouth, laughing aloud.

[Consort Xin, you haven't been favored by the Emperor for three years. These days the Emperor favored you a few times, have you been so happy you've gone silly? Looking out, all the sisters in this harem are more splendid than flowers, on what grounds should the Emperor favor only you? Behaving so jealous as a concubine, is too unsightly.]

I pressed my lips together, modern and ancient thoughts are different, I didn't want to engage in meaningless arguments with her.

I only fixed my gaze on Qi Ji, hoping he would give me a reasonable explanation.

Qi Ji sat up in bed, furrowing his brows and pulling his robe together, the eunuch beside him quickly went over to serve him like a sycophant.

This scene, I found somewhat ridiculous without reason.

Just three months ago, we were still modern people with some 21st-century thoughts.

Now he had transformed into a noble emperor, while I was just one of the many women in his harem.

In the past, being with him day and night, glued to each other, now seeing him requires tipping the eunuch and waiting for the eunuch to report.

Qi Ji rubbed his forehead and spoke gently to Consort Shu.

[You return to your palace first, I will visit you some other day.]

Consort Shu pouted and acted coyly towards Qi Ji.

[Emperor~ Is the Emperor really going to abandon me for Consort Xin?]

Qi Ji's voice turned cold.

[Behave yourself.]

This scene was too glaring, I turned away, unwilling to look again.

Until Consort Shu cast me a poisonous glance as she left, I suddenly realized my belated awareness.

There were countless ancient women who used ruthless methods to kill their rivals, I acted so impulsively, what if she takes revenge on me in the future.

After Consort Shu left, Qi Ji came over to me, his face full of guilt and evident fatigue between his brows.

[I'm sorry, my wife, I was drugged by her, I really didn't know anything, when I woke up, I was lying in bed with her.]

Qi Ji tried to grab my hand, which I shook off.

The heavy clothes weighing on me made it hard to breathe, I was so angry I blurted out recklessly.

[But you promised me, you wouldn't favor other women, are you planning to start living the ancient emperor's life of having multiple wives and concubines?]

The eunuch nearby shouted loudly.

[Shut up, you are not allowed to call the Emperor by his name directly!]

The sudden sharp voice startled me, I bit my lip, looking at Qi Ji tearfully, anxious and angry.

[In any case, I forbid you to favor other women! Absolutely not allowed!]

Qi Ji stroked my long hair, sighed, and spoke in a deep tone.

[I was wrong, my wife, this is ancient times, I'm not a medical expert, how could I know it was an aphrodisiac, don't be angry, I'll explain slowly, okay?]

The frustration in my heart couldn't be relieved.

I habitually reached out and pounded his chest with full force.

But in the next second, the Imperial Army rushed in and lifted me up.

[Consort Xin, please mind your manners. If you dare to lay hands on the Emperor again, don't blame us for being ruthless!!]

The clashing of weapons again reminded me, this is the past, the ancient times of cold weapons.

The man before me is no longer just the modern husband who was gentle with me and patient with our child.

I suddenly realized.

This is the Emperor of their Ning Country, and my earlier attack on Qi Ji just touched the bottom line of the Imperial Army.

A chill surged in my heart, and an indescribable despair surfaced within me.

Qi Ji, after all, was protective of me and quickly said.

[Yu Feng, you are too tense. Consort Xin was just playing with me. Don't scare him.]

Yu Feng knelt down and said in a deep voice.

[Forgive me for speaking out of turn, but by favoring a noble so much, Your Majesty may cause the other concubines to be disheartened!]

Qi Ji glanced at my arms being held up, showing undisguised distress in his eyes.

[I understand. Release Consort Xin immediately and leave!]

Even as Yu Feng left, he gave me a venomous look.

I knew why he disliked me; it was because Consort Shu was his elder sister, and before our time travel, Consort Shu was the most favored.

As her brother, he naturally wished for his sister to remain the most favored.

I rubbed my arm, which was aching from being pulled, and tears began to fall uncontrollably.

Qi Ji reached out to touch my face.

[Does it hurt? Why didn't you fight back when she hit you?]

I slapped his hand away forcefully, tears streaming as I said.

[Don't touch me! Save your hands for other women, I'm disgusted.]

There was a hint of hurt in Qi Ji's eyes, he moved his lips, and finally, he simply said.

[Very well, Ruxi, take the noble back to the palace.]

I was stunned, hardly believing these words came from Qi Ji's mouth.

Back in modern times, every time I got angry, Qi Ji would be very anxious, sending all sorts of gifts to appease me until I was willing to forgive him. This time, he merely ordered the eunuch to send me back.

The stark contrast and unfamiliarity caused a sharp pain in my heart; even in anger, I had to face reality. This was the Imperial Palace, not my home where I could act spoiled and willful.

I clenched my fists, wiped away the tears, and said defiantly.

[Fine, fine, then I won't disturb Your Majesty's rest.]

For the first time, I used the term "Your Majesty" in front of Qi Ji. He was momentarily stunned and finally waved at the eunuch.

2

I seemed to have a very sweet dream.

In the dream, Qi Ji and I got up early, I prepared breakfast for the family, and Qi Ji packed our son's school bag.

After breakfast, Qi Ji took our son to school, before leaving, father and son each kissed my cheek and smiled, saying goodbye to me.

At the end, our son's big sparkling eyes looked at me, pouted, and pleaded for a new toy for Children's Day.

I smiled and agreed, pinching his chubby little face.

But in the next second, a coldness swept over me, and I couldn't help coughing.

Opening my eyes, I found myself in the large sleeping quarters, the wooden beams painted with phoenixes surrounded, and the bright yellow drapes hung down, wrapping the pillars. I let out a bitter smile and lifted the drapes.

Qi Ji, leaning on the bedhead, heard the noise and woke up. He touched my forehead and sighed in relief.

[Finally awake, you scared me.]

My eyes were vacant, and I stiffly tugged at the corners of my mouth.

[Aji, I dreamed of Little Treasure, he called me in the dream and asked me for a new toy.]

Qi Ji froze for a moment, touched my head, and pulled me into his arms.

[One day, we will go back, we'll find Little Treasure, A Yao, believe me, I will take you back.]

I shook my head, tears soaking Qi Ji's sleepwear, I couldn't suppress a choked sob.

[Aji, this time you came just in time, but what about next time, and the time after that? I really don't like the schemes and intrigues here, I want to go home, find Little Treasure, I want our family to be happy and together.]

For months now, under the heavy pressure of my surroundings, I've learned to be sensible and endure, and to avoid becoming the target of the harem, Qi Ji also greatly reduced his visits to me.

But I didn't expect that even so, there would still be those who wanted me dead.

Just yesterday, I was feeding goldfish with the maid Lian'er in the back garden when a masked strongman suddenly pushed me into the river.

Lian'er, lacking strength, tried to jump in to save me but was knocked out by the masked man and carried away on his shoulder.

As for me, I began to lose consciousness, but later Qi Ji brought people to rescue me.

Now, every time I think of those hands that pushed me, the cold eyes of the masked man, I feel a wave of fear.

Qi Ji softly comforted me.

「You've been wronged, my wife. I've found out that yesterday's events were caused by Consort Shu. However, her family wields immense power, and dismantling it won't be an overnight task. I have already announced to the Six Palaces that it was her who harmed you. This way, she won't dare to act against you easily in the future. I'll assign more guards to protect you, trust me, okay?」

I nodded, while silent tears continued to stream down my face.

Suddenly, I remembered something, grabbing Qi Ji's collar and raising my head sharply.

「Where's Lian'er? Where's Lian'er?」

In Qi Ji's gentle eyes, a flash of panic appeared. I immediately understood. In a choked voice, I sorrowfully asked.

「Lian'er, Lian'er is dead, isn't she? Why did she, why did she kill my Lian'er? That was a living life!」

Qi Ji, somewhat at a loss, held the out-of-control me, with tears in his eyes as well.

「I'm sorry, my wife, it's my fault. I didn't expect them to kill Lian'er. I could only protect you, I had no choice.」

I opened my mouth, wanting to blame Qi Ji, but the words just stopped at my lips.

Indeed, in this brutal palace that devours people without leaving bones.

Qi Ji can't even protect me properly, so how can I expect him to protect others?

But Lian'er was just a 14-year-old girl, happy and joyful just a few days ago, dancing for me with the hairpin I gave her, and suddenly, she was...

I couldn't help but collapse in Qi Ji's arms, bursting into tears.

I didn't notice the slightly trembling hands with which Qi Ji held me.

Nor did I know how heart-wrenching it was for him to see Lian'er's tragic state yesterday.

A 14-year-old girl, clothes disheveled, a pool of blood below her waist, one leg cut off, nowhere on her body was unharmed, staring wide-eyed, as if frightened, yet also unwilling.

3

After Lian'er's death, I had a realization.

What use is it to constantly bury your head like a turtle, enduring, enduring, and enduring again?

Consort Shu even sent people into my home garden to kill.

I've heard that a maid named Cai'er from Consort Shu's palace was sent to Xinzheku because she was too beautiful and made Consort Shu jealous.

Consort Shu even specifically instructed people to "take care" of her.

A few days ago, Zhi'er saw Cai'er with a bruised nose and swollen face, dragging her bloody body to do laundry.

It's truly pitiful.

I also knew more clearly that patience was of no use in dealing with someone like Consort Shu.

Today is Qi Ji's birthday.

I sent word early on, and Qi Ji promised to come to me immediately after court.

With incomplete old materials, I couldn't make a real cake.

I could only mash various colors of vegetables, mixing them into the dough, starting at four in the morning, and finally, I barely managed to make a dessert.

Carrying the dessert, I planned to wait for Qi Ji on his way back. I wanted us to walk home talking and laughing, just like in modern times.

After waiting for quite a while, finally, Qi Ji came, surrounded by a large group of palace maids and eunuchs.

The corners of my mouth unconsciously lifted, and I withdrew my gaze, suddenly thinking that since there was no one around, I might as well hide around the corner and give him a scare.

Until a staggering figure ran towards Qi Ji.

My eyes froze fiercely.

It was a disheveled small palace maid.

She ran in front of Qi Ji, grabbed his robe, and knelt down, kowtowing incessantly.

The sky was dense with clouds as if it was going to rain soon.

I frowned and asked Zhi'er who that girl was.

Zhi'er said that was Cai'er.

「Your Majesty, Consort Shu is cruel, this servant can't stand her torture anymore, Your Majesty, I beg you to have mercy on this servant. Your Majesty, if you don't agree, this lowly life is of no use anymore, it's death either way.」

I naturally knew what kind of mercy she meant.

Cai'er still had marks on her face, sobbing heartbrokenly as if she was pouring out all her grievances.

She looked pitiful and delicate, arousing my sympathy.

I watched, my eyes tearing with anger, my whole body trembling uncontrollably.

The entire world seemed to fall silent.

Qi Ji looked down at her from above.

In his eyes, there was undisguised sympathy and emotion.

My heart tightened.

Finally.

I saw the umbrella in Qi Ji's hand, inch by inch, tilt towards Cai'er.

The thunder roared loudly.

Somewhere in my heart felt as if it had been struck heavily. I pushed Zhi'er's umbrella away, letting the pouring rain wash down on me.

It felt like my legs were filled with lead; I stood motionless, staring into the distance.

Though my vision was blurry, I could clearly see Cai'er wiping the tears off her face, showing a smile of relief after escaping death.

「This servant thanks Your Majesty, long live the Emperor.」

Zhi'er, beside me, was shouting anxiously.

「Your Ladyship, it's raining so heavily, be careful of your health.」

I wiped the rain from my forehead, shaking my head numbly.

Not far away, Qi Ji had already taken Cai'er and turned back to return to the palace.

Zhi'er, with a teary voice, said.

「Your Ladyship, this servant begs you, take care of your health. There are so many women in the harem, he is the Emperor; it's understandable to favor a few more. Your Ladyship, it's not worth it to get sick over this.」

The dessert scattered all over the ground.

I squatted down, crying out in despair.

Cai'er looked no more than 17 or 18 years old.

Qi Ji, I met you at that age as well.

I still remember how I was kicked out by my parents, nowhere to go on the street at that time.

It was also pouring heavily, and you held an umbrella for me.

You said I looked like a stray little cat, so pitiful.

4

Lately, the means of competing for favor in the palace were endless.

Since there were no children in the harem yet, every concubine wanted to be the first to have a boy, to give birth to an imperial son, hoping to elevate the status of the mother through the son.

From being sad and angry at first, I've gradually become numb.

「Wife, don't be angry. I won't let other women bear our child.」

Qi Ji nestled up to me from behind, kissing my neck.

I turned my head aside, coldly saying.

「I know a bit about this period in Ning Country's history. Prince Ning'an had 16 children in his lifetime. Just because it's not happening now doesn't mean it won't happen later, what do I have to be angry about? Qi Ji, does it feel good to be the Emperor?」

Qi Ji stopped his actions, burying his head in my neck, saying somewhat indistinctly.

「Wife, why don't we have another child so that he can inherit my throne one day. I'll only recognize him as my legitimate son.」

Raging with anger, I raised my hand and slapped him hard, disbelief in my voice.

「Do you know what you're saying? Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Little Treasure are all waiting for us to go back; have you gone crazy, Qi Ji?」

Qi Ji was stunned by the slap. Our relationship has always been harmonious, and this was the first time I laid hands on him.

The eunuch was on the ground, shocked.

「How dare you! His Majesty holds the highest rank! As a mere noble, how could you raise your hand against the Emperor?!」

Qi Ji waved his hand.

「It's okay, you may leave.」

Then he looked up, a somewhat complex gaze falling on me, with a hint of anger in his eyes.

「Must you talk to me like this?」

I bit my lip, tears nearly spilling out of my eyes, but I still refused to back down.

「What? Now that you're the Emperor, I can't talk to you loudly anymore?」

Qi Ji looked at me, pursed his lips without saying a word, and just took the clothes and put them on.

In my mind, I couldn't help but recall the sweetness of our past.

I thought of the gentle and indulgent Qi Ji, the one who treasured me dearly.

Gradually, the person he used to be overlapped with the silent and wordless Qi Ji in front of me now.

I wiped away the inadvertent tears with my sleeve, trying to control the tremor in my voice.

「Qi Ji, where are our wedding rings? A few days ago, I still saw you wearing it.」

Qi Ji had already dressed, and as he adjusted his sleeves, he replied nonchalantly.

「It's inconvenient, so I took it off.」

I glanced at the four vibrant sachets on his belt, finding it somewhat ridiculous.

「Wouldn't the sachets they embroidered be inconvenient too? Should I be like them and rely on these things to please you, hoping you would favor me when you're in a good mood? Qi Ji, did you never intend to go back? Were all your promises to take me back lies? Have you long fallen in love with life here?」