Blossoms of Power

She is noble, cold, untouchable - until a cup of top grade Longjing tea leads her to him. Before the world, the Crown Prince is benevolent, loyal, and filial: pleading for corrupt officials, defending treasonous princes, keeping vigil for an ailing emperor. All praise his virtue. Only she knows every crime was his doing, every plea a calculated move, every act of filial piety a mask for poison. To her, he speaks gently, pretending frailty. But she has seen him take three heads with one sword stroke. When she calls out his act, he drops the disguise, eyes burning with possessive certainty: No matter how many choices you think you have in the end, you can only choose me.