The Beggar Who Would Be Emperor
When my son and I were exiled for my family's crimes, my husband shoved divorce papers into my hands and cut all ties. I pulled my nine-year-old close and swore I would protect him no matter what. However, at dawn, when we were supposed to leave, I found a different child in his place.
Panic flooded through me. Then, strange text flickered into view: [The male lead paid 50 silver for a street boy who looks vaguely similar. He sent his real son to live in luxury with his beloved!]
[This cannon fodder ex-wife will waste her life searching for her real son, who'll only resent her for ruining his comfortable new life.]
[Once the lead couple rises to power, she'll conveniently 'fall ill' and die. Tragic, really.]
[Wait. That street boy is the deposed crown prince's orphan. The future emperor!]
I stood there for a moment, taking it in. Then, I crouched down and held out my hand to the scarred child trembling before me. "Come with mom, little one. It's time to go."