[Traditional palace struggle novel] ... more>>

In the fifth year of the Cheng’an era, a grand selection was held throughout the country.

Shen Ji was one of the most outstanding candidates from the Lingzhou region, known for her exceptional beauty. Her features were delicate, and her skin was as fair as jade. Her eyes were especially striking, with a beauty mark at the corner of her eye that made her look captivating.

She had a gentle and charming personality, which made people want to pamper her. After gaining favor, she spent three consecutive nights with the Emperor and was quickly promoted from a lowly cairen to the prestigious Baolin, becoming the most favored concubine in the palace.

When Lin Guifei pretended to be ill to gain attention, Shen Ji covered up the coldness in her eyes and leaned against the Emperor’s knee, looking up at him with tears in her eyes: “Will you come back to me, Your Majesty?”

Qin Yuan’s heart softened, and he, who was normally taciturn, rolled his throat and changed his mind: “Yes, Zhen won’t leave.”

Shen Ji was born into a humble family and had seen many men in her life. She knew what she wanted: the Emperor’s favor, wealth, and prestige. She wanted to change her fate and rise from a lowly status to the top of the imperial hierarchy.

Everyone in the palace said that Shen Ji’s favor was due to her good fortune, but only she knew that her journey from a commoner to a imperial concubine was a precarious one, like walking on thin ice.

Qin Yuan was a ruthless and heartless emperor who had never put any woman in his heart, always doing as he pleased. He initially favored Shen Ji because she was obedient and beautiful, and being around her made him feel at ease.

However, he couldn’t explain why his gaze always seemed to linger on her subconsciously.

One-sentence summary: Step by step, she gains favor and becomes the most favored in the six palaces.

Theme: In adversity, one must leave room for hope. <<less

In the fourth year of the Chengzou Emperor's reign, a nationwide selection of women was held to enter the palace. Jiang Xueyi, the second daughter of the Minister of Justice, a third-rank official, was chosen to enter the palace.... more>>

Everyone inside and outside the palace knew that the Minister of Justice was a just and fair man, with a reputation for being strict and impartial, earning him the nickname "Iron-Faced Yanluo" (a reference to the god of the underworld). However, few people knew that his daughter, Jiang Xueyi, was a beautiful and gentle soul, with a lovely face and a kind heart.

In the harem, where women competed for the emperor's favor and plotted against each other, Jiang Xueyi stood out as a breath of fresh air, with a warm and gentle demeanor that won her many admirers. Among the 11 new women selected to enter the palace, she was the most favored by the emperor and was nicknamed "The Flower of Eloquence".

However, only Jiang Xueyi knew how difficult it was to survive in the treacherous world of the palace, where one misstep could lead to disaster. But she was careful and strategic, always thinking several steps ahead, and managed to navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries to rise through the ranks.

From her initial position as a noble lady, Jiang Xueyi rose to become the emperor's favored concubine, and was renowned for her beauty, intelligence, and kindness. The Jiang family was filled with pride and honor, and everyone in the palace admired and respected Jiang Xueyi.

But what people didn't know was that beneath her pure and gentle exterior, Jiang Xueyi was a cunning and ruthless player, who would stop at nothing to achieve her goals. And when she wasn't smiling, it was often a sign that someone was about to meet a terrible fate.

Note: The female protagonist has a very stable emotional state, always smiling, but when she's not smiling, someone is usually in for a world of trouble.

One-sentence summary: In the six palaces, the women's faces are devoid of color, but the intention is: no matter when or where, always love yourself the most. <<less

In the first year of the Tianyuan era, the Emperor decreed a grand selection of maidens. Su Jiaojiao was the youngest among the selected girls. As she watched her peers receive favor and attention, she was left alone in a remote palace, forgotten for three years.... more>>

Those three years transformed the once-tender girl into a stunning beauty. One spring evening, she walked under the blooming pear blossoms, her laughter and smile captivating. It only took one glance. The young Emperor was enchanted, and from then on, his gaze lingered on her.

Her raven hair and snowy skin were mesmerizing. Her nose was delicate, her lips inviting, and her autumn-like eyes sparkled. Her slender waist and lithe figure were as elegant as a willow tree. Su Jiaojiao had spent three years hidden away, but with her stunning beauty, she rose from an unknown selected maiden to become the Empress’s favored concubine, and eventually, the most beloved imperial consort. She knew exactly what she wanted.

On the day the Empress suffered a difficult labor, a thunderstorm raged outside. Shen Huai was about to leave when Su Jiaojiao lifted her autumn-like eyes, gently tugging on his robes, her voice soft as a kitten’s: “Your Majesty, I’m scared.”

He had never seen the cunning and ruthlessness hidden behind her downcast eyes. In that instant, he surrendered, defeated. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave.”

Shen Huai had seen countless beautiful women in his twenty years, and he had always been reckless and carefree in matters of the heart, never bowing to anyone. Yet, he had never encountered a woman like Su Jiaojiao – pure yet alluring, ruthless yet vulnerable, delicate yet resilient. Her beauty was unique, breathtaking, and captivating.

At first, he was captivated by her beauty, but later, he willingly surrendered to her, acknowledging her dominance.

Warning:

1. This is a traditional palace struggle novel, where the male lead is not a “C” ( likely referring to being "clean" or being a virg*n) and the female lead receives exclusive favor later on.

2. The female lead is a cunning and beautiful character, not a saintly or innocent “white lotus” type. Please remember that this is a novel for entertainment purposes only! The values and views expressed in the story do not represent the author’s own views, so please don’t apply modern standards to a palace struggle novel.

3. This is a fictional palace struggle story, with a distorted system and hierarchy. There are many plot twists, so readers who dislike complicated plots or are particular about historical accuracy should enter with caution.

4. The emperor will fall in love with the female lead, but she will not love him.

One-sentence summary: Rising step by step, plucking the phoenix crown

Theme: When trapped in adversity, remain strong and hold onto hope.

Content Tags: Imperial Court Romance, Favoritism, Proud Son of Heaven, Palace Struggle, Serious Drama. <<less