Auntie Afu, the Power Behind the Harem

I woke up one morning at the age of fifty-five, my hair white with age. I downed a handful of pills to keep my exhausted body going, then cooked breakfast for my parents, who were dancing in the square outside, and my three grown children, all thirty-five and unemployed, gaming at home. After taking my nine grandchildren to school, I squeezed onto the subway and headed to work.

As I worked, I tried to figure out how to ask my young, unscrupulous boss for time off so I could leave at 11:30 to pick up the kids. In between, I discussed the sixtieth birthday celebration of my fifty-nine-year-old husband, who hadn't retired yet.

Suddenly, HR walked over without a trace of sympathy and said, "You've been late or left early fifteen times this month. By the rules, you're fired. Don't come in tomorrow."

I knew the boss was worried that if I suffered too much at work and tragically died on the job, he'd be out more than a million yuan. It just wasn't worth it.

I packed up my pile of accounting certificates, law licenses, and more. I had no choice but to become a servant. I thought, if I had to serve someone, I might as well serve the most noble person in the most prestigious place in the world.

I gave my gold bracelet to the chief eunuch, and at last, at the age of fifty-five, I entered the palace as I had wished. That very night, I was summoned to the emperor's bedchamber.

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Please do not imitate.