Dragon Heir of the Deep Palace: I Am the Emperor's Illegitimate Son

Everyone laughs at me, calling me the lowliest street peddler in South City, a man bullied by officials and trampled by the powerful, with not a shred of dignity.

But who would have guessed that I, Shen Yuan, whose real name is Xiao Yuchen, am the Emperor of Great Yong's secret royal heir, hidden away for twenty whole years?

In the final years of a prosperous age, the Third Prince is fighting for the throne, powerful clans control the court, and the empress's relatives have seized imperial power. The court has long since rotted into a deadlock.

With the former emperor gravely ill and no one he can rely on, a secret decree issued in the dead of night forcibly thrusts me, a man who grew up on the streets, into this world-shaking game of power.

No title, no allies, no foothold in court?

No problem!

I possess a thousand years of literary wisdom, the political strategies of later generations, and peerless business acumen!

I dominate Kyoto's poetry gatherings and face-slap the scions of every great family;

I navigate the cracks in the court and steadily seize the princes' power;

I keep the great clans in check and overturn a century of entrenched politics!

The legitimate princes see me as a thorn in their side, while the powerful clans want to crush me into the dust.

But they don't know that when a hidden dragon who has lain low on the streets finally raises its head, it will shake the entire court to its foundations!

From an unknown commoner in South City to the man who outshines the three princes and holds power over all under heaven, I will ultimately ascend the throne and rule the vast lands of Great Yong!

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