In Empresses in the Palace, Nian Shilan takes an expired fake-death drug and keeps putting on weight until she becomes a plus-size model worthy of a Western oil painting.
A court painter discovers her and brings her back to the palace.
She wins back Yongzheng's favor.
She gives birth to four chubby boys.
In truth, she has even more little ones.
She ends up living among the common folk,
infiltrates a prince's manor, seduces princes, and charms princesses,
then sparks a movement to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming, both inside and outside the palace.
The more children you have, the more trees you plant. Even in palace intrigue, a noble benefactor can come to your aid.
I'm battling the censors every day. They won't let me write even a little sexy stuff. So annoying! How is the harem supposed to receive the emperor's favor, then?
