Transmigrating as a Lazy Concubine, I’m Ready to Rise

[Palace intrigue + fictional setting + seemingly lazy heroine who loves money and power, rising all the way to the top + emperor favors and dotes on her alone, dismisses his entire harem + one-on-one romance] Tu Yanyu, a high-powered career woman, transmigrated as a low-ranking concubine in Prince Jing’s household before he took the throne. How could she let herself be pushed around? The inner court became a gladiatorial arena, with women of all kinds resorting to every sort of underhanded trick and open scheme to rise in rank. Tu Yanyu smiled coolly. Don’t put on an act in front of me. I’ve already seen through all your cards! If you don’t harm me, I won’t harm you. If you do, I’ll make sure you pay. She worked tirelessly to climb to the pinnacle of power, until everything was in the palm of her hand: A slap across the face, memorizing palace rules, copying Buddhist scriptures, suspending monthly allowances, or expulsion. Who would dare misbehave? As for that lofty emperor, wasn’t it better to focus on building a career? She started a business selling personal care products, opened a snack shop, and designed and manufactured fashionable handbags, running the whole operation from start to finish! One day, a court official impeached the empress for ruling the inner palace too strictly. The Ninth Imperial Uncle said, “Who dares speak ill of my sister-in-law? I’m writing your names down. Anyone who does won’t be able to buy a single good thing from my shops again. You can kneel on a washboard and wait!” The Marquis of Yangping said, “Her Majesty the Empress is a wise and virtuous empress. We all support her.” The emperor said, “The empress keeps my realm safe. To impeach her is unforgivable!” After finally making it to the position of empress dowager and enjoying a peaceful old age, she found that her four sons each had a way of keeping her on her toes... In short, a low-ranking concubine in a prince’s household somehow ended up a wise and virtuous empress.