The Journey of Striving to Become the Dowager Empress, One Step at a Time

Xu Jingyao is the only legitimate daughter of the Director of the Imperial Academy.

With the imperial selection approaching, Xu Jingyao throws herself into it without hesitation for the glory of her family.

Now that she has entered the palace, she intends to make her mark and work her way up to become the most precious woman in the imperial harem.

(This novel has no CP. There is no genuine romance between the male and female leads. The heroine cares about power and status, not whether the hero loves her, while the hero merely dotes on her.)

(The hero does not favor the heroine exclusively. He is a traditional emperor who will continue to favor other women. If you dislike that, please don't read.)