The Empress Is Alluring to All, but the Emperor Favors Her Alone, and She Refuses to Serve

[Palace intrigue throughout + making a fortune through business in ancient times + transmigrated heroine who is a traditional Chinese medicine expert + gentle hero at first, suspicious later + happy ending]

Ran Li, the emperor of Yan, is handsome and tall, with deep-set eyes and countless beautiful women in his harem. Yet he is indifferent to romance, devoting himself entirely to state affairs and war. By a twist of fate, he falls for Xu Zhihua, an obscure woman living in the Cold Palace, and sets his heart on elevating her to Noble Consort.

The empress, backed by a powerful family; Consort Chun, with deep-rooted influence; Xu Zhihua’s cousin, Xu Miaoyun; Xie Xueying, a new favorite recommended by the empress... Every one of them hates the heroine to the bone and wants her dead.

Xu Zhihua gives a wicked smile.

I’ll play the favored consort to perfection and cultivate a sweet-yet-seductive image. No more lying flat: everyone, get ready to compete! I want money, power, and beauty, all of it!

From then on, she throws herself into outdoing everyone, acting both innocent and seductive until the emperor is completely captivated. To build a powerful support network, she allies herself with the empress dowager and switches into scheming mode. One day she wants to open a postnatal care center, the next a mahjong parlor. She gathers the ministers’ weaknesses and all kinds of intelligence, determined to become the most powerful, wealthy, and beautiful favored consort.

Ran Li thinks their feelings are mutual, only to discover that she sees him merely as a stepping stone to wealth and status.

By the time she reaches the pinnacle, takes her place as empress, and holds control of the finances, Ran Li begins to suspect her.

But she treats the emperor’s suspicions as nothing. She not only refuses to appease him, but also exchanges flirtatious glances with a handsome guard.

Ran Li demands, “Who’s more handsome, me or him?”

Xu Zhihua replies, “Hard to say. Whoever makes me happy today is the handsome one.”

Ran Li rolls up his sleeves, eager to get started. He is determined to win back the empress’s attention!