As Ulanara Ruyi breathed her last in the Cold Palace, her heart held nothing but regret.
Reborn on the eve of Emperor Qianlong's selection of consorts, she calmly warned the Empress Dowager about the palace's fire hazards.
Surprised by her intelligence, the Empress Dowager immediately decided to betroth her to the Fourth Prince, Hongli.
Ruyi smiled and accepted. This time, she would enter the game of her own accord.
Looking at the handsome young Hongli before her, she felt not a trace of affection.
The deep love she had given in her previous life earned her only a place in the Cold Palace and a white silk noose. In this life, she would plan every step carefully.
She secretly supported Hailan's rise to the rank of Noble Consort, and personally led Wei Yanwan down the road to ruin.
She watched the harem's power struggles with cold indifference, deftly avoiding every trap.
Until one day in the imperial garden, Hongli embraced her from behind. “Ruyi, do you still have even the slightest affection for me?”
She gently slipped free. “Your Majesty, all I have ever wanted is freedom.”
Hongli watched her retreating figure, a secret report clenched in his hand.
“I cannot give you freedom, but I can give you the entire Great Qing realm.”
