[Historical romance] + [palace intrigue] + [political scheming] + [cunning heroine] + [strong female lead]
From a noble daughter of the Secretariat Chancellor’s household to a lonely girl in the countryside; from an abandoned Crown Princess who merely drifted through each day, Meng Xiyue levels up through one challenge after another, always keeping her wits about her. She rises through the ranks, becoming a Worthy Lady, a Worthy Consort, and the Crown Prince’s secondary consort... Amid all the twists and turns, she patiently conceals her talents and quietly plots her moves, until she finally prevails from a thousand miles away and takes her place as empress.
From a physician’s apprentice to empress, she faces bloodshed at every turn. The palace is a battleground, the court a field of strife, and every step is fraught with danger...
Life is a game of chess. You can’t have both the fish and the bear’s paw; every gain comes with a loss, and only by giving something up can you gain something in return. Disappointment is commonplace, and what you gain may not be what you hoped for... Happiness is always just within reach, then far away again. Sometimes, when it feels complete, that is enough.
