The Phoenix Couch’s Sole Favorite: His Majesty’s Beloved Empress

She is Shen Weiwan, daughter of the Grand Tutor. By imperial decree, she marries into the palace and becomes the youngest empress of the Dasheng Dynasty. She expects a political marriage in which both sides get what they want, but instead finds herself on the receiving end of the cold, austere emperor’s most passionate devotion. He is Xiao Che, the sovereign of all under heaven. As soon as he ascends the throne, he elevates her to empress. The world says emperors are heartless, but he cherishes her like a precious jewel in the palm of his hand. He stays by her side through the night after their wedding, goes straight to Kunning Palace once court business is done, and reserves the finest palace allotments for her alone. If anyone so much as looks at her too long, he sees it as coveting her; a single word of criticism sends him into a thunderous rage. “My empress has no need to understand palace intrigue or political schemes.” He pulls her into his arms, his tone domineering yet full of tenderness. “All you need to do is stay by my side and smile as the flowers bloom. I’ll clear away every demon and villain for you.” When Consort Shu schemes to cut her allowance, he deals with her mercilessly and announces throughout the six palaces, “No one dares lay a hand on anything belonging to the empress.” When Prince Rui happens to look at her a little too long, he flies into a jealous rage and decrees, “No man but me may come within three feet of the empress.” And when schemes swirl through the palace and every scrap of evidence points to her, he sweeps his gaze over the ministers and says coldly, “My empress has no need to resort to such tactics. Speak another word against her, and you’ll be executed!” His trust in her is unconditional, and his possessiveness knows no bounds. He shields her beneath layer upon layer of imperial authority, refusing to let anyone hurt her in the slightest. Shen Weiwan once thought the palace was a prison, but day after day, his domineering devotion gradually wears down her defenses. She watches him dismiss his harem for her, rebuke powerful ministers for her, and reveal a rare tenderness and childishness in her presence. Only then does she understand that this imperial bed holds more than the emperor’s authority: it is also the place he has set aside for her alone