A Qing-Dynasty Crossover: I Rise to Power by Playing Sweet on the Outside, Dark on the Inside

[Crossover transmigration + Qing dynasty transmigration + a huge golden finger + lots of children + bringing down the emperor + not much of a conscience]

After transmigrating to the Qing dynasty three times, she learned one thing: to survive in the cannibalistic Forbidden City, beauty and a soft heart weren't nearly enough.

On her first life, she transmigrated into the household of the Fourth Prince as an inconspicuous concubine. For three years, she played the meek little white rabbit, witnessing the dark schemes of the inner court and the bloody struggle among the Nine Princes. When a blade was at her throat, she smiled and shoved the sister she trusted most into the fire. The last trace of innocence in her eyes shattered completely. From that day on, the timid Shen was gone. In her place stood Niohuru Weiwan, climbing her way up over a mountain of corpses.

On her second life, she became a new palace consort entering the palace during the Qianlong reign. With her innocent, lovely face, she curtsied to the high-ranking consorts, her eyes glimmering. Then she turned around and arranged for an arrogant noble lady to “accidentally” fall into the water. Everyone praised her gentle, mild temperament. Only the palace servants she had ruined knew what kind of icy coldness lay behind those smiling eyes.

On her third life, she became a childhood companion to the young Cixi. Watching the woman who would one day hold power over the court, she toyed with a strand of beads and smiled innocently. “Don't worry, big sister. I'll protect you from now on.” Yet behind the scenes, she passed Xianfeng Emperor the pieces he needed to keep others in check, setting up a game of her own amid the treacherous currents of the court.

From the back courtyards of princely mansions to the heights of the Forbidden City, from the fringes of imperial power to reaching for the Dragon Throne, Shen Weiwan always wore the same harmless mask. Everyone said she was lucky. Only she knew that every step up the ladder was steeped in scheming and cruelty.

“They like them obedient? Then I'll play the part. Once they let their guard down, I'll drag them off their pedestals myself. There's nothing like the taste of rising to the top.”