The Heart's Tribulation

She is the daughter of a salt merchant from Jiangnan. Because her face closely resembles that of the late Empress, she is sent into the palace and made the young Emperor's stand-in, a balm for his longing. She knows she is merely a caged bird in his palm, a reflection in a mirror, so she conceals her true feelings and keeps her strengths hidden, asking only that her family remain safe. But as schemes, betrayal, and genuine affection intertwine, she discovers that her existence means far more than simply being a stand-in… The Emperor's heart is as deep as the sea. How will she unravel the mysteries of the treacherous inner palace and find a way to survive, as well as the love she truly seeks?