From Divorce Papers to the Phoenix Seal: The Cast-Off Legitimate Daughter Plots to Rule

[Palace and household intrigue + political scheming + feel-good power fantasy + marriage before love + two equally strong leads + one-on-one romance]

Everyone in the capital knew that Prince Jing, Zhou Yanlin, had married an unfavored primary consort merely as a decorative figure, to make room for the side consort he loved.

At first, a servant reported, “Your Highness, the Princess Consort exposed Consort Liu’s fake pregnancy scheme.”

Prince Jing sneered. “Just a ploy born of jealousy.”

Later, a servant reported, “Your Highness, the Princess Consort dazzled everyone at the palace banquet and restored your reputation.”

Prince Jing fell silent, his gaze profound.

Later still, a spy reported, “Your Majesty, Her Highness has laid a vast net for you, purged the treacherous officials from the court, and is preparing a plan to curb the power of the regional princes.”

The emperor, now on the throne, could no longer sit still. He dropped his memorials and rushed back to the Kunning Palace in the middle of the night.

But all he saw was the empress calmly sipping tea. “Your Majesty, there’s no need to come back. I can handle everything on my own.”

The emperor pulled her into his arms, his voice hoarse and full of grievance. “I’m not worried you can’t handle it. I just missed you.”