The Caged Sparrow: The Emperor’s Captive Beauty

Pei Chenxi had been on the throne for several years, yet his harem remained empty. He refused to take concubines, declaring that he would find someone who belonged only to him. Then, at the peony banquet, he caught sight of Miss Wen, whose beauty surpassed even Xi Shi’s, though illness made her seem all the more delicate. One glance was enough to stir his desire to keep her captive. “Minister Wen, you have cared for her all these years, yet her health has hardly improved. In that case, let her stay in the palace. I will have the imperial physicians tend to her with the utmost care.” Overnight, she went from a minister’s daughter to a bird in the emperor’s carefully tended cage. He lavished boundless favor on her and provided renowned physicians and precious medicines, but he could not give her freedom. Deep within the palace, sick and distraught, she pleaded with the chief eunuch: “Please, Eunuch... make the emperor let me go...” Xiao Lanzi, the chief eunuch, was so terrified that he nearly lost his wits. He hurriedly lowered his voice and rebuked her: “Oh, my dear girl! You must never say such a thing! The walls have ears. You must watch what you say!” Pei Chenxi had never wanted her gratitude. He wanted to tame her, to have her heart. Looking into her tear-filled eyes, he asked in a hoarse voice: “Tell me, what will it take for your heart to stay with me?” Content warnings: 1. The protagonist’s parents appear in the book The Eunuch’s Sweetheart in His Palm. The ending includes the first seven chapters of this book. “The First Meeting” 2. No palace intrigue or political scheming. 3. The female lead is frail and sickly. 4. Don’t expect logic. The author’s brain doesn’t work. 5. Read with caution.