The Ugly Consort's Tale: The General Helps Me Conquer the Inner Palace

I, Shen Qingwu, was born with a palm-sized scar on my right cheek. The Shen family treated me as a throwaway and sent me to the imperial harem as a stand-in, asking only that I keep out of trouble and stay alive. On my first day in the palace, low-ranking consorts bullied me. I thought I would have to swallow my anger, but in the confusion I accidentally collided with Xiao Ce, the general commanding the army. He didn’t punish me. Instead, he stepped in and got me out of trouble. The imperial palace is a mire. The empress fears the general’s power and wants to use me, an “ugly woman,” to bring him down. The other consorts see me as a thorn in their side and set traps for me at every turn. I have neither beauty nor influential family connections, so I can only rely on patience and observation to dodge open attacks and hidden schemes. Xiao Ce’s help on several occasions has gradually made me realize that surviving in this palace may require his support, but I cannot depend on him entirely. I only hope that one day I can escape this cage. As for whether anyone might see the sincere heart beneath this ugly face, I wouldn’t dare to dream of it.