After the Tyrant Heard Her Thoughts, the Little Palace Maid Rose to Great Heights

Overworked office worker Xie Ningwan transmigrates into the palace as its lowest-ranking maid. Just as she is about to be executed after a stroke of terrible luck, her thoughts are overheard, and the tyrant Li Yunkuo appoints her as his personal attendant. Having seen Li Yunkuo kill people on a whim, and with the sword hanging over her head liable to fall at any moment, Xie Ningwan wants to keep her distance. 【He chops people’s heads off at the drop of a hat. Stay away if I want to live!】 She accidentally discovers his shameful little fetish, and the sword over her head seems to lower by the day. Knowing Xie Ningwan wants to escape, Li Yunkuo alternately entices and threatens her into putting her talents to use: “If you can increase the national treasury’s reserves by five million taels of silver within three years, I’ll allow you to leave the palace and be free.” Before three years are up, the treasury grows ever richer. Holding the emperor’s gold token in her hand, Xie Ningwan hears freedom calling. “Your Majesty, I’ve done it. Please keep your promise.” Li Yunkuo: “I grant you a thousand acres of fertile land, a hundred bolts of silk, and a selection of jade and antiques...” Xie Ningwan is stunned. She has received countless rewards, but not the freedom she wanted. The Minister of Revenue holds up a weighty ledger, smiling so broadly that his cheeks crease. “Your Majesty, I’ll stake my head on recommending Miss Xie to join the court and continue serving the nation.” The ministers of the other five departments: “We second the motion.” A certain Duke: “Your Majesty, my son wishes to marry Miss Xie. I beg you to grant them permission.” A certain general: “Your Majesty, I want to marry her too.” A certain top scholar: “Your Majesty, I feel the same way.” Li Yunkuo scowls. “Well, well! I had no idea every one of you was trying to steal what’s mine.” Everyone: “...” Holding the imperial seal of the empress before Xie Ningwan, Li Yunkuo says earnestly, “Hold the authority and wield the power, and you’ll have absolute freedom.”