I Failed to Leave the Palace and Became the Emperor's Most Cherished One

"Not a clean romance, not a strong female lead, with exclusive devotion later on."

Zhou Ying is a junior palace maid. To get enough to eat in the palace, she often embroiders pieces and asks palace guards to take them outside and sell them for her.

Later, the guard who used to help her disappears, so she has no choice but to find someone else.

This time, however, the guard she finds is nothing like the gentle one before. He is stern and taciturn, and at first Zhou Ying doesn't even dare look him in the eye.

Later, Zhou Ying is transferred to serve at the emperor's side. One day, she happens to look up and glimpse the emperor's face, only to realize he looks very much like the guard who helps her with her little business.

The emperor is imperious and reputed to have killed countless people. The guard who helps her with her business may be quiet, but he brings her delicious pastries. Zhou Ying promptly dismisses the thought.

Her embroidery business isn't affected at all. With fewer duties serving at the emperor's side, it actually flourishes.

As she watches her savings grow, Zhou Ying begins to plan her departure from the palace.

When she tells the guard who helps her with her business that she intends to leave, the man who has always been kind to her suddenly changes expression.

On the day she is to leave, Zhou Ying carries the silver she has saved over the years and waits in the long line, looking back expectantly, hoping the man who was angry with her a few days ago will come to say one last goodbye.

He does come, but the one who arrives is the emperor, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe.

That day, one inconspicuous palace maid is missing from the list of those leaving the palace, while the harem gains a consort who enjoys the emperor's unending favor.

[This is a fictional dynasty. I just want to tell a story, not write historical fact. If it's not your thing, please move on. Thank you!]