The Emperor's Cherished Darling

A chance encounter over sweet street cakes with an emperor traveling incognito draws Yun Nuonuo, a young woman from the frontier, into the emperor’s game of power. An imperial decree summons her to the palace, where she becomes a pawn meant to keep the Yun family in check. She faces one hardship after another in the inner palace, but the Empress Dowager secretly looks out for her and the emperor gently protects her. She is moved from a side hall in Yongxiang to Changle Palace, and even receives the emperor’s special favors: permission to ride horses within the palace and a dedicated kitchen serving her sweet dishes.

Dark currents churn in the imperial court. Minister Wang frames the Yun family for treason and collusion with the enemy. Just as Yun Nuonuo is overcome with fear and helplessness, Xiao Che acts decisively, exposes the forged evidence, and catches the mastermind. He not only clears the Yun family’s name, but also raises their noble rank. The crisis lets her see the emperor’s true feelings. From her initial resistance and suspicion, to confiding her feelings with him in the bedchamber late at night, and finally sealing their love with a passionate kiss in the palace hall, she is at last willing to let go of her longing for freedom and devote herself to him.