From Castoff to Empress

She was the lowest-ranking palace maid, someone everyone could bully. Her father and brothers had died horribly, her family had been wrongfully accused, and her life was worth less than dust.

One night, the emperor mistakenly summoned her to his bed. When she awoke, he had cast her aside like trash and sent her to the Cold Palace to await death.

Everyone mocked her for foolishly reaching above her station, saying a wretch like her had no right to dream of marrying into the imperial family. They waited to see her ground to dust.

Who could have guessed?

She endured and bided her time, bore a child to secure her future, and planned each step carefully, carving a path to survival out of the mire!

Those who harmed her would pay a hundredfold.

Those who bullied her would be ruined and disgraced.

She personally sent the sister who betrayed her to hell.

The haughty Noble Consorts and Worthy Consorts alike would all end up beneath her feet.

She sought no love, only a way to survive.

The emperor's devotion? She scoffed at it.

The splendor of the imperial harem? She regarded it as filth.

When she had borne a prince and gained power over the entire harem, she tossed a letter of divorce before the assembled court officials:

“Your Majesty may rule the world. I only want my son. From now on, we each go our own way, and have nothing more to do with one another!”

She left with her son, carefree and unrestrained, leaving the emperor alone to regret it for the rest of his life.