The Sweet and Gentle Consort Only Wants to Save Money, While the Mad Emperor Falls for Her

[Rebirth + scheming black-lotus actress + groveling pursuit + making money]

In her past life, Song Zhao was the most obedient pawn in the Song family. She spent her whole life enduring hardship to help her legitimate elder sister rise to power, only to be strangled by her in the cold palace.

Returning to the beginning of her time in the palace, Song Zhao decides to stop acting!

No, that’s not right. She’ll act even harder!

She becomes the most delicate, harmless, and pitiful-looking little white flower in the imperial harem.

Facing the suspicious and ruthless Emperor Xiao Rongyan, she gazes at him with reddened eyes, looking as wronged as a startled fawn. “Your Majesty, my status is too low to presume to seek your favor. I only wish to tend a lonely lamp for you.”

The emperor’s heart softens, and he wants to give her his very life.

But in reality

Song Zhao: Spend the night with him? No! Compete for his favor? No time!

She’s too busy raising chickens in the cold palace, embroidering in a side hall, and trading the palace’s treasures for real gold and silver on the black market.

Just as Song Zhao saves enough for retirement and prepares to fake her death and escape, the usually dignified emperor goes completely mad.

With bloodshot eyes, he seals off the capital. He digs a broken hairpin out of the ruins, then spits blood and drops to his knees. “Zhaozhao, if you want money, I’ll give you the treasury. If you want my life, I’ll give you that too... Please, come back.”

[Clear-headed, money-making black lotus VS delusional, unhinged emperor]