[Two female protagonists + mind games + household intrigue + palace intrigue + transmigration. This is an immersive story for readers who enjoy smart characters. Read with caution if that’s not your thing.]
The moment Yun Zhan opened her eyes, she was in the Shen residence’s woodshed, beaten half to death.
She had become He Ya, a lowly maid accused of stealing a jade hairpin. Auntie Liu wanted her dead, while her half-sister wanted to use her life to ruin the legitimate young lady Shen Qingyuan’s chances in the selection for the imperial harem.
Everyone called her He Ya.
Only a cool, clear voice cut through the blood-soaked room:
“Stop.”
“She is not called He Ya.”
“Her name is Yun Zhan, and she is mine.”
In that case, she would help her fight Liu, crush her half-sister, overturn old schemes, and clear every obstacle. She would protect her as she entered the palace, protect her as she fought for favor, and protect her all the way from the Broken Jade Pavilion to the Empress’s Palace.
Liu wanted to ruin her young lady’s future, so she would dismantle Liu’s scheme first.
The consorts wanted to cut off their escape routes, so she would seize the lifelines of their rivals instead.
In the deep palace, where people’s hearts were as sharp as knives, she would become her sharpest blade and steadiest shield.
Everyone said Empress Shen owed her secure position to the maid named Yun Zhan at her side.
Only the two of them knew the truth.
Back then, in the snow, Shen Qingyuan had been the first to give her a name and the light that let her keep living.
“May you no longer be a frail stalk of grain in a year of famine. May you have a lamp to turn to.”
Later, Yun Zhan became her lamp, and became her whole world.
I'm the author, yes, I didn't even act, and directly became the first five-star review of this book 😳