Palace Intrigue, Household Intrigue + Historical Romance and Political Scheming + Ensemble Harem Cast + Alternate-History Period Setting
Xiao Chengjun ascended the throne as a teenager. Raised deep within the palace, he became adept at pretending not to hear or understand.
He knew better than anyone that the smiles and laughter, the jealousy, the sisterly affection, and the rivalry for favor in the harem had never been just about love. Behind every consort stood a powerful clan; the fate of every royal child affected the fortunes of several families. A hairpin, a ledger, or a drunken remark could drag someone back ten years.
So he sat at the very top, watching everyone fight.
At first, he watched for amusement. Only later did he realize that he, too, was part of the play.
This is not a story about one person winning the emperor's exclusive favor. It is the story of a group of people trapped by status, power, birth, and desire, and how they struggle to survive in the imperial family.
