Reborn, the Empress Decides to Rule as Emperor

[Heroine × hero: Both reborn + palace intrigue and political scheming + devoted love Heroine × second male lead: A tragic love tangled in hatred + his groveling + coercion] In her previous life, Consort Fu was blind to the truth. She laid her heart at the feet of Fourth Prince Xiao Jingyan, only to receive a cup of poisoned wine, an accusation of witchcraft, and the sight of him taking the throne beside her own dear cousin. Reborn, she woke on the day before the spouses were to be chosen. Everyone expected her to throw herself at the aloof, frostlike Fourth Prince once more. They were waiting to watch him reject her in public and turn her into a laughingstock. But instead, she raised her hand and tossed the embroidered ball to the carefree Sixth Prince in the corner: the only person in her previous life who had secretly left a bowl of hot porridge outside her door in the Cold Palace. The entire hall erupted. For the first time, the frost cracked on the Fourth Prince’s face. “Fu Zhaoyi, have you gone mad?” The Sixth Prince caught the ball, smiling lazily, his eyes dark and inscrutable. “Second Young Lady, I accept your generous gift.” Later, she helped him rise from an idle prince to the highest seat in the realm. Later still, he stood by her as she ascended to the throne as empress. And later, the locked door of the Cold Palace was kicked open. Xiao Jingyan stormed in, covered in snow and wind, his eyes red as he asked her, “Why didn’t you choose me back then?” Consort Fu sat in the warm chamber, took a leisurely sip of tea, and replied without even looking up: “Your Highness, it’s too late.” The obsessive Sixth Prince × the clear-eyed, ruthless woman reborn. In our previous life, you treated me like dirt. In this one, I’ll make you want me and never have me.