The Little Palace Maid Climbs into the Emperor's Bed, and the Coldhearted Emperor Turns Clingy

[Both leads are devoted only to each other | Neither lead is a good person | Scheming, beautiful palace maid × cold-hearted emperor | Harem intrigue | They scheme and spar for favor early on; he dotes on her alone later] In her previous life, Jiang Shuyu loyally served Noble Consort Shen, only to be tortured to death, her bones crushed and her body left unburied. Reborn in a pool of blood, she intercepted the emperor by a pond while he was overcome by the effects of a drug. After one wild night, a young palace maid took the virginity Emperor Xiao Yan had guarded for twenty-three years. When it was over, she turned and ran. A title? She didn’t want one. His favor? No rush. Everyone in the harem mocked her for being foolish, betraying her mistress and seducing the emperor, all while pretending to be above it. Jiang Shuyu knew perfectly well: the easier something is to obtain, the less it is valued. Xiao Yan kept her by his side as a palace maid serving before the throne. The court and the harem alike were convinced the emperor was merely indulging a passing fancy. But the cold, merciless emperor wanted nothing more than to keep her by his side, day and night, sharing every tender moment. Jiang Shuyu, however, grew anxious. She had returned to seek revenge and grasp power. She absolutely refused to spend her life as a mere palace maid. Xiao Yan saw through all her ambitions. Defying the objections of the entire court, he made an unprecedented decree and granted her authority over a palace. The lowly palace maid rose in one leap to rule an entire palace, leaving the court in an uproar. From then on, she planned each step carefully and took revenge on her enemies with her own hands. She steadily ascended to the empress’s throne, standing shoulder to shoulder with the emperor to wield power. Xiao Yan outmaneuvered his rivals and secured his vast empire, yet in the end, he fell into her hands. When others asked if indulging her so completely was worth it, he lowered his head and carefully fastened her sash, his voice firm. “I gave her my first time. You tell me if it was worth it.” I give you my days and nights at my side, and the overwhelming power you desire.