The black-lotus heroine, a lone daughter of a military family × the dog-training, cunning emperor. Shen Zhaozhao was shoved into the palace by her stepmother to fill a quota and given the lowest rank of Attendant.
Everyone thought she was a soft touch they could squeeze at will.
But then
On her first day in the palace, she slapped Ronghua, who was enjoying the emperor's favor, twice. The next moment, Ronghua had to send her hot water.
On the second day, she knocked down a Noble Consort who was flaunting her pregnancy.
On the third day, she beat each of the four powerful Consorts in turn.
She turned the entire imperial harem upside down.
Emperor Pei Yan asked her, "Which river do you want to cross?"
She said, "The one that takes me from Attendant to surviving."
Pei Yan smiled. He didn't want her dead, but he didn't want her to enjoy life too much, either.
He wanted to tame her like a dog: starve her first, then feed her. Give her dignity, but no title.
That night, he punished her by making her kneel until dawn, then tossed her one of his own cloaks.
She knelt with her back straight. At daybreak, she folded the cloak and left it on a stone block by the roadside.
"Your Majesty's belongings are nothing I owe you."
Only later did the young emperor realize
Before he could tame her, he had to ask whether she agreed to be tamed.
If I'm unhappy, I'll fight. If I won't submit, I'll fight back. From today on, I'll write the rules of this harem.
