Consort Shen

My new novel, The Consort Li's Tale, is now underway. Those who enjoy palace intrigue are welcome to check it out in my profile.

In the third year of Chengping, by the Empress Dowager's gracious decree, a selection was held throughout the empire.

Shen Rongyi, the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, had eyes like autumn waters, brows like distant hills, and a lovely face that was the most beautiful in the capital.

At the final selection, the emperor personally praised her.

In just two short years, she climbed from a sixth-rank Beauty to a first-rank Noble Consort, becoming the most favored woman in the imperial harem.

With the empress's seat vacant, everyone assumed the emperor would make the Noble Consort empress.

At the height of her favor, Shen Rongyi once tested the waters, relying on the emperor's affection.

All she received was a face wearing a faint, inscrutable smile.

She fell silent and never dared mention the matter again.

Several years passed in a flash. She remained a Noble Consort, in charge of the Six Palaces, her favor never waning.

In the year he first ascended the throne, Emperor Chengping held a selection and picked out a fine pawn.

Clever, beautiful, and most importantly, sensible.

In the two years since she entered the palace, he had been satisfied with everything the Shen family's daughter did.

But that day, she made a foolish mistake and entertained a thought she should never have had.

After that, Emperor Chengping deliberately cooled toward her and did not visit the harem for a month.

Just as he had expected, she never again entertained such an improper thought.

Emperor Chengping supposed he should be satisfied.

But as he watched her smile grow more and more false, irritation began to rise in his heart.

P.S. Palace-intrigue story. The male lead is not sexually chaste.

Rank chart:

First rank: Noble Consort, Virtuous Consort, Pure Consort, Worthy Consort

First rank, junior: Lady (two positions)

Second rank: Consort (four positions)

Second rank, junior: Honored Lady, Glorious Lady, Beautiful Lady, Cultivated Lady, Refined Lady, Elegant Lady, Attendant Lady, Accomplished Lady, Graceful Lady

Third rank: Noble Concubine (four positions)

Third rank, junior: Jieyu (four positions)

Fourth rank: Ronghua (four positions)

Fourth rank, junior: Gentle Lady, Fragrant Lady, Delicate Lady, Virtuous Lady (two positions each)

Fifth rank: Concubine (five positions)

Fifth rank, junior: Worthy Beauty, Worthy Lady, Junior Beauty, Junior Lady (two positions each)

Sixth rank: Noblewoman (six positions)

Sixth rank, junior: Beauty (six positions)

Seventh rank: Attendant (eight positions)

Seventh rank, junior: Answering Lady (eight positions)

Eighth rank: Precious Forest

Eighth rank, junior: Chosen Lady

Ninth and lowest rank: Palace Woman

Those of third rank or higher, including third rank, preside over a palace and may raise imperial heirs.

(Lower-ranking consorts may also raise them if granted special permission.)

Theme: Everyone must take responsibility for their mistakes.