My Third Year as a Caged Bird

Before the new emperor ascended the throne, Shen Mingyu was considered the most promising official at court.

She entered government service as the legitimate eldest son of a marquis's household. At sixteen, she took first place in the imperial examinations, and in just four years at court she rose rapidly through the ranks. She even managed to escape unscathed after the powerful Princess Yongle forced her into marriage, without her career suffering at all.

Unfortunately, she chose the wrong sovereign to serve. The late emperor died, and the current emperor took the throne. Princess Yongle was stripped of her power and exiled to the imperial mausoleum, while Shen Mingyu was the first to be thrown into prison.

Everyone assumed that the former Censor had confessed and been punished. After all, she had formed a faction for personal gain and repeatedly plotted to harm His Majesty. Each offense was punishable by death.

Then, at the Longevity Banquet a year later, a sharp-eyed minister noticed that the peerlessly beautiful Consort at the emperor's side bore a striking resemblance to Lord Shen of old.

Since ascending the throne, His Majesty had appointed only this one Consort to his harem, showering her with boundless favor.

Could this really be no more than a coincidence of appearance?

As cups clinked throughout the hall, Pei Yao'an casually pressed down on the wine cup beside him. "You're allowed only half a cup more."

"Your Majesty certainly likes to meddle."

That night, in the Zichen Hall.

After the passion between them had subsided, the emperor's slender hand brushed the jade-like cheek of the person in his arms, watching the flush slowly fade.

He said, "You've been rather well-behaved lately. What are you plotting now, hmm?"

Shen Mingyu closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. "Your Majesty is so hard to please. Shall I escape again?"

Pei Yao'an knew her temperament well enough to realize she would never obediently do as she was told.

But it didn't matter. He chuckled. She would never slip from his grasp.

1. They're both each other's first and only partners, so there's no need to say more. The male lead has no harem, in name or in fact.

2. The female lead won't compromise just to get by. She won't remain in the harem alone.

Theme: Independence and freedom