In the first year after Wen Jinzhao entered the palace, she was the emperor's sole favorite.
Everyone said the emperor and his consort had known each other since they were young and shared a deep bond. No one in the palace could help envying them.
In the third year after Wen Jinzhao entered the palace, the emperor harshly rebuked her for having no virtue befitting a consort, calling her jealous and unruly.
He summoned a palace maid to his bed, bestowed the title of Wan upon her, and praised her as a hundred times gentler and more obedient than the Noble Consort.
In the fourth year after Wen Jinzhao entered the palace, the Noble Consort who had once reigned supreme in the emperor's favor had become a laughingstock throughout the harem.
Even after Wen Jinzhao was banished to the Cold Palace, she had never thought of lowering her head and admitting fault. That was, until news of her elder sister's death reached the palace.
Her elder sister had married into a powerful family because Wen Jinzhao was favored, and had been tormented by her husband after Wen Jinzhao fell from favor. She died in childbirth.
The baby in the swaddling clothes was clinging to life. At that moment, Wen Jinzhao finally learned to bow her head and submit. She buried her pride and temper, and, to protect her sister's child, learned to become a sufficiently obedient consort.
But the emperor's eyes reddened as he said, "A Chao, don't speak to me like that."
Theme: Cherish the one before you.
The emperor is trash, the ending is good
It's good, but my sister's death is a pity no matter what...