Emperor Xie Xuan of Guangren despised people who climbed the social ladder by currying favor, especially after ascending the throne.
Nanzhu was exactly the sort of person he hated most.
But she wasn't a fairy who lived on dew. People need clothes and food to survive.
Nanzhu had known poverty as a child. She had been cold, wearing ragged clothes while others wore padded coats, and hungry, eating grass roots while others enjoyed sweet cakes.
Even after she became a noblewoman from a distinguished family, she could not shake her deep-rooted craving for material comforts. Before the woman who had brought her back, her penniless mother, died, she told Nanzhu that in these chaotic times, she needed to look out for herself and marry into a good family.
From a weed in the mud to a pearl in the clouds, Nanzhu knew all too well that beyond the beautiful mansions around her lay mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.
The Chen family of Xie from Chen Commandery, a clan with a century-old legacy, had gained a charming young woman who seemed both shrewd and hopelessly naive.
Her intentions were too obvious, and her acting was too clumsy.
Fortunately, she was truly beautiful.
Xie Xuan watched her wrap several young gentlemen of the clan around her little finger before coming to curry favor with him. He felt disgusted. He would never be fooled by someone like her.
Later, as they admired the mountain scenery from the Golden Tower, Emperor Guangren held Nanzhu's face and dropped increasingly obvious hints.
"The mountains and forests are all beneath my feet right now."
Xie Xuan was furious that Nanzhu didn't know how to climb to the highest branch.
She only had to climb him, the highest branch of all.
How could she climb this branch, then look toward another?
Xie Xuan: Nanzhu never fights or competes. She's adorable and pitiful.
Eunuch: What? You gave her the empress's seal, jewels, fine clothes, and delicacies. What is she supposed to fight for? There's only one woman in the harem. Who do you expect her to compete with?
Xie Xuan: Of course Nanzhu loves me. She's considerate and doesn't want to worry me. She hasn't paid any attention to those flirtatious women outside for three whole days. How could she not love me?
Blurb screenshotted on February 20, 2026.
Theme: Having enough to eat and warm clothes are life's great essentials
