[Palace Intrigue] [Not Each Other's First] [Devoted Love Later On] [Workaholic vs. Master of Slacking] [The Heroine Wants to Lie Flat but Gets Pushed Along]
Shen Lanzhu was an office worker who dropped dead at her desk. She transmigrates into the body of the legitimate daughter of a duke's mansion in the Great Yin Dynasty. Faced with a life of good food and comfort that requires no effort, all she wants to do is lie flat. In a harem where everyone competes to outshine one another, she just shuts her doors and focuses on eating.
At the selection, other girls recite women's virtues, sing, and dance. Unable to offer any talent, she gives up trying: This humble woman can eat, sleep, and cook.
The emperor: A noble young lady who can cook? Sure, I'll believe that.
He issues an edict assigning her to a remote pavilion as a beauty. Even the eunuchs feel sorry for her, but instead of being upset, she's overjoyed. She sets up a little stove in Lanyue Pavilion and feeds herself until she's plump and rosy: Remote is great! Living far away means I don't have to compete!
The short-tempered Consort De often summons her to share a meal. Everyone else gives her a look of pity, but no one knows that once the doors are shut, both women eat until their bellies are round, enjoying delicious dishes like red-braised pork, chicken congee, and red rice lotus root.
The serving maids are practically drooling with envy.
Later, the empress starts summoning her frequently too. Everyone in the harem waits to see her make a fool of herself, but the more often she visits, the higher her rank rises! Shen Lanzhu smiles knowingly when she hears. Anyone who experiences her unique massage technique is bound to love it!
Just when she thinks she's settled the biggest players in the harem and can safely keep slacking, the emperor, who's busy with state affairs from dawn to dusk, starts acting strange.
"I'm hungry."
"I'm tired."
"You massage them, but not me?"
Shen Lanzhu gazes at the emperor, who's sprawled on her couch and refuses to leave, and falls into thought: Boss, does this count as overtime?
At first the emperor is merely curious. Later, he realizes this is the only place where he can be an ordinary person who gets tired, hungry, and annoyed.
He wants to dote on her, protect her, and give her the best of everything. He even carefully plans her promotions so she won't draw too much attention and become a target.
He thinks they'll live peacefully like this for decades. Then one day, Shen Lanzhu presents him with a written request: Your Majesty, I want to retire and leave the palace. Could you sign this?
The emperor crushes the paper with a dark expression and grits out:
"I will not approve."
If you dislike a romance where the leads haven't only been with each other, don't read. The early part is a slow-paced mix of palace life and daily routines. Readers who prefer fast-paced wish fulfillment should proceed with caution.
Blurb recorded: 2026.02.26
Theme: Strive for a better life
Update soon! Can't wait to read the next chapter [Spreading Flowers]
"It's ×'s ✓..." Is a big bug for the author~
"Shen Lanzhu..." Caught a big bug for the author~
"He..." Is a big thorn in the side of the author~