My Fifth Year in the Cold Palace

[Draft in progress]

In the third year of the new emperor's reign, the Crown Prince's rebellion was exposed, and he was thrown into the prison awaiting execution.

That night, the advisors gathered under their commander's tent to discuss how to save their lord.

In truth, everyone knew the Crown Prince had little chance of survival.

The new emperor, Huan Shuo, was cold-hearted and cruel, having usurped the throne and seized the realm.

He had conquered the empire with his own hands. Not even his own son was allowed to harbor the slightest thought of claiming it.

Amid the sighs, someone suddenly asked, "Why not ask Madam Lan for help?"

Everyone exchanged glances.

Madam Lan, Lan Shu, was the most favored woman in Huan Shuo's household.

It was said that when she gave birth to the Crown Prince years ago, Huan Shuo abandoned a city on the verge of falling and raced a thousand miles home. He didn't sleep for three days and nights.

But imperial favor was as fleeting as flowing water. It had been five years since Madam Lan had enjoyed his undivided affection.

Before Huan Shuo ascended the throne, Madam Lan had already fallen out with him. She moved to a secluded villa and was never allowed out again.

Seeing everyone shake their heads, the man who had spoken fell silent.

*

Several days later, an elderly minister entered the palace to see the emperor. Relying on his contributions to Huan Shuo's rise to power, he urged him to revoke his decree.

The moment he finished speaking, a cold sword pressed against his neck. Huan Shuo narrowed his eyes, his gaze full of menace.

The old minister broke into a cold sweat and was about to beg for mercy when he saw a slender figure approaching gracefully through the deepening dusk beyond the pavilion.

Madam Lan paid no attention to the scene in the pavilion. She merely bowed her head to smell the orchids blooming in the night.

A faint, radiant smile brought beauty to her face.

The old minister had no time to wonder why Madam Lan, who was supposed to be confined to a secluded palace, was here.

He heard a clatter. The new emperor stared blankly at her retreating figure, failing even to notice the sword falling from his hand.

Moments later, he erupted into a nearly savage joy and strode out of the pavilion.

Several days later, the Crown Prince was released from prison.

That same day, he was named heir apparent and moved into the Eastern Palace.

*

The first time Lan Shu saw Huan Shuo, she hated him.

She hated his treacherous ambition and arrogant pride. On the day the city fell, he had even forced his way into her tent and demanded the governor's seal.

The Lan clan of Runan had been loyal for generations. How could she bow to a traitor?

In the second year of her forced marriage to Huan Shuo, Lan Shu still didn't like him.

She didn't like the sting of his rough fingertips on her skin, or the way his hands gripped her waist.

But she knew how deeply he loved her and how he put her first in everything.

She wasn't entirely unwilling to... live in harmony with him.

Ten years after giving birth to their eldest son, Lan Shu hated him more than ever.

She would rather die than become the empress of this traitor.

But Huan Shuo clamped a hand around her jaw, his voice icy.

"Whether you live or die is for me alone to decide."

Perhaps tired of her stubborn pride, Huan Shuo impatiently swept away and sent her to live in seclusion at a villa.

For the next five years, she knew Huan Shuo paced outside the villa every night.

She also knew that if she would only walk outside, she could once again be the most honored empress in the realm.

[Reader's Guide]

1. A fragrant beauty X a cold-hearted tyrant

2. One-on-one romance, both leads are pure

3. Forceful pursuit | Reconciliation after a breakup | The husband pursues his wife to the crematorium

4. The male lead begs for love and will never hurt the female lead in their relationship. Their conflicts center on their opposing positions and personalities.

5. Before meeting the female lead, the male lead had no plans to marry, so he has an adopted son. Later, he'll also adopt the children of his clan brothers who died in battle. Think of it as uncles helping raise their fatherless nephews.

(This blurb was written on March 1, 2026, and a screenshot has been saved as proof.)

Theme: A human being is a thinking reed.