The Minister of Rites' daughter was fifteen. It was time for her to marry.
The Minister said, "Huaiyu, you're clever and decisive, dignified and graceful. You deserve the most honorable man in the world."
Her stepmother said, "Huaiyu, you're the eldest daughter. You should marry up and pave the way for your younger siblings."
Huaiyu smiled and said nothing, happily marrying the Crown Prince and becoming the Crown Princess of Great Yan.
The Crown Prince treasured her and doted on her in every way. But their good fortune didn't last. His younger half-brother slandered him, and he was cruelly deposed.
Huaiyu, once surrounded by glory, sank into despair, ignored by everyone.
The Crown Prince said, "Huaiyu, once I've risen again, I'll make you Empress and dismiss the entire harem."
Huaiyu smiled gently. "Husband, I don't want any of that. I only want you to be safe and sound."
Half a year later, the deposed Crown Prince died in his residence, consumed by illness and grief.
The powerful and highly favored Prince Jin was named Crown Prince,
and the radiant Crown Princess at his side was still her: Huaiyu.
Chu Yi had always hated his elder brother most of all.
His elder brother was born to the Empress, made Crown Prince at five, and married the most celebrated daughter of the Minister of Rites in the capital at twenty. He had the support of the court, the Emperor's favor, and everything else.
But Chu Yi's maternal family had fallen into decline. He was unwelcome, and though talented, had no chance to put his abilities to use.
So he would seize the throne, and his sister-in-law, too.
But after getting what he wanted, he realized that the thrill of being emperor was nothing special. Meanwhile, that wicked woman, who had switched sides and killed her husband at the slightest temptation, had him utterly smitten and eating out of her hand. He didn't even want to know who the father of her daughter was.
◆Content warnings◆
1. The career plot takes up a large portion. The heroine is not a virgin, while all the men are. 1vN, with relationships that change over time.
2. The heroine has rock-bottom morals. This is a dark story, and she won't be redeemed.
3. There are more male leads than the two mentioned in the blurb. There are lots of them, so look forward to it. The heroine treats them all fairly and doesn't particularly favor anyone.
4. Not recommended for readers with a strong sense of morality. Many characters die, and the ways they die are all kinds of bizarre.
Theme: Who am I? What do I want to do? Why do I want to do it?
