The Second Empress

[Palace Intrigue Only, Everyone Is Clever, Career-Focused Heroine + Love-Brained, Sweet-on-the-Outside-But-Black-Hearted Male Lead + Transmigrated Supporting Female Character]

In the third year of Qitai, an imperial decree summoned Feng Chan to the palace to attend to Empress Feng, who had suffered a postpartum hemorrhage.

The history books record: The Emperor and Empress shared a deep love, which began when they were still nobodies. When the Empress died, the Emperor wept bitterly.

The late empress's illness was suspicious, and so was her death. With the throne of empress left vacant, the various factions began to stir.

To find out how her elder sister died and bring glory to her family, Feng Chan left behind her childhood sweetheart and accepted the kui-phoenix jade pendant symbolizing the position of "empress-in-waiting."

The innocent young woman stepped into a palace that devoured its inhabitants. Once the palace gates closed, they would never open again, trapping Feng Chan for the rest of her life.

In the sixteenth year of Jiaping, when Xiao Luan was still an unfavored prince, he fell in love at first sight with Feng Chan, the duke's legitimate daughter, at a court banquet.

At the time, he thought: If only I were the crown prince, or the second prince, whose birth mother is Noble Consort Lu, would I be worthy of a noblewoman of her standing?

Xiao Luan buried his feelings deep in his heart. But once he ascended the throne, that woman was about to marry someone else.

How could the Emperor's most precious treasure be allowed to remain among the common folk? Fortunately, he had plenty of ways to bring her into the palace and install her as the new empress.

Day after day, night after night, may I have what I desire.

"One Hundred Questions for Newlyweds"

1. What was your first impression of each other?

Xiao Luan: A graceful fairy, a lotus blooming from her lips, jade skin in the breeze, a beauty who could topple kingdoms, a face of peerless charm... (The host interrupts. I could go on for three days and three nights.)

Feng Chan: Like a scallion.

2. What gift does the other person most want to receive?

Xiao Luan: A carved glass mirror, a phoenix-feather headdress gilded with gold and set with kingfisher feathers, a purple dragon crown, a coral mountain, a jade lotus cup... (The host interrupts. I could go on for three days and three nights.)

Feng Chan: Me.

3. Would you force the issue?

Feng Chan: No.

Xiao Luan: Next question.

4. What would be an unforgivable violation of your principles?

Feng Chan: Hurting someone I cherish.

Xiao Luan: Next question.

5. If the other person crossed that line, what would you do?

Feng Chan: It would be you or me.

Xiao Luan: I would. (Looking displeased.)

Host: What?

Xiao Luan: I was answering the third question. (Imperial fury.)

Eunuch Fu, reading the room: That's all for today's press conference.

Purpose: The only constant in the world is change.