Spring Deep in the Imperial Palace

Song Mingyu is a scheming, formidable woman who's always had the upper hand.

But while facing off against the Empress Dowager, she found a spare moment to stuff a glutinous rice ball into her mouth and was poisoned to death.

When she opened her eyes, she was once again a penniless orphan with nothing but money. This time, she cut out the middleman, tucked away her banknotes, and went straight to the neighboring noble's door. She sold herself, along with the money, cleanly and decisively.

"This is my asking price. If the empress's seat isn't enough, surely the rank of a second-grade consort will do?"

And so she became the newly appointed Consort Jin of the Great Li Dynasty: a merchant's daughter of lowly birth, fair-skinned, beautiful, spoiled, and fond of slapping people in the face with money.

The court officials railed that Consort Jin was another Daji or Baosi. The emperor replied coolly, "Consort Jin has a hidden ailment. If she's too intimate with someone, she throws up. Are you trying to insult me?"

Then he swept out, rubbing his jade thumb ring with a troubled frown. Even his retreating figure seemed desolate.

Later, Consort Jin had two children in three years, and her eldest son was made crown prince. Only then did the officials realize: that damn emperor was a huge liar!

Theme: Don't fear the raging storm. After the rain, a rainbow appears.