My Empress Is a Charlatan

Blurb:

Everyone knows that the female Imperial Preceptor of the Kingdom of Lixiao knows the will of Heaven and holds immense power.

What they don't know is that she's a fiend who devours people without a trace, striking fear throughout the court with nothing more than her quiet presence.

Bai Huan invokes the stars to raise loyalists for the new emperor and eliminate his enemies. Yet she grows increasingly arrogant and powerful, forging imperial edicts and assassinating court officials.

At last, she becomes a major threat to the young emperor.

Having power enough to threaten the throne has always been a cardinal taboo for emperors. The only options left are to strip her of power or... get rid of her!

At this point, the new emperor has only one choice.

Jinzhi toys with a sharp blade. "Imperial Preceptor, I plan to give you a promotion."

Bai Huan feels a chill. "Your Majesty, please be careful. That blade is very sharp."

Jinzhi presses the blade to Bai Huan's ear. "Would you prefer a posthumous title or a noble title?"

Bai Huan: "A noble... a noble title."

Jinzhi arches a brow, takes an imperial decree from his robes, and presses it into her hands. "Get ready. We'll be married in a month. I'll think carefully about your title."

Bai Huan: "...QAQ"

A little scene

Bai Huan has finally been joined by the emperor. She immediately says nervously:

"Your Majesty, I see a field of red before me, with lights flickering. It may be a dire omen."

Jinzhi's phoenix eyes lift as he lets out a soft laugh and raises a slender hand to lift her red veil.

He leans close, bringing his handsome face near hers. "Is the empress upset that I was late on our wedding night?"

1v1, both are chaste.

A sinister, fraudulent Imperial Preceptor x a scheming young emperor

[Warning: The author has a preference for an old-fashioned style.]

Theme: There is a beautiful kind of love called time flowing like water, yet loving you just as at the beginning.