When Will the Emperor Who Took Me as His Concubine Die?

1. I bought a house in Xinghua Alley, planning to keep a few handsome lovers there and begin my carefree second life.

In my previous life, my useless husband, difficult mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, and an endless horde of concubines and illegitimate children drove me into depression and an early grave.

Now that I had the chance to live again, I was determined to leave no regrets, even if it meant dying. I would live as freely and joyfully as all those powerful men.

One day, I heard the sound of hammering from the house next door. Through a hole in the wall, I saw sweat trickling down a lean, well-proportioned waist.

Faced with such a cold and handsome man, of course I brought all my charms to bear and made him surrender.

Later, I accidentally found out that he was the emperor himself.

I didn't expose him. Having an emperor for a lover had plenty of benefits, and I could use his power to get revenge while I was at it.

Who knew he wouldn't be able to keep his composure and would reveal his identity himself? By then, I was already pregnant, so I pretended to be delighted and went to the palace with him.

Once I was in the palace, I continued to live a rich and satisfying life, but I never forgot what I wanted in the first place.

I didn't want to be a favored consort or an empress.

Every day, I prayed earnestly to the Bodhisattva: When will the emperor die?

I want to be the Empress Dowager!

2. When I wasn't reviewing memorials, I liked forging metal and doing carpentry. Whenever I had free time, I would leave the palace and go to my residence in Xinghua Alley to forge the sharpest blades and study the most powerful crossbows.

Who could have guessed that I would get entangled with a temptress?

She was stunningly beautiful, though her eyesight wasn't very good. Somehow, she couldn't even recognize who I was.

I was no Liu Xiahui, so I went along with her seduction.

Again and again, the temptress ended up pregnant. I planned to give her a title, but who knew she would spend every day hoping I would die!

Such outrageous treason! Just wait and see how I punish and torment her!

The temptress was fierce and had no fear of death, but I had a weakness.

I loved her.

A few things to know:

The setting is very loosely based on history. Please don't nitpick the details.

A mad temptress vs. an iron-fisted emperor.

Neither lead is a good person. They love and fight each other, though the hero is the only one in love. Their relationship is more intense than strong liquor.

Written in third person.

Theme: Lighthearted.