The Joys of Palace Intrigue

Some say Noble Consort Lou used her beauty to manipulate the emperor, and was the greatest temptress in all of Great Zhao.

Others say Noble Consort Lou had been by His Majesty’s side ever since he was a prince, and that her insight and abilities were remarkable. They also shared a deep affection unlike anything he had with anyone else.

And some say...

Lou Tingyu knows that gossip about her has never stopped, within or beyond the palace walls. But so what?

She is Noble Consort Lou of Great Zhao, keeper of the imperial seal. From the highest-ranking ladies to the palace servants, everyone in the six palaces obeys her command.

From a secluded little room in the Eastern Palace to the pinnacle of the imperial palace, Lou Tingyu has gained a great deal, and lost a great deal too.

Does she have any regrets? She thinks not. To have lived a life so brilliant, what more could she regret?

It is only when Great Zhao’s wise emperor, gravely ill, weakly takes her hand and calls her “Xiangsi” that she finally realizes the truth.

She, the reigning queen of palace intrigue, has no one left to scheme against. Should she, perhaps, maybe, possibly, fall in love with His Majesty, her old married partner, with retirement in mind?

More or less, it’s a story about two schemers becoming winners in life together, after which the male lead starts acting pitiful in hopes of winning her heart (not really).

A scheming, sharp-witted concubine skilled in palace intrigue x a prince who only wants to claim the throne, then falls hard

The heroine was born into this world from the womb.

(Please don’t lecture me if you drop the story. A little kindness goes a long way.)

Theme: Palace intrigue