Female lead's version:
After divorcing, Zhu Yingying packed up her dowry and opened a tavern at the foot of the imperial city.
The new emperor had just ascended the throne, and she was always hearing about how the beauties in the imperial harem competed for his favor and schemed to bear him a son.
She worked her abacus with a clatter, smiling at the profits in her ledger. Silver was still better than men.
**
Later, she noticed that one of the young gentlemen who kept coming to her tavern was very handsome, and he was always winking at her.
She thought that as her business grew, having a child might help her establish a century-old brand.
Who knew that not long afterward, someone would throw a sack over her head? When she opened her eyes again, she had become the emperor's consort.
Staring at the emperor on his throne, Zhu Yingying trembled as she said, "This common woman failed to recognize your greatness. Your Majesty, just treat me like a nobody and let me go."
The emperor smiled at her with his seductive eyes. "You didn't talk like that before."
**
Later, after becoming empress, Zhu Yingying discovered that power was actually even more useful than silver.
The emperor was very displeased. "It seems I haven't been trying hard enough."
Male lead's version:
I have someone in my heart, my moonlight. I want to take her for myself, but all she thinks about is how to dump me.
The harem and the ex-husband are just plot devices.
One-on-one romance.
Theme: Good and evil are repaid in kind. A beautiful life comes from standing on your own two feet.
