The Lady's Beloved, Held in Her Palm

My other ongoing story, How Could I Not Like You [Marriage], is starting! You can find it under the Yuri section in my profile. The blurb is below. [Story Blurb] [Trashy Bossy Tyrant Top x Green-Tea Bottom Who Just Wants to Survive] Qi Changle became a palace candidate and entered the palace for selection. But rumor had it that the Empress was violent and unpredictable, a tyrant whose moods changed without warning. To survive, Qi Changle had no choice but to use every trick she could think of to stay alive. In the grand hall, everyone else was trembling with fear, their knees knocking as they answered the Empress's questions. Only Qi Changle lifted her gaze and smiled, her eyes full of warmth as she gazed at the Empress, her look as gentle as a spring breeze. "All I ask, Your Majesty, is to stay by your side, year after year... just as I am today." Her peach-blossom eyes brimmed with affection, and the curve of her lips tugged at the heartstrings. She wove a net of tenderness, all to ensnare the Empress's heart. After that, the balance of power in the harem changed dramatically. Though no one could believe it, they had to accept that Changle, the newest arrival, had become the tyrant's favorite. * Much later, Qi Changle finally had the confidence to make a request of the Empress. She said she hoped Her Majesty would grant her permission to leave the palace and retire in comfort, living out the rest of her life in peace and prosperity. But the next moment, the woman gripped her chin and whispered in her ear, "Changle, what made you think you could ever escape me?" (Since this almost turned into blurb fraud, the latter half has been rewritten as an if-line bonus story.) /Idea saved on Weibo on August 13, 2020/ /Quietly adding a sweet-romance tag, because the love from Her Majesty is truly sweet (in my opinion)./ >>>> How Could I Not Like You [Marriage] Blurb: The patriarchs of the Gu and Jiang families had once shared a bond forged through life and death. After the elder Jiang passed away, the elder Gu took pity on his old friend's granddaughter, who had no one to care for her, and decided that Gu Ningxi and Jiang Zhi should marry so he could bring her into the Gu family and look after her. Gu Ningxi had no dislike for Jiang Zhi, and she did not want her grandfather to worry or be sad, so she married Jiang Zhi. Gu Ningxi was gentle and considerate toward Jiang Zhi, caring for her in every way and protecting her completely. She fulfilled all the duties a spouse should in a marriage. She also looked after Jiang Zhi's feelings, telling her, "Now that you're part of the Gu family, we're family. Don't worry, I won't do anything you don't like. You can think of me as your closest family, as an older sister. We can be family who support each other." But she felt nothing more for Jiang Zhi, and she knew she should not make a move on someone so young. Once Jiang Zhi became strong enough to stand on her own, Gu Ningxi would respect whatever she chose, whether to stay or leave. - Jiang Zhi gradually fell in love with Gu Ningxi, but Gu Ningxi did not love her. The other woman only looked after her like a little girl from next door, without the slightest hint of romantic feeling. Jiang Zhi thought her unrequited love would last until Gu Ningxi couldn't take it anymore, or found true love and chose to break off their engagement. Later, Jiang Zhi mistakenly thought Gu Ningxi had really fallen for someone else. Without thinking, she ran to a bar to drown her sorrows, even planning to let loose for once. But before the drunken Jiang Zhi could make a move, Gu Ningxi grabbed her wrist and led her into the hallway. Under the dim lights, Gu Ningxi held back her feelings and asked in a low voice, "What are you planning to do? Little girl, ready to have some fun too?" Under the influence of alcohol, Jiang Zhi burst into tears, complaining between sobs, "You don't love me anyway, so why do you care what I do?" Gu Ningxi sighed and kissed her. "How could I not love you?" Perhaps she had fallen for her from the very beginning. Otherwise, why would she have agreed to this marriage, cared for her so much, and ended up giving her her whole heart? Theme: Even if you find yourself in a desperate situation, don't panic. As long as you keep your heart turned toward the light and stay true to yourself, you will surely find a way through and step into a better future.