Snow in the Incense Cage

The emperor's younger brother, Prince Li, died suddenly at just twenty years old, leaving behind a young, delicate princess consort renowned for her beauty.

As people lamented his passing, they couldn't help casting covetous eyes on Xue Ci.

She was a rare beauty. Before her marriage, countless young men and matchmakers had beaten a path to her door, only for her to become a treasured member of the royal family. Many had beaten their chests in regret.

And now...

She was a widow. Although the royal family did not allow remarriage, they would gladly die for the chance to be her lover.

Just as everyone grew restless with desire, an imperial edict put an end to their hopes.

Prince Li's mother, Consort Dowager Cui, had fallen seriously ill from the grief of losing her son. She specially summoned her daughter-in-law to the palace to tend to her.

·

Xue Ci came from a great family and was understanding and considerate. She smiled warmly and spoke softly to everyone. Even when her mother-in-law, Consort Dowager Cui, made things difficult for her in every way, she endured with gentle patience and responded with quiet grace.

At first, the other consorts were alarmed by her arrival at the palace. After all, the emperor was young and handsome, too. If he took pity on such a fragile widow, the consequences would be unthinkable.

But the emperor was upright, and the princess consort knew her place. When they met, she observed proper etiquette and never overstepped in the slightest.

Knowing she was a widow and wishing to avoid suspicion, the princess consort often spoke to him from behind a beaded curtain.

Gradually, everyone in the palace grew fond of her.

She was so beautiful, as lovely as jade, that even women felt tenderness toward her. And she was so perceptive, offering the other consorts advice and comfort like a soothing balm.

They pitied her for losing her husband so young and having to endure the spiteful Consort Dowager Cui. Each time she emerged from Consort Dowager Cui's palace with reddened eyes, they felt their hearts ache for her.

They must have been out of their minds to think the princess consort would seduce the emperor and question her virtue.

·

At a grand palace banquet, the emperor, unable to hold his liquor, went to rest in a side hall.

Some of the consorts were eager to go and attend to him.

But Eunuch Liang, who served at the emperor's side, stopped them all.

No one knew that just one wall away, the emperor they called a poor drinker and a man who kept away from women was lifting a strand of the princess consort's hair, his expression tender and his eyes clear.

The emperor leaned closer to her face. "Rongrong, you have always been clever."

He looked at the woman on his lap, soft as boneless silk, and stroked her slightly rounded belly with a long finger.

"Think carefully. Will you bear my son as my empress, or give birth to my child without a name or title?"

[About This Novel]

1. Coercive possession, coercive possession, coercive possession.

2. A powerful male lead and a weak female lead.

3. Both leads are virgins.

4. Happy ending.

5. Romance-focused, with very, very little plot.

6. Slow burn, with some twists and turns.

7. Fictional setting, with original details.

8. I don't accept writing advice. No need to tell me if you're dropping the novel. Like or dislike it as you please.

Theme: How can royalty and nobility be born to rule?