At the Emperor's Side

[Main story complete]

[Blurb]

As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Prince of Huainan, Le Ming had a smooth life from the start. She was born a princess, married Zhao Jue at fifteen and became Crown Princess, then was crowned Empress at sixteen.

She alone was favored among the six palaces, seated at the very center of power.

But on the day she gave birth to her first son at twenty, Le Ming lay on her bed waiting desperately for Zhao Jue to come. Instead, all she received was an imperial edict deposing her and ordering her death.

At the same time, the entire Le clan was falsely accused and slaughtered, and the Prince of Huainan's estate was razed to the ground.

When she awoke, she had become the illegitimate daughter of a border commandery governor, and returned to the palace with the rank of Lady.

After years of hardship, enduring humiliation and planning every step, she rose from the bottom, one step at a time, until she stood at the emperor's side.

A vicious palace maid? She sends her on the road to the underworld.

An arrogant favorite consort? She schemes to have her sent to the Cold Palace.

The overbearing Wang clan? She joins forces with the emperor to destroy the entire clan and avenge the Le family.

That calculating emperor is both her ally and her greatest enemy.

The flames of Huainan burn on in their hearts. The spring rains in Chang'an fall endlessly, but cannot reach the Taiqing and Taining of years past.

When everything is finally settled, she walks through the blood of her enemies to stand hand in hand with the emperor. They gaze into each other's eyes, and what remains is a tender affection?

"The six palaces stand empty, awaiting your return."

Flowers wither amid brocade, and a heart of courage enters the furnace!

[Reading Guide]

Heroine: kind-faced, ruthless-hearted black lotus.

Hero: cold, haughty, and calculating emperor.

One-on-one romance.

The heroine is Le Ming, the beloved empress, but for various reasons she believes she is Le Ming's younger sister until her memories return later in the story.

The heroine is not reborn or transmigrated. She has always been in her original body, but her appearance has changed.

The hero is always allied with the heroine, but only recognizes her in the middle to late part of the story.

Before they recognize each other, there is almost no romance, and they use each other throughout the early story.

Theme: Know and stay by the emperor's side, and fight shoulder to shoulder with him.