She first entered the palace at sixteen, and from then on, she could never leave. The Forbidden City was never short of beautiful women, but a pure and clear heart was a rare thing. Sadly, every woman in the palace fought tooth and nail for what she wanted, and one careless move could bring utter ruin.
Jinglian had understood deceit and intrigue from a young age. The women in the harem might be kind or cruel, but none of them were truly evil. Each had her own convictions, joys, and sorrows. Some consorts might fall in love with the emperor after pretending to love him for the sake of their own interests; others might be captivated by his imperial bearing, or simply want to get by.
