The Emperor's Noble Consort

Yao Minrou was born into the illustrious Wei Duke's Mansion on her father's side, and into the imperial in-laws' Grace Duke's Mansion on her mother's. With the honor and prestige of both families behind her, she was also the future Crown Princess.

She seemed to have been dealt a winning hand, destined for a life of wealth and splendor. But her mother died young, and her father ignored her. Her stepmother, who was also her second aunt, schemed to secure the title of Duke of Wei for her own son. Wary of Yao Minrou, she joined forces with Yao Minrou's maternal family, intending to replace her with her uncle's daughter and steal her position as Crown Princess.

Her future mother-in-law, the Empress, who was also her maternal aunt, watched coldly and silently permitted the Crown Princess's position to be given to someone else.

All because Yao Minrou was the eldest legitimate daughter of her father's late first wife, while her stepmother, aunt, and uncle were siblings born of the same second wife, united by blood.

Her only hope lay with her betrothed, her cousin the Crown Prince. But the Crown Prince was weak and timid. He urged her to become his mistress, promising,