The Imperial Consort Who Ruled the World

My next novel, Willow Branches, is listed in my profile. It's a rivalry between the white moonlight and the stand-in, with both vying for the same man. If you're interested, feel free to add it to your collection!

As the legitimate daughter of the Duke Dingguo household, Xie Yao was as beautiful as peach blossoms and renowned throughout the capital.

When she entered the palace by imperial order, she was made a Beauty, and from then on, the emperor's favor never waned.

The consorts throughout the harem all said Xie Yao had risen through her family's status and beauty.

Only Xie Yao knew how many overt and covert attacks she had weathered on her way from Beauty to Noble Consort.

She tread carefully, plotted at every turn, and used every scheme at her disposal before finally claiming the title of Noble Consort.

Then, in a sudden turn of events, Xie Yao learned that all the love the emperor had shown her was an illusion. She was only a stand-in for his white moonlight.

The emperor personally welcomed his white moonlight back to the palace. She casually remarked, "I don't want to see her."

And so Xie Yao was demoted from Noble Consort to the lowest-ranking Attendant. The entire harem trampled on her, and anyone could bully her.

In that moment, she finally came to her senses. Supreme, unshakable power was the only true foundation for survival.

Since the emperor was heartless, she would sever all affection and love.

From then on, she would be a woman who would stop at nothing for power, cruel and ruthless.

From Attendant, she would rise again, defeat the white moonlight, execute the emperor, seize the empress's throne, and help her son ascend the throne.

The official histories record: The daughter of the Xie clan first became a consort in the emperor's palace. In time, she became Empress Dowager, governed from behind the curtain, and held all power under heaven.

Harem ranks: Empress, one Noble Consort, one Consort, one Noble Concubine, one Concubine, one Beauty, one Talented Lady, one Lady of the Precious Forest, one Attendant

Theme: Grow stronger through setbacks and keep going through adversity. My fate is mine to command, not Heaven's