Spring Grass in the Forbidden Palace

Yun Yin was a lowly palace maid in the Imperial Food Bureau. Though lovely, she was quiet and dutiful, never drawing attention to herself.

Who would have thought that one day the emperor would take a liking to her and assign her to serve at his side?

Everyone envied Yun Yin, sure she had risen to a life of wealth and splendor.

But Yun Yin didn’t dare entertain a single other thought. She knew the emperor’s sudden show of kindness might be a chance to torment her and vent his old grudge.

Years ago, she had foolishly refused his favor.

Back then, the emperor had sneered, “Yun Yin, do you think I can’t do without you?”

But later, after she personally looked after the drunk emperor, she tried to leave, only for him to grab her wrist. “Yun Yin, after all these years, I still can’t do anything about you.”

*

He Yi ascended the throne at a young age. He possessed all the riches under heaven, and the whole world was under his control.

Yet with Yun Yin, he learned what it meant to want something he couldn’t have.

As emperor, he naturally wouldn’t stoop to her level.

But then, one day, she actually came to him of her own accord, tearfully begging him for help.

He Yi narrowed his eyes. In that case, he wouldn’t let her go so easily again.

*

At another palace banquet, a court official brought up the matter of choosing an empress. He Yi, who had always loathed the subject, unexpectedly smiled and said nothing. Everyone guessed that His Majesty must have made up his mind. Yun Yin, standing nearby, felt a pang of sadness but kept smiling.

He Yi saw her smiling expression. His breathing grew heavy, and beneath the imperial desk, his fingers gradually clenched.

After the banquet ended, the chief eunuch searched everywhere for the emperor, growing more and more anxious.

The candles in the emperor’s bedchamber had gone out. In the deep darkness, Yun Yin was pressed against the door, with He Yi’s scent surrounding her as they breathed. His kiss was burning and forceful, leaving her no chance to escape.

The young emperor lifted his gaze to her in the midst of their passion, calling her “Yin Yin” again and again.

Every word was filled with the love he had suppressed for years.

*

The Emperor’s Diary:

I’ve fallen for a young woman. I don’t care that she’s a palace maid.

That lowly palace maid dared to reject me! Outrageous! I will never let her off!

She knelt before me and begged for my protection. Her eyes were full of tears, and my heart softened.

I think I really can’t live without her.

She wants to leave the palace.

She doesn’t want to be my empress.

But I’ll make her anyway.

I really can’t do without her.

*Reader’s Guide:

1. Emperor x palace maid, both each other’s first, 1v1, no harem.

2. The male lead falls for her early, but he’s a bit of a jerk at first. He says one thing and means another, and doesn’t know how to love someone. Only after going through all sorts of things does he finally understand, and humbly beg for her love.

3. There are ups and downs, but overall it’s sweet.

4. Original blurb written on 22.4.13, revised on 24.4.5, and republished on 25.8.25. Proof saved.

Theme: Love can overcome anything.