Her Majesty's Favor Never Wanes

[Palace Intrigue / VB: Jinjiang Xiaorongtu / Complete] [New story, The Noble Consort Rises Straight to the Top, now underway] In the fourth year of Chengzuo, the whole country held a selection. Jiang Xueyi, the second daughter of the Minister of Justice, a third-rank official, was formally chosen to enter the palace. Everyone inside and outside the court knew the Minister of Justice as an impartial, iron-faced official, a true iron-faced judge of hell. No one would have guessed that the daughter he doted on was bright-eyed and beautiful, gentle and affectionate, with the ethereal grace of an immaculate immortal. Among the cloud of beauties, she stood out the most. Jealousy and intrigue were commonplace in the harem. Everyone fought tooth and nail for the emperor's favor. But Jiang Xueyi was like a gentle spring breeze among the flowers, exceptionally warm and charming. Of the eleven new arrivals, she was the emperor's favorite. They called her the "flower that understands his heart," a clear sign of his affection. Yet Jiang Xueyi alone knew how difficult it was to protect herself and bring glory to her family amid the many layers of the imperial palace. One wrong step, and she would face a bottomless abyss. Fortunately, she planned every move carefully, maneuvering her way through an almost impossible game of chess and carving out a path in blood. Among the three palaces, six courts, and seventy-two consorts, Jiang Xueyi rose from Noble Lady to Virtuous Consort. She became the most favored woman in the harem, unmatched in prestige, and her entire clan basked in glory. Everyone in the palace said that the favored consort Jiang Xueyi was the gentlest, most likable, purest, and kindest woman. But no one knew that beneath the spotless lotus lay nothing but mud. When her compassionate face stopped smiling, someone was sure to lose their life. Note: The heroine is very emotionally steady and always smiles. But when she doesn't, someone is in for a very bad time. Upcoming story: The Noble Consort Rises Straight to the Top In the seventh year of Tianqi, the emperor ordered a selection. Bo Yushi was in the prime of her youth and the most talented legitimate daughter of her generation in the Bo family. The Bo family had once been at the height of its power, but by her generation it was showing signs of decline. To revive her family and fulfill her own ambitions, Bo Yushi resolutely decided to enter the palace and compete for selection. But on the very day she entered the palace, she witnessed the corpse of the emperor's new favorite being carried away along the long street. Wrapped in a straw mat, the sight was exceptionally bleak. Yet no one on the street dared to lift their head. Everyone held their breath and quietly urged her to leave at once. She had often heard that the emperor was both affectionate and heartless, granting favor one day and bringing death the next. On her first day, Bo Yushi learned how dangerous the palace was, and from then on she became even more cautious, treading as if on thin ice. Before long, twelve new women had entered the palace. After exhausting every scheme, Bo Yushi caught the emperor's eye and became the center of his favor in less than three months. The emperor called her "a beauty who captivates the senses, as poetic and picturesque as a painting," a rare beauty whose charms were hard to forget. Little did anyone know how hard-won that favor was, or how difficult it was to leave an impression on the emperor's heart. Among the three palaces, six courts, and seventy-two consorts, rivalry in the palace was endless. Since ancient times, beautiful women have often met tragic fates. Bo Yushi knew the emperor was fickle, but she was clear that she had never wanted a life of peace by his side. She wanted wealth, luxury, power, and control. Even if her life rose and fell through countless twists and turns, the one who would smile last and claim the harem's throne would be her, Bo Yushi. Everyone else could only bow their heads. - "She longs to speak of things within the palace, but dares not speak in front of the parrot." The line is from Zhu Qingyu's Palace Poem. Fictional rank system: First Rank: Imperial Noble Consort First Rank, Secondary: Noble Consort, Worthy Consort, Virtuous Consort, Pure Consort [Noble Consort is the highest] Second Rank: Consort Second Rank, Secondary: Lady of Bright Deportment, Lady of Bright Countenance, Lady of Bright Beauty [Lady of Deportment is the highest] Third Rank: Lady of Cultivated Deportment, Lady of Cultivated Countenance, Lady of Cultivated Beauty [Lady of Deportment is the highest] Third Rank, Secondary: Lady of Abundant Deportment, Lady of Abundant Countenance, Lady of Abundant Beauty [Lady of Deportment is the highest] Fourth Rank: Noble Concubine Fourth Rank, Secondary: Lady of Grace Fifth Rank: Concubine Fifth Rank, Secondary: Lady of Noble Deportment, Lady of Compliant Deportment, Lady of Gentle Deportment [Equal rank] Sixth Rank: Noble Lady Sixth Rank, Secondary: Beauty Seventh Rank: Talented Lady Seventh Rank, Secondary: Lady-in-Waiting Eighth Rank: Precious Forest Eighth Rank, Secondary: Imperial Maid Ninth Rank: Chosen Lady Ninth Rank, Secondary: Selected Attendant [The rank newly appointed palace maids receive] Theme: Always love yourself most, no matter when or where.