I Slacked My Way into Becoming the Empress Dowager

Li Mingyue transmigrates into a palace-intrigue novel as a cannon-fodder supporting female character.

That is, the kind who uses her family background to throw her weight around, only to be written out after three chapters. Her sole purpose is to remind the original heroine that the palace is dangerous and she should tread carefully.

After narrowly avoiding the plot point where she gets written out, Li Mingyue comes to terms with things:

Her family is powerful and rich. Even if she never wins the emperor's favor, she won't starve. What more could she want?

With the little bit of sense she has, "striving for success" might actually be worse than "not striving for success."

So while the original heroine keeps a low profile to avoid trouble, Li Mingyue plays cards with the palace maids and eunuchs.

While the original heroine and the Noble Consort fight tooth and nail, Li Mingyue experiments with new dishes and plays cards with the other consorts.

The original heroine rises and falls, then rises and falls again, eventually giving birth to twins and becoming the most favored woman in the six palaces. Meanwhile, Li Mingyue's card-playing circle spreads throughout the harem. Then the Empress Dowager, her most influential card partner, hands her a prince to raise, saying that after all these years of taking it easy, it's time she did something for the palace.

Li Mingyue, who has avoided children her whole life in both of her lives, stares into the wide eyes of the little boy.

...Maybe she should teach him to play cards, like his mother?

Li Mingyue carries on with her carefree life of eating, drinking, and having fun, constantly teaching her adopted son the supreme truth that lying flat is a blessing.

Then one day, the emperor dies, and the name written in the edict naming his successor is that of her wonderful son.

- The heroine will not fall for the emperor or give birth.

- Her adopted eldest son is genuinely filial to her.

- The heroine is truly terrible at cards, and never gets any better.

Theme: Every choice in life can lead to something wonderful