Alone Aboard the Orchid Boat

1,

The current crown prince is gentle and refined, admires Confucianism, and loves poetry and prose.

Yu Qingzhou, a girl from a humble family who cannot read a single character, has become the most favored woman in the Eastern Palace thanks to her slender willow waist and soulful eyes.

The crown princess and concubines are jealous of her and hate her.

Even the servants of the Eastern Palace privately say, “Once His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, the Yu girl is sure to become his favorite consort.”

But Yu Qingzhou doesn't see it that way.

Everyone says the crown prince treats a lowly concubine like a treasure, but only Yu Qingzhou knows how terrifying he is in private.

She doesn't want to be anyone's favorite consort. She just wants to escape him.

Unfortunately, she's trapped in the Eastern Palace, unable to act on any of her countless ideas.

After much thought, Yu Qingzhou sets her sights on Prince Chen, the man who stands against the crown prince.

2,

The crown prince invites Prince Chen to take a boat out on the lake.

As they chat and laugh, a pipa string snaps. Yu Qingzhou bends down to apologize, her slender waist like a willow branch, tears trembling in the corners of her reddened eyes.

Learning that she's the crown prince's newest favorite concubine, Lan Yanshi pays her no mind.

That is, until the crown prince has to leave early, and those soulful eyes call out to him.

“Your Highness, please stay a moment.”

When the crown prince's favorite concubine offers herself to him, Prince Chen, Lan Yanshi, smiles and accepts. He merely sees her as a secret pawn to plant beside the crown prince, and doesn't expect her to be useful.

But later, when the little bird transforms into an eagle, he realizes that before he knew it, her graceful silhouette had already left its mark on his heart.

3,

From being unable to read a single character to devouring books, Yu Qingzhou is deeply grateful to Prince Chen.

But the more she reads, the more her resentment grows.

Yu Qingzhou is no longer satisfied with merely escaping the crown prince. She wants more.

For instance, to stand at the pinnacle of power, tarnish his name, ruin his reputation, and seize his authority.

When the delicate young woman lies beneath him, the corners of her eyes red, and asks, “Your Highness, you'll always help me, won't you?”

Lan Yanshi sighs and strokes her cheek. “If that's what you want.”

As you wish.

[Bonus Scene]

The new emperor falls gravely ill and orders his consort, Lady Yu, to rule in his stead.

The court officials all say Lady Yu is a ruinous temptress and ask Prince Chen to take charge of the government.

No one knows that in the dim Hall of Diligent Governance, the new emperor lies helpless as a dried-up husk, his eyes bulging with fury.

The aloof Prince Chen kneels before the beloved consort.

“Your Highness, when will you give me a proper title?”

The beauty laughs. “Isn't Your Highness the last person to care about titles? Why not just be my lover?”

[Reading Guide]

1. The female lead is not a virgin; the male lead is.

2. Their relationship develops in stages, one-on-one. While the male supporting character is alive, the heroine and hero have no physical relationship. The bonus scene is an act.

Theme: Live for yourself.