A Beauty Hidden in the Jade Terrace

Wan Weixi's parents died saving the Empress Dowager. She was adopted by the Empress Dowager when she was young, and returned to the palace with her at sixteen. The Empress Dowager secured her the title of princess and set out to find her a suitable husband.

If everything had gone as expected, Wan Weixi could have spent her life in comfort, free of worries and trouble.

But an accident changed the course of her life.

She mistakenly drank a bewitching wine meant for someone else, and in her confusion, ended up taking liberties with the emperor!

When Wan Weixi awoke, she saw that flash of imperial yellow and met his amused, unreadable gaze. Her waist immediately went weak, aching all over.

*

The Empress Dowager brought her to poetry gatherings and flower banquets to find her a suitable husband.

As Wan Weixi circulated among the young talents, her head spun. She couldn't just brush them off, either. Then she heard that the emperor, who rarely meddled in other people's affairs, had suddenly arrived.

The Empress Dowager was delighted. She took him aside and asked for his advice, never noticing how the emperor's calm, placid eyes had turned into raging waves, eager to swallow someone whole. A faint smile touched his cool features as he surveyed the guests.

"This one's character is questionable."

"This one prefers men."

"That one keeps a mistress outside the home. His illegitimate son is already eight."

"..."

The Empress Dowager's temple throbbed. Finally, she could take no more. "Then does the emperor have anyone in mind?"

The emperor, who had just been passing judgment on everyone, fell silent. His dark gaze settled on her, tangible as a touch, and he replied languidly, "...Of course I do."

Wan Weixi's legs went weak. She lowered her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

After the banquet, in a side hall just across the wall from the Empress Dowager's chambers, the stern, aloof emperor held the woman in his arms. He gazed into her moist, tender almond-shaped eyes, wiped the disheveled rouge from her lips, and asked softly:

"Xi'er, did anyone catch your eye?"

Wan Weixi shook her head again and again, saying she wasn't interested in anyone.

"Then what does my darling think of me?"

*I will build her a palace in the clouds and a garden in paradise, and hide my darling away inside, where no one can covet her.

*An old flame catches fire, and the emperor falls head over heels.

*Fifteen-year age gap.

*An easygoing, everyday-life story.

*Blurb written on September 2, 2023.

Theme: "He will build her a palace in the clouds and a garden in paradise, and hide his darling away inside."