Spring in the Forbidden Garden

A no-nonsense palace manager who just wants to retire x a young emperor in his prime, with a beastly appetite Xu Zhaoxia is the palace maid in charge of the young emperor's affairs. She manages Qianyuan Palace for him and also runs the tiger house where he goes for amusement. As the young emperor grows older, the question of who will join his harem comes up. Xu Zhaoxia readily takes on the responsibility. From the very first day she transmigrated, she had been planning her life in this dynasty. After gaining a solid footing in the palace, she could retire early once the young emperor was married. Jiangnan would be a lovely place to spend her retirement. To earn one final merit before leaving, she carefully selects the women about to enter the palace. Everything goes fairly smoothly. Until one day, after falling asleep at her desk, she wakes to find her hair loose and herself moved to the dressing table, facing a clear, shining mirror. Standing behind her is the emperor, Zhu Mingchen, who is supposed to decide on his bride today. He lowers his head and inhales the scent of her. She can't help widening her eyes. Zhu Mingchen presses his palm to her shoulder, bends down, and meets her gaze in the mirror. "Sister Zhaoxia, are you leaving? Why choose someone else, then? Haven't you and I been husband and wife for a long time already?" *The worst things that happen to her all come from the child she raised herself.* 1. One-on-one romance, both leads' firsts, older woman/younger man, seven-year age gap 2. Fictional setting, loosely inspired by the Ming dynasty 3. To be added Below is the upcoming novel, The Resentful Couple. Add it to your collection on my author page! [The former empress, who thinks she has successfully divorced and can finally enjoy life x the wise emperor who won't stop pursuing her and has drowned in love] Feng Nange has always been frail. After three years as empress, she finally leaves the palace to recuperate at Baima Temple. The emperor has taken a new empress, her younger sister. Feng Nange considers herself divorced from the emperor, with each of them free to go their own way. One rainy night, her servant brings in the male companion she'd taken a liking to the day before, then hurries out. Feng Nange doesn't get a good look at his face before the chill of the rainy weather leaves her coughing uncontrollably. The male companion impudently strides over and pats her back. When Feng Nange catches her breath, she displeasedly knocks his hand away and lifts her head to scold him. Seeing his face, she is stunned. She can't understand why he's not in the palace in the middle of the night, but has come to Baima Temple instead. The man looks her over. He sees no longing or guilt on her face. Just as the rumors say, she left the palace and forgot all about it, devoting herself to fine food and fine clothes, and now she even has a male companion. He gives a cold laugh and lowers his head. He bites down on her lips, still as soft as ever. He presses hard, then pins the back of her head when she cries out in pain, not letting her struggle or escape. Heartless woman. So this is how she's recuperating. 1. One-on-one romance, both leads' firsts 2. Fictional setting, with the tiniest bit of inspiration from the Northern Wei Theme: Strive tirelessly for self-improvement