Please, Enter My Silk Canopy

A flexible, carefree, mischievous girl x a beautiful, tragic prince who endures humiliation

Self-proclaimed star actress x career-minded romantic

After falling from a building while filming, famous actress Luo Liyu transmigrates into the body of a concubine placed beside Prince Jin by the Empress.

The Empress orders her to seduce Prince Jin, make him lose his senses over her and become addicted to a life of pleasure, and, when necessary, steal his secrets.

Luo Liyu stammers, “Risking my life for a role? That doesn't seem worth it...”

The Empress promises to spare her life and let her leave the palace once the mission is complete.

Before she leaves, the Empress even makes her take a pill.

Luo Liyu: “Your Majesty, that's not fair!” (ノД`)

Luo “the spy” Liyu, “a professional actress”: “It's just acting. I'm a pro!”

*

Luo Liyu puts her best skills to use, acting gentle and considerate, feigning jealousy, and even risking her life to save Prince Jin. She acts so convincingly that even the Empress, her employer, worries she's fallen in love with him and warns her several times.

Even her target, who was originally cold and distant toward her, comes to believe she's deeply in love with him and becomes more and more unable to stay away.

Once the mission is complete, Luo Liyu seems to pass through a garden of flowers without a petal clinging to her. She fakes her death, leaves the palace, and enjoys her freedom.

She just never expected to find a little one growing in her belly.

Luo Liyu: “Damn it!” (ノД`)

What the heck is this ridiculous melodrama about running away while pregnant?!

*

Prince Jin had a tragic past. Bullied by everyone, he climbed step by step to the heights of power. Coldhearted and ruthless, he had seen every trick in the book. Faced with Luo Liyu's false sincerity and honeyed words, even such clumsy acting was something he could play along with. She was like a pretty cat he could tease now and then to relieve his boredom.

He thought he could calmly handle her occasional affected airs and feigned suffering, but he didn't know that a beauty's tender embrace could become a hero's grave.

He used himself as bait to lure her deeper, believing everything was under his control.

Only when she would rather die than return to his side did he taste the agony of a broken heart. Only then did he realize he was the only one who had truly fallen into the act, driven mad by it.

“You set the trap, and I fell into character.”

“From beginning to end, I was yours to toy with, wrapped around your little finger, and I was happy to be.”

*They pretend first, then fall for real

*An irreverent, old-school melodrama written for my own enjoyment

*The villains include both men and women. No detailed content warnings, so proceed with caution if that's not your thing.

Theme: Even in adversity, you can find a way forward.