My Adoptive Mother Still Hasn't Noticed My Ambitious Schemes

In the winter month of the thirty-second year of Qiyuan, the emperor died and passed the throne to Princess Jiang Langyue. The realm was in turmoil, and the court was unstable. Xie Wanning, the Grand Secretary, drove back foreign threats and quelled internal strife, bringing peace to the realm on Jiang Langyue's behalf. Jiang Langyue knew this was a deal. She yielded power to Xie Wanning, and Xie Wanning helped her secure the throne. That night, she knelt before Xie Wanning. With a long-handled incense spoon, Xie Wanning tilted her chin up, making her look at that delicate, lovely face. From then on, Jiang Langyue became a puppet for Xie Wanning to wield power through. Xie Wanning loved power and had no heart for anyone. She treated Jiang Langyue neither well nor badly. Jiang Langyue worried that Xie Wanning's power was growing too great, yet could not do without her. From then on, she could only hide her thorns and play the lovestruck, obedient girl in front of her. She made Xie Wanning her teacher and granted her unparalleled honor. Every so often, she would say, "Xie Wanning would make an excellent adoptive mother for Your Majesty." Everyone thought she treated Xie Wanning with the utmost respect. Only in the lonely hours of the night did she dare let the fierce ambition in her heart, full of love and hate, run wild--- She wanted the flower on the high peak to fall from its altar. Not to be crushed into the dirt, but to bloom beneath her. At first, Xie Wanning paid no mind to the young emperor Jiang Langyue. She could be a timid, ineffectual ruler, while Xie Wanning played the glorious, powerful minister. It wasn't until Jiang Langyue seized her power, confined her within the palace, and took her as she pleased that Xie Wanning suddenly realized she had underestimated her. Theme: The power games between women