Tao Yue, who has no grand ambitions and just wants to lie flat, transmigrates into a book and becomes a cannon-fodder junior concubine in a palace intrigue novel.
In the inner palace, the Empress above her wields overwhelming power, while the Four Consorts below her are all favored above the rest. The consorts scheme against one another in the open and behind the scenes, and every last one of them is dangerous.
Tao Yue: Weak, pitiful, but with a hearty appetite.
When Lady Tang sends over pastries to test everyone's reactions, the others hesitate and deliberate, while Tao Yue is already gobbling them down.
[Wow, Sister Tang is so skilled! She's beautiful and clever with her hands. What a peerless chef!]
Lady Tang says smugly, "Tomorrow, I'll let you try my signature dish."
When the Noble Consort punishes a group of junior concubines by making them copy texts, the others complain bitterly, but Tao Yue gazes at her, lovestruck.
[Wow, Consort Shu has an incredible figure! Big chest, tiny waist, long legs. I want to touch!]
Blushing, the Noble Consort says, "You don't have to copy. Stay in my palace tonight."
Consort Shu wears daring, revealing clothes. While others accuse her of failing to uphold a consort's virtue, Tao Yue lets out a piercing shriek.
[Aaaah, she's so fashionable and avant-garde! Too bad my round belly and short little legs mean I can't pull that off, sob sob.]
Consort Shu declares, "This one's under my protection."
Tao Yue becomes the darling of the entire inner palace. After hearing about her, the Emperor summons her to attend him. "This junior concubine is so likable. I bet she has a sweet tongue."
Tao Yue takes one look. [So old, so bald. I don't want to sleep with him.]
Emperor: ...Sweet tongue, my foot!
Question: What do you do after offending the big-shot Emperor in the inner palace?
Reader's Guide:
1. Concubine ranks are based on those of the Song Dynasty.
2. The Emperor is not the male lead, and there is no romance between him and the heroine.
3. The male lead is a fatherly type and appears later.
Message: Don't fight or grasp for things, and good fortune will come on its own.
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The Real Heiress Is a Culinary Master
The Academy Stationery Shop
Getting Rich Selling Desserts in Ancient Times (Food)
The Imperial Kitchen's Little Chef (Food)
Traveling to Bianjing with a Smart Kitchen (Food)
The Imperial Kitchen Maid Can Read Minds (Food)