A Scarlet Blossom, Dew-Kissed and Fragrant

During the Jing Dynasty, the imperial consorts competed for the emperor's favor and for sons, eagerly selecting beautiful young girls to raise by their sides.

These girls were called the consorts' "adopted daughters," but in truth they were being groomed for the emperor's harem.

As one such girl, Yu Ying was deeply uneasy.

She looked at the emperor, who already had a whole harem, then at the Prince of Qinghe, kept in the palace to "give the emperor a son," and quietly took the young prince's hand beneath the moonlight.

After all the emperor's sons died young, he took his ministers' advice and, like the common practice of "borrowing a son," brought his nephew, Xiao Yu, Prince of Qinghe, to live in the palace.

Xiao Yu entered the palace as a child and met a girl his own age.

As they spent their days together like childhood sweethearts, the girl gradually grew into a young woman. Xiao Yu's heart fluttered in secret, yet he never forgot who she was.

She was supposed to be his imperial uncle's woman.

Notes:

1. The adopted-daughter premise draws inspiration from the Song Dynasty, but the customs and story are all fictional.

2. The heroine is reborn, and the story centers on her. Her romantic life is eventful; the hero is devoted and innocent, while the second male lead gradually turns twisted.

Theme: As long as life goes on, keep striving.