Her Majesty Is as Precious as a Pearl

My ongoing novel, When the Cannon Fodder Heroine Gets Bound to the Dragon-Pride System, is currently updating. It's an unconventional cultivation story with a Dragon-Pride heroine. Please check it out! Add it to your favorites!

In the third month of the first year of Yongning, by Imperial Dowager's decree, unmarried women from respectable families and of good character are selected to enter the palace as candidates for the imperial harem.

Everyone in the capital knows that Shen Wenyuan, the Ministry of Personnel's Vice Minister who has caught the emperor's eye, has a daughter whom he dotes on. He even named her Shen Lizhu, meaning "pearl in the palm of one's hand."

What they don't know is that the eldest daughter of Vice Minister Shen is also exceptionally talented and beautiful, and that she immediately wins the emperor's favor.

She rises from Noble Lady to Noble Consort, then is named Empress. The emperor, usually distant and aloof, cherishes her like a precious gem.

★ Palace intrigue [Male lead has no prior partners; heroine has prior partners]

Heroine's perspective:

Shen Lizhu has never known hardship. Her parents love her, her younger siblings are devoted to her, and everything in her life goes smoothly.

But then an imperial decree sends her into the palace.

It is what it is. She'll make the best of it.

The palace is full of beautiful women, each with her own strengths, all scheming to protect their own interests.

But she sees the Empress's helplessness, Consort Xian's resentment, and Lady Qin's despair...

And the emperor's sincere affection.

Hero's perspective:

When Yuan Jingnian was still the third prince, his tutor mentioned that he had a granddaughter who was exceptionally clever and, at a young age, already wrote with the skill of a master.

Later, during a chance visit to his tutor's residence, he glimpsed a little girl climbing a tree with her younger brother to pick plums. He was surprised. Whose daughter was so bold and mischievous? After asking around, he learned that this was the very granddaughter his tutor had described as well-behaved and sensible. He couldn't help laughing to himself.

In the first year of his reign, the Empress Dowager ordered a selection of consorts. Vice Minister Shen came to the palace that very day to request an audience, and Yuan Jingnian knew he was probably there on behalf of his daughter.

Remembering their chance encounter at his tutor's residence, he suddenly felt a little selfish. A woman like her would surely bring him much joy if she were by his side.

Later, he would think of it as the one selfish choice he never regretted in his life.

My ongoing novel, When the Cannon Fodder Heroine Gets Bound to the Dragon-Pride System, is updating now.

Chu Qinghuan, daughter of the Celestial Sword Sect's leader, has damaged spiritual roots and the lowest cultivation level in the sect. Everyone calls her "the sect's number-one good-for-nothing."

Until a beam of golden light descends from the sky...

"Ding! Dragon-Pride System successfully bound! Beginner mission: Tell your senior martial brother at Foundation Establishment, 'Don't bully a poor young woman.'"

Chu Qinghuan: "...I'm a good-for-nothing at Qi Refining?"

Mission issued: Defy the mission assigned by your sect leader, then shout, "My fate is mine to decide, not Heaven's!"

Chu Qinghuan: "But that's my dad!!!"

Mission issued: Host, defeat the Blood Demon and let out a cackling laugh.

Chu Qinghuan: "Are you sure this is a Dragon-Pride, and not a villain System?"

[Dragon-Pride heroine x male lead of unknown type]

Theme: Love yourself before loving others, and you'll stay true to your original intentions.