Power Is the Best Tonic for a Woman

Shuangyan was the daughter of a scholar in Lijia Village. She had been steeped in books since childhood, and her bright, lovely eyes drew admirers in droves. Before she had even come of age, suitors had worn a path to her door.

On the eve of her coming-of-age ceremony, her father went to town to buy her a hairpin.

Shuangyan waited until late at night. Her father never returned. Instead, a group of rakshasa demons came.

Her parents and older brother were all slaughtered. Shuangyan escaped by sheer luck and wandered from place to place disguised as a beggar.

Only after a long dream did Shuangyan learn the truth: she was a bit character barely mentioned in a story, while the protagonist was Xie Wanning, daughter of the town's jewelry shop owner.

Xie Wanning had transmigrated from several hundred years in the future and saved a prince who had fallen into hardship among the common people. As they spent day after day together, they gradually fell in love.

The prince promised Xie Wanning that he would love only her for life, and that she would become empress, second to none.

Shuangyan's father accidentally discovered their affair while buying her a hairpin.

To eliminate any future threat, the prince ordered that not a single member of the Li family be left alive.

Shuangyan finally understood.

With power, one could decide who lived and died, treat human lives like dirt, and wipe out an entire family.

Then she would become the most powerful person in the world.

*

Shuangyan came to the capital and became a palace maid within the towering red walls.

Her status was low, and anyone could trample on her.

Shuangyan climbed her way up by any means necessary.

From lowly servant to Palace Matron, then from imperial consort to empress dowager, she supported the young emperor and ruled from behind the curtain.

Later, as she gazed at the prince and Xie Wanning prostrate at her feet, Shuangyan smiled slowly.

The taste of power really was wonderful.

★2024.06.10★

Theme: Fire tests gold, and adversity tests the strong.