The Empress's Harem

In the Great Wei dynasty, the throne could pass to either a man or a woman. Xiao Tianyu was named heir at sixteen and ascended the throne at twenty. The historians all called her a young ruler.

Everyone thought the reins of government would fall into the hands of the cabinet ministers and eunuchs. Instead, the empress acted ruthlessly and decisively, with much of the wise ruler Gaozu's bearing.

Her ministers were suffering terribly and desperately needed her to show mercy. With no other options, they resorted to an unconventional tactic.

They offered her handsome men.

Everyone loved beauty. If one wasn't enough, they would petition to fill the imperial harem to the brim!

And so the noble young men of the capital, who had never been with a woman, were sternly instructed in how to win the empress's favor. They scrubbed themselves clean and bright, waiting for the day they could enter the palace and stir up a storm.

They dreamed of serving this legendary empress, said to possess the bearing of Gaozu. They dreamed even more of securing benefits for their families in the palace and rising to a higher position...

Until they met the emperor.

.

When Xiao Tianyu ascended the throne, she was only twenty. The only person serving at her side was Murong Wangsheng, whom she had recruited when she was sixteen.

Then the ministers submitted their petitions, and Murong Wangsheng became the foremost of the Four Consorts. Next came Li Qingyan, Qiu Pu, Feng Wenzheng...

So many people tried their hardest to please her.

But Xiao Tianyu could hardly remember them.

One unfamiliar, unfeeling face after another, one strong body after another. They were living things brought to her dragon bed, yet they still tried to influence the realm that belonged to her alone.

As the old order gave way to the new, the court remained unsettled. Foreign enemies invaded one after another, and the three thousand members of the imperial harem were constantly vying with each other. Beneath the appearance of peace and prosperity, undercurrents swelled and factional strife raged.

When the emperor grew angry, thousands of miles ran red with blood.

That year, autumn in the capital took on an eerie, murderous air. Commoners laughed while noble families wept...

.

They struggled to survive in the harem for a long time, often seeing their "sisters" in other palaces suddenly die or be banished.

Many years later, when they looked back at this man-eating palace, they heard the shrill screams in their ears and people crying, "Your Majesty, I love you!"

Your Majesty, I love you.

No, that's not right. Your Majesty, this concubine loves you.

But that woman never turned back to look, not even once.

A cold, selfish, scheming empress x men driven to hysteria by loving her without hope. All female characters are virgins, all male characters are not. One woman, many men.

A male-heavy harem ensemble story. The male supporting characters' storylines can be read as a harem novel.

Don't put the heroine into any romance-related role. She is the emperor, a ruthless career woman.

Theme: Look down upon the world and survey all under heaven.