In the Demon Empress's Tent

[Alluring Demon Empress x Sharp-tongued, old-fashioned minister]

The storm had only just passed. Beneath the palace walls, delicate flowers lay scattered and crushed. The empress stared into empty space and let out a soft breath. "His Majesty has passed away."

Zhang Heng came up behind her, his voice as calm and cool as ever. "Your Majesty, my condolences."

"Before His Majesty died, he left an oral decree appointing Lord Zhang to assist with the regency. With Lord Zhang here, we, a widow and her orphaned child, will surely be safe from anyone who would bully us." The empress offered an awkward compliment.

Lightning flashed beyond the window like a swimming dragon. The man smiled at her, gently playing with the crimson earring at her earlobe. His fingertips brushed her flushed cheek, restrained and fleeting.

After a long moment, he leaned close enough for his breath to touch her. "Then His Majesty must have known... that I have coveted Your Majesty for a long time."

*

In the sixth year of Yongjia, Zhao Jianghui was not yet the Demon Empress.

Princess Baorong, Zhao Jianghui, could drink strong liquor and ride a horse. She was the brightest jewel of the Ning Kingdom.

On a vast plain untouched by the encircling palace walls, beside a great bonfire, she gave all her pity and love to a handsome but lowly hostage prince from another country.

She probably never expected to fall in love with a man so vindictive and ruthless.

The hostage prince she'd once pitied ascended the throne, conquered her country, and dragged her back to her homeland. He trapped her in the position of empress, shackling her with a phoenix crown and ceremonial robes.

So she kept male favorites, cursed the emperor's health, and even tried poison and witchcraft against him more than once.

She thought there was no one left to protect her. But the cold-faced minister who always seemed to oppose her came toward her through the darkness, holding a lantern. He looked at her quietly and told her, "Princess, I have always been here."

Years later, the emperor died. Proclamations spread throughout the court, all bearing the same accusations: The Demon Empress sways and beguiles the emperor, destroys the loyal with her serpentine schemes, and is unfit to become empress dowager.

That night, a small dark-blue sedan chair was carried into Guanju Palace.

Under the warm hibiscus curtains, moonlight swayed. Her cloud of hair came undone, and the red candles that burned all night finally went out.

The Demon Empress's gaze wandered over Zhang Heng's strong shoulders and back. Suddenly, she remembered how quiet and humble he had been as a youth.

The Demon Empress pressed her lips together and smiled. "Lord Zhang, have I destroyed the loyal?"

Grand Secretary Zhang Heng: "I would gladly let you destroy me."

*

In the sixteenth year of Yongjia, Zhang Heng finally completed the path of a civil official. He rose to the highest position, entered the cabinet, and became the youngest grand secretary of the Great Zhao.

He was not exceptionally gifted. He had studied hard for ten years, hoping to serve his sovereign and country. At last, he earned the top honor at the palace examination, but even as the first-ranked scholar, he was merely sent as an envoy to a small kingdom.

It was easy to lose one's way in the desert. Just as he was about to despair, a young woman emerged from the mist beneath the moonlight.

That night's vision of her, and the enchanting moonlight, were carved deep into his heart. In Zhang Heng's life of diligent study, something suddenly appeared that he couldn't explain or understand.

Later, he learned that she had married the hostage prince, that her country had been conquered, and that Princess Baorong had become the empress, then the deposed empress, and then the Demon Empress.

He bowed deeply, not to the emperor, but in submission to the Demon Empress behind the beaded curtain.

Zhao Jianghui was not a demon empress who brought ruin to her country. She was his princess.

Bonus scene:

Palace maid: "Your Majesty, Lord Zhang is stiff and dull. He's only got a handsome face. Apart from that, what do you like about him?"

Demon Empress: "...I can't get past that."

Palace maid: "Then when will you give him a title?"

Demon Empress: "How could I possibly give him one..."

- The female lead has had previous partners; the male lead has not.

- The female lead loves and hates fiercely, is not very socially conventional, and defies the rules, living by the principle of "being true to herself." Please don't judge her too harshly.

Theme: In adversity, you must save yourself