Previous Life.
Xie Yan was blessed with a handsome face but had no talent or learning. In his previous life, he abused his powerful family's influence to throw his weight around the capital.
Who could have guessed that the Minister of Revenue's daughter would suddenly raise an army and seize the throne, becoming empress? To curry favor with the new emperor, his father presented her with a portrait of him. And just like that, the empress brought him into her harem, making him one of her many male consorts.
When he first entered the palace, he looked down on the other male consorts for competing for favor. Especially Meng Qiushi, an illegitimate son of a collateral branch of the prime minister's family. He was a sly, scheming fox with huge ambitions, yet put on an air of gentle refinement every day. He would wait along the empress's route and pretend to run into her, and often feigned illness to win her sympathy.
Xie Yan sneered. "What a vile trick."
That is, until he fell for the empress at first sight, too. Then the two began vying against each other.
Bonus Scene:
When the empress heard that Xie Yan was drunk, she hurried to Zhaoyang Palace as soon as she had finished her work. The moment she stepped into his chambers, she saw Xie Yan tipping back a whole jar of wine.
His face was flushed, and his snow-white undershirt hung loose, revealing firm, taut abs and a smooth, well-defined waist.
His captivating phoenix eyes were moist, stirring an inexplicable tenderness in her heart.
"Your Majesty."
When he recognized her, delight showed in his eyes. He carefully took the empress's hand and placed it on his bare chest. When she made no move, Xie Yan took that as encouragement, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her down onto the bed.
After a night of passion...
Suddenly, a eunuch's soft voice came from outside.
"Your Majesty, someone from Changxin Palace has come to report that Consort Qiu got drunk at the banquet and refuses to go to bed. He's crying and asking to see you."
Xie Yan was holding on to the empress and hoping for another round. His face stiffened. "...That damn fox, stealing my moves."
Content warning: The female lead is not a virgin, while the male lead is. The female lead is devoted to her career and falls in love late, very late!
Theme: She was born of light, independent and strong.
