[An emperor who appears aloof and noble but is actually hypocritical and vicious × a maid who appears honest and mild but is actually clear-eyed and cold]
Shen Hanzhang lost her family when she was young and went to live with her maternal relatives. As the daughter of a convicted official, she could only serve her cousin, Chu Mingyi, as a maid.
In the fourth year of Xiping, the emperor married Chu Mingyi, the daughter of the Grand Secretary, and made her empress. Shen Hanzhang entered the palace with her as a maid in her bridal entourage.
On the wedding day, Madam Chu clasped Shen Hanzhang's hand and instructed her, “The inner palace is treacherous. You must help Mingyi from now on.”
The Chu family had sheltered Shen Hanzhang for years. She could only repay them with her life, so naturally she agreed.
-
Two years into the marriage, Chu Mingyi still had no children, and criticism had begun to surface at court.
To preserve the empress's dignity, the emperor suppressed every memorial on the matter.
But Chu Mingyi was frail and unable to bear an heir. When Madam Chu looked at the beautiful Shen Hanzhang, an idea came to her.
Switch the cat for the prince.
Shen Hanzhang was timid by nature and agreed through tears.
That night, disguised as Chu Mingyi, she took the empress's place in the emperor's bed.
The emperor was handsome and majestic, in the prime of his life. He often kept her up until late at night, murmuring, “Why has the empress become so shy lately?”
Afraid of being exposed, she didn't dare make a sound.
Fortunately, once she conceived an imperial heir, he finally let her go.
After ten months of pregnancy, she gave birth.
Looking at the baby in her arms, Shen Hanzhang knew she should leave, so she chose to fake her death.
-
The emperor first noticed Shen Hanzhang in the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, when she served him tea. Her slender fingers were as white as snow and soft as fresh shoots.
After that, he could no longer take his eyes off her.
The ministers submitted memorials one after another, urging him to think of the empire and expand his harem.
That night, Shen Hanzhang was sent to the imperial bed.
He immediately understood the Chu family's plan, but chose not to expose it and played along instead.
-
At first, Shen Hanzhang was no more than a maid to the emperor. Once she bore him a child, he would grant her a respectable position and keep her by his side.
But after Shen Hanzhang gave birth, he searched the entire harem and couldn't find her anywhere.
Only then did he realize he had long since fallen deeply in love with her.
-
On a spring day three years later,
Shen Hanzhang opened the courtyard gate. When she saw the person waiting outside, her face went pale with fright and she stood frozen.
The emperor held a child in his arms and said coldly, “Shen Hanzhang, what punishment do you deserve for abandoning your husband and child?”
The child called softly, “Mother, I've finally found you.”
[Reading guide]
- One-on-one romance, both leads pure
- Forced possession, then a long road to winning her back
Theme: Sincerity deserves sincerity
After Our Divorce, I Was Offered to My Ex-Husband
The Bureau of No Return
Bride-to-Be
The Moon Trapped in the Mad Abyss (Coercive Love)
Marrying Up
After Being Seized by My Stepson and Older Brother
The Phoenix Resigns from the Terrace
The Marriage of Convenience After We Were Reborn
After the Delicate Lady Was Taken by Force
My Second Husband Is a Force to Be Reckoned With
Rowing Against the Current
After I Was Forced to Marry the Coldhearted Minister
The Jester
The Jinling Case Files
A Legendary General
The Song of the Pipa
A Sick Tree's Branches
The Empress Relies on Favor to Throw Her Weight Around
After Pretending to Be the Powerful Minister’s Sister
I'd like to ask how long until the female lead leaves the palace?
Why keep it a secret for now?
Wait, what's the male lead's name? Is his surname Huang and his given name Di? 😭
OMG, are they real bandits, members of the Chu family, or agents of the emperor?
Why haven't you updated?!
On their way back, they might just happen to witness Hanzhang giving birth.
Finally, this made Hanzhang a little happier.
This Lesser Fullness (Xiaoman) update should be logged off; it's so annoying.
Is Xiaoman getting a little tired of living?
I've been eagerly awaiting an update! Author, please update more often! 🤪