Dew on the Windblown Lotus

[An emperor who seems aloof and noble but is actually hypocritical and cruel vs. a maid who seems honest and mild-mannered but is actually clear-eyed and cold] Shen Hanzhang lost her family at a young age 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, Emperor Li Ji married Chu Mingyi, the daughter of the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, and made her empress. Shen Hanzhang entered the palace with them as part of the bridal retinue. On the wedding day, Madam Chu clasped Shen Hanzhang’s hand and urged her, “The imperial harem is a dangerous place. You’ll have to help Mingyi from now on.” The Chu family had sheltered Shen Hanzhang for many years. She could only repay them with her life, so naturally, she agreed. - Two years into the marriage, Chu Mingyi still had no child, and criticism was already mounting at court. To protect the empress’s dignity, Li Ji suppressed every memorial on the matter. But Chu Mingyi was frail and unable to bear the burden of producing an heir. When Madam Chu looked at the beautiful Shen Hanzhang, a plan suddenly came to her. A civet cat in exchange for the crown prince. Shen Hanzhang was timid by nature, and agreed through her tears. That night, disguised as Chu Mingyi, she took the empress’s place in the emperor’s bed. Li Ji was handsome, regal, and in the prime of his life. He often kept her occupied until late at night, murmuring, “Why has the empress become so shy lately?” Afraid of being discovered, she dared not make a sound. Fortunately, she conceived the imperial heir, and only then did he finally let her go. After ten months of pregnancy, the baby was born. Looking at the infant in her arms, Shen Hanzhang knew she had to leave, so she chose to fake her own death. - Li Ji first noticed Shen Hanzhang in the Kunning Palace, when she served him tea. Her slender fingers were white as frost and snow, delicate as a young plant. After that, he could no longer look away. Officials submitted memorial after memorial, asking Li Ji to consider the empire and expand the imperial harem. That night, Shen Hanzhang was sent to his bed. He immediately understood the Chu family’s intentions, but did not expose them. Instead, he played along. - At first, Shen Hanzhang was no more than a maid to Li Ji. Once she bore him a child, he would give her an honorable position and keep her by his side. But after Shen Hanzhang gave birth, he searched the entire harem and could not find her anywhere. Only then did he realize that he had long since fallen deeply in love with her. - One spring day, three years later. Shen Hanzhang opened the courtyard gate. When she saw who was standing outside, her face went pale with fright, and she froze in place. Holding a child in his arms, Li Ji said coldly, “Shen Hanzhang, you abandoned your husband and child. What punishment do you deserve?” The child called out softly, “Mother, I finally found you.” [Reader’s Guide] - One-on-one romance, both leads have had no other partners - Forced possession and a groveling pursuit to win her back Theme: Sincerity deserves sincerity