The Empress Is a Black-Hearted Lotus

Being a favored consort is easy, but being a virtuous consort is not. Especially becoming a virtuous consort who is worthy, refined, gentle, and magnanimous is harder than ascending to heaven. Aside from coaxing a difficult tyrant into a good mood every day, Murong Wan must constantly guard against the tyrant losing his temper. For example, today: “Your Highness! Something terrible has happened! Consort Lin gathered people in the imperial garden to badmouth you today, and the Emperor was so furious that he had her beaten to death!” “What nonsense! Their mouths belong to them, so what does it matter if they say a few unpleasant things? He wants to take lives at the slightest provocation, does he even intend to be an emperor? Come, let’s go plead for Consort Lin!” “Your... Your Highness... Consort Lin has already been beaten to death...” Murong Wan: “...” Tomorrow: “Your Highness, save us!” A eunuch from the Imperial Household Department came bursting in from outside, rolling and crawling. “Because the Wardrobe Bureau placed your clothes after the Empress’s, the Emperor flew into a rage when he found out and ordered people to burn the Wardrobe Bureau down.” The young eunuch wept bitterly: “There are still a hundred servants trapped inside the Wardrobe Bureau by the fire and unable to get out. Your Highness, please hurry and take a look!” Murong Wan: “…” The day after tomorrow: “Your Highness...” Murong Wan rubbed her aching head. “What has that bastard Emperor done this time?” The young eunuch answered timidly: “In front of all the civil and military officials, His Majesty said he would drive all the imperial consorts out of the palace and keep only Your Highness. Six ministers have already died by throwing themselves against the palace pillars while trying to stop him.” “…”