The Eastern Palace's Enchantress

A pomegranate tree spirit who had cultivated for over a thousand years was struck by lightning while taking human form, leaving it with only a wisp of its spirit. In desperation, it possessed the body of a dead palace maid and survived in the maid Zhao Hu'er’s place. Since there was no point in refusing a chance to live, Zhao Hu'er planned to leave the palace when she turned twenty-five and travel the length and breadth of the land.

But plans never keep up with change. To save her life, she entered the Eastern Palace as a concubine to the Crown Prince. Then, in pursuit of a comfortable life, she worked hard to win his favor. Before long, the tree spirit had become the Empress of the Great Xia Dynasty.

At first, Zong Zheng paid no attention to his new concubine. He favored her once by chance, and since she seemed well-behaved, he figured he could dote on her a little more. But somehow, one thing led to another, and he ended up doting on her for the rest of his life.