Imperial Side

[Traditional palace struggle novel] In the fifth year of the Cheng’an era, a grand selection was held throughout the country. Shen Ji was one of the most outstanding candidates from the Lingzhou region, known for her exceptional beauty. Her features were delicate, and her skin was as fair as jade. Her eyes were especially striking, with a beauty mark at the corner of her eye that made her look captivating. She had a gentle and charming personality, which made people want to pamper her. After gaining favor, she spent three consecutive nights with the Emperor and was quickly promoted from a lowly cairen to the prestigious Baolin, becoming the most favored concubine in the palace. When Lin Guifei pretended to be ill to gain attention, Shen Ji covered up the coldness in her eyes and leaned against the Emperor’s knee, looking up at him with tears in her eyes: “Will you come back to me, Your Majesty?” Qin Yuan’s heart softened, and he, who was normally taciturn, rolled his throat and changed his mind: “Yes, Zhen won’t leave.” Shen Ji was born into a humble family and had seen many men in her life. She knew what she wanted: the Emperor’s favor, wealth, and prestige. She wanted to change her fate and rise from a lowly status to the top of the imperial hierarchy. Everyone in the palace said that Shen Ji’s favor was due to her good fortune, but only she knew that her journey from a commoner to a imperial concubine was a precarious one, like walking on thin ice. Qin Yuan was a ruthless and heartless emperor who had never put any woman in his heart, always doing as he pleased. He initially favored Shen Ji because she was obedient and beautiful, and being around her made him feel at ease. However, he couldn’t explain why his gaze always seemed to linger on her subconsciously. One-sentence summary: Step by step, she gains favor and becomes the most favored in the six palaces. Theme: In adversity, one must leave room for hope.