The Consort Is Deeply Favored by His Majesty

Chu Qingwan came from a prestigious family, dazzlingly beautiful and radiant beyond compare. She grew up alongside a childhood sweetheart, and both families had long agreed to form a marriage alliance. But before the Xie family could propose, news arrived from the palace— The Empress Dowager intended to select consorts for His Majesty, and all eligible unmarried noble daughters were to enter the selection process. Suddenly, Chu Qingwan faced two paths: — Proceed with the engagement to the Xie family — Or enter the palace for the selection That very day, her father summoned her to the study. She remained inside all day. On the day she entered the palace by imperial decree, she vaguely saw a familiar figure standing at a distance. Chu Qingwan calmly looked away. She thought to herself—perhaps she truly was a woman enamored with status and power. That day in the study, her father had said only one thing: “The position of Empress is vacant.” And that alone was enough for her to make her choice. When Xu Yanheng first met Chu Qingwan, he knew she was clever. But he had always dismissed it—after all, she was just another palace consort, not worth his attention. Until he found out about the engagement that almost was. Suddenly, he began to wonder— When Chu Qingwan entered the palace by imperial decree, how much of it was truly her own will, and how much was because one cannot defy a royal order? Love may not be irrelevant, but for someone as calculating as her, she would only offer her affections if there were guaranteed returns. Note: Palace intrigue genre. The male lead is not a virg*n. [This novel includes the previously requested elements: palace intrigue + childhood sweetheart. But fair warning—I’m personally partial to writing female leads with clear ambitions.]