Chapter 1

Chapter 1

My name is Lu Lan, and I am the Empress of the Wu Dynasty.

The Emperor and I are deeply devoted to each other. Everyone says we are the most loving imperial couple there has ever been.

I was born into a military family, and ever since I was little, I could fight even better than the boys. The late emperor was very fond of me and assigned me as a guard to the Emperor, who was still a prince at the time.

I had followed the Emperor since I was seven. I had known luxury with him and hardship with him, and I stayed by his side through every rise and fall until the day he ascended the throne.

Of course, there were plenty of consorts in the Harem, but none of them could compare to me in favor.

Until Noble Consort Lin appeared.

At first, she was merely a low-ranking noble lady. After entering the palace, she was always ill and barely even saw the Emperor a few times.

But after falling into the water once, her personality changed completely. The woman who had once never said a word suddenly began loving the spotlight.

She imitated me in every way-my clothes, my expressions, even the way I spoke.

At first, I did not care.

Until she began plotting, with all her heart and soul, to kill me.

My pastries and meals were poisoned several times. Since I had no solid evidence, I kept quiet for the time being.

When she saw that poison would not work, she bribed Consort Liu in the Cold Palace.

Many years ago, Consort Liu’s family had been convicted of a crime, and she herself had been banished to the Cold Palace. Having long since lost all attachment to the world, she agreed to act as Noble Consort Lin’s assassin.

As I was watching the fish by Thousand Carp Pond, Consort Liu rushed out and, without warning, stabbed a knife at me.

As I said, I was born into a military family. I could fight better than men.

So I subdued Consort Liu with ease.

“Just kill me,” Consort Liu said, looking at me. “I don’t want to live anyway.”

I thought for a moment. My palace maid had gone back to fetch my shawl, and there was no one around. Suddenly, an idea came to me.

I shoved Consort Liu into Thousand Carp Pond.

About fifteen minutes later, I was sitting together with a drenched Consort Liu in Fengyi Palace.

She held a cup of hot tea and kept looking left and right.

“Holy crap, your place is way too fancy.”

The moment she finished speaking, she clapped a hand over her mouth.

“Sorry, sorry! You’re the Empress, right? Was that super rude of me to say…”

I smiled faintly, knowing I had made the right gamble.

“Do you know who you are?”

“I…”

Consort Liu opened her mouth, then froze.

“Then do you know who I am?”

“That one I know!” Consort Liu slapped her thigh. “Empress Lu! The male lead’s white moonlight.”

Before she had even finished speaking, her stomach growled. She looked at me, a little embarrassed.

“Servants,” I ordered.

A eunuch came in at once.

“What dishes does the small kitchen have today?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, there is fish maw and minced chicken soup, rouge goose neck meat, cloud-cut fish stew, butterfly noodles, mountain delicacy dragon sprout, lotus-pod tofu, top-grade imperial bird’s nest, clay-pot braised deer tendon, shredded chicken with white fungus, osmanthus fish strips…”

Beside me, I could hear Consort Liu swallowing over and over.

“What does Consort Liu like to eat…” I smiled. “Never mind. Bring Consort Liu one serving of everything.”

“Oh my god, Your Highness the Empress, you’re so generous.” Consort Liu made a gesture at me-she later told me that gesture was called “giving a thumbs-up”-then asked curiously, “You called me Consort Liu. So I’m a consort too?”

I gave Consort Liu a brief account of her past and background.

“Oh my god, this starting point is literally hell mode!” Consort Liu immediately pulled a long face. “So I still have to fight in the Harem? I hate women being forced to compete with each other the most!”

The chicken soup was ready. I took it from the palace maid and personally carried it to Consort Liu.

Consort Liu jumped in fright. “Oh my god, oh my god, sister… no, Your Highness the Empress, could you please not be so polite?”

“You say you dislike fighting in the Harem. But in my position, I have no choice but to fight.”

I spoke softly.

“You are not people of this world. If you die, at worst you return to your original world. But my life, my family’s fate, are all tied to this palace and to the Emperor. One careless move, and I lose everything.”

“True. You ancient girls really do have it rough.”

Consort Liu downed the chicken soup I had given her in one gulp, then wiped her mouth.

“All right. Tell me what I can do to help.”