Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Since Xue Huaiyu ascended the throne, he had been in a state of powerlessness. The affairs of the court were controlled by powerful ministers, the harem was also controlled by others, and he could not even decide which concubine he wanted to favor.

This feeling of being restricted and controlled made him feel depressed, angry, and unhappy.

But now that he has a woman like Wen Yanxi who is obedient to Xue Huaiyu, Xue Huaiyu feels a sense of satisfaction.

Xue Huaiyu had thought about it countless times in the night: even though he had already taken this position, he was still constrained at every turn.

Wen Yanxi is the Empress Dowager's niece and has always been in love with Xue Huaiyu. Perhaps because Wen Yanxi's obedience gave him a sense of control, Xue Huaiyu began to go too far.

Xue Huaiyu made the scantily clad Wen Yanxi kneel in front of the bed for an entire night. This feeling of controlling others truly satisfied Xue Huaiyu.

Seeing Wen Yanxi kneeling to one side, trembling, almost collapsing to the ground several times because she couldn't hold on, Xue Huaiyu gave her a cold look, which scared Wen Yanxi into quickly regaining her balance, while Xue Huaiyu himself fell soundly asleep.

The next day, upon waking, he did not forget to warn, "My dear concubine, you wouldn't report such a trivial matter to the Empress Dowager, would you?"

Seeing Xue Huaiyu's warning look, Wen Yanxi trembled and quickly replied, "Your Majesty, I will not tell you."

Xue Huaiyu nodded in satisfaction, and then told Wen Yanxi to get up, wash up, and have her meal.

...................

Chen Xianlin already knew the news last night that the Emperor had stayed with Consort Xi. She was somewhat dissatisfied, but she didn't show it. After all, as a concubine, she couldn't express too much dissatisfaction or jealousy towards the Emperor's actions.

Chen Xianlin recalled the Qixi Festival back then, when they hadn't entered the palace yet and were in love with each other.

The Emperor even risked being discovered to secretly leave the palace to meet her. Back then, they walked hand in hand through the bustling streets and alleys, spending wonderful times together. But now, everything has changed.

She still remembered that night, the moonlight like water spilling onto the river, them standing side by side on the bank, each holding an exquisite lantern. At that moment, they gazed into each other's eyes and solemnly made a promise: "I will help you reclaim your power, and you will promise me exclusive favor and the position of Empress, and you will love me forever and trust me." At that time, her eyes shone with a firm and expectant light; she believed that this man would keep his promise.

Chen Xianlin was lost in thought when she heard the eunuch's summons from outside the door.

When the Emperor arrived, Chen Xianlin, in a fit of pique, refused to go out to greet him. Xue Huaiyu, knowing Chen Xianlin's tendency to sulk, dismissed the servants and then approached her, pleading, "Xianlin, you know my feelings. I didn't touch her. Last night, I was forced to go to her bedchamber because of the Empress Dowager."

"And last night we had nothing, so I made her kneel all night, really." Xue Huaiyu looked at Chen Xianlin pitifully.

Although Chen Xianlin was still sulking, it was actually just a childish temper, and she was very easy to coax.

So when he saw Chen Xianlin's complexion gradually improve, Xue Huaiyu immediately seized the opportunity, sat down next to her without hesitation, and hugged her tightly.

Then, in an extremely gentle voice, he said to her, "Xianlin, please don't be angry anymore, okay? If you're still not satisfied, then I'll let you beat me up to vent your anger!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xianlin couldn't help but chuckle, but then felt a little embarrassed. So she gently patted Xue Huaiyu's shoulder and replied coquettishly, "I wouldn't dare! You're the emperor, after all. If I really hit you, wouldn't that be a grave offense of disrespect?"

Xue Huaiyu, however, was not displeased by Chen Xianlin's worries. Instead, he hugged her tightly again and comforted her, saying, "Don't worry, I am not only the emperor, but also your husband. Besides, even if you hit me, who would dare to say a bad word about you? If anyone dares to do so, I will immediately order their tongues to be pulled out!"

Chen Xianlin's heart softened, and she leaned against Xue Huaiyu's chest, saying softly, "Your Majesty, I know your difficulties. However, I also hope that you can understand my feelings. I do not crave wealth and glory, but only wish to stay by Your Majesty's side and share the joys and sorrows of this world."

Xue Huaiyu was deeply moved. He gently stroked Chen Xianlin's hair and promised, "I understand. I will treat you well and never let you suffer the slightest grievance."

Xue Huaiyu picked up Chen Xianlin and walked towards the bed...

As for Lin Wanwan, she had been quietly staying in the palace since she entered, neither vying for favor nor causing trouble, and had been doing her own thing. She thought that her life would just pass by like that, until one day Madam Lin came to the palace to visit Lin Wanwan.

"Mother, what brings you here?" Lin Wanwan asked.

"I just missed you and came to see you," Madam Lin said with concern.

Knowing that Madam Lin had something to attend to, Lin Wanwan dismissed the servants and said, "Mother, what is it that Father has to say this time? Please speak plainly."

Madam Lin sighed and said, "Your father knows that you have never been favored in the harem, so he sent me to deliver a message: if things continue like this, Qian Ning will be allowed to come in and keep you company."

Lin Wanwan paused in her tea-drinking. She understood that her father hoped she would gain the Emperor's favor to solidify the family's position. Was he now using her sister to threaten her because he thought she was useless? How ridiculous.

Lin Wanwan and Lin Qianning grew up together and had a very good relationship. She didn't want Lin Qianning's happiness to be ruined because she had lost her own.

Lin Wanwan smiled softly, a smile tinged with helplessness and bitterness. She knew her situation in the palace all too well; without the emperor's favor, it was difficult for her to achieve anything. She didn't want to compete with other women for the emperor's affections; she only wanted a peaceful life. However, it now seemed that this wish was unlikely to be fulfilled.

"Tell Father that I know what to do," Lin Wanwan said softly.

After Madam Lin left, Lin Wanwan sat alone, lost in thought, her gaze blankly fixed on the courtyard wall and the benches and chairs around her. Everything here was so unfamiliar to her, as if she were in a completely different world.

Her thoughts drifted away, recalling the times she spent playing with her sister and Ruoyao; those days seemed so distant now. Although she hadn't been in the palace for long, she felt she could never return to her past life. A deep sense of helplessness welled up in Lin Wanwan's heart.

She couldn't even understand what was so attractive about that useless man that made Wen Yanxi and Chen Xianlin fight over him. In her eyes, he was a complete waste, and only those two foolish women considered him a treasure.

Lin Wanwan wanted to laugh at the thought of having to compete for that so-called favor.