Amy pondered deeply. Being pursued by the future emperor and assured of a life of wealth and honor was undeniably tempting. But her pragmatic mind halted any fanciful dreams.

‘Becoming the crown princess would lead me to an early grave rather than luxury.’

The Empress would rather strangle Amy herself than see her as her precious son’s consort. And cruelly, at that, as soon as possible.

Would the crown prince stand up to his mother for her?

‘Absolutely impossible.’

Amy shook her head resolutely.

The crown prince had always been seen as the inadequate son in his mother’s eyes. Their conversations were nothing but one-sided scolding, reprimands, and apologies. While he revered his mother, he feared her more than anything in the world. In such a mother-son relationship, the son inevitably cannot stand up to his mother. The crown prince was no different.

Amy was proud of having escaped her parents’ oppression and charted her own life.

She had long decided to settle in a warm southern country with the money she’d saved from her maid duties, living comfortably with cats. A tragic demise was never in her plans.

The conclusion was clear.

‘To ensure a peaceful old age, I must cut off this foolish affection.’

The crown prince probably mistook their shared camaraderie as romantic love. They were comrades overcoming the harsh mountain of parental authority, so his misconception wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

Amy was lost in thought.

The next day, she approached the Empress and revealed her plan. Initially skeptical, the Empress wholeheartedly supported the plan once she understood its pleasant nature. Amy immediately began her mission. She selected a young lady from a notable family that would appeal to the Empress, orchestrating a ‘chance encounter.’

‘Oh my, it’s Lady Esmaine of the Duchy. Crown Prince, please greet her.’

The dazed crown prince watched as Lady Esmaine approached and gracefully greeted him.

‘I am honored to meet the empire’s radiant sun. I am Caterina of Esmaine.’

‘Ah, pleased to meet you.’

While the crown prince politely responded, Amy noticed his eyes drifting towards the lady. She smiled secretly, relieved he seemed interested in women, sparing her from becoming his concubine.

After introducing several ladies to the crown prince, Amy subtly probed his true feelings.

‘Which lady did you like the most?’

‘Eh? What do you mean?’

‘You’ve met four. I thought Lady Esmaine seemed the most suitable in terms of family, looks, and intelligence. What do you think?’

‘…Amy, I told you, I like you.’

Now wiser, the crown prince realized Amy’s ploy to match him with another woman and hardened his expression. Amy sighed, realizing more time was needed.

‘Then I’ll answer when I’m eighteen.’

At that age, royal family members often decided on marriages. By then, the crown prince would understand that his marriage would be a matter of complex political calculations.

Fortunately, he was not a forceful man. Although weak and easily swayed by women, he never imposed himself on Amy. Thus, Amy gained three more years from the crown prince.

Her strategy worked. Over time, the crown prince met many women and gradually forgot Amy. At the age of eighteen, just as he was about to be betrothed, Amy was kidnapped by Lady Esmaine and locked in a cold dungeon.

“Amy?”

Lost in her memories, Amy came to her senses when she heard her name called. The Second Prince, having finished his meal, was looking at her intently.
“Oh, Your Highness, have you finished eating?”

“Yes, Amy, you should eat too.”

The Second Prince always made sure Amy ate as well. It was puzzling why rumors had spread in the palace about his fierce temper and his tendency to drive away the servants, given his kind-hearted nature. His eyes, pure and clear, made Amy’s heart ache with an inexplicable feeling.

“I’m fine.”

She cleared the empty dishes and tidied up the kitchen. The Second Prince followed her around like a needy puppy. Amy raised an eyebrow.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

She asked directly, setting down the dishcloth. The Prince’s pale face turned red.

“…Yes.”

“Well, go on.”

The Prince hesitated, rolling his eyes and biting his lip, dragging out time. Impatient, Amy tapped her fingers on the table. Just when she was muttering about his hesitance, he spoke.

“I want to give you this.”

He took something out of his pocket and placed it carefully in Amy’s hand, then hastily wiped his hand on his pants. It wasn’t out of dislike for touching Amy, but more out of shyness.

Amy frowned slightly and unconsciously opened her hand. Her eyes widened in surprise.

“This is…”

The Second Prince looked down nervously.

“My mother gave it to me a long time ago… She said to give it to someone special when the time comes.”

His tone was solemn, almost as if he were proposing marriage. In a way, it was similar. He was giving away something very precious to him.

When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem

This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Synopsis:

“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”

Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.

Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.

While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the  Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…

Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.

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