Yao Xi’s treacherous sister-in-law conspired with the eunuchs to sell her into the palace.
It would have been acceptable if she could simply enter the palace!
However, she now serves in the court of the current Empress Dowager, a notorious figure known throughout the kingdom for her cruelty and ruthlessness. Her reputation is so vile that countless individuals seek to bring about her downfall.
The Empress Dowager commands: “Little Yaozi, come and test the poison in my food.”
She further instructs: “Xiao Yaozi, go and shield me from danger.”
And she adds: “Xiao Yaozi, I sense something amiss between you and that little palace maid!”
Yao Xi said: “Your Highness, the deep palace is lonely and desolate. Little Yaozi wants to find a companion.”
The Empress Dowager said: Don’t you already have one?
Yao Xi (innocent face): How would I know!!!
Empress Dowager (with a cold expression): Little Yaozi, take the chopsticks and sit down, test the food for me.
Brief Review of the Work
Due to her striking resemblance to Yao Xi, Sun Xibao takes her place in the palace. Shortly after her arrival, she catches the attention of the Empress Dowager, a figure infamous for her malevolence and unpopularity. Many plot against her life, yet Yao Xi inadvertently saves the emperor on several occasions, earning her a position as the Empress Dowager’s confidant.
As they spend day and night together, Yao Xi discovers that the Empress is not as terrible as the rumors suggest; in fact, she possesses a certain charm. However, Yao Xi soon realizes that her entry into the palace was part of a grand conspiracy. Unbeknownst to her, she finds herself ensnared in a web of intrigue, and her only hope for survival lies in clinging to the Empress Dowager for protection.
