Chronicles of the Harem

The Li dynasty had spanned three generations. The current emperor, whose reign was known as Yong'an, presided over a prosperous and peaceful realm.In the first year of Yong'an, the Empress Dowager organized a talent selection to replenish the harem. This time, eligible daughters from both commoner families and noble clans were required to participate.Gu Zhiqing was the eldest daughter of the Minister of Rites, raised with utmost care from birth. She was proficient in the arts of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as poetry and song. Entering the palace was thus a matter of course. She understood that the imperial court and the harem were inextricably linked; her goal was not love but to ensure the prosperity of the Gu clan for a century.Later, no one could have foreseen that in the harem, where the most beautiful women in the world gathered, Gu Zhiqing would gradually ascend to the top, not only gaining power second only to the emperor but also winning a degree of the emperor's favor.Gu Zhiqing entered the palace as a Third Rank Noble Consort. She was in no rush to stand out, and thus watched as those of lower rank vied for higher positions, and those of higher rank fell. She herself gradually went from being an observer to a participant. Fortunately, besides her family background, appearance, and talent, she possessed a perspicacious heart.