100 Techniques to Conquer the Emperor in the Harem

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Ever since Yun Li entered the palace, she transformed into a treacherous woman. Duplicitous and insincere, she spends her days acting. When facing the emperor’s favored concubines, she simultaneously taunts them until they’re sick to their stomachs while clutching her chest in feigned distress, lamenting, “I am so envious that you can receive His Majesty’s affection.” In the face of schemes against her, she responds with a slap but then dissolves into tears, crying out, “Why treat a kind-hearted person like me this way?” When speaking with the Empress, she nods absentmindedly, proclaiming, “Her Majesty the Empress is my guiding light! I will always obey her.”

Associated Names
One entry per line
在后宫征服皇帝的一百个技巧
Related Series
N/A
Recommendations
The Job of an Imperial Concubine (3)
Consort Shu (1)
The Girl Who Struggled Through Palace Intrigues to Become the Empress (1)
The Consort is Both Charming and Scheming, Rising Through Palace Intrigue (1)
Ying Chong (1)
Imperial Side (1)
Recommendation Lists
  1. Recommended
  2. CHINESE HISTORICAL ROMANCE
  3. Ancient China w/ Strong, Intelligent, Manipulative...
  4. Entertaining novels with FL. Part 7
  5. Stories that kept me engrossed

Latest Release

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04/06/24 asianovel c42
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Review
19 Reviews


liappletree
New liappletree
Jun 30, 2025
Status: Completed
10/10 I honestly can’t remember the last time I cried over a book. I started this one with low expectations (plus the translation was a bit confusing at times), but it completely surprised me. I thought it’d be another typical historical story where the FL just schemes her way through and never truly loves the ML but nope. She only fights back when schemed against, and while she tries to stay close to the ML for protection, she never lowers herself. She has pride, ego, and plays it smart. It... more>> was beautiful watching the ML fall in love, and even more touching seeing the FL slowly open her heart. I especially loved how the story followed their kids growing up alongside them it was so wholesome. I cried when the ML passed... it was just so sad. Also, major respect to the author for giving extra chapters to almost every character. The ending was perfect. I really wish they got their happy ending in the modern world too >< <<less
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Justpassingthrough
Justpassingt
Nov 23, 2024
Status: Completed
My favourite harem intrigue novels have always been, ETT, TJOAIC, TTSIP and TBAVW. In that order. When I saw the reviews that said this was better than TJOAIC I was doubtful. Especially after seeing the number of chapters. Most authors tend to loose steam after a hundred chapters or so (unless the chapters are short) so a +400 chapter novel honestly didn't seem promising. I am quite happy to have been proven wrong. I found myself reading chapter, after chapter, eager for more.

100TTCTE is truly a well written novel. The... more>> MC has a vivid and interesting personality. She knows what she wants from life and is unafraid to go after it. And best of all, she knows what her strengths and weaknesses are and is fully capable of leveraging her strengths to make up for her weaknesses.

The novel even succeeds addressing what, in my opinion, is TJOAIC's main weakness. The lack of personality in the emperor. The emperor in this novel is fleshed out and quite interestingly, has a very good understanding of the MC. So their relationship feels far more balanced.

The author even takes the time to flesh out the villains and other side characters. The novel has a good cast of smart female characters who are not close allies or enemies of the MC. And this raises the overall quality of the novel. Its definitely worth reading. <<less
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Cloudy Mist
Cloudy Mist
Feb 29, 2024
Status: C231
I didn't expect to love this as much as I did! It's very similar to TJOAIC, if you liked that then I'm sure you would like this too.

I particularly love how the Emperor doesn't solely favor Yunli. It's very realistic it.

I loveee Yunli. She's super chill but very smart, she's articulate, knowing what to say and do to make sure she stays on the Emperor's mind.

The translations is only up to C231, I'm hoping it gets updated soon 🥺🥺
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Lovelesslove
Lovelesslove
Mar 10, 2024
Status: Completed
  1. I was extremely surprised to find myself living this story so much

    . I have fallen absolutely in love with the female lead. She has such an interesting way to deal with this. She was as earnest as possible while being hidden under a layer of deceit. If I were to give my opinion I preferred this story to the TJOAIC while the second was pretty realistic, the relationship between the female lead and the emperor was simple amazing, it's something that fails to be described with words. I wouldn't say the FL loved him to death or something (while the emperor certainly loved her a lot) , she had a certain level of affection toward him, she simply loved him in her own way.

    They are not two people destined to be together every time but they are certainly destined to meet each other.

    Spoiler

    Like in the last side story we can see them being reincarnated again and meeting each other. This lead us to a rather open ending where we do not know if they will end up together or not

    [collapse]

    Spoiler

    The story was kinda long but certainly worth it, all the characters were pretty interesting especially the Empress Dowager and Concubine Mei who I personally loved. For male characters I loved the Emperor he certainly tried his best to be a great father and ruler given the era he was born into. The sickly Fourth Prince was amazing as well, I personally liked the relationship with his guard at the end. There really was a lot of interesting characters I cannot name all of them. I personally felt that each character had their own uses and importance.

    [collapse]

    Spoiler

    Now let me talk about the female lead. She was certainly the most interesting one of them all. I loved the way she handled things it's the first time I've ever saw a concubine let the emperor know of every schemes angst her. She was proud and cold yet kind and caring. Her achievement were her own and only and I personally love that after becoming the Empress Dowager she decided to travel the world and write a book. She stayed true to her belief to the very end. And unlike in the TJOAIC, I feel like that I got to know the FL for who she really was like the emperor did as well. He knew that she didn't love him exactly but that every single of her statements were a mix of truths and lies. And like he said he first loved her beauty then her character and finally how earnest yet deceitful she was. In the end I was surprised with how much I loved the Emperor. I cried so much when he died and in his extra chapter story

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    All in all I loved this story and how well made and interesting the characters were. After finishing it I couldn't help but feel quite empty as if a page of a long journey finally ended. I am waiting for the day the translation will end so I can't reread it as I have only translated the Chinese chapters on my own. I want to thank the author for such a beautiful story
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mochispinky
mochispinky
Dec 04, 2024
Status: Completed
It's a good novel.

It touches upon a lot of things that "job of imperial concubine" did not cover. There are a lot of perspectives involved, and the characters are well fleshed out.

MC and ML grow upon you, and I cried ugly tears at his death. There are so many pitiful characters in this book, and this story leaves a long impression after completing it.
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Kyuubi
Kyuubi
Jan 30, 2025
Status: c493
I started this story thinking there were only 42 chapters and ended up reading all 493 of them in 4 days, if that's note proof of it's quality I don't know what is.

I genuinely laughed a few times.

It was truly a lovely story with great characters, well fleshed out. The autor didn't oversimplify the side character. All had their back stories, their struggles and their reasons for their actions.

The only negative is that the translation is a bit hard to follow at times especially with the changing names and titles.... more>> However context makes it possible to still follow well enough. <<less
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leviii
leviii
Jul 31, 2024
Status: Completed
oh gosh I finally finish reading it, im so sad it ends and I love it sooo much! In my opinion, it's very different from TJOAIC, even better. This one is much more detailed and elaborate on the plot. Idk but the scenes are really satisfying to me, I like what is happening and where the story is going. I super love the MC! She's amazing overall. Cold-blooded to people that are bad to her and her son, very smart, calm, bold and strong. At this point in time I... more>> still have mix feelings for the ML (emperor) but I like how as time gradually went, he realizes his felings for the MC. I also love their son! How I wish she got pregnant again and give us a daughter.

i got teary-eyed and I cried several times reading the extras. I love how the author gave us individual point of views of the different characters involved in the story. I will miss Yun Li. I hope she and the ML will love each other in different worlds and reincarnations everytime. They deserved so much more! <<less
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Arimathea
Arimathea
Apr 11, 2024
Status: c423
Would I sound cliche if I said that I didn't expect to love this story more than the TJOAIC? Because almost all reviews of this story said this thing but it is true. If you haven't read The Job Of A Imperial Concubine and you came across this first, then, read TJOAIC before this one because you wouldn't have the interest to finish the former if you read this novel first.

How should I put it? This novel is more realistically portrayed than TJOAIC, I thought that TJOAIC is realistic enough... more>> but this novel proved me wrong. Nothing is attainable easily and this story proves that. From power, desires, hopes, wishes, and love, and even peace. You'll feel frustrated by how slow the progress of her rank is climbing up, of how her Emperor's favor is not solid enough to be called unshakable, of how she's not having a child when everyone around her is having one. You'll feel suspicious if she's really genuine, you'll feel curious if that's her true self. There's so many emotions that this novel will trigger inside you, so be ready.

I love how this novel is ruthless, thrilling, and suspensive but at the same time, chill, funny, and heartwarming. This truly deserve to be called a novel. It just disappointing how its translations is not finished so I need to mtl'ed half of its chapters and I skimmed through it because I don't understand a thing. I'll definitely come back in the future to finish this novel with its finished translated version.

Qi Yunli (FL) :

NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE HOW I LOVE HER WHOLE BEING AND EXISTENCE. SHE'S MY FAVORITE CHARACTER SO FAR. She's just, rational, wise, and true to herself. She didn't let herself be wronged in the palace because she's already wronged by being sent in the palace unwillingly. She's not your typical overpowered MC, she's definitely overpowered since she's the MC but she's not omnipotent where she can eliminate her enemies on the spot. The revenge here is not done in a fast-paced one but it is slow and takes time which I like, unexpectedly. She knows her worth, if she loses her favor by showing her attitude then, she doesn't care.

Spoiler

She knows that she was sent to the palace with a purpose that's why living a low-key life is not possible for her even if she wants to. Because not competing for favor is also a great option for her but like I said, since she was sent to the palace with a purpose, she needs to step out and outsmart everyone around her so she can a life with a human dignity and pride. Her life wasn't easy but at least, she lived an honest life. She's not a transmigrator, she's a reincarnator because she knows that this life is her second life that's why being bold and speaking her mind is one of her character that came naturally form her past modern self and what the Emperor like about her also. The Emperor doesn't know a thing about her past life nor a soul knew about it other than herself which is I like the most. I like her reasoning that she doesn't want her child to be the crown prince if there is a legitimate heir in front but wouldn't restrain her child becoming a crown prince if it is done in a fair fight for the throne. I like how she didn't like having power but knew its advantages also because being powerless can not save you nor your child since she came from a powerful background and with her eldest cousin being an example.

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Emperor (ml) :

I like how he's realistically portrayed that even after meeting our FL, he didn't abstained from having children with the other concubines. He didn't fell in love at first sight with our FL but he did as time pass by, it's slow burn that
Spoiler

after 20 years, that's the only time that other noticed that Yunli's favor is unshakable. It's a pity that no one ever guessed how Yunli's acquired not just a portion of the Emperor's love but maybe his whole heart, or maybe there is someone but because it is a mtl one, I didn't understand it.

[collapse]

To be continued... <<less
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Luna_Bell
Luna_Bell
Feb 17, 2024
Status: c231
The heroine, Yun Li, was originally from the modern world, but then found herself in Ancient China after her death raised by a the Qi family. She is forcibly put into the imperial harem against her will. The heroine knows how to navigate the imperial harem and is not willing to follow her family's will to become a chess piece for her sister (Noble concubine). There are a lot of

... more>>
Spoiler

miscarriages

[collapse]

going on throughout the novel happening to various women due to intrigue and sabotage. The heroine is mindful of her position as a concubine and shows affection for the emperor while not having any illusion that the emperor will solely indulge her based on her beauty. Later on in the novel she safely gives to birth to a son and is raised to the rank of

Spoiler

Beauty

[collapse]
.

The emperor is described as handsome, young, and wise which makes more tolerable when the novel talks about how the heroine and the emperor have s*x (not talked about in graphic detail just whether the emperor was lazy and had the heroine be active or whether the emperor was lustful and was the active one). The novel displays the influence of politics because based on the concubine's family background their ranking and how often the emperor visits them is different. The emperor has just risen to power and the remnants of the other princes are still present. Some of the novel talks about how the emperor deals with this. There is even an

Spoiler

assassination

[collapse]

of the emperor
Spoiler

(failed)

[collapse]

I am interested in what happens next in the story. I am currently on chapter 231. <<less
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sayuummi
sayuummi
Jun 07, 2025
Status: c490
First Impressions

The story starts with great potential. A strong, intelligent, and strategic protagonist — one who immediately earns our respect. The imperial setting is rich and detailed, and the palace drama is quite engaging. The author builds a solid plot with well-defined characters and many political elements that add depth to the narrative. Unfortunately, from chapter 500 onwards, the quality noticeably declines.

... more>> Emperor He Jinlin / THE HIGHLIGHT OF THIS BOOK

He Jinlin appears to be the typical emperor in Chinese novels: powerful, rational, surrounded by a web of concubines and power struggles. The difference is that above all, he is human. He tries to be a good emperor, a good husband, and a good father, and within the harsh reality of the court, he truly was the best he could be.

As a father, he was patient and indulgent. Even when his children made serious mistakes, he was never cruel. He favored the Ninth Prince (Yunlin’s son), but the decision to make him heir was based on merit, not just affection. For the concubines — even those who committed serious transgressions — he avoided harsh punishments, always offering them a dignified way out. Despite everything, he disliked bloodshed. He Jinlin is a character who carried the weight of the throne without losing his humanity.

We have his point of view that helps us better understand his feelings for Yunlin and his deep emotions:

“Only when the Ninth Prince grew up did I realize that my affection for Yunlin increased. Yunlin always surprised me. Her beauty, vision, and character were always evident to me. But after Xiao Ji grew up, her guidance for him impressed me even more. She taught Xiao Ji life lessons without imposing rigid expectations. Thus, Xiao Ji became like her, but distinct at the same time. He became an independent and resilient child — as Yunlin would say, a child who grows at his own pace, not forcibly molded by his parents’ desires. Though affectionate, Xiao Ji had his own thoughts. Of course, Yunlin also has her flaws.”

I was deeply touched by his death, when he was bidding farewell to Yunlin. It was so beautiful that I cried:

“Yun’er, having you in my life is my luck, my blessing, ” He Jinlin said, holding her tightly.

Yunlin’s tears soaked the shoulder of He Jinlin’s robe.

“Meeting you was wonderful, truly wonderful.”

“You won’t regret being with me, right? Even if you didn’t want to enter the palace, you won’t regret knowing me, will you?” he asked.

This tenderness and vulnerability are rare in emperors of this genre — and it makes him unforgettable.

Here we see how patient he was. Honestly, he would never have been capable of cruelty. I really liked this part because it showed how he viewed the imperial harem and what made him like Yunlin.

“However, even as emperor, I cannot act impulsively. No matter how disappointed I was, she was my youth companion; although I no longer desire intimacy, I still give her the due respect. The same goes for the women of the harem. For minor transgressions, I turn a blind eye, but for serious matters, I choose to forgive and let go. Still, there are always those driven by resentment, rivalry for children, or the pursuit of power, who enter endless conflicts. Wife Dewife, Consort Orchid, Consort Ning — all lotus-faced, but with venomous hearts. None compared to Yunlin, for she had unique and relentless methods, incomparable to any other. When she wanted something, she came to me without disparaging the other women. She never touched my descendants. Indeed, Yunlin was an intriguing woman.”

The end of the great Emperor He Jinlin — I confess he was one of the best emperors I’ve read about in a novel:

“When naming the Ninth Prince as heir, I must admit my decision was influenced by numerous considerations. I needed to think for the good of the kingdom. In the end, I chose the most suitable successor without hurting the feelings of the son who cared for me the most. However, with Yunlin, only her, I always feel I have not given enough. My affection for her comes from the bottom of my heart. Even though she is a virtuous concubine, mother of the future emperor, and destined to be elevated to empress, it still feels insufficient. I want her to become empress now, the supreme woman of this land, even if her inherent nobility requires no embellishment. I want everyone to admire her. My name is He Jinlin. As emperor of Great Jin, I have lived my life with a clear conscience.”

The Ninth Prince

He deserves all praise. We follow his birth, joyful and loving childhood, curious and altruistic adolescence, marriage, fatherhood, and coronation as crown prince. His journey is one of the story’s highlights.

Raised with care and attention, he was never spoiled negatively. His parents educated him with values such as humility, empathy, and justice. Yunlin, his mother, taught him all she could — and he absorbed it. Even as an adult with his own children, he remains respectful and loving towards his parents, especially his mother. Outside the palace, he seeks to understand the people’s hardships. He is a very well-built character and one of the best imperial princes I’ve seen in the genre.

Secondary Characters

Mei, a consort from a distant land, is Yunlin’s best friend. Their bond is beautiful, loyal, and genuine. Mei always defended and supported Yunlin.

The Fourth Prince had a tragic journey. It’s impossible not to feel sorry for him. He deserved a better childhood — perhaps his fate would have been different.

The Third Prince seems rebellious at first, but he is just a child full of anger and confusion. His mother committed a terrible crime, and he grew up as someone “disposable.” But his affection for his sister, the Sixth Princess, is touching.

The Seventh Prince, twin of a boy killed by their own mother, is another character who deserved more attention. His pain was immense and little explored, and the story quickly moved on.

The Concubines and Noble Consort Qi

A weak point of the novel is the constant name changes. There are many minor concubines and, over time, most become forgettable. Only the main antagonists stand out. The changes of name and title disrupt the reading flow.

Qi, Yunlin’s cousin, is an example of someone shaped by her environment. She committed serious mistakes, yes, but we understand that it comes from how she was raised. She was not a bad person — just a woman trying to survive in an oppressive world. This does not justify everything, of course, but makes her story more human. I think her ending was fair.

Bonus Chapters

An important positive point: the author includes bonus chapters focused on secondary characters. This gave more depth to the story. It showed that although there are antagonists, there are no absolute villains. Everyone has motives to act, making the narrative more realistic.

Weaknesses

Despite everything, the novel has serious structural flaws:

The protagonist’s reincarnation: the story begins with Yunlin already in the new world, but we never find out who she was before. This is a huge waste of a narrative resource that could have given more emotional weight and strategic intelligence to the character. She does not use any modern knowledge — so what is the point of the reincarnation?

The excess pregnancies: there are many pregnancies that do not make chronological sense, especially considering the story’s pace and the emperor’s character, who was not lascivious. Yunlin did not conceive for years because she used contraception, but this is never properly explained. When she stops, she gets pregnant almost immediately — and the story does not clearly justify this.

Conclusion

The story deserves a solid 4 out of 5. Initially, I considered giving it a 3 because of the structural flaws, but the emotional impact and my attachment to certain characters made me rate it higher.

As an imperial romance, it is an engaging read, full of politics, emotions, and human dilemmas. Emperor He Jinlin, the Ninth Prince, and Consort Mei are characters who left a deep impression on me. Friendship, family love, and real struggles stand out.

What prevents a perfect score is precisely what was poorly handled: the reincarnation development. He Jinlin won me over in this novel. <<less
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Julz254
Julz254
May 04, 2025
Status: Completed
I am writing this as I am crying... I just finished the last chapter and I haven't read the extra stories yet but this book was so beautiful and really just what I needed to get out of my reading slump. If you like harem stories pkease please read it.

The not so great;

  1. The translation isn't the best, it d9es feel like a good mtl though and you can definitely still follow the stories. If you have read other harem stories it won't be too hard to follow.
  2. As other's have said, the names of a lot of the consorts keep changing so you have to do a lot of guess work but most of the time you can still figure out who is being spoken about
  3. Some of the consorts reasons for doing certain things sometimes didn't make sense to me but this falls under personal preference in terms of story writing. Some plots felt like they were added only to introduce conflict which means some characters who I already liked and I perceived as smart were all of a sudden doing ridiculous things which annoyed me a bit but its really not that bad
  4. Some characters like the concubine from yuancheng kind of disappear as the book is ending and I would have really loved if they were more central to the story too towards the end.
The great

  1. Even though the translation is kinda bad I honestly never got bored and skipped any chapters. Every single chapter is super engaging and I finished this in 5 days and I was unable to watch or read anything else as I read it
  2. Yun Li the FL is just so cool and I like her so much... Most of the time I was always wondering what she would do about a situation and she would surprise me. She's so courageous and is able to read people so well. I am honestly so shocked that
    Spoiler

    she never fell in love with the emperor even to the end. I honestly don't understand how she didn't. I definitely would have. I feel so bad for He Jin li. Like I know he still slept with the rest of the harem even though he was technically still in love with Yun li but I would have definitely still fell in love with him. He always treated her so well and always trusted her and as he died I cried so much. I know she loved him in her own way but it definitely wasn't the same way he loved her. I would love to read a modern romance about them lol. I am really glad though that he never found out that she didn't love him the same way. He mentions his doubts in his death bed but she reassures him which I really loved. Every other woman knew she didn't actually love him but he didn't and I felt so bad for him but I love that he stayed ignorant.

    [collapse]
    . Yun li honestly reminded me of Ying Luo from Yanxi palace and her antics with Qianlong. She is really good at reading situation and reading people too.
  3. The emperor in the harem is actually good. He doesn't just care about the main FL and actually cares about the other women in the harem though obviously not in the same way as Yun li. But I really loved that he wasn't neglectful to his harem and he actually was a sort of caring dad given the time and setting he's actually a decent emperor and didn't kill people or was terrible to his harem just because he love Yun li.
  4. The other members of the harem are also sympathetic and you end up getting attached to some of them.
  5. The characters are very multi dimensional... The 'bad' people are not necessarily bad and the good people are not necessarily 'good'. It's honestly just a matter of luck. depending on how you came into the palace and who your family is determined what kind of life you get to live, . Even Yun li was able to get to where she got because initially she was from a good family. I honestly kinda sympathized a lot with the empress she was just so unlucky and I think if she had been luckier she would have had a better ending.
  6. When yun Li and the emporer would talk and flirt I would giggle so much... I loved their dialogue and mostly I just love how courageous and daring Yun li is.... I really enjoyed any time they would be together.
In any case... all harem story lovers definitely read this book. I am done and I miss it already. I miss Yun li and the emperor conversations. I definitely don't think I can reread it but I really enjoyed it.
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Clarimel7
Clarimel7
Feb 13, 2025
Status: Completed
I enjoyed it all. I learned to truly appreciate the side characters. There was so much depth in every interaction. It is remarkable how Yun Li never lost her sense in falling head over heels in love with the emperor. I truly admired her living true to her self. I copied three segments that describe her inner thinking about her relationship with He JinLi.

When FL was forced to enter the palace:

... more>>
Spoiler

She would never love an emperor.

Thus, she enjoyed being the emperor's consort. Indeed, if one fully embraced it, this way of life could be quite intriguing, couldn’t it?

Telling lies wasn’t hard, nor did she worry about slipping up, for she truly didn't love anyone else, nor particularly despised the emperor.

It was merely a job, with some improper relations with her boss.

A mutual need, a mutual use.

The most difficult thing for people is not to overthink. Don't try to solve unsolvable problems.

Nor should one indulge in unrealistic fantasies.

Like an emperor's true affection.

[collapse]

When she decided to retaliate for her son:

Spoiler

After pretending for twenty years, it had long become an integral part of her being.

Regrettably, He Jinli didn't know that no matter how many times she professed her affection, when it came to executing her plans, she would never hold back.

Yet, one couldn't be devoid of sentimentality. She saw the efforts He Jinli had put in for her.

Therefore, she would always strategize against him but would never betray him.

Nor would she ever let him down.

He was truly a remarkable person, but alas, he just wasn't the one she desired.

[collapse]

When He JinLi gave her the most honorific ceremony:

Spoiler

Since the spring of Chongzheng Year Four, Qi Shi, who was sent to the palace, became a Baolin.

For twenty-three years, she climbed the heights of power step by step, also penetrating the emperor's inner world.

In this world, perhaps Yun Li didn't initially desire it, but one couldn't deny that on this path, she gained the best.

The best protection, the best care, the utmost respect, and the finest offerings.

This man beside her, from youth to old age, from stranger to confidant, had always supported her.

Her current standing was due to Yun Li's inner strength. But it was also because of He Jinning's favoritism.

One cannot help but be grateful.

Even if He Jinning wasn't the qualified lover she envisioned, and even if she didn't love him, their twenty-three years together had fostered the deepest affection between them.

An unbreakable bond, an inseparable connection.

At least here, within these palace walls, he gave Yun Li everything he could.

It also embraced Yun Li's bad temper, her caprice, and her irrationality.

At this point in life, there was no more room for complaints or reluctance.

No one's life is without regrets; it is the imperfect life that is the most genuine.

Now, on Yun Li's shoulders, there lay an added responsibility.

Being the Empress, the Mother of the Nation, was not just about glory

[collapse]

I cried a lot for every misunderstanding ML had about others. It wasn't until the end that I truly saw how good a son, father, and spouse he always strived to be, but his job as an Emperor took priority-—as it should.

I acknowledge that I am totally biased towards our FL. I would always support her choices, and be fond of her reactions whether true or fake towards ML.

This book is highly recommended for people who love strong and independent female leads. <<less
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paperballoon
paperballoon
Dec 21, 2024
Status: --
I liked it more than I thought I would. I just hope there would be a better translation (because the current one seems to be MTL) so I can read it again.

My only gripe is:

... more>>
Spoiler

Consort Shu and the Sixth Prince. Their reason for rebelling is kinda weak. I get that the Sixth Prince wanted to be the Crown Prince but they knew that the odds were stacked against them. But they would rather take that chance, even if there's a big chance they would die because they prefer that over their current living situation? And Consort Shu said that she doesn't want to bow down to anyone anymore. If she became the empress, she would still have to bow down to the emperor and empress dowager. She's a first-rank consort, the only additional person she would have to bow down to is the empress.

I dunno, that rebellion part was just disappointing to me. I wish there was a more convincing reason for them to rebel. Usually rebellions occur if they were backed into a corner and it didn't seem that way for Consort Shu and the Sixth Prince. It just felt like they were throwing their life away for the sake of the plot.

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paneer
paneer
Dec 21, 2024
Status: --
I see a lot of comparisons to other novels like TJOAIC and I agree that in some aspects the story is more fleshed out - the character of the emperor, his personal thoughts and relationship with his children. However, the translation does a complete disservice to the novel and read almost like MTL with pronouns continually swapped and ever-changing names. While you are able to get the gist of the novel, it ends up breaking immersion and leading the readers to fill in characters with who they think it is.... more>> In the end, I couldn't sympathise with a lot of the concubines because I couldn't tell which one was which and who's story belonged to who.

Personally, what I found the most enjoyable detail was Yun Li's rationalisation of her relationship with the emperor. This is not love and it cannot ever be, for someone who was born in an era of monogamy and retained rights. However if she can pretend sincerely enough and the affection she receives in return is genuine, how different can it be? And is it so wrong? I liked that some of the other concubines and even the dowager empress were clued in on her deception (especially that little bit where they go "In the end, he's just a man") and didn't begrudge her for it, instead admiring her for it.

The novels plot is quite linear and straightforward. Everything falls into the MC's lap quite nicely so most of the focus is on the other women trying and dying trying to succeed in taking power or her place while she skilfully convinces the Emperor that no one can love him like she does on the side. <<less
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samrach
samrach
Nov 17, 2024
Status: c493
I don’t usually read long stories—200 chapters is usually my limit. So, when I read the synopsis for this novel, I was a bit skeptical. However, the reviews convinced me to give it a try, even with its 400+ chapters.

If you love the “The Job of an Imperial Concubine” you will definitely love this story more.

This is the most realistic depiction of Ancient China I’ve ever read, with a profound portrayal of palace intrigues and the imperial harem. I definitely love Yunli and the Emperor. I cried at the end... more>> of the chapters because
Spoiler

although Yunli’s love for the emperor was only an act, in the end she really loved him. It was the same for the emperor. Despite having many consorts fighting for his favor, he would still come back and would always yearn for Yunli’s affection.

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It took me just four days to finish this novel, and it never disappointed. I’m also not someone who usually reads extra chapters, but the last four extras are very important. Don’t skip them! Otherwise you will miss a great ending 😉 <<less
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kitkatssie
kitkatssie
Dec 08, 2024
Status: c493
It's complete on the website, idk why NU only lists it up to c 42. Genuinely one of the best harem intrigue novels ive ever read, I read it non stop for like 4 days. It's bittersweet in my opinion, MC has a genuinely cold character which might not appeal to some, but her responses to problems made me laugh out loud several times.

I would say a lot of people meet very dark fates in this novel, some end up living exactly as they wish despite that maybe not being... more>> the readers wish.

This is not a romance in the slightest. Read it anyway.

My only criticism is that it definitely needs editing, the name and title translations are all over the place. Pronouns are messed up often too. <<less
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Kotankoran
Kotankoran
Nov 29, 2024
Status: Completed
This was, without a doubt, a long and fascinating journey. The story of palace intrigue follows Yun Li from her entry into the harem, her struggle to escape the clutches of the noble consort, and her eventual success in leaving her mark on this competitive and treacherous environment.

On the other concubines:

The other concubines were memorable and surprisingly complex. Each character had their own backstory and reasons for their actions, which made them unique and compelling. At no point did I feel bored—quite rare, considering the story spans over 400 chapters.... more>> This level of depth kept the plot engaging from beginning to end.

The ML:

The emperor was an excellent character. He wasn’t foolish and managed the harem with rationality and efficiency. His love for the FL (female lead) was not sudden or forced; instead, it developed gradually and naturally through their interactions. However, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of sadness, as it seemed his love was not returned with the same intensity.

The FL:

Yun Li was an admirable protagonist: calculating, shrewd, and incredibly intelligent. Every step she took seemed carefully planned, and her ability to maintain control in any situation was impressive. Even her interactions with the ML left me wondering whether they were genuine or part of her strategy, which only added to her complexity.

Realism and Competence:

The story captivated me with its realistic portrayal of the harem. The emperor wasn’t naive, the FL wasn’t flawless, and even figures like the empress, the empress dowager, and the high-ranking concubines displayed their own competencies and well-defined personalities. This realistic approach was one of the story’s strongest points.

My reflections:

Although it was a long and satisfying journey, I couldn’t help but feel melancholic during the final chapters and the first two extras. Perhaps it was the way certain loose ends were tied, or simply the intensity of the story itself, but those moments left me deep in thought.

This is a story that shines for its intricate characters, well-constructed plot, and realistic approach to such a complicated setting as an imperial harem. It’s a must-read for those who enjoy long, detailed, and emotionally gripping tales.

Definitely, this story deserves 5 stars <<less
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Rlc071800
Rlc071800
Mar 04, 2025
Status: Completed
Loved this read. FMC was admirable. The flirting scenes were cute. The chapter at the end from the emperor’s perspective was deeply romantic - loved the development of the slow burn on this one.
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ha_ningg
ha_ningg
Feb 10, 2025
Status: c424
I'm glad I didn't give up reading this, I had a hard time going through less than 100 chapters cause I don't know if it's gonna be worth it.

This is novel isn't all about the MC at all. This is not like the novels I've read before that MC hooked the emperor and they fell in love while struggling in the harem.

This is really a novel about Palace/Harem Intrigue. The hierarchy of the harem are close to what is depicted historically in real life.

At the beginning the MC isn't in... more>> the spotlight, she isn't usually schemed at but yes she had been schemed but I love that she didn't suffer loss because she is cautious and that's her ability.

It was truly boring at the beginning because each chapter is long but each chapter is also important because it's important for the next chapters.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THE MC! At this point I'm finding her interactions with the Emperor so funny, I really² like how she 'played' with the emperor. Teasing, Acting Coy, and all that stuff while slowly the emperor's thoughts of her were becoming caring and think she truly loves him.

"A mutual need, a mutual use" this is how their relationship started, and the emperor knew that she's acting but subconsciously he appreciates her, but when I was thinking it would get boring when MC already had a child. Oh boy! I'm not prepared for her audacity to act mad at the emperor, it's so real, the emperor thinks its real, but well well ~~~

I'm grinning as I type this a 2 am. I wanna see how far she goes and how her life goes with her child. She's already winning but what about the future?? 🤭

About the MC being a parent:

Spoiler

I truly admire Yunli as a woman and as a child. She truly respects her child, give him everything he needed, might be spoiled but not excessive. Her son is intelligent as well, her son has the same intelligent as her and even as sly/cunning as her. They're like copy paste.

In Chapter 340:

"As long as you don't feel I'm pushing you too hard, " Yun Li said.

"Not at all, you've always respected my wishes. I've always felt you care for me more than you wish for me to succeed, " the Ninth Prince cooed.

"Because... you can't choose your parents. Since I gave birth to you, I should be good to you, " Yun Li smiled, stroking his head, "Stop being so clingy, you've grown quite a bit this year."

"Really? Haha, I'll definitely be as tall as Father, no! Even taller!" the Ninth Prince exclaimed, jumping around happily.

It's rare to have some wholesome moment like this in this novel and especially at this part because the princes are already eyeing the throne.

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