A Clash of Empresses

In her past life, Noble Consort Shen killed Ye Wan's father and forced her to marry a beggar. Reborn on the day she threw the ball, she avoided the beggar and fell into the disguised emperor’s arms. In the palace, she didn’t cry. Didn’t fight. Noble consort Shen slapped her left cheek—she offered the right, then struck back. Fake birthmark. Stolen credit. Father’s rebellion. She peeled each layer until the emperor saw the truth: his savior had always been her. The day Noble Consort Shen was executed, Ye Wan wore the crown. He reached for her hand. She pulled away. “I didn’t come back to love you. I came back to take everything you owe me.”