Upon first entering the Eastern Palace, Henry Faulkner, bearing the reputation of a substitute bride and the daughter of a traitor, lived with utmost caution, treading carefully at every step.

She knew well that, as a concubine-born daughter, she was merely a pawn thrown out to appease the late emperor’s edict.

This was all to ensure that her noble legitimate sister could become the Crown Prince’s concubine, thus winning the family a share in the glory of supporting the new emperor.

Her father looked on coldly, “Being able to enter the Eastern Palace is your good fortune. The family has raised you for years; you ought to be grateful and repay us.”

Her legitimate sister mocked, “You were born lowly and illegitimate. Taking my place in the Eastern Palace is your blessing.”

Henry Faulkner lowered her gaze, hiding the cold gleam in her eyes. “Father, rest assured. For the kindness of raising me, your daughter will surely repay you a thousandfold.”

Did they really think they could trample her bones and blood to curry favor with the new power, climbing ever higher to wealth and glory?

Years later, Henry Faulkner lounged lazily in the arms of the newly enthroned Crown Prince, watching those once arrogant people grovel at her feet like pigs and dogs, begging for mercy.

“To spare or not, it’s up to my beloved consort.”

The man in dragon robes smiled gently.

Henry Faulkner lifted her charming eyes and waved her slender hand.

“Kill them. Noisy.”

They wanted to push her into the fire pit, but she would rise from the ashes, making these despicable, wolf-hearted people regret endlessly and taste the bitter fruit of their deeds!

Chapter One: Substitution

The Crown Prince was about to select concubines.

The candidate was not the legitimate daughter Laura Faulkner, but the concubine-born Henry Faulkner.

Carrying the title of entering the Eastern Palace by the late emperor’s will, everyone said Henry Faulkner had struck it rich.

But only Henry Faulkner herself knew the truth.

Her cheap father and hypocritical stepmother were merely throwing her out as cannon fodder, so their precious legitimate daughter could seek a better match.

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“Marriage is a matter of obeying your parents and the matchmaker. Whether you want to or not, you must go to this selection!”

Her father, Charles Faulkner, spoke with cold eyes and tone, as if commanding a cat or dog.

“If it weren’t for Pei’er being ill and the fifth girl not yet of age, do you think you, with your lowly status, could enter the Eastern Palace?” The legitimate mother, Carter, snorted coldly, her face full of disgust. “Your mother did such shameless things back then, and the Fang family still let you grow up well—already a great favor. You should be grateful!”

Her legitimate sister, Laura Faulkner, looked down at her from above, not bothering to hide the contempt in her eyes.

“After all, you grew up in the Fang family and even received an education, yet turned out to be an ingrate. If you weren’t a Fang daughter, would you have the chance to serve the Crown Prince?”

“Enough!” Charles Faulkner barked in a low voice, his sharp gaze sweeping over her. “The matter of entering the palace for the selection is settled. If you dare play any tricks, don’t blame me for forgetting our father-daughter bond!”

At the Eastern Palace, in front of Biluozhai, Henry Faulkner looked at the small courtyard before her, thoughts swirling, a cold light flickering in her eyes.

“Liangdi, let’s go in.” Her maid Alice Green, who came with her as part of her dowry, whispered a reminder.

Henry Faulkner lowered her gaze, hiding the darkness in her eyes, and nodded silently.

Just as she was about to step forward, a strange woman’s voice sounded behind her.

“So you’re the Fang girl?”

A woman with delicate features looked her up and down, approaching slowly—clearly another lady of the Eastern Palace.

Henry Faulkner didn’t know the woman’s identity, so she simply bowed in greeting.

“This concubine, Liangdi Fang, greets elder sister.”

“Elder sister? I dare not accept that.” The woman raised her hand to smooth her hair, sneering. “Your sister, like your father, is shameless. As for you, I suppose the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Such rudeness right from the start made Henry Faulkner’s eyes grow colder, but not knowing the woman’s identity, she dared not act rashly.

As the atmosphere grew tense, footsteps sounded from the courtyard behind, accompanied by a man’s voice.

“Greetings to Grace Carter and Grace Faulkner!”

Henry Faulkner had already inquired about the Eastern Palace and immediately recognized the woman’s identity from these words.

A Liangdi with a son, but from a humble family and long out of favor—Carter.

Understanding dawned in her heart, and she calmly returned the greeting.

“Grace Carter, please mind your words. Now that I am part of the Eastern Palace, the ‘upper beam’ refers to His Highness the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.”

As soon as she finished, Carter’s expression changed.

“What a sharp-tongued little wretch…”

“Liangdi, the young master must be awake from his nap by now. If he doesn’t see you, he’ll surely cry. Let’s go back first!”

The maid beside Carter suddenly stepped forward, interrupting her.

Hearing this, Carter glared at the maid, but indeed did not continue her outburst. She snorted coldly, flung her sleeve, and left.

After she left, Henry Faulkner concealed the coldness in her eyes and turned around.

She saw a eunuch in his early twenties standing behind her, so she took the initiative to speak.

“Thank you for your reminder just now, Eunuch.”

“I wouldn’t dare. It’s just my duty.” The eunuch bowed. “My name is Edward Young, the head eunuch of Biluozhai, here to welcome Liangdi.”

Henry Faulkner showed a timely smile and nodded.

“Thank you, Eunuch Young.”

After a few polite exchanges, Henry Faulkner was led into the courtyard.

Biluozhai—the name sounded elegant, but the interior was not well furnished. Still, it seemed to have been tidied up, and could at least be called clean and orderly.