chitra banerjee divakaruni palace of illusions

It was 12 years ago. The empress gave birth to a princess. She declared to the public that she was a boy, named Xia Shimin. Three years ago, Xia Shimin was made the crown prince and arranged a marriage with the present Grand Preceptor's daughter, thus securing the imperial power. ...... Zhang Ronghua crossed over at her birth. As a proper forbidden soldier, he has been hiding out for 15 years in the royal residence. Every day that passed, his talent would increase by one point. Seeing that the wedding date was getting closer, he accidentally found out that the crown prince was a woman. The night of the wedding. Prince: I need you to marry me!

Jiang Feng, a king returning from the Cultivation World, unexpectedly becomes the affluent son-in-law of a beautiful female CEO. Bringing with him memories from his past life and his talent for cultivation, he embarks on his carefree and legendary life.

A modern-day foodie finds herself in the depths of the imperial palace, a mere invisible at the bottom of the hierarchy, but luckily, the food there isn't half bad, and she could make do. Who would have thought that those women were so fond of drama, bouncing around for no good reason? Well, then, no need for civility—was she supposed to steam buns instead of vying for favor?! In her first year in the palace, she was neither favored nor pampered! She was bullied! In her Nth year in the palace, she reigned supreme over The Six Palaces! Yet she became the thorn in everyone's side! A Favored Consort who doesn't aspire to become the Empress is no good chef! And since the Emperor must have a main wife, then why not her?! Who said an emperor's heart was heartless? She was determined to become the apple of the emperor's eye! Battling mean girls, capturing the heart of the Emperor, having children, Xia Ruqing thus embarked on a relentless journey of struggle within the imperial palace! [Reader group: 362627942, I'll be waiting for you here~]

In the first episode, Little Palace Maid Lian Hua, holding tea leaves, thought to curry favor with Zhaoyi. The Emperor intercepted her halfway, and before she could react, he hijacked her tea leaves, leaving her bewildered. In the second episode, she wanted to curry favor with the Noble Consort. During the Noble Consort's birthday feast, she hadn't even presented the meticulously prepared tea leaves before the Emperor seized them, leaving her aggrieved. In the third episode, she had just sneaked out with the Palace Maids to pick bamboo shoots, planning to go back and cook something delicious when the Emperor burst out of nowhere wanting to freeload a meal. If it wasn't tasty, he would punish her, she managed to barely pass muster by exerting all her energy. Before she could feel relieved, the Emperor told her he was also staying to sleep! This time, he was thoroughly taking advantage of her, enjoying free food and lodging without the slightest intention of rewarding her. At night, the more she thought about it, the more aggrieved she felt. All the silver she had saved up in earlier years had been used to sustain the Emperor. Now that the money was gone, she feared being punished for not being able to support him in the future. The more she thought, the sadder she got, her tears plopping down, which woke the Emperor sleeping beside her. In a flurry, the Emperor consoled her, "There, there, don't cry, don't cry. I haven't even had time to reward you, how could I punish you!" After much consoling, and finally with his promise to provide for her sustenance, she turned her tears into laughter. The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief. This Little Concubine would need to be favored properly from now on—he dared not make her cry again. →→【This story has concluded, thank you for reading】→→ New book recommendation: "Consort of the Roll-Royce is Here, Run!"—It's a good read! Please add it to your favorites.

Hiding in the Cold Palace and eventually becoming a Boss of Sorts Li Mu was transported to a fantastical world and became a measly eunuch of the State of Xia. Despite having initially thought that his life would be a miserable one, he had unexpectedly acquired a check-in system. Ding, successful check-in at the cold palace. ‘Zaohua Sutra’ acquired. Ding, successful check-in at the Imperial Dispensary. Xiaohuan Pill acquired. Ding, successful check-in at the Library Tower. 50 years’ worth of power acquired. … He had initially thought that the world would be a dangerous one, and that he would never venture outside without first becoming the most powerful combatant in the world. However, riots taken place at martial art sacred grounds 60 years later, and countless formidable ones attacked the Royal Palace of Great Xia…

Chen Mo somehow transmigrates to a world of much higher power levels. After his eunuch brother's unexpected death, he takes his brother's identity and becomes a fake eunuch in the harem of the Great Song Dynasty. Just as he's frantic about the next regular physical exam, he finally receives his hack… The Immortal Cultivation Simulator! [You have chosen your talent, would you like to start the immortal cultivation simulation now?] “Yes.” [Day 1: The Great Turmoil was about to arrive, and the horns of uprisings were blown across the Great Song Dynasty. The Imperial Power withered and the Yellow Turban Force came to power. You were in the palace, which was the safest place in the Great Song Dynasty. You planned to just stay safe and then surprise everyone.] [Day 2: You were promoted from a third-class eunuch to a first-class eunuch by the empress.] [Day 3: A palace maid accidentally discovered that you were having an illicit relationship with the empress. You died.]

Lin Wanyi, the legitimate daughter of the prestigious Prime Minister's Mansion, is a paragon of beauty and talent. Yet, in the intricate web of the inner court, she has always navigated with utmost caution, striving to secure a peaceful existence. She had envisioned a serene future with a stable family, but fate took a dramatic turn when she received the imperial decree to enter the palace. With an ineffectual father and brothers, and granted merely the humble status of a lowly concubine, her only recourse seemed to be seeking refuge with her elder sister, the esteemed Imperial Consort. Lin Wanyi aspired to live a secluded and tranquil life within the palace walls. However, to her astonishment, the aloof and enigmatic Emperor, known for his detachment, began to visit her chambers with surprising frequency! While outsiders marvel at the Lin Family's favor, they remain oblivious to the fact that the formidable and restrained young Emperor was utterly captivated and thrown into disarray by just one glance at Lin Wanyi.

The regent of the Tianxia Kingdom, who had control over a huge army and ruled over a powerful kingdom, was never close to women. One day, he was poisoned again and nearly died. While everyone worried that he had no successors, a kid who looked exactly like he was brought to the palace gate. Only then did they recall that, five years ago, when the regent was poisoned for the first time, the Yu family's eldest daughter was kidnapped and brought to him for auspicious reasons. Since they shared similar fates, she did everything she could to help rid him of the poison. However, on the day he awakened, the royal family plotted against her, and she disappeared mysteriously. The regent's eyes became dim when he saw the kid. "Did your mother finally decide she couldn't forget about me and ask you to return in her stead?" The kid clenched his jaws. "No! The young prince of Xichu will marry the eldest princess, who is my mother, in a few days. My mother asked me to come and check if you're still alive. She doesn't want you to die on the day she gets married. It's bad luck." After he finished his sentence, the regent picked him up and walked out with big strides. "Don't worry. I won't die on your mother's wedding day. After all... I've got a wedding to crash."

Lin Jiufeng transmigrates to become the Yuhua God Dynasty’s Crown Prince but is dethroned, banished to the Cold Palace, and imprisoned there because he had released the holy maiden of their rival country. Lin Jiufeng isn't dejected. He has brought a sign-in system with him when he transmigrated and he would receive rewards when he signs in at different places. Before the Cold Palace’s gates, he signs in and receives the Ultimate Heaven Slashing Sword Skill! In the Great Council Hall, he signs in and receives the Heaven Patching Technique! In the Empress Dowager’s palace, he signs in and receives the God of War Totem! … Liu Jiufeng imagines that he can quietly sign in like this until he becomes invincible. Yet who would have imagined that the Heavenly Concubine whom he secretly released would rise in rebellion and seize power after she returns to her country? After she succeeds, her first priority is to attack the Yuhua God Dynasty to rescue Lin Jiufeng. When Liu Jiufeng hears of this news, he's puzzled. “Do I need you to rescue me?”

Li An, abandoned at birth in the cold palace, gains a miraculous gift when a seed from the Tree of Knowledge enters her mind, enhancing her intelligence and pushing her on a mission to gather wisdom points by applying her newfound knowledge. As she grows, she uncovers her noble heritage and encounters her destined fiancé, a proud young general who looks down on her. Will she be able to win his heart, or will he conquer her first? In time, as she showed her abilities, she was given a fief, a barren land. Now, will she be able to turn this wilderness into a blossoming rose? Or will she give up and just live a carefree life? Let's read and find out.