Records of the Harem Power Struggle (Transmigration)

Chu Yanzhi, a former award-winning actress from modern times, finds herself transmigrated into the body of a fifteen-year-old noble daughter in the Yanqi Empire after a plane crash. The current Emperor, Feng Xuanyi, has ascended the throne six years prior and has governed the empire with skill, yet he lacks a male heir, causing significant political anxiety. To address this, an imperial edict is issued for the selection of palace ladies, requiring all eligible maidens from officials of the seventh rank and above to participate. Chu Yanzhi, now the legitimate daughter of the Vice Minister of Revenue, initially appears as a gentle and obedient young lady to her family. However, her internal mindset remains that of a modern woman who views the harem not as a prison, but as a strategic path to power and luxury. She harbors no desire for monogamous love, viewing the Emperor as the most honorable man in the empire and aiming to become his most favored consort.

Upon entering the palace for the selection, Chu Yanzhi awakens a "Harem Struggle System" bound to her life. The system reveals that she was brought to this era due to her crash and that she must complete specific tasks to survive. The main objective is to conquer the Emperor’s heart, achieving a Favorability score of one hundred. Failure to complete the primary tasks results in elimination, while success grants points and attribute enhancements. Chu Yanzhi accepts this reality with pragmatic calmness. During the initial physical examinations, she utilizes a "Purple Jade Bracelet" provided by the system, which passively increases the favorability of those who see her. She passes the rigorous inspections with ease, displaying neither excessive vanity nor lack of talent, thereby securing her place in the secondary selection.

The secondary selection takes place in Taihe Hall, where candidates perform talents before the Empress and favored consorts. Chu Yanzhi plays the qin with balanced skill, avoiding both mediocrity and overwhelming brilliance that might attract undue hostility. She successfully passes this stage and enters a half-month training period in Chuxiu Palace. During this time, she observes the complex social dynamics among the candidates, noting key rivals such as Mu Qianqian, the Empress Dowager’s niece, and Ji Qiyu, the Empress’s sister. Chu Yanzhi maintains a low profile, avoiding direct conflict while strategically positioning herself. She forms a tentative alliance with her roommate, Qin Huayi, though she remains guarded against the overt jealousy and scheming prevalent among the other candidates.

The final selection brings Chu Yanzhi before the Emperor, the Empress Dowager, and the Empress. Her performance is marked by calculated modesty and subtle charm. When the Emperor requests she raise her head, she meets his gaze briefly before lowering it, a gesture that intrigues him. She answers questions about her reading with appropriate humility, citing classical texts and romantic miscellanies, which pleases the Empress Dowager. Consequently, she is granted the rank of Lady of Precious Beauty, a sixth-rank position, and is assigned to reside in Ningwu Courtyard within Jinhe Palace. Upon entering the palace, she immediately establishes authority over her staff, demonstrating her competence and decisiveness. She receives a list of family allies planted within the palace by her mother, integrating this resource into her survival strategy.

As Chu Yanzhi settles into her new life, the system updates her status, confirming the completion of her first main task and unlocking the System Mall. She purchases a "False Pregnancy Pill," a strategic item for future maneuvering. The narrative concludes with the Emperor summoning Yan Guiren, the Empress Dowager’s niece, for the night, highlighting the immediate competitive landscape Chu Yanzhi must navigate. Despite not being the initial favorite, Chu Yanzhi’s calculated entry and system-assisted advantages set the stage for her long-term campaign within the imperial harem. Her journey is defined by the tension between her modern identity and the ancient political constraints, as she prepares to engage in the intricate power struggles that define life within the Forbidden City.