For generations, the Avondale family has been the relentless subject of society's salacious gossip-a legacy not of adoration, but of scandal and intrigue. At the head of this notorious clan stands the enigmatic Duke of Avondale and Gotha, a figure whose tastes are well-known to all. His affections are a coveted prize, driving men to guard their wives and women to vie for his attention. Whispers suggest that his mistresses have been rewarded with lavish houses as a testament to belonging to him. Amidst this opulent backdrop, Agatha blends seamlessly into the shadows-a standard cloak amidst a room filled with many. The Duke's gaze has never lingered upon her, never veering from the path of his well-worn desires. Yet, against all odds, Agatha finds herself thrust into the heart of the scandalous whirlwind. Her innocence is shattered by a masquerade ball, where a rakish duke's piercing eyes lock onto her for the first time, forever altering the course of her destiny.

She was sold to a richer family, and then substituted their daughter to be a palace servant candidate at 15. As news spread fast like the wind, she knows that a palace servant's life is not easy. She wishes for release as soon as she enters the palace. A chameleon she wants to be, to blend in with the surroundings, attracting no attention. However, fate decides otherwise. As everyday passes, she begins to witness, one by one, the scheming yet melancholic lives of people in the palace. She wants to leave such a place, only to find out later that she can never escape the tight grasp of cruel destiny. This girl, her name is Jade Yeva/Yè Ān Yù. --- •Sequel: Princess In The Palace (can be read as a standalone) •Full summary in summary chapter. •This is actually a Historical Chinese-based story, with names tweaked into English to suit English readers too. Name translation will be provided at the end of chapters. ***HIGHEST #5 in Historical Fiction.