The Mastermind Princess

Serena Crawford, chosen by Crown Prince Julian Atherton as 'shield' Crown Princess. Grassland princess's mastiff injures Crown Prince. Serena joins forces with princess: they make Crown Prince lose composure, leave palace, losing grassland support. Serena bears twins, Crown Prince's heirs. Crown Prince ascends, Serena becomes Empress. Faces Dowager Consort Shaw's traps, eliminates her. Serena's son ascends, she becomes Empress Dowager, ruling from behind screen, the true mastermind.