The Empress Strikes Back

Princess Chu Nanqiao gave her husband Xiao Jingheng everything she had. She took a poisoned dart meant for him, lost the child she was carrying, and handed him the influence that made him Grand Chancellor. He repaid it by taking up with another woman and standing by while his wife was insulted in her own household. Chu Nanqiao stopped absorbing it. She divorced him, laid his crimes out in front of the court, had him stripped of his office, and took back the military tally that gives its holder command of the army. Xiao Jingheng went into exile and from there made terms with the enemies of Northern Qi, then came back at her with their forces and had her seized so he could get the throne. Through all of it Xie Ci, the shadow guard who has protected her without asking anything for it, stays at her side. She breaks the rebellion, takes the throne herself, and makes Xie Ci her consort.