The Woman Who Ruled the Realm

(Romance: No male lead. The female lead and the second female lead, her beloved, both die young.)

(Friendship: A brilliant female chancellor × a calculating princess who protects the state.)

(Female politicians include Wu Zetian, Shangguan Wan'er, Princess Taiping, Empress Wei, and Princess Anle.)

Shangguan Yi was falsely accused of plotting rebellion, and the great aristocratic clans were wiped out overnight. Everyone said the Shangguan family had fallen and would vanish from the pages of history.

But she was an unexpected twist of fate.

Shangguan Wan'er was born into wealth but grew up as a servant. Through her own talent, she rose to become a female chancellor revered by all. She befriended members of the imperial family and moved at the heart of power. Even as the regime changed again and again, her position remained secure, growing ever stronger.

During her political career, she and Princess Taiping planned their moves step by step: framing Qiu Shenji, eliminating Lai Junchen, bringing Li Xian back, and launching a coup to stop Empress Wei from seizing power.

Though she died, she died for a worthy cause, and in the end brought peace back to the realm.