The Caged Bird's Feast

Born into prostitution and tossed from one hardship to another, she taught herself to let go of old grudges, rein in her temper, start anew, change her ways, stop pining for what had passed, and recognize the love fate had laid before her. She refused to remain a bird in a cage and ultimately became an empress for the ages.

She saw him again in a pleasure house.

“Yanyan, I’ve searched for you for ten years. Parting from you back then is my greatest regret.”

“My empress, may you enjoy eternal peace and happiness.”

He was her teacher, the aloof young emperor who had been her childhood sweetheart.

She was a wicked empress, and he was the chief minister of the dynasty. Later, they became comrades in arms. He said, “Your Majesty, pierce me with your sword. Even the pain would be pure bliss.”

The minister at her side was also the young general on the battlefield.

And there were others... Through their trials in the mortal world, she gained abilities and changed her fate. They taught her how to look at life and helped her understand the power of love.

The blade glimmers coldly beneath the frost and dew of the Nine Provinces. Wielding this long sword, she vows to sweep away every injustice in the world and bring peace to the people.

(The heroine was forced into prostitution as a child. She is outspoken and refuses to be bound by convention. Though she endures endless abuse, she never abandons her ambitions. She goes from morally ambiguous to embracing the righteous path. There are many male supporting characters, and the heroine is adored by all. The male lead is hopelessly lovestruck and eager to serve.)

[Childhood betrothal + childhood sweetheart who appears later + teacher and student + cousins + younger man + fated across a thousand years + multiple secret identities + the male lead is sexually inexperienced, but the heroine is not]