Dreaming Back to the Ming Dynasty: I Became the Rebellious Prince’s Most Beloved

People say he was a usurping traitor, but during his 22 years on the throne, he governed diligently and cared for his people, excelled in civil and military affairs, expanded the realm, and earned a place in the history books. He personally ushered in the Yongle Golden Age, and thanks to his outstanding military achievements, became the only emperor ever to receive the title “Wolf Dweller of Mount Yan.” For his country, he lived by the creed, “The emperor guards the gates of the realm; the ruler dies for his state.” For his first wife, he ensured that “no consorts were elevated during her lifetime, and no empress was appointed after her death.” She was the eldest daughter of a founding hero. With her wisdom, she could bring peace to the realm; with her strength, she could defend the nation. She could don armor and guard the city when duty called, and manage the household when it did not. Yet fate was cruel to such a beauty... With the Prince of Yan’s memories of his past life and the Princess of Yan holding the script of her life, will they follow the path fate has laid out, or choose another way? Xu Yue: “One person’s offense should not bring disaster upon ten clans.” Zhu Di: “Mercy cannot command an army, and softness cannot govern a state. But I’ll listen to you.” People call him iron-fisted and tyrannical, a ruler who brooks no opposition, yet he gives her tenderness beyond measure. He is a royal noble, an emperor who won his throne on horseback. She is a valiant daughter of a military family and a wise empress. Childhood sweethearts, married young, deeply devoted, they work together to uphold the realm. Notes: 1. This is a slow-paced story focused on domestic life, everyday details, and romance that unfolds gradually. The career plot is only the backdrop. 2. I want to explore the choices and fates of both great and ordinary people against the backdrop of feudal society. The story is realistic in tone, with an ensemble cast and many supporting characters. 3. Partly fictional and partly based on fact; this is not a rigorously researched historical novel. Readers who prioritize historical accuracy may wish to skip it. 4. The career of Emperor Taizong of Ming, Zhu Di, is widely known. This novel is my imagining of the legendary love between Zhu Di and Empress Xu, and their everyday life as emperor and empress. 5. The leads are not each other’s only partners. This is a realistic, historically grounded story, so please don’t expect an emperor of a feudal dynasty to uphold the ideal of “one person for life.”