A Brushstroke Shapes the Realm

[Pure historical romance, little political intrigue and lots of romance. Avoid if that’s not your thing. The male lead is weak at first but grows strong later.]

In the ninth year of Tianyuan, the emperor’s second legitimate son, Baili Jue, is born, and the empress dies. The eldest legitimate prince, Baili Jinbai, trespasses into the palace and smuggles Baili Jue out. At the same time, General Luozhi Hao enters the palace bearing the late emperor’s edict. The next day, he is ordered to guard the border, accompanied by the seventh prince, Baili Jue, still an infant.

In the twenty-second year of Tianyuan, the empress dowager holds a birthday celebration. By imperial order, Baili Jue returns to the capital after thirteen years away from the center of power, overturning the existing political order… Baili Jue officially enters the game.

Xia Youran, the low-profile daughter of the Grand Commandant, is forced into the public eye. He Qingcheng, the prime minister’s legitimate daughter, becomes the object of competition among numerous princes, but none of them know that she has long since given her heart to the sixth prince, Baili Xin. An unexpected imperial decree arranging a marriage leaves everyone stunned…

(The story is currently planned to have two female leads.)