In one sentence: A day in the life of the Imperial City’s vice president
The longer version: To resist the increasingly powerful Xu State as it relentlessly expands its territory, the Qi and Jin states form an alliance. They agree to marry off princesses to one another to secure stable relations. Yu Lanzhi, a princess of Qi, is chosen to marry Feng Yuan, the Crown Prince of Jin. Less than half a year after their wedding, the Jin emperor dies and Feng Yuan ascends the throne, making Yu Lanzhi empress.
Though her children cannot inherit the throne and she has plenty to do every day, she wields great power and her position is rock-solid. As long as she doesn't bring trouble upon herself, she won't die as long as relations between the two states remain stable. She can even sit securely until she becomes the Empress Dowager. What could be better?
(The protagonist of my previous novel had a rather miserable time. This story's heroine is an easygoing working woman going about her daily life. She has no children and doesn't raise any. The story still centers on palace intrigue, though the heroine mostly watches from the sidelines.)
