[Plot-driven, not romance-driven]
At fifteen, Jiang Suli wants nothing more than to marry a well-rounded gentleman, someone skilled in both letters and arms, and live happily ever after with him.
At twenty-five, Jiang Suli wants only to become Empress Dowager.
[Before You Read]
1. This is a fictional ancient setting, with institutions and customs blended from several dynasties. It is not historically accurate. Everything serves the story and its characters, so please don’t nitpick the historical details.
2. This is not a sweet, one-on-one romance. The story enters the Prince of Yue’s household early on. The heroine is clear-eyed and feels nothing for him; she does not fall in love with him. The Prince of Yue is a typical powerful man of ancient times: domineering, patriarchal, and lecherous. He can be seen as an important plot driver and a tool for the story.
3. The main story follows the heroine’s rise from the depths to the pinnacle of power, featuring household and palace intrigues as well as political schemes at court. Romance is minimal; the focus is on ambition and survival.
