[Pure Historical Court Intrigue + 1v1, Both Leads Chaste + Alternate Setting]
[He Wei, a rational, practical, unruffled but emotionally clueless female court official x Zhang Xuanbi, a seemingly charming playboy who is actually a deep schemer who knows how to play the pig to eat the tiger]
Content warnings: A woman holds office (she does not disguise herself as a man, and the setting is not one of gender equality).
The male lead has a reputation as a playboy (but is actually chaste in both body and mind, with no other romantic interests).
The story is mainly told from the heroine's perspective, but she is not a powerful heroine, this is not a wish-fulfillment story, and she is not a domineering female lead.
Please decide for yourself whether to read if there are other issues (understanding above all, happiness above all).
Synopsis:
He Wei has an unreasonable father who sends her to take the imperial examinations.
The emperor has an eccentric temperament, but lets her become the top scorer.
He Wei enters the imperial court in official robes and a black gauze cap, ranking among the high ministers. Taking the view that she should make the best of wherever she finds herself, she only wants to do her job well.
But with the court rife with undercurrents, she has no choice but to get involved.
Her younger brother doesn't recognize her? No big deal. The emperor's intentions are hard to read? No big deal. Her colleagues look at her strangely? No big deal. Her work buddy leaves her to become a princess's consort? None of that matters.
What gives her a headache is Zhang Xuanbi, who outperformed her in both the spring examinations and the palace examination.
He really is a playboy. At one point, he even tripped her up and laughed at her. Yet a few years later, he invites her to Spring Terrace to enjoy the view. And while they agreed to admire the scenery, why does he keep staring at her?
He Wei: You can just say what you mean.
Zhang Xuanbi: He Xuanli, I love you.
He Wei: ? Please behave yourself, Lord Zhang.
Zhang Xuanbi: I've thought it over. We're made for each other.
He Wei: ...
