A woman’s resolve: Change the emperor! Reform the imperial examinations, establish publishing houses, and enlighten the people! The story of a group of female officials helping Great Qi achieve a golden age.
[Alternate history + equality between men and women + powerful allies + ensemble cast + political intrigue + one-on-one, both leads are devoted to each other + no rivalry between women]“Lanzhi, you promised I could marry into the Xie family. You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
Gentle, dignified, and skilled in political strategy, Xie Lanzhi × the bright and unrestrained young general Shen Qiao. A historical romance where they dote on each other, with a talented woman and a handsome man.
Great Qi’s crown prince, Jiang Rui, is a dazzling talent. He stages a rebellion on the day of his coming-of-age ceremony, but when the battle turns against him, someone helps him escape from the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The emperor is furious and orders a nationwide manhunt for the crown prince and his supporters.
Unexpectedly, the Xie family, a family of chancellors renowned for loyalty to the throne, and the Shen family, a family of generals, join forces to hide the crown prince, and Jiang Rui eventually succeeds to the throne.
Afterward, the two of them work alongside the many female officials at court to resolve internal and external crises and help Great Qi flourish.
After their wedding:
“Lanzhi, reading memorials for too long will strain your eyes.” Shen Qiao sets down a bowl of tremella soup and brushes his fingertips across her brow.
Xie Lanzhi looks up and sees him take a copy of The Rites of Zhou, Annotated by Zheng Xuan, from the shelves. On its title page is a note she wrote in her youth:
“A chancellor must treat the world as a chessboard.”
As for the other officials, Xie Yuan is stern and taciturn, Su Wanyi is capable, Tang Juan is forthright, Lin Ruo is perceptive, and Gu Qing is full of drive.
