My Dear Minister, Did I Take This Concubine for You?

[Two heroines + mutually devoted romance + palace intrigue + historical Chinese setting and politics + happy ending]

One is the only female official in the Northern Garrison Command, a powerful Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the emperor’s most loyal blade. Cold-faced and cold-hearted, she is decisive and ruthless.

The other is a family outcast, a low-ranking concubine candidate who has just entered the palace, with neither power nor influence. A pawn for others to manipulate, she advances carefully, calculating the hearts of those around her.

On a snowy night, a chance encounter led Jun Buli, Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, to take pity on Nangong Xu and save her.

Kneeling in the snow, Nangong Xu clutched the dark cloak Jun Buli had given her and looked up at her.

“Does Your Excellency need someone? I can do anything.”

Jun Buli looked down at her for a long while.

“Fine. Remember what you said today.”

Later, one would command the tides of power and become the only non-imperial prince of the Ming Dynasty.

The other would shape the realm with her pen, become its youngest female Grand Tutor, establish schools for women, and make a name that would endure for generations.