Shen Shiyuan transmigrated into the body of Xiao Yan's princess consort, and the System tasked her with winning over the mad prince.
She glanced at the conquest panel, then at the small kingdom next door, hollowed out by war.
"Win you over? I'd rather win over a whole country."
From then on, by day she was the gentle, obedient princess consort at Xiao Yan's side. By night, she was "Mr. Shen" of neighboring Yue: taking in refugees, opening up wasteland, establishing girls' schools, and training female officials.
Xiao Yan thought his princess consort was wonderfully easy to deal with. He even entrusted her with the trade rights between the two kingdoms, saying, "Earn some silver for me, Princess Consort."
Shen Shiyuan accepted the token, smiling demurely. "As you wish."
Then she turned that trade route into the first economic lifeline of a matriarchal kingdom.
Five years later, Yue changed its name to "Fengjing" and passed a new law: women could become emperor.
At last, Xiao Yan received a secret report: the Fengjing empress who had kept him so worried he could neither eat nor sleep was named Shen Shiyuan.
He whipped around to look at the woman beside him, who was brewing tea.
Shen Shiyuan raised her eyes. "Your Highness, the tea is ready."
Xiao Yan crushed the teacup in his hand.
On the day of the Fengjing empress's enthronement ceremony, a prince from a neighboring kingdom arrived to marry her.
The red sedan chair touched down, and the veil was lifted.
It was Xiao Yan himself.
His eyes reddened, and his voice turned hoarse.
"Xiao Yan has come uninvited. I hope Your Majesty will take me in."
Shen Shiyuan paused, then smiled.
"Granted. He shall be named... Noble Consort."
