[Female-ruled world + reverse harem + male leads pursue the heroine + cool on the outside, warm on the inside + powerful allies + a touch of political intrigue + slow-burn romance]
Born into a female-dominated world, Qi Qingyue has one goal: secure her seat on the throne, root out corruption in the court, and reclaim the life she never got to enjoy in her previous life.
Who could have guessed that she would be ambushed during a disguised visit? Her loyal guard risks his life to take an arrow for her, then weakly insists, “It doesn’t hurt.” The enemy prince she casually saves on the way back to the palace turns around and schemes against her with his unfathomable eyes. And the reclusive, icy immortal cultivator is even more outrageous: she apologizes three times and he never shows, only for him to put on a hood and follow her carriage of his own accord.
Qi Qingyue looks at the mountain of romantic entanglements piled on her desk and rubs her temples with a sigh.
Every one of them wants to win her over, but she lived to ninety-six in her last life. What hasn’t she seen?
Romance? Better to help me fill the treasury and secure the borders first.
You can bring up love again after you’ve passed the civil-service KPI and loyalty assessments.
But later
The immortal cultivator breaks his vows and falls for her, asking hoarsely, “Your Majesty, which will you choose: your empire or Qinghan?”
The hostage prince lets go of his schemes and draws her into his arms. “The world is yours, and you are mine. How about it?”
Even her most obedient young medical apprentice tugs at her sleeve with tear-reddened eyes. “Master, look at Yu'an. Just look at Yu'an…”
Qi Qingyue: “…”
My peaceful retirement seems farther away than ever.
The pacing of the story is alright, but the plot drags a bit.