Zhaozhao Waits for Your Return

Name: Zhaozhao Waits for Your Return
Author: Su Asu

昭昭待君归

by Su Asu (苏阿苏)

Status: Ongoing
Length: 248k Words
Genre: Ancient Romance
Subgenre: Ancient-Style Life
Updated: 2mo ago
Source: Fanqie

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Refreshed 28m ago

Translated by GPT-6 Luna

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Synopsis

[Ensemble character growth x historical political intrigue x love of country and family x sibling bonds x childhood friends x steadfast friendship x teacher and student turned enemies x everyone focused on their careers x no rivalry between women]

[Reader’s guide]

1. A gentle, slow-brewing story with understated romance: sweet at first, then heartbreaking.

2. A richly drawn ensemble cast, each following their own path and bearing their own burdens.

After the Seven Kingdoms War, the State of Zhao claimed a narrow victory. Ming Zhao was entered into the imperial register as a member of the empress’s household, and doted on by both emperor and empress.

She had a crown prince for an elder brother, a man of hidden talent and restraint, who taught her literature and martial arts and worked with her to advance new reforms. At her coming-of-age ceremony, he left her these words: “My bright little sister, may your joy know no end.”

She had a childhood friend, a hostage prince from the State of Li, whose peach-blossom eyes held seven parts sincerity and three parts performance. They studied at the same desk and gazed at the stars from high towers. They also crossed blades in practice and rode side by side across the hunting grounds.

She had a teacher who taught her “the art of balance,” “knowing when to stop,” and that “one’s station is not a cage.” He also taught her to play the game of power and make her moves without regret.

She also had a cat. Later, there were two, because her childhood friend’s cat was hers, too.

With a teacher, friends, and kindred spirits, Ming Zhao once thought life would always go on this way.

Then, with war fires blazing and the court thrown into turmoil, Ming Zhao was forced to leave for a foreign land and plan her way forward alone.

But while seeking merit can bring rewards, pursuing gain can also lead to ruin.

Later, her elder brother went to war and said, “Zhaozhao, the realm is a heavy burden. Don’t be afraid.”

Later, her childhood friend departed and said, “A-Zhao, keep your hand steady. Don’t panic.”

Later, she repaid her teacher, inch by inch, with the lessons in imperial statecraft she had learned.

Later, she stood alone and bore the weight of two kingdoms.

Stats

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95Chapters

14Reads

2Listens

338Reads · all time

In booklists 55

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