Plain Brocade Letter

【The complete novel is finished and ready to read. Please add it to your library ψ(｀∇´)ψ】 Su Man’s husband, Lin Jingyun, a talented scholar from Yuanzhou, had been in the capital taking the imperial examinations for two years. Every day in their humble home, she went up the mountain to gather firewood, cooked and boiled water. Then she found an injured man and carried him home, tending to him day and night. The man was handsome and noble, a prince of the imperial family. He said he would take her to the capital. Su Man raised an eyebrow and replied calmly, “That’s kind of you, but I’m already married…” Just then, Gou’er, a neighbor who had gone to the capital with her husband to do business, returned to the village with news about him: one piece good, one piece bad. The good news: her husband had come first in the imperial examinations. The bad news: the emperor had arranged for her husband to marry the princess. Su Man simply said she understood. Gou’er was left completely baffled, but could only turn and leave. Su Man put on a show of weeping as if by chance, naturally seeking comfort. The man lavished affection on her and finally worked up the courage to draw her into his arms, solemnly promising, “Manman, I’ll take you to the capital. You have free status, and I’ll have you recognize Minister Su as your father. I’ll marry you as my secondary consort.” Wait, you think he’s the male lead? Nope, he’s still a supporting male character. Su Man had always known that she was born into a family of officials. She was Su Yishu, daughter of Su Shen, a vice director in the Ministry of Revenue. Her father was framed for accepting bribes and executed for his integrity, while every adult man in the household received the same punishment, the women were made government courtesans, and boys under ten were exiled. At seventeen, she was freed from her registered status by an act of mercy from the local magistrate. She left the entertainment bureau and married Lin Jingyun, the talented scholar from Yuanzhou, bringing her precious belongings with her. She had counted on his literary talent to get her to the capital and clear her family’s name. Now he was no use to her. She would find someone else. Virtue and gentleness were utterly useless to someone seeking revenge! A scheming beauty with ambition for revenge, hiding beneath the guise of a wicked woman, VS the men and women who love and hate her The serious version: Many years later, she would never have imagined that she would stand before Funing Hall as an attendant announced the emperor was gravely ill. She would take the memorials to be read behind the curtain from a subordinate and give a slight nod. Reader’s Guide: 1. Neither the male nor female lead is a virgin. Love triangle, one woman and three men. The heroine has romantic storylines with three men, one after another. At first, they’re all the only ones with feelings for her. Only the first two are virgins. The heroine probably won’t take back an ex, so there’s only one male lead. The main romantic plot centers on her entanglements with the male lead and Prince Ding. The story follows the life of the “daughter of a disgraced minister” through to its end. She becomes empress, rules from behind the curtain, and eventually becomes empress dowager, in a life full of ups and downs. 2. The heroine starts with nothing and works her way up to the top; it’s an arduous journey. She’s not perfect and has flaws. 3. If you’re wondering whom the heroine loves, her goal is to clear her family’s name and exact revenge, so she’ll always put reason first. She is never emotionally subordinate to anyone. She is the central protagonist, so don’t get hung up on any male character leaving her life. 4. If you’re wondering whether a woman who has been married can become empress, look to historical figures such as Empress Liu of Emperor Zhenzong and Empress Cao of Emperor Renzong. 5. Inspired by the Song dynasty. The entertainment bureau was an official music institution responsible for performances and hospitality at banquets, including singing, dancing, and other forms of entertainment. 6. The “freed from her registered status” mentioned in the blurb is a key plot point involving hidden characters. It will come up later, so take your time reading along~ 7. The story is 70% plot and 30% romance. Seventy percent follows the heroine’s quest for justice and revenge, and her path to becoming empress. Thirty percent is her romantic entanglements with Lin Jingyun, Prince Ding, and the emperor. It has a light ensemble feel, with a large cast centered on the key characters. ◎ This is not a novel where readers vote on the love interest. The heroine already has an official match, and the ending won’t pair her with everyone. Theme: Even a fragile willow can change the world