Cross-Dressing Substitution (GB)

[Blunt, fearless female general x gentle-looking, scheming, obsessive, lovesick censor] GL

Court intrigue | Both hide their identities | Both sexually inexperienced | HE

Everyone in the capital knows that Shen Shujun, grandson of the founding hero General Rongsheng, became a completely different person after a serious illness. He's lecherous, bullies men and women alike, and plays the fool at court. Yet on the battlefield, he's fearless and unstoppable, killing anyone who gets in his way!

Because Grandfather lost his eldest son, Shulan took her brother's place. After her father and brother were both murdered, the youngest daughter of the Shen family, Shen Shulan, resolutely took on the burden of restoring the family's power. She lay low at the border for years, then returned to the capital and plunged deep into the court.

Pei Wenlan is a low-ranking official, the only son of a poor family, a prolific writer of impeachment memorials, a critic of princesses' etiquette, a refined and stubborn man as upright as bamboo, and the most impeccable official in the Censorate. Thanks to a small connection, he entered the capital at a young age and became the emperor's "songbird." He and Shen Shulan are a perfect match, like finding a kindred spirit in an unlikely place.

Their daily routine is to bicker at court and glare at each other. If either of them lets their guard down for even a moment, the other will immediately give them a humiliating defeat.

A debauched military general and a refined civil official: sworn enemies who can't beat each other with a pen, nor impeach each other once they put it down. Who could have guessed that when their disguises were exposed, her nemesis would turn out to be the younger sister he'd fallen for at the spring garden gathering?!

At the Crown Prince's wedding, Shen Shulan went to the side room to change and was unexpectedly caught out by Pei Wenlan.

Shen: You dog of an official! Don't look!

Pei: So gross (retch), so thrilling, so gross (retch), so thrilling...

After a long time sparring with each other, Shen Shulan thought they could finally clear up their misunderstanding and make peace. Then she was framed and thrown in prison. Everyone thought she was as good as dead, but Pei Wenlan suddenly showed another side of himself. He entered her cell and revealed a sinister face he'd never shown her before. He believed she would end up in his hands sooner or later and couldn't wait to make her his, so he dropped the act and gave himself away.

But Shen Shulan barely escaped prison with her life. Only then did she discover that Pei Wenlan, whom she'd thought upright and aloof, was actually a concubine-born son who had stolen his dead brother's name. The honest, hopelessly earnest persona belonged to his brother. Pei himself was like a hollow, cold bamboo stalk: a true villain, cunning and treacherous, obsessed with power. He was even willing to scheme against her for wealth and influence, using the opportunity created by her imprisonment to climb the ranks.

And this despicable villain broke things off with her for the reason that: "You said you liked 'Pei Wenlan,' not me! I hate you, hate you, hate you, hate you! I'll go kill myself, just you watch! (Not really.)"

Thus their relationship fell apart, making them the first sworn enemies in the history of the court to have slept together.

But when she was far away on the frontier, accused of rebellion and sentenced to death, a newly promoted official at the height of his influence was willing to fight the whole world on her behalf. He submitted hundreds of memorials and went to court with a sword, kneeling on the steps to beg to die alongside her.

"I lack a silver tongue and elegant words. I only wish to raise my sword, let my hair fall, and share an infamous name for all eternity."

"May your name be that of a wolf, and mine that of its jackal, so we may meet year after year."

Reading guide:

1. The heroine is a military general whose strategic mind and judgment keep growing. She's exceptionally strong and nearly invincible on the battlefield. In short, if you can accept my imagination running wild, give it a try.

2. Pure wish fulfillment. The dynasty combines different eras, so don't expect historical accuracy. Just turn off your brain for some parts!

3. The main couple is GL with the heroine taking the lead. The secondary couples are all BG, so please don't force yourself to read it if that bothers you.

Theme: Believe in yourself.