[Wu Zhou] Taiping, Look, It's Xuanwu Gate

(Updates daily at nine, six thousand words a day.)

Di Wangshu is a mystery novel fan who transmigrates to the Tang Dynasty and becomes Di Renjie’s youngest daughter. But her father never takes her along when he investigates cases, only saying, “She’s too young. How could she witness bloodshed and criminal punishment?”

By the time she finally manages to grow up, her father changes his tune. “A woman should be demure. Why get involved in matters of life and death?”

It’s just too much. From then on, this hundred-pound woman develops three hundred pounds’ worth of rebelliousness.

Every day, she races down the road to infuriate her father.

Di Renjie advises Empress Wu to make a Li clansman Crown Prince, arguing that a nephew can’t be as dear as a son. Di Wangshu thinks that makes perfect sense, so she immediately goes to Empress Wu to undermine her father: Your Majesty, how can a son be dearer than a daughter?

Your Highness, ascending the throne depends on the laws of succession. Ever heard of the Xuanwu Gate Incident?

Di Wangshu dazzles everyone in the imperial examinations. Once she enters government service, everywhere she goes becomes prosperous. Every city she governs flourishes, and her record is so outstanding that nobody can find fault with it. The officials refuse to admit it aloud, but inwardly they’re green with envy. That old fox Di Renjie sure has a wonderful daughter.

Who would have thought she’d actually dream of turning the world upside down and putting a princess on the throne? There are several princes ahead of Princess Taiping! Even leaving gender aside, she’s nowhere near the top of the line by legitimacy or seniority!

The assembled officials glare at her in fury. Yuan Tiangang once said she bore the aura of a sage and had the qualities of Jiang Ziya. Pah! What a load of nonsense. She’s no Jiang Ziya, she’s clearly got the ambitions of Sima Zhao, with ulterior motives!

Your Majesty, don’t let yourself be deceived

[Many original plot details. Don’t scrutinize the history. This is a lighthearted story of a powerful woman rising to the top. The heroine is a cute girl early on, but later becomes sweet on the outside and ruthless within.]

Coming soon: The Art School Reject’s Struggle in Ancient Times

Zhou Ge failed her art school entrance exams. Overcome with grief, she had an accident and became the legitimate eldest daughter of the military governor of Fengxiang.

As bad luck would have it, before she could enjoy a life of luxury, disaster struck.

Her father died in a bloody battle in the wilderness, and the rebels laid siege to the city. Looking around, she saw her frail mother, her young siblings, and a houseful of relatives, all helpless as lambs for the slaughter.

Fortunately, her predecessor was skilled in martial arts. With no other options, she looked at the officials in the city, most of whom had already sent letters of surrender to the rebels, and climbed onto a platform. She rallied the troops, made promise after promise, and lit the fire of unity. Her officers and men were stirred to passionate action, and the common people were all willing to fight to the death.

With a three-foot sword in hand, she fought her way through the flames of war. And so she was crowned emperor, changing the ruler of the realm.

Theme: Daughters should be self-reliant.