The Young Duke's Daughter Has a Wolfish Ambition

[A calculating, career-minded powerbroker who plans every move x a sharp-tongued, affection-starved prince who's all heart]

"Woman disguised as a man (secret revealed)" "Political intrigue and revenge" "Loyal puppy love" "Younger man who wears his heart on his sleeve"

When Zhu Nan was three, her father died under mysterious circumstances in the cold lands of Yanyun. To uphold her family's honor and avenge him, she switched identities with her frail younger brother from childhood, disguising herself as a man and becoming the brilliant young master of the Protector of the State Duke's residence, accomplished in both letters and arms.

Eighteen years later, Zhu Nan arranged to go to the northern frontier and secretly set the investigation into her father's mysterious death in motion.

Was there a conspiracy among princes and lords, a scheme among ministers and generals, or the machinations of the emperor? She feared none of it. All she wanted was for the truth to come to light and for her father's spirit to rest in peace.

But fate had other plans. Though she most wanted to keep a low profile, she crossed paths by chance with Prince Ding, Zhao Yan, whose temperament was eccentric and rebellious.

They kept running into each other, again and again and again...

After several encounters, Zhu Nan laughed in exasperation. Ever since meeting Zhao Yan, she had hardly done anything wrong, yet he had caught her every time.

She suspected he was her nemesis, so she kept her distance. Whether he insulted or mocked her, she could put up with it as long as he didn't interfere with her revenge or her rise to wealth and power.

But fate had a way of turning things upside down. The man she thought despised her grabbed her and confessed without hesitation.

Zhao Yan: “Zhu Nan, I've fallen for you. I love you.”

Zhu Nan was stunned. The dignified Prince Ding was gay? She turned him down politely. “This humble official has no improper intentions toward Your Highness.”

Zhao Yan: “Then why have you risked your life for me so many times, and undressed me to treat my wounds?”

Zhu Nan: “It was my duty.”

Zhao Yan shook his head. “I don't believe you. You flirted with me first, so you have to take responsibility.”

So he chased and she fled. Whenever she took one step back, he took three forward. After he clung to her relentlessly time and again, Zhu Nan gave in. “If you follow me, you'll have to be my secret lover, with no name or status. Are you still willing?”

Zhao Yan burst into tears of joy. “I knew you had feelings for me!”

Zhu Nan: “...”

Fine. If he ever got in the way of her revenge, she could kick him aside. But when Zhu Nan really tried to kick him away, she looked down and asked, “Why are you hugging my leg?”

(Fictional historical setting, inspired by the late Northern Song dynasty. Please don't nitpick the details.)

Reader's Guide:

1. The main couple is one-on-one, and both are each other's first.

2. The male lead is powerful, but the female lead is even stronger, both intellectually and physically.

3. This is a plot-driven story. The heroine is career-minded, and the romance develops slowly early on, only heating up in the middle and later stages (the male lead has already successfully thrown himself at her).

4. Happy ending, happy ending, happy ending! It bears repeating.

Theme: Become your own support