The Grand Princess Who Guards the Nation

A shrewd eldest princess x a poor-born minister willing to be her pawn

Strong female lead | Character-driven growth | No transmigration, rebirth, or golden finger | A touch of ensemble cast | One-on-one romance | Happy ending

The fifth princess of Great Jing, Xiao Yuanzhao, and her brother had no powerful maternal relatives backing them. They were supposed to remain obscure figures in the background, but the Crown Prince wanted to wipe them out. What could they do?

Obviously, join forces and bring the Crown Prince down!

Using an imperial estate as her base, Xiao Yuanzhao gathered talented people and cultivated superior crops, expanding her grain shops all the way to the northern frontier. Her brother's army grew larger and larger, and the supplies she sent to Shuozhou became more plentiful, helping the Shuofang Army preserve its strength through years of famine and keep the Northern Rong enemy beyond the passes.

Once they had secured the ten prefectures of the northern frontier, the nobles' doubts faded away. But there were still various factions at court to contend with.

Shen Li, a poor-born scholar, made history in Great Jing by placing first in all three imperial examinations. He should have risen swiftly through the ranks, but the great clans hounded and obstructed him, forcing him to take a post in a border prefecture. In a single term, he brought the northern frontier's granaries into perfect order. By the time he returned to Yujing, he had become a trusted minister at the emperor's side.

Lord Shen seemed cold and distant, but he had already pledged himself to the fifth princess long before he ever entered the court.

Xiao Yuanzhao: What's so great about being a fifth princess? I want to be the Grand Princess.

Xiao Yuanyi: Why not take the position of deputy emperor as well, A-Zhao? I want to focus on military affairs. You can handle the memorials and all that.

Shen Li: Your Highness treats me as a man of the state. I shall repay you in kind.

Xiao Yuanzhao: In that case, help me review more memorials. You aren't allowed to leave the palace until you've finished them all.

Shen Li: ...It would be my honor to remain by Your Highness's side.

Theme: Cultivate ten thousand acres of fertile land, gather the world's finest talent, and usher in a peaceful, prosperous age.