A Vengeful, Arrogant Power Minister

My father said I was suited to serve in the imperial court, but it was a shame I was born a woman.

I first heard that when I was five. My tutor said girls shouldn't study, so I made sure his son lost every last coin at the gambling house.

When my father wouldn't let me study, I got up early every day and pestered him outside his room.

He gave in. Ten years later, he was glad he had.

He came to me and asked whether I was willing to serve as a female official at court.

"You mean you're worried that your troops are too powerful and people will grow suspicious of you. You're a big, clumsy lout, too, and you're afraid of losing your head, so you want me to go smooth things over at court."

He looked at me earnestly. "Actually, daughter, you'd make a good honest official."

(Content warning: The female lead is flawed. First-person narration, and other potential pitfalls I haven't thought of.)

Theme: Never let a grudge go unanswered