Synopsis
Yu Yi is an ordinary college student who suddenly transmigrates into a dynasty that never existed in history.
At first, Yu Yi is a little scared. But with a mother from a distinguished family, a father who serves as an official in the capital, and an older brother who cherishes his little sister above all else, Yu Yi decides she's doing just fine. She promptly lies flat and plays the idle layabout.
But her childhood friend suspects her identity, the Grand Princess is determined to make her a commandery princess, the sinister Prince Jin schemes against her, Prince Qi calls her sister while harboring bad intentions, and even the Heir Xie, who always stays out of things, turns into a scheming, dark-hearted man. None of them will leave her alone!
Yu Yi has no choice but to rise from her lazy life and show them that even a salted fish has dignity!
And so Yu Yi rises step by step from the daughter of a fourth-rank official to become the dynasty's first female marquis and an official in her own right. She helps the Grand Princess ascend the throne, reforms the civil service, purges the bureaucracy, and gives the people a chance to see an age of peace and prosperity.
She is destined to hang in the heavens like a bright moon, illuminating this decaying dynasty.
Romance Route One: Childhood Sweethearts
Zheng Xun has not really looked at Yu Yi in a long time. He asks her to meet because he wants to tell her not to worry: he will not tell anyone her secret.
Yu Yi is dressed in brilliant palace robes, dazzling as the blazing sun. His heart skips a beat as he looks at her. This is the woman he loves. How could he not be happy?
But Yu Yi is too afraid. She fears her secret will be exposed. Even Zheng Xun's promise cannot reassure her. She trusts only the dead to keep silent.
She kills him.
Blood splashes across her bright red robes and her face.
So hot.
The short dagger given to her by the Grand Princess slips from her hand. The door opens.
She says, "Sister, it hurts so much."
Romance Route Two: Why Do We Part After Coming Together?
Prince Jin, Li Huaiyan, is the son of the late Emperor's first wife, Lady Cui. He was raised by Empress Wang, but is not considered the legitimate eldest son, leaving his status awkward.
From childhood, he knew that if he wanted something, he would have to fight for it himself.
Either rise to the top, or die.
Through countless schemes and manipulations, he carefully works to make Yu Yi fall for him.
Unfortunately, whether his feelings are genuine or false, he ultimately loses by one move.
Yu Yi loves and hates with equal intensity. Once she learns he deceived and harmed her, she holds a grudge and repays him in kind, ultimately abandoning him.
The day Pingyang takes the throne will be the day he dies.
Yu Yi personally brings him poisoned wine. He drinks it with a smile. "Qiniang, farewell forever."
Romance Route Three: What Once Seemed Ordinary
Prince Qi, Li Huaiyue, was born proud and haughty. The first time anyone ever blocked his way and scolded him was because of Yu Yi.
At first, he only found her amusing. But then he saw her open new kilns, build canals, and rescue disaster victims.
She was like a bright moon shining down. A young man is drawn to love, and a gentleman seeks a fair maiden.
He had no intention of vying for the throne. After all, he and his imperial brother belonged to the same line, and both carried the blood of the Cui clan.
But the Cui clan of Qinghe and the Cui clan of Boling were not as united as they seemed.
His mother said that if he wanted what he loved, he had to fight for it.
He saw his imperial brother pledge himself to the bright moon.
He said, "Fine."
He imprisoned her and threatened Pingyang, intending to wait until everything was settled before giving her the position of empress, so they could stay together for a hundred lifetimes.
Who could have known that Xie Heng would intervene and take Yu Yi away?
In the end, he lost the war, and Yu Yi shot him dead with an arrow.
So be it. To die by her hand was almost like growing old together.
Romance Route Four: Let the Years Turn Our Hair White
From childhood, Xie Heng studied the art of weighing options and the ways of officialdom. Born into a powerful clan of great wealth and prestige, he even had the confidence to stand as an equal to the princes.
Emperors come and go, but the great clans endure.
As the princes fought for the throne, he was at a loss over Yu Yi, the unpredictable factor.
The seventh daughter of the Yu family was clearly a noblewoman, yet she had a keen and perceptive heart that could see the suffering of the people.
She said she would reform the civil service, establish new examinations, purge the bureaucracy, and make sure everyone had enough to eat.
He scoffed, thinking she was indulging in a pipe dream.
But after she earned merit in flood control, the Emperor asked what reward she wanted. She said, for the people's livelihood, lift the maritime ban. At that moment, her eyes shone astonishingly bright.
The entire court was stunned.
The Emperor granted her request.
I had always surveyed the world and weighed the pros and cons. That heart of mine could no longer remain unmoved.
At the most perilous point in the struggle for the throne, Prince Qi imprisoned her. I secretly took her to a country estate.
For those few months, I was dazed into thinking we were a loving couple.
I painted her brows and arranged her hair. I prepared her medicine and tested it for poison.
For a brief moment, the moon rested in my arms.
But she was always going to leave.
I reached an understanding with the Grand Princess. I would let Yu Yi go, and she would grant me unparalleled power. It was a profitable bargain.
But after Yu Yi left, I lowered my eyes to the mirror and found no cosmetics case beside me.
The Grand Princess ascended the throne and made Yu Yi a marquis, appointing her as Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs. But as soon as the new system was established, Yu Yi resigned and returned to Jiangnan.
She said the peach blossoms were blooming this year, and she had not been back to see them.
The mountains are high and the waters are long. We will meet again one day.
I am willing to be her secret lover. Even if I bear a bad name, I will gladly accept it.
Content warnings:
1. No character is perfect, least of all the protagonists.
2. Fictionalized history.
3. The heroine is very weak early on. She is not a strong female lead in the conventional sense, and this is not a strong-female-lead story.
Theme: Keep hope in your heart even when you are trapped in a desperate situation