【Gentle, refined, courageous, and clever top scholar heroine vs. domineering, forceful, yet tender-hearted crown prince】
Shen Jingrou bears the burden of her family's mission. Under the assumed identity of a man named Bai Jingfei, she rises through the provincial examinations and prepares to travel to the capital for the imperial exams.
Just then, her childhood betrothed barges into her home, intent on taking her back to get married!
“I still have a court to conquer. Keep your romance away from me!”
To get rid of her domineering fiancé, she takes a sword for him on the day he is attacked, secretly drinking a fake-death potion and making it look as if she has died.
At the imperial examinations, she comes out on top and is personally named the top scholar by the emperor.
Dressed in the red robes of the top scholar, she rides through the streets on horseback. Then she sees the crown prince coming toward her, and her smile freezes.
Oh no! Her so-called husband is actually the crown prince?
The crown prince blocks her way, his expression unwelcoming. She trembles with fear, but after touching the disguise powder on her face and confirming it is still in place, she shakily approaches him.
“Greetings, Your Highness!”
“From this day on, you are my subordinate.”
Shen Jingrou's vision goes dark. Faced with the grim, menacing crown prince, all she can do is silently figure out how to get away from him.
As she schemes, she suddenly notices the crown prince's gaze growing more and more intense.
Could this guy have figured something out?
Late one night, the crown prince removes her official hat and coldly watches her long black hair spill over her shoulders.
“You have two choices. First, return to your position as crown princess, and I'll let bygones be bygones. Second, as a woman serving as an official, you will be executed immediately.”
“Why don't I choose a third option? I'll be both crown princess and an official in charge of river works.”
After their wedding, the crown princess gets her wish and joins the Ministry of Works, while the crown prince coolly clears the way for his wife, becoming a capable partner in her career.
Fine, you want to manage the rivers? Then I'll win your heart.
You want women to serve as officials? Then I'll give you a peaceful, prosperous realm.
Theme: Love can break down gender divisions. Even though you are a woman, I am willing to push for policies that let women serve in government, challenge gender bias with fairness, and give women across the land the chance to sit the imperial examinations.
