She gets to enjoy the romance while he gets put through the wringer: a sweet yet angsty tale. A clear-headed, scheming eldest princess × a devoted, unhinged, lowborn male favorite
Xu He, an overworked employee at a gaming company, and her newlywed husband Li Ye transmigrate into their company’s otome game, The Grand Princess of Dayong.
Xu He is forced to play a debauched regent princess and choose a newly arrived male favorite from among the men kneeling throughout the hall.
Li Ye was bought for eight taels of silver by a heartless steward. Xu He recognizes him at a glance, and from then on, he becomes her lowborn male favorite.
The two agree to act as master and servant in public, and husband and wife behind closed doors.
They think their performances are flawless, unaware that in the eyes of the world, Li Ye is merely a stand-in for the deceased beloved of the former Xiao Linghui, bought for eight taels of silver.
To protect Li Ye and gain real control over power, Xu He decides to take over all of the former princess’s romantic entanglements.
But! No romance, only career.
What literary talents, generals, wealthy merchants, and covert guards? They can all come work for this princess as executives!
And the adorable young lords in her harem are more than welcome, too. She’ll take every type!
Xu He boldly declares, “Mengchang Jun had three thousand retainers in ancient times. Now I have my male favorites to conquer the world!”
Xu He has calculated every move on the political chessboard, but she never saw the madness in Li Ye’s eyes.
Li Ye gives everything he has to technological innovations and new weapons, but he can never erase the mark of his lowly status: a slave bought for eight taels.
He is dust. He can die for her, but he cannot live for himself.
Later, he does the craziest thing in the world.
She rushes over with her ministers, only to see him standing beside the emperor’s corpse in white mourning robes. Paper money is scattered across the ground, and the wind stirs the ashes, sending dust everywhere.
He watches her with a faintly defiant smile and slowly says just four words:
“His Majesty is dead.”
Content Warnings:
1. One-on-one romance, with a pretend harem of around ten male leads. The heroine has no romantic ambiguity with the other male leads, though some may have unrequited feelings for her.
2. The heroine is strong, not the hero weak. They divide the work: she handles court politics, while he focuses on technology and agriculture.
3. No System and no golden finger.
4. Happy ending, but the male lead goes through physical and emotional suffering. No melodramatic misunderstandings.
Theme: Responsibility, ideals, and free will
