The Powerful Minister Was Tricked Out of His Power and His Virtue

A former dynasty’s princess in disguise as a man × a ruthless powerbroker of the current dynasty Jiang He is a liar. She deceived Wei Ling’s feelings. A lost battle brought the all-powerful Wei Ling to meet A He, a doctor living alone in the mountains. He coveted the mountain’s quiet and envied her freedom. But when they met again years later, she was no longer A He. She said her name was Jiang Mo, the former county magistrate of Zhe County, praised by the people for her integrity and incorruptibility. Integrity and incorruptibility… In this world, nothing is more unwelcome than fools who claim to be honest and dream of upholding justice. He mocked her as foolish and naive, then used her to strike at his enemies. She deceived him with false affection, borrowed his power to kill her enemies, and secretly planted her people throughout the court. Later, he wanted her heart, while all she wanted was his power. People say Luojing is a city of blossoms, but beneath the imperial city, the mountains are built of bones. The aristocracy and powerful clans drink and carouse, laughing over wine as they order beautiful women’s heads cut off. The common folk are treated like grass, left dead by the roadside and too afraid to seek justice. A He didn’t understand. The histories are full of the saying, “Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it.” If they usurped her family’s realm, why wouldn’t they treat the people well? If they were unworthy of ruling the world, then she would bring peace and happiness to the people herself. The road was hard, and A He walked it for many years. She shared a bed with her enemies and a court with wolves and tigers. She crushed wastrels, rooted out corruption, promoted the worthy, quelled border conflicts, married a princess, and ensnared a powerful minister. She won the praise of the world and the allegiance of the people. She would lead the minister to kill the emperor and take the blame, while she herself stood pure before the throne… Bonus Scene: The Wedding Night On the day Jiang He married the princess, Luojing was a city of flowers. The hall was packed with guests, all chatting and smiling, some ingratiating themselves, others offering sincere congratulations. Only Wei Ling’s face was so dark you’d think every person there owed him a fortune. As Jiang He drank the wine offered by the guests, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye and smiled. Wei Ling was so heartbroken that his cup shattered in his hand. He had never thought that, despite being the most powerful general in the land, he would have to watch the one he loved marry someone else. Unable to accept it, Wei Ling slipped into the bridal chamber. Jiang He was brought back to the bridal chamber, thoroughly drunk. Red candles glowed beneath the warm canopy, and a pair of mandarin-duck quilts lay on the bed. The beauty sat quietly in her wedding clothes, holding a fan before her face as she waited for her groom. With bleary eyes, Jiang He poured two cups of wine and staggered to the bed. She handed one to the beauty, drank the wedding wine with her, then said, “It’s late. Princess, you should get some rest.” Then she went to get a quilt so she could sleep on the floor. “My husband has yet to lift my veil.” Jiang He froze and turned to look at the beauty again. In an instant, she sobered up. What kind of person had she married? Where was the beautiful princess she had been promised? Wei Ling asked, “Are you dissatisfied with your concubine’s looks, husband?” Jiang He got goosebumps. “What are you doing? Where’s my princess?” Wei Ling raised an eyebrow, his gaze deep. “Your princess?” Jiang He: “…” Why was he getting jealous over nothing? I didn’t marry a man. Well, okay, now I really have married one. Jiang He sighed. “You’re the mighty General Wei. How can you stoop to such childish tricks?” Wei Ling was angry with himself for losing control like this. But the thought of her sharing the wedding wine with someone else and sleeping beneath a pair of mandarin-duck quilts made him so jealous he wanted to kill. Jiang He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She hooked a finger beneath his chin and studied him carefully. He really was rather handsome, though a little too tall. “Fine, fine. You’ll do.” Jiang He took the round fan from his hand and pushed him onto the bed. Wei Ling propped himself up on one elbow, half lying and half sitting as he watched her with smiling eyes. Like a tiger pouncing on its prey, he drew closer step by step, forcing her back until she was right in front of him. His eyes were already alight with desire, but she leaned close to his ear and asked, “Wei Ji, where is my princess bride?” Wei Ling’s expression turned cold. He grabbed her by the waist, turning the tables, and brushed his cheek against her ear. “You can only have me. And in this life, I will only have you.” (P.S. The princess isn’t being used as a plot device. This is just an excerpt. She isn’t a prop, and she has her own character arc.) Reading Guide: Happy ending; one-on-one romance; both leads are devoted to each other and equally strong. An imagined dynasty. The heroine has a slight “everyone loves her” setup. Powerful men lower their heads for love. The heroine is Jiang He. She uses the name Jiang Mo early on. Theme: In the midst of the game, ride the current and forge ahead