The Road to the Clouds

[Career-Driven, Adorably Airheaded Wooden-Headed Woman × Gentle on the Surface, Actually a Scheming, Jealous, Love-Brained Man]

Word around town had it that Zhou Yuechuan, a female official in the Bureau of Military Affairs, seemed harmless on the surface, but was not only the finest firearms engineer around, she was also the shrewdest and most cunning businesswoman.

At fifteen, she won the favor of a powerful patron with a handmade wooden pen holder, and from then on rose steadily through the ranks as a female official.

At eighteen, she secured wealth and status for her entire family with a child. The emperor's descendants carried her blood, and all future emperors would be her progeny.

By her twenties, she had become even more adept at getting something for nothing. A single sachet could bring in a hundred thousand taels in military funding.

Zhou Yuechuan thought this all made perfect sense. Who knew she was so clever? She couldn't help feeling secretly pleased and a little embarrassed, all while figuring out how to get Fang Qijing to approve more funds for her cannons.

Fang Qijing had already stamped the imperial seal and put the brush in her hand, letting her fill in the amount. He basked in her delighted smile, his eyes narrowing as he wagged his tail in triumph.

How could he make a losing bargain? He had gained her embrace, her closeness, her trust, and... her love.

Zhou Yuechuan, a scholar's daughter, stumbled into the right patron and entered officialdom, becoming a female official in the Bureau of Military Affairs.

She became a young prodigy admired and envied by everyone in her neighborhood. With an official position, few people laughed at her humble origins anymore.

Prince An, Fang Qijing, was perceptive and elegant. Not only did he promote and cultivate her, he also cared for her in every possible way.

Zhou Yuechuan had thought it would be nice to have a powerful patron to lean on. She pledged her loyalty to him, believing she would repay his kindness by working diligently as his weapon and keeping him safe and prosperous.

So...

Could this mighty tree please stop clinging to her?

It's easy to invite a god in, but hard to send one away. Fang Qijing slept in her bed, used her handkerchief, and wrapped an arm around her waist, smiling with frank gentleness. "I don't want you to repay me. I want you to hold me."

He coaxed her patiently: "As the saying goes, it's easier to become an official when you have friends in court. You have no family connections or background, and you work on the most secret weapons in the armaments division. Why would the court trust you with such a sensitive, important post? I'm a prince, at least. Become my woman, and I'll help you rise to the very top."

In Fang Qijing's heart, Zhou Yuechuan was perfect in every way. Her only fault was always pretending to be clueless under the pretext of work, failing to see his feelings and trying to keep her distance.

But when your ambitions can only be achieved through me, then your work, your aspirations, and your achievements will always be entangled with me. Behind your name, mine will always be written there too.

You see me as your superior, benefactor, and patron. But you are my closest friend, my beloved, the sharpest weapon in the world, and my one and only accomplice.

One-on-one, both virgins, four-year age gap

[Content warnings] The male lead is somewhat controlling. The powerful one lowers his head; the heroine seems obedient but is actually unconventional. Primarily sweet romance, with some angst in the middle.

The focus is on romance. The political intrigue is simplistic, and every plot point serves the relationship between the leads. The early chapters lay the groundwork for the heroine's career.

The heroine makes firearms, and the setting is an alternate world with very little resemblance to reality. Some weapons are inspired by modern firearms and artillery, so please don't overanalyze them.

Theme: Live life with passion.