A Working Stiff's Chronicles of Reviewing Memorials

Had she been born in another era, Jiang Chiying might have been diagnosed with mild ADHD and a severe information-consumption addiction.

But she was born in that era, in that family, and somehow became the chosen workaholic?

One more thing: I only wanted to review memorials. I never wanted to be emperor, thanks.

At eight, by a stroke of luck, Jiang Chiying won her father's favor and almost became heir to the throne. But then, by another stroke of luck, she failed to become emperor.

Of course, she hadn't wanted the throne anyway. The reason was simple: listening to the ministers talk made her impatient. She wanted to play everything at five times the speed.

And because she didn't become emperor, her legendary life as a workaholic began.

Her father said, "Finish this and then you can take a break."

Her mother said, "Finish this and then you can take a break."

Her brother said, "You'll be able to rest soon."

Her older sister said, "You can rest once the war is over."

Over twenty years, the emperor changed four times. She wrote the deathbed edicts, the edicts returning power to the throne, the edicts for imperial campaigns, and the enthronement edicts. The entire court accused her of grasping for power and impeached her for interference in government by a member of the imperial clan. She was the one who reviewed every impeachment.

Sometimes she wanted to shamelessly scream at the people impeaching her: she really didn't love power, she just loved reviewing memorials.

But shouting wouldn't help. No one would believe her.

No one would believe how much she loved memorials!

Each one was a new puzzle, each came with a deadline, and every review got a response. It was the hardest job in the world, yet the only one that could quiet her mind.

Until Jiang Chiying finally discovered one drawback to not being emperor: without a title, she couldn't even protect the people she'd promoted.

In that case, she might as well make the accusation stick.

Ascend the throne.

[Note: The power structure in this blurb may seem absurd, but keep reading to see whether the author can make it work. Of course, it won't be 100% free of inconsistencies, but I'll do my best to keep the logic coherent and consistent.]

Theme: Striving