From Stronghold Chief to Empress

The heroine is a skilled martial artist who owns a mountain stronghold, loves making money, has a decent reputation in the martial world but doesn't always play fair, and is beautiful and rich. All she wants is to become a legendary queen.

The male lead is constantly hopping around the edge of death and just wants to stay alive.

[Updates promptly at 8 a.m.]

[The heroine is focused on her career, following the examples of King Wei and King Qi as she goes from outlaw to monarch] [Everyone loves the heroine (for her martial arts, looks, and influence)]

Wen Shu: "Ever since I was little, I've wanted an honest husband of high rank, with a vast fortune, learning and bearing, young and handsome, and entirely free of lust and sexual desire. I train in martial arts and stay away from men, and I won't let him take concubines or sleep around."

Those requirements are often cut down until only "young and handsome" and "learned and refined" remain. Even so, she's gone through eight husbands.

She takes over Lake Muxian, plots to claim a blessed land of immortals, steals her rival's prey, and unexpectedly acquires a beautiful, frail scholar. As it happens, her current husband is rather stupid.

Prince Ge Jinfeng, traveling incognito, learns that he's about to become her ninth husband. "My queen... Both my parents are dead, and I'm in mourning, so I can't marry anyone!"

Stronghold leader Wen Shu waves a hand magnanimously. "That's fine. He just has to be good-looking. I've paid out too much in betrothal gifts already."

Ge Jinfeng: (⊙_⊙)?

Unable to put it off any longer, Ge Jinfeng is about to have his identity exposed, so he finally tells the truth: "Actually... I can't perform."

Wen Shu: "Wonderful."

The years wane in Qin, and heavy snow blankets the imperial capital.

Long spears reach halfway to the sky, while sabers flash in the sunlight.

Content warnings:

1. The male lead is impotent. The female lead is, too. Both are trying to keep it hidden.

2. Neither of them will ever become "normal." They remain in a state unrelated to gender. The story completely rules out innate gender and the personalities shaped by upbringing.

3. The world is in chaos, and there are many villains, but the female and male leads aren't among them.

4. Several of the eight former husbands have substantial roles.

The Perilous Shu Road, The Male Lead Can't Perform and Neither Can the Female Lead, Crouching Tiger, Infertile Yet Surrounded by Descendants, This Stronghold Leader Has Some Tricks Up Her Sleeve: Choosing a title is so hard.

Release notice: The story will go premium on September 20 (Monday), with three chapters released back-to-back. Thank you for your support, cuties.

The Female Chief Justice of Gotham, The Emperor's Life After Death, The Iron-Blooded Emperor Huizong of Song, This Boxing Champion Is Mine (GL), The Iron-Blooded Lin Daiyu. Find more great stories in the author's collection!

Theme: In a time of chaos, people support and love one another to fight for a chance to survive.