The Yangzhou Slender Horse's Rise to Power

[Highlights] Scheming, stunning heroine VS hero who takes what he wants (one heroine, multiple love interests) A story about a courtesan from Yangzhou transforming her life and climbing to the top! You might like: coercive possession, the hero's tortuous pursuit of love, a heroine adored by everyone, a heroine who puts her own interests first [Blurb] Li Shu is one of the finest courtesans raised by Tingyu House. Blessed with extraordinary beauty, she refuses to resign herself to a numb existence and has always dreamed of escaping the predatory establishment. In her previous life, Li Shu gave someone her heart and managed to leave Tingyu House, only to be offered up by the man she loved to a powerful patron as a stepping stone to officialdom! Given another chance at life, Li Shu refuses to be trapped by love again. Whether it's a brooding puppy or a powerful man who bows his head for love, she will flirt with him, use him, and take all she can before he ends up discarded! [One] Gao Jian admits that his attraction to Li Shu began with her looks, but the more he learns about her, the more he cherishes her... He falls for her without realizing it, while Li Shu warns him in advance: “If one day a handsome young man comes along and pursues me, and I've grown tired of you and want to leave, I hope you won't get jealous and try to keep me by your side...” Then one day, she really does leave! But how could Gao Jian possibly let her go? [Two] Ruan Xun knows that Li Shu already belongs to someone else, but he can't stop himself from getting close to her. When his jealousy finally twists out of control, Ruan Xun crosses the line one night... “Sister, you've stolen my very soul!” “What do you want me to do, Sister? I'll do anything.” [Three] Xiao Huan has looked into Li Shu's background and knows she's a scheming beauty, so he repeatedly warns himself to stay on his guard. But she says, “If you think I'm trying to use you to kill someone, then I'm willing to let the heir use me once. The brush in my study can become the sharpest blade in your hand.” They begin exchanging favors... But before long, Xiao Huan is no longer satisfied with that arrangement. “I didn't mean to talk down to you,” he explains. “I don't have a guaranteed victory, so you don't have to come with me,” he says in her defense. “Never mind, there's plenty of time.” He thinks he can eventually warm the beauty's heart. [N] To be continued If you like it, please give it a star! [Reader notes] 1. Fictional setting. Don't nitpick the history. 2. There are many male characters, all of whom have one-sided feelings for the heroine. Please don't judge her too harshly. 3. This story does not involve the humiliation or abuse of women. “Courtesan” is part of the character's background, and the heroine is clear-headed and not ruled by love. 4. The story updates according to the rankings. Please add it to your favorites. It will be finished in the summer of 2026! Please also check out my upcoming works, “The Great Educator” and “If She Cheats on Me, I'll Just Applaud.” [Blurb for upcoming work “The Great Educator”] If you're interested, please give it a star. Wishing it luck on the rankings! Meng Zhiting is a math teacher and homeroom teacher, a workhorse through and through. One day, while napping in the office at lunchtime, she is suddenly attacked and stabbed through the neck by a student, bleeding heavily. The reason? She confiscated his phone... “I told you to let flowers be flowers, trees be trees, and that little bastard be a little bastard. Why wouldn't you listen?” Meng Zhiting smacks herself hard across the face twice! She never expected to slap herself awake! Meng Zhiting discovers that she has landed in ancient times. Her original body's talented fiancé has gone to the capital to sit the imperial examinations! She immediately packs her bags, says goodbye to her parents, and claims she's going to the capital to support him. In reality, once she arrives, she doesn't even go looking for Jiang Xun. Her motto is: “Why worry about men when you have a career? I plan to devote my life to education! In this life and the last! I'll bring the educational ideas of Comenius, Dewey, and Herbart to this ancient society that reveres teachers, and become a great educator whose name will last through the ages!” Jiang Xun recently received a letter from home saying his fiancée had gone to the capital. He sent people to wait at the ferry for several days, but she never arrived. Then word came of a pirate murder near the capital, along the coast. His attendant didn't dare tell him and distract him from his studies, and instead hurriedly sent a letter back to Huaiyang to ask the Old Madam what to do... This whole series of misunderstandings turns into an over-the-top melodrama! Poor Jiang Xun. On one hand, the burden of morality keeps him from divorcing his wife after earning a title, lest the world condemn him. On the other, he can't help falling for the Teacher Meng at the Imperial Academy! Because that Teacher Meng at the Imperial Academy... Introduces open classes, demonstration lessons, co-taught classes, unit-based learning, and collaborative lesson planning. Introduces curriculum standards and improves teaching syllabuses, requiring teachers to visit students' homes regularly and teach them about safety. Introduces performance reviews for teachers... All the teachers and students at the Imperial Academy are working themselves to the bone! Meng Zhiting finally decides to call off her engagement and find a man who can build a career with her. After all, she's no longer young, and the old scholars at the Imperial Academy have been gossiping about her lately. That Jiang Xun doesn't seem so bad... [This story is pure sarcasm and written completely tongue-in-cheek! Who'd want to do this job?] Theme: A heart at peace