Emperor Zhou Xi kept someone close to his heart.
But she came from a criminal household, and Zhou Xi went to great lengths to place the empress's crown upon her head.
He had arranged everything perfectly, never once imagining that Bo Lanzhi might refuse.
Bo Lanzhi had been a palace maid in the Yeting Palace. With the Empress Dowager's support, she took part in governing as a female official and became a powerful minister at court.
The feeling of wielding authority thrilled Bo Lanzhi.
So she, too, could hold office at court, help govern the realm, and build a prosperous nation.
Their more than ten years of childhood affection meant she was not indifferent to Zhou Xi.
But the words "women must not interfere in government" hung over her. Faced with a gilded decree of investiture, Bo Lanzhi could only refuse.
Zhou Xi could hardly believe that one day he and Bo Lanzhi would go their separate ways.
Even more unexpected was that after leaving behind his favor and the Empress Dowager's patronage, Bo Lanzhi could still return to the steps of the imperial court and even stand as his equal.
Time had passed, and the little palace maid who once knelt at his feet and wept was no longer as gentle as she had been.
The spirited official in crimson before him still made his heart flutter, but someone who had drifted so far away would never turn back.
A female official in government x a young emperor, 1v1, happy ending.
An alternate-history setting, with a mix of different elements. Everything serves the plot.
This novel is entered in the Growth and Comeback writing contest: The female lead comes from a humble background, but never stops learning and works hard to change her circumstances. Even when no one believes in her, she remains firm in her convictions and never wavers. She blazes a new path in life for herself and for others.
Theme: Hold fast to your ideals.
