Unfinished Draft

By the time the maps had been redrawn and a new emperor had ascended the throne, she stood at the head of the court as he appointed his officials, alone at his side. She gazed out as the assembled officials knelt before them. The emperor lowered his eyes and took her hand, asking softly what had carried her from death row all the way to the rank of great general. She thought for a moment before replying: "At first, Your Majesty, I only wanted to buy my little sister a steamed bun." * Mei Ying of Peach Blossom Village was tall and slender, with delicate features and a healthy, wheat-colored complexion. A smile was always on her face. Gentle and kind, she was also strong as an ox. She and her younger sister, Mei Hua, had only each other, and they were deeply devoted to one another. One day, while Mei Ying was out buying steamed buns, a human trafficker abducted her sister. She crossed mountains and rivers in pursuit, tracking the kidnapper for a thousand miles. In a fit of rage, she accidentally killed him. A life for a life, with no questions asked. From then on, Peach Blossom Village lost a farm girl, and the frontier gained a death-row prisoner. * To save her sister, she had to earn her freedom. To save her sister, she had to distinguish herself. Amid clashing blades and bloody battlefields, she brushed past death time and again. Her body bore more scars, and the armor on her shoulders grew heavier. On the day she found her sister, she was returning victorious. She dismounted, caught her sister as she ran into her arms, and wept uncontrollably. After wiping away her tears, Mei Ying suddenly looked back. Her comrades in the army were watching with smiles, while willow branches swayed in the breeze. In the distance, a lone column of smoke rose above the desert, and the setting sun shone bright. She felt a little dazed. Without realizing it, she had crossed a thousand rivers and mountains. * A little extra: In the beginning, when the emperor rose in revolt during the dynasty's decline, he was alone and without support. In marching and battle formations, he relied heavily on the great general. Afraid the great general might have ulterior motives, someone advised the emperor: "The great general takes no pleasure in wine or music and has no fondness for gold or silver. It will be difficult to tempt him to pledge his loyalty. Why not send several handsome men to charm him with soft words and beauty? That will surely put his heart at ease." The emperor's expression darkened. He gave no answer, dismissed everyone from the hall, and pondered the matter for a long time. That night, as begonias bloomed beneath the moon, the emperor went alone to the great general's courtyard, carrying a phoenix lantern. He knocked on the door three times. But the great general was sleeping soundly and didn't hear him. The emperor lingered for a long time, then returned disappointed. P.S. 1. A story about a death-row prisoner who earns merit to save her sister, rising from lowly soldier to great general. 2. As usual, the author is particular about relationships: 1v1, both leads have only ever been with each other, happy ending. The male lead is head of the Good Conduct for Men class. This melon is guaranteed ripe and sweet. 3. The female lead's official love interest appears very early. He is the one with the stunning looks, and he later becomes emperor. Theme: Women should be strong and independent.