The General's Daughter Takes Up Arms

When Zhou Meiliu was three, her birth mother died of depression after her father married and took concubines several times. When Zhou Meiliu was six, her eldest brother, Zhou Shubian, was badly wounded after losing a battle, and the whole family was convicted. When Zhou Meiliu was eight, her father, Zhou Shouyi, died on the battlefield. The emperor, mindful of his loyalty and patriotism, pardoned the Zhou family. On the night she kept vigil over her father's coffin, Zhou Meiliu, her face wet with tears, quietly asked Zhou Shubian, "Brother, aren't you angry?" "You made a name for yourself at a young age and reclaimed countless lost territories, only to be gravely wounded after falling victim to a traitor's scheme. The emperor didn't just refuse to give you justice, he took the opportunity to punish the whole family." "The emperor feared our Zhou family had grown too powerful. He bestowed a principal wife and rewarded our father with concubines, all while constantly planting spies in the inner courtyard. Mother died of sorrow because of it..." Zhou Shubian silently burned paper money and interrupted her. "What are you trying to say?" Looking at the black lacquered coffin, Zhou Meiliu spoke in a childish voice, saying something treasonous: "Are kings and generals born to be rulers?" "Father spoke of loyalty to the emperor, but I would rather be loyal to the people of this land." Zhou Shubian coughed, his tone mild. "Even if it costs you your life?" Zhou Meiliu's eyes burned like flames. "Even if it costs me my life!" The next day, another tragedy struck the Zhou family: the general's youngest daughter, Zhou Meiliu, had died from grief. Reading guide: 1. Set in an imaginary world, with lots of original worldbuilding. Please don't overanalyze it. 2. Zhou Meiliu fakes her death and escapes, becoming Zhou Yan. She lives to become emperor. 3. Romance is just an aside. The female lead rises through her own strength and will never use her looks to get ahead. 4. Updates every other day before the paid chapters, then daily updates. Theme: A woman's story of striving for success