The Beautiful Minister

Pre-release: A Concubine Bestowed, a story of seizing someone by force. Please add it to your collection.

Visit my profile to check it out. The blurb for the pre-release novel is at the very bottom. The following is this novel's blurb:

The ailing, ruthless Regent Prince Qi Huai's daily routine comes in threes:

# What is that sharp-tongued minister up to today? #

# Not saying a word. What is that minister plotting now? #

# I don't care. I have to outlive her. #

*

The minister Shi Ye is breathtakingly beautiful, with a bright, refined air.

Every day, the guards at the Shi residence report on which young lady has climbed the wall to toss in flowers and handkerchiefs, and which noblewoman has been waiting along the route to court. The rest of their reports are all about Qi Huai's antics.

When war breaks out in the border city, Shi Ye volunteers to leave the capital.

Qi Huai scoffs with icy indifference. "What, will the enemy be so dazzled by that face they'll lose?"

Who would have thought that within a year, all the foreign lands would submit?

Shi Ye returns to the capital safe and sound, with even greater influence and a more dazzling appearance. Smiling warmly, she looks at him. "Your Highness, how are you still alive?"

Qi Huai: ...

*

Qi Huai governs the court, his body riddled with injuries, yet he remains vicious as ever.

One person keeps him tossing and turning at night. No matter how much he thinks about it, he can't figure her out.

That person has a pretty face, a slim waist, and soft legs. How can she be a man?

That person has peerless archery skills and a whole harem of wives and concubines, and yet somehow really is a man.

Qi Huai thinks his illness has gotten worse.

* An earnest, beautiful minister x a male lead who's all bark and secretly devoted *

[Reader's Guide]

1. The female lead is Shi Ye, who disguises herself as a man. The male lead is driven to distraction at first, then turns into a lovable puppy.

2. One-on-one romance, both leads' first relationship. Set in an imaginary world with plenty of original worldbuilding.

★ Pre-release: A Concubine Bestowed, a story of seizing someone by force. Please add it to your collection. Blurb:

The Marquis of the Fu family has no interest in power, but he is devoted to his concubine, Su Zhaozhao.

Su Zhaozhao has a slender waist and unmatched beauty.

Though her status is low, he treasures her above all else. Every day, he watches her walk barefoot in gauzy robes; after nightfall, he listens until dawn to the jingling of her hairpins as she moves her slender waist.

Everyone in the marquis's household envies how Young Marquis Fu indulges his concubine, Su Zhaozhao, in every way while ignoring his wife, who comes from a distinguished family.

Unexpectedly, Young Marquis Fu is framed and thrown into prison.

Xie Ciyuan, the current Grand Secretary, offers his help for no apparent reason.

Young Marquis Fu is deeply grateful. But when he returns home, he discovers that the Marchioness has forced Su Zhaozhao into a sedan chair and sent her to Grand Secretary Xie Ciyuan.

*

In the hazy night, Su Zhaozhao looks helplessly at the person before her, pleading in a soft, tearful voice.

Someone grips her waist. Sweat dampens her dark hair. Her face is flushed, and tears glisten in her eyes.

Everyone in the capital says that Grand Secretary Xie Ciyuan is as radiant as the moon, a gentleman without equal.

Few know that back when Xie Ciyuan was a poor scholar whom anyone could bully, he and Su Zhaozhao once had a relationship.

Back then, Su Zhaozhao treated Xie Ciyuan as nothing but bait, a lure to get Young Marquis Fu to take the hook.

She never imagined that Xie Ciyuan would one day gain power enough to cover the heavens, and make her pay for everything with bitter vengeance.

Hearing her continue to murmur, Xie Ciyuan is easily roused to anger. He presses harder. "Who exactly are you calling?"

Theme: Love won't come to you on its own. You have to reach out and embrace it first.