In the final years of the Liang dynasty, the emperor was debauched and tyrannical. Rebellions broke out across the land, with armies rising up everywhere. The Chen family of Hexi and the Xiao family of Lanling became the two most powerful clans. The capital descended into chaos, and after the emperor's death, a five-year-old child ascended the throne. An edict was issued across the realm, declaring that the throne would be surrendered to whoever reached the capital first. War clouds gathered once more.
On the third day after the edict was issued, Chen Jingwei and Xiao Xuanzhang received secret orders and each led troops to the capital to seize the Ming Palace...
The young rode in fine clothes and on fine horses, admiring the moon together in the western pavilion. Once close friends and classmates, now each served their own lord. One wanted to usher in a golden age as a wise ruler; another bore the hatred of a fallen country and family. The kind-hearted became killing machines, the virtuous became treacherous schemers. The times were turbulent, and the fighting never ceased. Once you have taken control of the realm, how could you ever let it go?
Sweet-faced, scheming young princess (a bit of a ditz) x bitter, vengeful young lord (a grump)
A feel-good story with a very loose setting, also known as Fair's Fair: If You Won't Be Emperor, I Won't Be Empress Either.
Both leads are ambitious. Neither is a perfect saint. They smile sweetly on the outside while thinking, I'm going to take the throne.
In the eyes of outsiders:
Chen Jingwei: I'm a princess my family could take or leave. If my father really liked me, he wouldn't have sent my fourth brother and me to the capital as hostages. My fourth brother has it pretty rough. The empress broke his leg. It's not entirely her fault, since nobody can stand having someone sneak a peek while they're bathing, especially when she's the legitimate daughter of the Lanling Xiao family. The Xiaos are so arrogant. Even though we're all hostages, Xiao Xuanzhang has it much easier than we do. He's always strutting around like a turtle looking at the sky.
The Xiao family has rebelled. Haha, what a perfect opportunity! I'll expose that scoundrel for conspiring with the empress to covet the Ming Palace. First I'll capture the empress, then beat up the crown prince, and avenge my lecherous older brother... Wait, my father has rebelled too. Well... Let's agree now that I'll be the Grand Princess Who Protects the Nation in the future! For now, I'll quietly follow Xiao Xuanzhang and go wherever he hides. Later, my fourth brother forced the generals to dress me in the imperial robes. How could I turn down such a generous offer?
Xiao Xuanzhang: Why are those two Chen idiots so happy all the time? They're so annoying. Chen Jingming's leg was broken. I didn't do it, but Chen Jingwei has somehow blamed me for it. What an idiot. My father has rebelled. I know I should flee, but Chen Jingwei... Why is Chen Jingwei following me?!!!!
Blurb written on September 3, 2021.
Theme: The more you contribute, the more land you get
