The Imperial Preceptor

A scheming, ambitious, black-hearted empress gong x a young, renowned, brilliant imperial tutor who cares for the world shou

At thirteen, Xie You Ning wanted power, lots and lots of power.

With power, she would no longer have to live in the cold palace, where rain and wind seeped through the roof and walls.

She could eat a hot, freshly cooked meal, and the old palace matron who was the only person kind to her would no longer have to suffer the other servants' scorn.

During a palace coup, she broke into her father's chambers and met Lin Wenxi, the female chancellor and imperial tutor who held power over the court and commanded an army of two hundred thousand elite soldiers.

After hearing her out, Lin Wenxi laughed softly. Outside the palace gates, the princes tore into each other, and one fell from power. Xie You Ning became the first empress of the Great Liang.

--

"Teacher, when I was thirteen, I wanted power, enough power and strength to survive in this deep palace and protect those I wanted to protect. Then the barbarians trampled our northern frontier, and you led the army into battle, risking half your life to save the Great Liang. Only then did I realize how ridiculous I had been. As an emperor, I was confined by selfish desires, failing the people and the lessons you taught me."

"From then on, I wanted peace throughout the land. I wanted to expand our borders, flatten the northern grasslands, and have every corner of the world come pay tribute. I wanted no one under heaven to dare encroach on even an inch of Great Liang's territory."

"Now, I want you."

"Teacher, I want you to be my teacher alone, forever."

Read with caution:

1. Younger woman/older woman, raising, and a very slow burn. I'm not just saying that. Think of a rose.

2. The palace intrigue isn't serious, with occasional melodrama.

3. Completely fictional setting, lots of authorial worldbuilding, and a ten-year age gap (tentative).

4. The author is a rambling chatterbox who doesn't like outlining and is an expert at going off-script. Read with caution if that bothers you.

Theme: All under heaven belongs to the emperor.