The Great Xia in Turmoil

[Complete. First published on Jinjiang Literature City.] Next up: Beautiful Shi Ying. Visit the author's profile to see it. [Blurb] Qin Yan left the capital with her mother at the age of five and went northwest to the Pingxi Army, commanded by her maternal grandfather, Duke of Zhenguo. Twelve years later, she returned to a world that had changed beyond recognition. After her mother was attacked and disappeared, everyone in the Prime Minister's household knew only Concubine Song, not Qin Yan's mother, the proper lady of the house. They knew only of Miss Nian, not Qin Yan, the household's sole legitimate daughter. The concubine monopolized her mother's dowry, using it to flaunt her wealth and win people's favor. Her half-sister used the identity that rightfully belonged to Qin Yan to thrive among the capital's noble ladies, and even set her sights on Qin Yan's fiance. The people in the Prime Minister's household thought Qin Yan had returned to the capital alone and would be at their mercy. They never expected that just a few days after her return, the Emperor would personally grant her the title of Commandery Princess Zhaoren and give her a palace to serve as her residence. Only after Qin Yan reclaimed the dowry that had belonged to her mother did her father, Prime Minister Qin, and Concubine Song learn that Qin Yan was the owner of Yuqingfeng, the greatest bank in Great Xia. The lord of Gucheng, a key fortress beyond the northwestern frontier, and owner of Yuqingfeng, Great Xia's greatest bank, said to be worth half the imperial treasury... How many more secrets does Qin Yan still keep? Xie Changyuan, heir to the Marquis of Yongding, was born into nobility and accomplished at a young age. By the time he came of age, he had already become a close aide to the Emperor. The only trouble was that he had been betrothed as a child. The rumors said that his fiancee, Qin Yan, was ill-mannered and as ugly as a demon. Everyone felt sorry for the young marquis. After Qin Yan returned to the capital, everyone learned that this legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister was stunningly beautiful, formidable, and backed by an astonishing amount of influence. Xie Changyuan got his wish and broke off his engagement to Qin Yan. Only then did he realize just how badly he had misunderstood his former fiancee. He regretted mistaking a worthless stone for a precious pearl and missing the one his heart truly desired. By the time Xie Changyuan resolved to win her back, his former fiancee had already been named Crown Princess. It was too late for regrets. Crown Prince Feng Zhan spent years honing his skills in the army before returning to court to oversee the government. His decisiveness and political acumen won the admiration of the court. Only Qin Yan knew that this cold, abstinent Crown Prince, who kept his distance from women, could be utterly shameless when pursuing his wife. [The Crown Prince's Pursuit of His Wife, Scene 1] "Your outer robe is still wet. Let me hold you so you can keep warm." [The Crown Prince's Pursuit of His Wife, Scene 2] Feng Zhan: "You spent a long time alone with me in the wilderness today. It may harm your reputation. I intend to make you Crown Princess." Qin Yan: "Do you think I care about my reputation, Your Highness?" Feng Zhan: "Then Commandery Princess Zhaoren must take responsibility for my reputation." [The Crown Prince's Pursuit of His Wife, Scene 3] "The shaft of my carriage has broken, so it can't make the return trip." "I'm too tired to ride a horse today, so you'll have to allow me to ride back in the carriage from your residence." "Commandery Princess Zhaoren, may I ride with you?" [The Crown Prince's Pursuit of His Wife, Scene 4] "The imperial house of Great Xia granted you your title and fief. You receive the Emperor's favor, so you must serve him." "Starting today, you will come to the Crown Prince's residence every day to help me handle state affairs. Any objections?" [The Crown Prince's Pursuit of His Wife, Scene 5] "I'll have a bedchamber prepared for you. If your work runs too late, you can stay overnight at the Crown Prince's residence." [The Crown Prince's Pursuit of His Wife, Scene 6] Feng Zhan: "I offer you the position of Empress, the right to take part in government, and my devotion to you alone for the rest of my life." Qin Yan: ...Actually, I was planning to make myself queen. [Reading Guide] 1. The heroine has many secret identities and is a beautiful woman, cool and detached. 2. The former fiance pursues her after the breakup, and truly suffers for it. 3. The hero is the Crown Prince, not the former fiance. 4. Both leads are powerful figures, and their love is a match between equals. 5. One-on-one romance, both leads devoted only to each other, both inexperienced, happy ending. Theme: We have all been fragile once, but one day we will be invulnerable.