The Princess Reigns Supreme

Powerful princess who rules the court vs. dashing young female general

Serious blurb:

After the late emperor's death and the young ruler's ascension, Princess Xiao Heng seized control of the government and held it for ten years. She cast aside the kingly way, established her own authority, ruled with an iron fist, imposed tyranny, and was notoriously mercurial. Everyone in the court lived in constant fear, trembling at every turn.

With the young ruler nearing twenty, the court faction loyal to the emperor was beginning to raise its head. But with all military power in the princess's hands, they were powerless to act, until they suddenly remembered someone

General Wei Cang.

Ten years ago, during the transfer of power, foreign enemies invaded. The princess handed command of two hundred thousand troops to General Wei Cang, stationed far away at the border, and ordered him to defend the frontier and never return to the capital without an imperial decree. For ten years, Wei Cang had repelled foreign threats and secured the borders, earning countless achievements, yet had never been summoned back. The people in the capital had nearly forgotten he existed.

Thinking of the two hundred thousand troops under Wei Cang's command, the emperor's loyalists discussed the matter and immediately arranged for an eloquent envoy to set out for the border. They had to persuade the general to return to the capital, force the princess to surrender power, and restore proper rule.

In the tenth year of Kangjing, the year the young ruler came of age, General Wei Cang requested permission to return to the capital and offer his congratulations. The princess granted it.

Irreverent blurb:

Young General Wei Xiu grew up stationed at the border with her father. Though she was a woman, she was every bit as formidable as any man. No one could stand against her silver spear, she was a better strategist than her father, and she commanded great respect among the troops.

An imperial decree arrived from the capital, summoning her and her father to present their gifts. They had to leave at once.

Before setting out, Wei Cang arranged for Wei Xiu to go ahead. He had something to take care of and would follow later. He told her to keep a low profile in the capital and, ideally, stay home. If the princess invited her to a banquet or anything of the sort, she was to claim illness and refuse. He repeated the warning again and again!

Wei Xiu had heard the stories of the princess's cruelty, so she took her father's advice to heart.

Half a month after Wei Xiu arrived in the capital, Wei Cang finally came too. His fellow members of the emperor's loyalist faction nearly buried him in letters condemning him for going back on his word.

Wei Xiu: Father, the princess makes good use of talented people and works hard for the people. How could she be the cruel woman they say she is? And anyone who tries to harm her is an enemy of justice. I can only stay by her side and protect her.

Wei Cang: ...Daughter, do you remember why we came here?

Wei Xiu: To execute the treacherous ministers and protect the princess.

Wei Cang: To protect the emperor!!!

Reading guide:

1. Fictional dynasty, with a mountain of invented details.

2. I'll add more when I think of it O(∩_∩)O

Coming next: "Princess, Wait". Here's the blurb. Feel free to add it to your reading list if it sounds interesting~

The all-calculating, deeply cunning traitor [Helian Xiyue] vs. the peerlessly beautiful princess of a fallen kingdom [Su Yan]

Princess Su Yan of Changyin had been in love with Helian Xiyue, daughter of the Left Chancellor, for more than ten years. Helian Xiyue was brilliant and renowned throughout Chang'an, cool as frost and untouched by worldly concerns.

Whenever a palace banquet ended, Su Yan wanted to keep her for a few more words, but Helian Xiyue would only say

"Princess, wait."

Leaving Su Yan to watch her retreating figure from afar.

One day, the kingdom fell and loyal ministers betrayed them. Great Yan was defeated, and Princess Su Yan and the royal family were reduced to prisoners.

As she was being taken to prison, she heard a familiar voice

"Princess, wait."

Su Yan didn't even have time to wipe away her tears before she looked up. Helian Xiyue, once so untouched by worldly concerns, was now dressed in armor and seated atop a tall steed, with the enemy troops around her bowing their heads respectfully.

She reached out to Su Yan. For the first time, Su Yan turned away from her hand, eyes red with hatred.

"Traitor!"

Only later did Su Yan learn that Helian Xiyue was no daughter of the Left Chancellor. She was a hostage sent from the Northern Desert Kingdom to Great Yan twenty years ago, and now she was the empress of both the Northern Desert and Great Yan.

After the new emperor ascended the throne, she granted amnesty throughout the land, even pardoning the Great Yan royal family. She made an exception and granted them the title of Prince of Yan, along with a residence. They would be watched, but this was still the best treatment a ruler of a fallen kingdom could hope for. Su Yan's emperor father had never liked governing anyway. Now he could eat, drink, and enjoy himself to his heart's content.

Seeing how they had been treated, Su Yan breathed a sigh of relief, though now and then she still found herself staring at the moon in the sky.

At first, Su Yan thought that if that traitor Helian Xiyue dared show up, she would curse her to kingdom come.

Later, seeing the people living peaceful, prosperous lives under the new emperor and praising her rule, Su Yan had to admit that Helian Xiyue was a better emperor than her father.

Later still, Su Yan heard that the new emperor was critically ill and about to die.

Without stopping to think, Su Yan slipped into the palace through the secret passage Helian Xiyue had once designed to help her sneak out and have fun. As soon as she emerged from the tunnel, she crashed into someone's arms.

Su Yan: ...That was a mistake.

The traitor caught the rabbit who had come to her, waiting right where she was. "I'll give you half the kingdom. Do you want it?"

"Yes, of course I do!"

Notes for reading this story:

1. They are mutually in love, but the traitor Helian is especially good at holding back and keeping herself in check.

2. The setting is entirely fictional, with no historical counterparts.

3. The story begins far in the past, and peaceful, unrequited love takes up the first part.

4. Send a heart!

Theme: Stand by one another through turbulent times and build a brighter future together!