After the Love-Struck Empress Snatched Me as Her Bride

*A mad, tyrannical empress who takes what she wants vs. the capital's most beautiful, innocent little fox

*Marry first, love later / forceful possession / romantic rivalry

*A sweet, doting romance long in the making, with a devoted pursuit after marriage. See the end for the blurb of the upcoming novel, "A Beauty Falls from the Sky."

Year Four of the Li Ning reign. The empress went to war.

The breathtaking beauty in the capital, as slender and delicate as a willow branch, had no choice but to marry a powerful minister at court to honor an ancestral betrothal.

On her wedding day, just after finishing her makeup, Jiang Wu wiped away a tear and prepared to board the bridal sedan. Then she learned that the residence was surrounded.

The empress had returned from the battlefield, clad in fluttering red robes and astride a tall horse. She demanded that Jiang Wu come back to the palace with her.

Jiang Wu was shocked and frightened. The powerful minister who was supposed to marry her stood at the gate, confronting the empress.

Half a day passed before the minister finally yielded. She could only watch as the empress scooped Jiang Wu up around the waist and sat her in front of her on the horse. They rode through half the capital before returning to the palace.

It seemed to proclaim to the whole world that Jiang Wu now belonged to her.

The minister, upon learning what had happened, darkened her gaze. She was every bit as unscrupulous, and just as desperate to possess both the beauty and political power, watching Jiang Wu from many shadowy corners.

"Jiang Wu, why did you leave with her?"

*

Jiang Wu lived in terror in the imperial harem, only to discover that since ascending the throne, the empress had never taken another consort. Jiang Wu seemed to be the only woman in her vast harem.

Jiang Wu would never know that Empress Wen Fuyan could never forget the warm embrace she had received in her darkest days. The person she had sworn from the very beginning to make hers had always been Jiang Wu, and no one else.

Even if it meant defying the whole world, even if it meant doing what she knew she could not, Wen Fuyan would have Jiang Wu.

Reading notes:

1. This is a completely fictional setting with a historical aesthetic, not historical fiction. Please don't expect historical accuracy.

2. Planned length: 300,000 characters. Updates will begin daily when the novel launches, at 9 p.m. Until it is contracted, updates will follow the rankings.

3. Both the empress and the minister love Jiang Wu, so expect a romantic rivalry, but the endgame pairing is set.

4. In this story, girls come of age at eighteen. See the author's note in Chapter One for detailed reading notes.

Upcoming: "A Beauty Falls from the Sky"

Blurb:

A story about a woman who transmigrates, supports herself by farming, cooking, and selling medicinal herbs, and one day finds a fallen young lady from a once-wealthy family at the village entrance. They share sweet everyday moments and eventually get a happy ending.

#How should one live a farming life? Qiao Qingyue's answer: Hold your wife close!#

After transmigrating, Qiao Qingyue expected to fight her half-sister for status and endure the cruelty of a household full of women. But when she saw the beautiful fields in front of her, she fell silent.

"Working people are the most glorious!" Qiao Qingyue had no interest in men and was highly motivated. She picked up a hoe and began cultivating her own life, determined to get rich through farming.

But one day, everyone gathered at the village entrance to watch the commotion. She went over, too, and fell in love at first sight.

A young lady from a fallen family? What could that be but fate bringing her a wife? Qiao Qingyue seized the opportunity, carried her home, and planned to take things slowly.

The young lady was beautiful and adorably foolish. Qiao Qingyue was smitten at first sight. Though the young lady could neither carry heavy loads nor lift a finger, she still wanted to do her part for the household. Their days were chaotic but warm and healing.

The young lady clumsily learned to farm, while Qiao Qingyue clumsily tried to make her happy. Devotion doesn't need to be proven in times of great upheaval. Even the days that seem as calm as still water can hold sweet moments.

Reading guide:

☆ The title and blurb may change. This novel will definitely be written. (Blurb written January 16, 2021; saved to Weibo on January 26, 2021.)

☆ Women can marry women. A slow, steady romance.

Theme: What you want is something you must fight for yourself.