The Crown Princess Chooses a Husband

Rong Jian was the legitimate daughter of a great general's household. Because she was frail from childhood, she was raised at the Rong family's old estate for many years, until an imperial decree declaring her born with the destiny of a phoenix summoned her back.

What do you mean, born with the destiny of a phoenix?

She was used to living freely and doing as she pleased, and had no desire to be confined by the palace's red walls and blue tiles. So she set out to make trouble at every turn.

By day, Rong Jian got into fights in the imperial capital, beating the Minister's son until he wailed. The very next day, a memorial impeaching her was placed on the emperor's desk.

Rong Jian didn't mind. That was exactly the result she wanted.

At night, she made another grand entrance at a male courtesan house called Chu Lou, determined to choose a husband for herself. Through her drunken haze, she could only see that the courtesan before her had red lips, white teeth, and an elegant bearing like an immortal descended from the heavens in a storybook.

Charmed by his beauty, Rong Jian spent a passionate night with him. Afterward, she said, "Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for you."

Outside, her half-sister, who had always found her an eyesore, had already gotten word and summoned the Imperial City Guard to catch them in the act. The moment the door was burst open, Rong Jian waved a hand and said, "Go back to the palace and report that the Rong family's legitimate daughter is debauched and unfit to be considered as a crown princess."

But the Imperial City Guard did not budge. They intended to seize her lover, until they came before the man and were scared out of their wits, crying, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince!"

Rong Jian was dumbfounded. He was Crown Prince Xie Xuanmin!

This was bad! She'd made trouble with the very person at the center of it!

The Imperial City Guard, still kneeling and silent, exchanged glances. What kind of bizarre couple had they encountered? One went to a brothel to pick a husband, and the other had disguised himself as a male courtesan?

Xie Xuanmin had unexpectedly been reborn. In his previous life, he had been a cannon-fodder prince who died young. Fortunately, a young woman had saved him. After searching and investigating extensively, he learned that she was the legitimate daughter of General Rong's household.

So he devised a scheme about her being born with the destiny of a phoenix to bring her back.

Watching her make trouble everywhere, Xie Xuanmin smiled indulgently. "My woman can do whatever she likes!"

But then a servant came to report, "Your Highness, the Crown Princess has gone to the male courtesan house, Chu Lou."

Xie Xuanmin's face darkened. He rushed over without stopping, only to find the young woman with flushed cheeks from drinking. As she swayed unsteadily, she pinned him against the wall. "Where did this heavenly immortal come from? How about I save you from the mortal world?"

Xie Xuanmin bit her earlobe and replied slyly, "All right."

Years later, Xie Xuanmin ascended the throne. He left the imperial harem empty, but many ministers petitioned for him to take consorts. Xie Xuanmin tossed their memorials aside and snapped, "I can't even handle my empress! She alone is my entire harem! If you're capable, go bring the empress into the palace yourselves!"

Later, the ministers really did kneel outside the General's residence. Beneath the blazing sun, an old official sighed, "They're the ones arguing, but we're the ones who suffer."

Another cut him off. "Every word and deed of the empress affects the fate of the nation. Haven't you seen how the emperor does everything she says?"

The old official coughed twice and sighed even more heavily. "This is a disgrace to our Great Jing..."

Theme: Stay strong and live. Take charge of your own life in this world!