Synopsis
Also known as "Deceiving the Emperor: A Match Made in Ten Miles of Red" and "The Emperor's Sweet Secretary"
(The protagonist appeared as a young character in the author's Changsheng~)
[Setup: A forgetful, mischievous oddball x a cold, devoted master of double standards]
Chang Ling sets out for the palace on a mission to save her seriously ill father. She never expects to rise rapidly through the ranks. The man in Ningxin Hall personally picks her from the roster, naming her as the one he wants.
You think she's a palace consort? A high-ranking court official? No, no, no... This is a position uniquely suited to gathering intelligence.
"She disguises herself as a man and becomes a eunuch, Chang Ling becomes Chang Lin, a refugee becomes a small farmer, she secretly leaks information about the emperor, and she's conspiring with both the former dynasty and a sect..."
"I'm done for! I've stacked every possible charge of deceiving the emperor!" (Any one of the above would be enough to get her killed eight hundred times.)
War rages on, and the various factions gather. The Xie family, unrivaled for a hundred years, still falls from power.
Her brows tremble in the night, her beauty fades in fear; the mountains and rivers bend beneath her might, her spirit breaks through autumn.
The founding era brings prosperity and peace, but after ten years of strife, a new emperor finally takes the throne.
But... where some rejoice, others grieve.
Chang Ling follows her father as they flee the war from place to place. But with him gravely ill, she has no choice but to make a desperate gamble and seek help wherever she can.
She never expected that life would be so unpredictable, or that this "door" would lead to such a bad lot.
He dreams of restoring the former dynasty, but doesn't dare take any real action. To save her father, she has no choice but to sign an agreement...
To learn everything about the new emperor and infiltrate his inner circle, they assign her a position where one wrong move could cost her head. Not a palace consort, not a court official, but a eunuch.
No, a "Special Attendant for His Majesty's Household Affairs."
Well, at least she gets to stand right beside the emperor. That's a pretty high-ranking position!
And so, on the very first day Lian Rongcheng takes the throne, Chang Ling is standing beside him.
As the ministers bow before the emperor, Chang Ling joins in, amazed.
"What a view. This is a great spot!"
But with a new nation and a new administration, the emperor is busy around the clock, and Chang Ling has to keep up with him... "I'm going to get dark circles!"
She also has to help him dress, serve his meals, and handle his paperwork...
Chang Ling: But what can I do? I'm talented, good at everything, careful and considerate, smooth and clever. No wonder I've climbed so quickly!
I believe ability can convince anyone! I'll keep this secret for the rest of my life! I'll keep rising for the rest of my life!
↑ ↑ ↑
(No talent) (Saw through her at first glance) (You call that a high-ranking position?)
And if all else fails... she can make her way in the jianghu, where she's an expert in poetry, books, writing, and composition?
Chang Ling: I'm the world's greatest "jack-of-all-trades." With all my secret identities, I can roam the palace freely and keep everything under control. I'll either go down in history or be reviled for all time.
But after she really gets mixed up in the murky waters of court politics, Chang Ling cries out: Why is it called deceiving the emperor when I do it, but everyone else just has a secret identity?!
The first time Lian Rongcheng and Chang Ling meet.
Chang Ling and her father stand in the wind outside Lian Rongcheng's Huadong Courtyard, completely lost. "Just give us something to eat, and we'll do anything you want."
The second time Lian Rongcheng and Chang Ling meet.
Chang Ling sits primly in front of Lian Rongcheng, gazing at him solemnly. "They want to arrest you, but they're bad people... so you must be a good person!" Then she immediately gets up to check his wounds.
Lian Rongcheng looks at the familiar face before him and asks quietly, "You don't recognize me?"
Chang Ling is already annoyed. Here comes another guy trying to hit on a pretty girl. Can't he think of a more interesting way to start a conversation? "Shut up! You'll split your wound open if you keep talking!"
Lian Rongcheng falls silent.
Chang Ling realizes belatedly.
"Who are you?"
The third time Lian Rongcheng and Chang Ling meet.
"Your Majesty, when are you going to sleep?"
"Are you tired?"
"I wouldn't dare."
"Then bring me some more brushes and ink."
"Zzz..."
"?..."
Lian Rongcheng is the sovereign of a nation, clad in imperial yellow and surrounded by endless splendor. At the age of twenty, he stands at the height of his glory.
Chang Ling disguises herself as a man and "infiltrates" the emperor's side, convinced she's the world's greatest "jack-of-all-trades."
Zhang Yunchu is a fierce commander who once won against overwhelming odds, capturing multiple economic strongholds and the capital.
Lin Fei is a bold, battle-hungry female general who once led fifty thousand elite soldiers to capture more than ten fortresses.
Xiao Fuzi, Jiang Fuyan, Su Zhengzhen, Huang Yongtang, and the rest... anyone who can hold their own in the court or palace is no pushover.
"Your Majesty, between Chang Ling and A Cheng, let me say this: I'll be waiting for the day your reign brings peace and prosperity."
He is the exalted Son of Heaven, yet his ordinary desires, sunk in the mortal world, are everywhere to be found.
Notes: Enter at your own risk if you have dealbreakers!!!
1. This is a fictional ancient setting. It may combine elements from several real-life dynasties, and the mix may not always work. Please forgive any plot holes...
2. The author has limited experience, and may quote real poems or lines to express an idea. If that bothers you, feel free to move along!!!
(The author writes a little poetry too. Don't overthink it; I haven't checked the tonal patterns, so just focus on the words.)
3. One-on-one romance, both leads have no prior partners, and the ending is happy. Everything in the setup serves the story!
4. My heartfelt thanks to the friends and companions who've been with me along the way:
A Zheng, Steward He, Maomao Mu, Maomao Chen, Gou, Rui Rui, the Bookish Scholar, and so many others. Thank you!
5. If you like it, please leave a comment and add it to your favorites!
Theme: If you make it big, don't forget those who helped you along the way (Don't forget the dogs, and don't make it big)
