The history books say that the Empress of Ding'an excelled in civil and military affairs, carried on the prosperous Yongchu era, and ushered in another golden age, when all corners of the great Sheng Empire paid tribute to her court.
Even before her accession, she was already the most powerful Crown Princess in history.
But the officials did not know that Her Majesty had simply been thrust into the role.
What could she do, with a mother who loved to play and an empress who spoiled her wife without limits?
Emperor Yongchu abdicated at forty, and Shen Luo was forced to inherit the throne.
Everyone said that Her Majesty was as ruthless and decisive as Emperor Yongchu.
But Gu Ning knew that Her Majesty was simply a little foodie who could be won over with a single delicious meal.
After Shen Luo ascended the throne, however, the military generals of the previous court retired one after another, while the civil officials vied to retreat into seclusion.
Looking over the court, Shen Luo found barely a handful of useful ministers.
The elderly officials tendered their resignations, and Shen Luo had no choice but to accept them.
The middle-aged officials each had their own agendas. Some opposed a woman ruling as emperor, some wanted to restore the former Yuwen dynasty, and others wanted to abolish the imperial examinations.
To top it all off, the northern tribes declared that they would march straight for Tianzhao City.
Her mother said that the best way to deal with anyone who refused to submit was to defeat them with force first, then reason with them.
Shen Luo thought that made perfect sense. Anyone who interrupted her while she was experimenting with food could not be a good person.
Ever since Gu Ning first saw the girl with the candied hawthorn skewer as a child, she had wanted to protect her.
Her grandmother told her that the girl was the Crown Princess, Shen Luo, the person Gu Ning was meant to protect.
Gu Ning loved how the Crown Princess would rest her head on the table after reading and say she wanted to go out and play.
She also loved how the Crown Princess would take her hand and pout, saying she wanted pastries from outside the palace.
Most of all, she loved how the Crown Princess would call her Ningning in her sleep.
Most importantly, whether before or after ascending the throne, Shen Luo always trusted her.
She said, “The officials all say the Gu family wields great power and commands the army, so we might rebel. But I trust you, Ningning.”
From then on, the gun in Gu Ning's hand had one more purpose: protecting her.
Shen Luo said she hoped the borders would be peaceful and that the great Sheng Empire could trade peacefully with the nations of the Western Regions.
So Gu Ning used the gun in her hand to help make that wish come true.
People say that in the great Sheng Empire, empresses have traditionally come from military families.
Her Majesty merely smiled. Her general empress was nowhere near as eloquent as her mother.
General Gu was terribly clumsy, but in a very endearing way. That is, as long as she stayed out of the kitchen.
Theme: Treat others with understanding, and they will respond in kind.
My Adoptive Sister as My Wife
After I Seduced and Abandoned the Master of the Joyful Union Sect
The Aloof Immortal Venerable Became a Soft, Delicate O After Dying in Battle
The Eldest Senior Sister Is Too Frail to Care for Herself
The Little Empress Keeps Getting Caught Slacking in the Harem
The Lonely Task Taker Keeps Trying to Date Me
The World-Destroying Goddess Shows Up with a Child and Demands I Take Responsibility
I Heard My Soul Had Dispersed
After Falling from the Sky, I Was Adopted by Humans
My Master Only Wants to Be a Slacker
The Empress Always Rejects Me
Lip and Teeth, Interdependent