I Only Want to Be a Foolish Emperor

Lu Tingshuang transmigrated as the foolish little emperor who was "famous throughout history."

In the twelfth year of the Jing Dynasty, powerful enemies surrounded the realm from outside, while treacherous officials held sway within. Facing the ill-intentioned gaze of the regent empress dowager, she decisively chose to lie flat.

By her calculations, the Jing Dynasty was only a few years away from its downfall. Why not spend the time left indulging herself and playing the part of a foolish ruler?

But an obstacle got in the way of her carefree life, sending it off in a different direction.

A female official of ethereal beauty and willow-like grace stood firm in court and launched into a blistering scolding of the foolish emperor. Every word was incisive, and she showed no fear, leaving the assembled officials stunned.

Lu Tingshuang gazed at those crimson, exquisite lips as they moved, and at that face, cool and radiant as frost. Her heart fluttered...

But before the female official could finish speaking, the enraged regent empress dowager ordered her execution.

Lust emboldened Lu Tingshuang, and she hurriedly said, "Wait! Leave that beauty for me!"

They said that Su Jian, whose beauty and grace were unrivaled in the capital, had caught the foolish emperor's eye and been forced into the imperial harem to serve him night after night. From then on, the Kunyin Palace was filled with warm spring nights, tangled red bedcovers, and swaying curtains...

But the emperor, who should have had a beauty in her arms, was instead lectured on the Way of Rulership and made to study. She rose earlier than a chicken and went to bed later than a dog.

Watching herself drift farther and farther from the life of a carefree slacker, Lu Tingshuang nestled against her empress's shoulder and complained.

"Empress, you want me to become a wise and benevolent ruler. That's too hard."

"Your Majesty, if you don't finish reviewing today's memorials, I'll move back to Qixiu Palace tonight."

Su Jian hated this court, with all its scheming and power struggles, and especially the incompetent, foolish emperor.

The empire was on the brink of collapse, yet "he" stayed tucked away in the palace, feeding fish, teasing cats, and swinging on a swing...

Su Jian spoke passionately, but one imperial decree made her one of the three thousand beauties in the foolish emperor's harem. Furious and despairing, she swore to kill the emperor on the night she was summoned to his bed.

The candlelight flickered. A cold gleam flashed as a sharp blade slipped from her sleeve...

But before she could act, the foolish emperor flopped onto the bed and waved at her. "I'll sleep in the bed. You take the couch."

Seeing the emperor's flushed face, Su Jian understood. The foolish emperor had plenty of lust but no courage, and was a coward at heart.

But even a coward could have his brave moments. One sentence, "Protect the country and keep our home safe. Only then can we love each other better," set her on the path to becoming an empress who would outwit and outfight her rivals.

Dressed in her phoenix robe, Su Jian watched Lu Tingshuang ascend step by step to the throne, crowned with glory.

She leaned gently into her arms. "The couch is cold. I want to sleep in the bed."

The emperor and empress face every hardship together, and vow to bring peace and prosperity to the realm for a lifetime.

This is a story about winning both the realm and the woman you love.

Reader's guide:

Marriage before love, a fake forced romance, and a woman forced to live as a man.

The protagonist is the pursuer, and the younger lead is seven years younger.

Theme: Study to help your country rise.