The Ballad of Bright Jade

My new novel, *After My Nemesis Ascended the Throne*, is complete. Come check it out! The Crown Prince ascended the throne, and the chief minister fell from power. Rong Xuan was implicated as an ally of the treacherous minister and thrown into prison. She had disguised herself as a man and served as an official for years. Though her reputation was in tatters, she had genuinely enjoyed several years of luxury and splendor. She could only console herself that she had no regrets, even in death. Unexpectedly, in the quiet imperial prison, the new emperor, Qi Han, coldly offered her two choices: A cup of poisoned wine, or a place in the palace as a consort. She was startled for a moment, then chose the second option without hesitation. She had almost forgotten that her looks could still save her life. The new emperor bestowed on her the identity of the Third Miss of the Ningyuan Earl's Residence and kept her confined in the imperial harem. He wanted her to learn music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literature, but disliked her scheming and using underhanded tactics even more than he disliked her associating with her former colleagues. She did as she was told, counting the rewards and stipend the emperor gave her each month. She was happy to play the part of his ideal romance and turn herself into the woman he wanted. When the emperor's childhood sweetheart, the widely favored choice for empress, returned to the capital, Rong Xuan had saved enough money and decided it was time to bow out. After one escape, the imperial harem remained without an empress for three years. In a corner of Jiangnan, a capable official appeared in Changzhou Prefecture, implementing the court's new taxes and earning the prefect's deep trust. The prefect's second son said amiably to the jade-like young gentleman, “A distinguished guest is coming. Do go and meet them.” Rong Xuan replied lazily, “I'm exhausted.” The second son knew her temperament well and said helplessly, “One hundred taels of silver.” “Now that's tempting.” The moment her eyes met those of the distinguished guest in the front hall, one thought crossed Rong Xuan's mind: Even for a thousand taels of silver, I shouldn't have come. But the prefect cherished talent and was eager to recommend her. “Changjin, hurry and pay your respects to His Majesty.” The emperor, traveling incognito, gave nothing away. He merely tapped the table, and at once his hidden guards surrounded the residence, leaving no way in or out. From the male lead's perspective His Highness the Crown Prince was born to wealth and privilege, and there had long been someone in his heart. Unfortunately, she never knew. Reader's guide 1. Both leads are sexually inexperienced, so no need to say more. 2. The heroine is not a meek, doting wife. She respects herself and won't stay in the harem forever. Please read at least a few chapters before commenting. Please! 3. Neither lead is perfect. The hero has no idealized first love; he's had a secret crush on the heroine from the start. His love becomes something he can proudly offer her later. If you've read the complete official version and still disagree, feel free to yell at the author. Heart! *After My Nemesis Ascended the Throne* is complete. Come check it out! The Eastern Palace was abolished, and the Prince of Yan ascended the throne. In an instant, the entire court was turned upside down. The officials bowed their heads, speculating about how the new emperor would deal with the former Eastern Palace's followers, especially Gu Ningxi, the exceptionally talented second son of the Gu family. Gu Ningxi had been a confidant of the deposed Crown Prince. And when the emperor had been exiled to Jizhou, the imperial edict had been written in Gu Ningxi's own hand, back when he was a Hanlin Academy compiler. In the imperial study, Gu Ningxi came at the emperor's summons to lecture him on the classics and histories. The emperor, now firmly in power, showed no emotion. “Lord Gu, how have you been?” Gu Ningxi bowed with perfect decorum, neither servile nor arrogant. “Well.” Lu Jing chuckled. Three years had passed, but she hadn't changed her disposition in the slightest. The Gu family was an illustrious clan with generations of distinguished officials. But because they had once supported the deposed Crown Prince, they were treated coldly under the new dynasty. The Gu family descendants trod carefully at court. After discussing it as a family, they decided to sacrifice Gu Ningxi, their pawn, to soothe the emperor's anger and show that the Gu family was willing to submit. Her father coldly informed her of the family's decision. Even her mother, the only one who truly loved her, could only comfort her in private. “It'll only be a death on paper. Once the time comes, we'll restore you to your identity as a woman and bring you home. Then we'll find you a good match.” She said nothing and shut herself in her room for three whole days. At sunrise, just as when the Gu family had sent her to serve as the Crown Prince's companion, she had no say in her own fate. When Lord Gu requested an audience, the chief steward of Zichen Hall came out in person to greet her. “Lord Gu, please.” The door to the imperial study closed behind her. Gu Ningxi knelt in the hall and made her request. “I wish to remain in court.” The young emperor looked down at her from above. Beneath her crimson official robes, her jade belt outlined a slender waist, scarcely an arm's breadth around. “What, then? Are you leaving everything else for Me to decide?” From the male lead's perspective “Whoever I set my sights on belongs to Me.” “If she wants power, I can give her all of it.” In the end, the emperor joked with his friend, “I'm nothing but the Empress's Great General Who Conquers the North.” Theme: Even in adversity, keep striving to live and learn to love yourself.