The Sickly Princess's Octopus Strategist

[Sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, seemingly foolish beauty x calculating, decisive, truly ambitious princess]

1.

After working nonstop, business powerhouse Xuan Yushu transmigrates, but something is clearly off. People in books always transmigrate into human bodies, so why has she become a poisonous pink octopus?!

One day, she docks to watch the commotion and sees a group of people fighting. A woman on the shore swings her blade, taking on dozens at once!

As Xuan Yushu watches, completely absorbed, a wave suddenly sweeps her onto the sand. Before she can even wriggle free, a bloodied sword lifts her up from the ground.

Xuan Yushu desperately spreads all eight of her arms, afraid the masked woman might accidentally cut off the octopus body she has only just learned to control.

Who would have thought that after the woman takes her home and drops her into the kitchen sink, she would get ready to cook her?!

Just as the cleaver is about to fall, Xuan Yushu thinks her pathetic life is over. In a panic, she suddenly turns human and lands, dripping wet, on the chopping board.

"Um... I'm poisonous. You can't eat me."

"A monster..." The woman who was about to eat her is so shocked that her eyes roll back and she faints.

"Hey? Wake up!"

2.

Xuan Yushu unexpectedly discovers that she can talk to every creature in the water. Putting her business acumen to work, she sells ornamental fish throughout the marketplaces and uses them to start an information trade, making a fortune.

From secret dealings between officials and merchants to trivial family gossip, hardly any news can escape her network of informant fish.

But a small town limits what she can accomplish, so she immediately heads for the Imperial City. The secrets of the wealthy and powerful are worth far more than anything here.

Just after arriving in the Imperial City, she happens to run into the sixth princess, Rong Ningsong, on the main street.

Rumor has it that the sixth princess is clever and refined, but her health is poor. She always needs someone to support and look after her, lest a single fall prove fatal.

But... isn't this pale, frail princess right in front of her the very same swordswoman Nansu, who cut people down without hesitation?

A princess?! Rong Ningsong?!

No wonder she flirted with Xuan Yushu and then disappeared without a word. She was a princess all along...

But it seems Xuan Yushu has stumbled upon the most valuable secret yet! What a bargaining chip for a big deal!!!

3.

By a twist of fate, Xuan Yushu's plan to become the richest person in the land falls through, and she becomes Rong Ningsong's strategist instead.

She's a natural at business, and vying for power... maybe it's not all that different after all?

The Imperial City is full of deceit and intrigue, and Xuan Yushu is fed up with it. She acts like a fool on the surface, but behind the scenes, she combines her business savvy with her information network. Together, she and Rong Ningsong work in perfect tandem, both at court and behind the scenes, and she becomes a proper strategist.

Xuan Yushu may not know much about political schemes, but she has a rare talent: she's poisonous!

Her imperial brother gets snide? Poison him!

Her imperial sister tries to seize power? Poison her too!

A censor spreads rumors that the princess is immoral? Poison him! Poison them all!!!

Someone plots against the princess? So what if they can't find evidence?

She raises a little tentacle and slips in a hefty dose!!!

Looking at her political enemy, eyes rolled back after being poisoned, Rong Ningsong can't help saying, "My strategist really is vicious."

Xuan Yushu has no way to explain. She's been pushed into the job, and even protecting her mistress earns her a reputation for cruelty. She'll have to find a way to run away.

But after repeatedly dodging political storms and eliminating treacherous officials, people are bound to take notice of her.

Xuan Yushu doesn't manage to escape, Rong Ningsong's deception about being ill and her deceit of the emperor nearly come to light, and the assassins turn their attention to Xuan Yushu. She is so frightened she can't even close her eyes.

Xuan Yushu hides in the lotus pond several times to escape danger, but every time, Rong Ningsong resolves everything and then fishes her out from beneath the same lotus leaf.

But with the assassinations never letting up, Xuan Yushu is sick of hiding underwater like a fish. In a rather audacious move, she climbs into Rong Ningsong's bed.

By the side of this highly skilled woman, she can always sleep more soundly.

Rong Ningsong opens her arms and comforts her. "Don't be afraid. I'm here. No blade can pierce your flesh."

The mood feels a little strange. Xuan Yushu's eyes dart around, and she immediately plays along. "Then in return, I'll stay by your side and protect your back, Princess."

Instead of a kind reply from Rong Ningsong, she gets called a "fool."

At some point, Xuan Yushu gives up on her idea of just lying flat and making the best of things.

She wants to use everything she has learned in her life to support this ambitious princess, who has always kept the people in her heart, and help her ascend to the position she is meant to hold.

As they spend their days and nights together, Xuan Yushu gradually uncovers the truth behind her transformation into an octopus.

Two equally matched leads | Love grows over time | Devoted to one another

[Entering a tangled struggle, sacrificing oneself to win the heart]

[Lighthearted little skit]

[Xuan Yushu]: "Princess, would you like a special dish for dinner tonight?"

[Rong Ningsong]: "Mm. Octopus."

[Xuan Yushu]: "Then... you can only have a little taste..."

[Rong Ningsong]: "All right~"

(A little taste? No! One bite after another~)

[Before you read]

1. The story is entirely fictional, with plenty of original worldbuilding and a touch of fantasy. It will be woven into the story, not explained at length.

2. Two equally matched leads, one-on-one, happy ending.

3. A small ensemble cast, with more than one couple. Important characters will get plenty of attention.

4. The plot and romance progress together, with the occasional sweet everyday scene between major events.

Theme: In a difficult situation, keep moving forward against the odds.