Zhaolie Chan Yin

On her fifteenth birthday, the eldest princess burst out from behind Chongji Temple on horseback, bow drawn, cutting through the wind. Dressed in splendid riding clothes, she looked every bit the hero.

Her arrow landed beside the sickly young man who was drying medicinal herbs in the garden behind the temple.

With a bright smile, she declared, proud and playful: "I am Liang Suyin, princess of the Great Qi Dynasty. Sickling, remember that!"

The sickly young man picked up the arrow, gently wiped it clean, and replied with a lazy, dismissive smile: "I will."

By the time they met again, they had become friends. The sickly young man and Liang Suyin's Crown Prince brother had anonymously coauthored The Art of War and Statecraft.

The book became a sensation among scholars throughout the land, and copies were soon worth their weight in gold in Chang'an.

But the three of them spent their days riding and shooting arrows behind Chongji Temple, writing books and debating, and making wild pronouncements about state affairs.

They galloped through flowerbeds of medicinal herbs and drank and sang together, never even inviting the moon. What carefree days!

Later, snow fell thickly over a covered bridge and pavilion. Liang Suyin, wearing only her underclothes, stood with a face cold as frost and a curved blade in hand. Staring at the newly appointed Crown Prince's Tutor, Yan Ziyin, dressed in immaculate robes, she cut off her sleeve and ended their friendship.

"I once loved you, respected you, and held you dear. But if we meet again, I will kill you."

At last, in the bitter wind, the sickly young man was in Chengqian Palace, grinding fresh ink and replacing the vermilion brush.

His tone seemed resigned.

"Your Majesty, the fresh ink is ready, and the old brush has been replaced."

The empress, who had been resting on the couch, rubbed her brow and rose with composure.

Reader's guide:

One-on-one romance, both leads' first time.

The growth story of a princess.

She seems lively, innocent, and timid, but is actually a peerless strategist who plans every move and is ruthless when needed.

Versus

He seems cruel and heartless, but is actually a devoted, calculating, and darkly cunning charmer.

Theme: Build something great, pursue your ambitions, and save yourself.