The moment she opened her eyes, college student Ye Zhaixing was bewildered to discover that she had not only transmigrated to a dynasty that didn't exist in history, becoming the Qingzhou military governor's "only son" while disguised as a man, but had also arrived in the middle of negotiations.
A soldier with a knife stood before her, grinning viciously. Behind her was a subordinate whose loyalties were unclear. Everyone was waiting for her answer. Just as she considered whether she should bash her head in and see if she could transmigrate back, a warm, jade-like voice rang out in her mind like heavenly music.
A System cheat, just like every transmigration story needs?
Then Ye Zhaixing was astonished to discover that the legendary figure at her side was none other than Li Shimin, Emperor Taizong of Tang.
That made the choice easy.
Whether as a general, a commander, a ruler, or an emperor, Ye Zhaixing would plan before she acted, learning the so-called art of ruling and commanding from Li Shimin. Unifying the land amid the chaos no longer seemed so difficult.
Shape my bones and blood, forge my greatness. I shall inherit the throne as an empress in a time of chaos and usher in a century of peace.
The seventh year of Guanghe, an age of great turmoil.
The emperor lounged among beautiful women and paid no mind to state affairs. The regional military governors plotted to carve out territories for themselves, while their private armies grew arrogant and hid the truth from their superiors.
To the west, a massive rebel army marched across the south. To the east, military governors wreaked havoc and plundered the north. This was the most turbulent year of Great Chu, and the year college student Ye Zhaixing stumbled into the past.
Ye Zhaixing, who had come from a later age, had never had any great ambitions. She only wanted to stay alive.
Then she wanted to climb high and gaze out at the lights in every home.
"What do you wish for?"
"I want to stay alive."
"And now? Has that changed?"
"I want the elderly to live long, children to laugh and play, and women to live in peace. I want more people to survive."
"I want to put an end to this age of chaos."
Ye Zhaixing, who had ascended the throne as emperor despite being a woman, gazed at the vast land and smiled as she answered Li Shimin.
Reader's guide:
1. The setting borrows from the late Tang, but is very loosely based on it, with many original elements. Please don't nitpick historical details.
2. The female lead disguises herself as a man early on, but will reveal her identity as a woman midway through.
3. The relationship between the female lead and Li Shimin is a father-daughter bond. The female lead has an official love interest, and it's a one-on-one romance.
4. Both the female lead and Li Shimin are main characters, and Li Shimin will have plenty of scenes.
5. The female lead won't be conquering everything from the start. Her mindset and abilities will take time to change, but it won't take long.
Theme: Climb high and gaze out at the lights in every home.
