When Autumn Plays Go

[A writing exercise. I’ll update when inspiration strikes, but I won’t abandon it.]

[Preparing my next novel, The Starry River Filled That Long Summer. Please add it to your favorites!]

Synopsis of Autumn’s Gambit:

A stunning, sweet-on-the-outside, ruthless-within princess from a neighboring kingdom vs. a cold-faced, scheming heir

Two strong leads | Political intrigue and household power struggles | Faked death and substitute | Happy ending

Qiu Yunjian, princess of Beidi, came to Dayong to marry for political reasons.

But she ran into bandits on the way and nearly died.

She was lucky to escape death, and should have been grateful. But as soon as she woke, a man seized her by the throat, his eyes as deep and cold as a shadowy pool:

"Qiu Yunjian is dead. From today on, you are my cousin, Ning Ruotang!"

She knew the man's reputation: Nan Xuanche, heir to the Duke of Zhenguo in Dayong. He commanded a powerful army, guarded the imperial city, and was aloof and proud.

She also knew that the deceased Ning Ruotang had been chosen by the emperor of Dayong to become the crown prince's consort.

With every word, Nan Xuanche shackled her, locking her away in this unfathomably deep and wealthy household. He intended to use her as a stand-in, a human shield to protect the Nan family's honor, and a pawn to avenge his cousin's family.

But she refused to be a pawn. She planned every step carefully, all to escape this perilous cage.

One day, Qiu Yunjian disguised herself and fled. Freedom seemed within reach, but outside the city gate, the thunder of hooves shattered the silence.

She turned around. Amid the black-armored cavalry, Nan Xuanche sat astride his horse, his gaze unfathomable. He simply watched her and said, "I chose to keep you here, so there is no way I’ll let you leave!"

With no other choice, she made a wager with him: "I’ll help you clear the old case, and you’ll give me back my freedom."

At the time, he agreed readily: "Deal!"

*

Nan Xuanche had thought it was nothing more than a transaction. His hand had never wavered as he moved the pieces on the board.

But on the day the truth of the old case came to light, he escorted her away. In the shadows where she could not see him, his fingertips trembled, and the last traces of calm in his eyes quietly shattered.

Only then did he realize that he could calculate everything, except for his own heart.

(The male lead really did grab her by the throat, but he’s actually a good guy.)

Coming soon: The Starry River Filled That Long Summer | Political intrigue | Strong leads | Woman disguised as a man

A resourceful, fallen noblewoman x a brilliant but tragic young county magistrate (later a first-rank grand secretary)

Synopsis:

In the third year of the Yan Shun reign of Great Qi, the court witnessed an unusual novelty:

A new deputy director joined the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, a handsome young man with refined features. Everyone said she had the Star of Literature's blessing.

When the border was in crisis, she used a clever solution, and victory reports came one after another.

When the emperor had no sons, she made a quick calculation, and a consort became pregnant.

She predicted a disaster that year, and the whole country prepared, keeping the realm at peace and its people safe.

And that wasn't all.

She had even advised the grand secretary.

In just a few years, the grand secretary had risen from a sixth-rank county magistrate to the highest position in the court.

When the officials heard about it, they rushed to her residence to "learn from her."

At the gate, they happened to encounter the carriage of Fu Jiangqiu, the grand secretary.

Lord Fu stepped down, straightened his clothes, then set out a mounting stool. He reached into the carriage and said gently, "Careful where you step, my lady."

The officials were puzzled. Lord Fu, as bright as the moon and austere, a man of astonishing talent, had never shown interest in women. When had he married? And how could they be so affectionate? Did this mean all the eligible noblewomen in the capital had lost their chance?

The carriage curtains lifted. A woman of graceful, otherworldly beauty, with jade-white cheeks and cherry-red lips, leaned out. She placed her hand in the grand secretary's palm and stepped lightly down from the carriage.

The crowd marveled at her beauty, then gradually realized: why did the grand secretary's wife look exactly like the deputy director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau?

They understood at once.

No one knew that Fu Jiangqiu, now a master of life and death who commanded the court with brilliant strategy, had once been utterly indifferent to the world and held no hopes for his career.

Who could have imagined that after meeting his wife, Shen Linxi, he would rise to the heights of power and dominate the court?

Because they met that long summer, the starry river became boundless, and the land and its people found peace.

[Historical | Serious drama | Political intrigue | Woman disguised as a man]

(Synopsis saved.)

Theme: Better to break than bend, steadfast and unyielding.