The Empress Dowager Is Her Ex-Girlfriend

Also known as: How to Raise an Empress

Xie Wenran and Jiang Wanzhi

A free-spirited court official and a scheming, seductive Empress Dowager

Xie Wenran conceals her identity as she wanders the jianghu, experiencing the local customs and people's lives firsthand.

When she hears that the current emperor insists on marrying the sole daughter of the Grand Tutor, a woman said to possess the destined phoenix fate, Xie Wenran scoffs.

What destined phoenix fate? It was clearly a lie the old emperor made up to win the support of his officials for his young, motherless crown prince.

Sure enough, less than a year later, the old emperor dies, and his young son ascends the throne.

The empress becomes the Empress Dowager.

Jiang Wanzhi can't be bothered to spend her efforts helping a young emperor who, despite his tender age, is already showing signs of debauching the court.

Using a pilgrimage to a Buddhist temple as an excuse, Jiang Wanzhi transforms into a wealthy young lady and begins traveling from place to place, observing the people's lives.

Meeting Xie Wenran was the last thing she expected.

Xie Wenran doesn't know her, but she knows Xie Wenran.

She is the current emperor's paternal aunt, the late emperor's youngest sister.

The Huai'an Princess, who, according to legend, was born frail and sent to Jiangnan to be raised.

Traveling the world, upholding justice, and making a like-minded friend such as Jiang Wanzhi along the way: Xie Wenran thinks this life is wonderfully carefree.

But she never expected one wild night to happen.

When she wakes the next morning, her friend, with whom she had shared an intimate night, has left without a word.

All she leaves behind is a letter.

It reads: My father arranged my marriage long ago. Among this year's top candidates in the imperial examinations, one of them is sure to be my future husband.

Xie Wenran clutches the letter, feeling her heart shatter.

But three days later, the current emperor announces that this year, women will be allowed to take the imperial examinations on a trial basis.

The whole country is in an uproar.

A fast horse races toward the capital. Xie Wenran thinks that if she can't take first place in the exams, she doesn't deserve to be called a person!

Theme: Optimism and positivity