Rouged Lips

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The whole story has been revised. Thank you for your patience and encouragement! Starting Sunday, October 27, the story will go behind a paywall from Chapter 24 onward. My next novel will be A Star Drifting Back as the Milky Way Turns at Night. If you're interested, please check it out in my author profile. Thanks again~

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Shen Anning was born on the border. The only daughter of the Marquis of Zhenbei, she trained under the Seven Generals of Pingchuan. Her skill with the returning spear even surpassed her teachers', and she had been fighting on the battlefield since childhood. Then, half a year ago, the Jiang Kingdom and the Qi Kingdom agreed to a truce for the first time in nearly a century. With the Emperor's birthday approaching, an imperial decree arrived from Luojing, ordering the military families stationed at the border to return to the capital to celebrate.

By the time the decree reached the border, Shen Anning had already guessed most of the story. The Emperor was over fifty, the Shao and Lu clans dominated the court, and the Eastern Palace stood empty. Her father commanded an army. This was her first trip to the capital, and it would probably be her last...

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Fang Jinghuai was the prince the Emperor least wanted to mention. Poisoned as a child and frail in health, he rarely showed himself in public. He spent his days clutching a painting, longing only to escape the imperial city that had imprisoned his mother for her entire life.

When the Marquis of Zhenbei, long stationed at the border, entered the capital with his family, the Emperor summoned him. Fang Jinghuai seized the opportunity to strike a deal with his father, in exchange for the freedom he desired.

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"There is no sorrow greater than parting from someone you love, no joy greater than meeting someone new. Fate has brought us together. My surname is Fang, and I'm the ninth child in my family. Everyone calls me Xiao Jiu. Since I'm fortunate enough to meet you two, and the proprietor has just sent over a jar of fine wine, would you care to share a drink with me, Young Master?" Fang Xiaojiu tilted his head to glance at Shen Anning and smiled.

Shen Anning looked him over. "Do you often go to Changle House, Young Master? You were quick to help that young lady just now. Are you old acquaintances?"

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Later, the entire Shen family was imprisoned for treason. Fang Jinghuai gave up the freedom he had already won to save Shen Anning.

After escaping death, Shen Anning refused to let her parents suffer an unjust accusation. She stayed in Luojing, waiting for an opportunity. Then the Qi Kingdom launched another war...

Note:

This is an alternate history. I've borrowed a little from Tang dynasty officialdom and clothing, but made up quite a lot. I'll explain anything else in the author's notes as it comes up.

Theme: Take control of your own fate.