The Princess Is Forced to Be Beautiful, Strong, and Tragic (Women Dominate)

Reason for entering the contest:

As the only daughter of a marquis's household, the heroine suffers humiliation and loses loved ones before seeing the world clearly. She realizes that only by becoming strong herself can she protect others. So she works hard, earns military honors, secures an official post, and builds up her power. In the end, she defeats the villains and smoothly takes over the marquis's household, becoming a powerful minister.

Synopsis:

All Zhao Feiyuan ever wanted was to live a peaceful, comfortable, ordinary life.

But as the only daughter of the Northern Frontier Marquis's household, she was never destined to get her wish.

Her gentle, refined father was forced to die after being framed. Her dearest friend, who fought on the battlefield, perished in a feud between two factions. Her childhood friend was willing to enter the imperial mausoleum to save her...

She was pushed ever upward, every step soaked in blood.

In the end, the only one who stayed by her side was the little monk she had once tricked with a baozi. He was deeply devoted to her.

But the little monk wouldn't admit it. He only said, "My master says Buddha's light protects me and good fortune follows me. The world says you're a jinx, bringing misfortune to everyone, yourself included."

"I just want to see which one is stronger."

Cover art credited to @Lu Yiyi

Theme: Walk through the muddy mire in white robes, down the madman's alley.