The Salted-Fish Girl's Every Word Is a Gem

[Upcoming in my column: Claim the Throne, Starting as the Last Emperor. If you're interested, please tap the star to show your support!]

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Blurb:

After working herself to the bone in her previous life, Ye Liantang only wanted to lie flat and enjoy herself after transmigrating as a provincial governor's daughter.

Unfortunately, before she'd even been there six months, a little mishap changed her carefree life...

Her well-read older brother gave up literature for martial pursuits and secretly ran off to join the army up north, half a year before the spring imperial examinations.

Looking at her mother, who refused to show weakness, and her father, who was sobbing, Ye Liantang made up her mind. "Someone, get me dressed!"

So she tightened her hold on her male disguise and resolutely stepped into the examination hall.

She'd meant to fail comfortably and go home to continue her carefree life, with endless food and drink, unrestrained freedom, and sleeping in until late morning.

But everyone seemed to have misunderstood the rambling essay she'd written for the spring examinations.

The chief examiner: "This candidate has a thorough grasp of ancient and modern affairs, and remarkable talent. Though her writing doesn't follow conventional rules, her youthful boldness makes her an unconventional pillar of talent!"

A group of court officials: "The depth of this essay's style is beyond the comprehension of anyone who has only scratched the surface."

The emperor: "Minister Ye, your writing truly says a great deal in few words. Every word is a gem."

Ye Liantang: "...Every word is a gem? I'd say every word is a pig or a chicken."

She had no choice but to set aside her dream of being a lazy fish for now, put on an act, and try to become a truly lazy fish as soon as possible.

Who could have guessed...

The dynasty was tottering, the times unpredictable, and things were even more turbulent than she remembered.

To keep herself alive, Ye Liantang had to fight tooth and nail, matching wits with the court.

But after a palace coup, she was still nearly killed.

Ye Liantang had had enough.

She turned around and realized that the court was surrounded by wolves, playing one enemy off against another. Without her noticing, her dream of living like a lazy fish had also quietly fallen apart.

Ye Liantang felt a little regretful. "...In that case."

Dressed in armor, she climbed to a high place and called out to the people. Using the blade of the crown prince, who had faked his death, she fought her way into the imperial city and personally hauled the young emperor, placed on the throne by the great clans, out of it.

In that case,

why not rise up and take the throne for herself, just to see how it tastes?

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[Recent gossip in Langjing]

Out of troubled times come great leaders.

When the court was in turmoil, everyone said that the woman of the Ye family was calculating and ruthless. For three months, smoke rose from the southwest as the Ye army's banners stayed aloft and its forces surrounded the imperial city like an iron barrel.

The three-dynasty veteran minister was so anxious he nearly plucked out his entire beard before finally learning the news that the crown prince had faked his death during the palace coup.

The old foxes breathed a sigh of relief and waited to see the Ye family fall.

But no matter how long they waited, even when the Ye army had reached the city walls, they heard no rumors that Ye Liantang was losing power.

It wasn't until Ye Liantang entered the Golden Hall that the court officials saw the crown prince step out from behind her and personally invite her onto the throne.

Were those two... old flames?

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[Notes]

1. The dynasty is fictional. Please don't nitpick the history.

2. No System; an immersive transmigration story.

3. The early chapters focus on everyday life and a capable minister; later, it becomes a throne-usurpation power climb.

4. The heroine is four years older than the male lead. He's secretly in love with her. Both are each other's first and only partner.

5. This is entirely a boy-girl romance!

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"Bows."

Theme: After a thousand trials, the snow in the heart has yet to melt.