The Phoenix's Cry

Lu Yuan was about to marry into the Eastern Palace and become the Crown Princess.

On the eve of her wedding, she happened to pass by a temple reputed to grant wishes, so she went in to pray.

Kneeling on a cushion, she had meant to pray for a harmonious marriage with the Crown Prince, one that would last until they were old and gray.

But first, she heard two women beside her making their wishes.

One said, "I pray my husband rises swiftly through the ranks and our whole family prospers."

The other said, "I pray my husband stays true to me, so we can be the only two in each other's lives, for all our days."

Lu Yuan recognized them.

The woman praying for her husband to rise swiftly through the ranks was Song Youyi, a fierce daughter of a military family who had been named a general despite being a woman. She had later been courted by the top scholar of the imperial examinations, and they were the model couple of the capital.

The woman praying for her husband to remain devoted was Princess Changle, Shen Lechu. Her love affair with her consort had been passionate and dramatic, and everyone in the capital envied their loving marriage.

Puzzled, Lu Yuan couldn't help asking Song Youyi, "With your abilities as a general, can't you rise through the ranks yourself?"

Then she asked Shen Lechu, "If your consort is devoted to you, why do you need to pray for it?"

At last, she concluded, "I heard this temple grants wishes. Don't waste yours. Ask for something you couldn't achieve on your own."

Shen Lechu and Song Youyi both froze.

Lu Yuan then shyly asked, "Is a woman's life really better after she gets married?"

Song Youyi and Shen Lechu exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing.

Song Youyi said, "Of course. Things should only get better and better."

Shen Lechu said, "Exactly. Otherwise, why get married?"

Later, Song Youyi, the capital's model wife, cracked the top scholar's head open and returned to court.

Princess Changle, who had sought a love lasting a lifetime between just two people, divorced her consort and decided to enjoy herself while she could, with countless male companions.

The usually cold-faced Crown Prince looked at his Crown Princess. "Have you never loved me?"

Lu Yuan asked in confusion, "Why should I? My sisters told me that loving a man never ends well.

Better to love yourself than to live for someone else.

Live for the spring, and live for yourself."

The Crown Prince: "..."

The Crown Prince flew into a rage. "Close female friends are the most irritating thing in the world."

I want to write an ensemble story about women's awakening.

Theme: Loving yourself is better than pleasing others. Always strive to become a better version of yourself.