After My Archenemy Took My Place as the Groom

This is a wholly fictional setting, set during a transition of imperial power to women. The protagonists rise from general and princess to unify the three kingdoms and reach the pinnacle of power. The entire central cast is female.

Please add my upcoming novel, Is It Wise to Join the Wicked Eldest Princess? If you're interested, take a look. It's a historical girls' love novel about seizing power, with a similar theme.

[Blurb]

A cool-headed general with a sincere heart x a radiant princess with a cold heart

Shen Miaoyi is sent to marry into the northern desert, but her intended groom dies under mysterious circumstances. Lin Qingxuan takes her uncle's place and marries Shen Miaoyi herself.

On their wedding night, Lin Qingxuan coldly says, "Did you do it on purpose?" Shen Miaoyi keeps her feelings in check and reminds her of the promise she made at the hunting grounds to protect her.

"You're suspecting me again. Give back the hairpin I gave you."

"I threw it away ages ago. Put out the lights and go to sleep."

Lin Qingxuan's rational mind tells her to stay on guard against Shen Miaoyi. She must have approached her on purpose. (The truth is, Lin Qingxuan fell in love with her at first sight.)

The dim glow of the wedding candles falls across Shen Miaoyi's loose hair. She turns her back to Lin Qingxuan, revealing half her face. The sight inexplicably reminds Lin Qingxuan of the words Shen Miaoyi wrote on her palm in a stone cave. Her palm begins to itch.

Shen Miaoyi came to the northern desert for Lin Qingxuan. She edges closer to her step by step, both to win her over and to use her power to return to the northern kingdom and claim the highest seat of power, revered by all.

When her identity is exposed,

Lin Qingxuan: "Princess, it's you?"

Shen Miaoyi: "Why pretend? Didn't you already know it was me?"

They briefly agree to work together, though neither lets down her guard.

The second time, they reveal their true feelings.

Shen Miaoyi looks at the woman before her and says, "I really did intend to use you when we first met." She expects Lin Qingxuan to be angry at hearing her most sincere confession.

Lin Qingxuan smiles. "It's mutual benefit that matters most between people. I know that. But I love you, so none of that matters."

But the political situation keeps changing. The northern desert's crown prince joins forces with Nanyang and launches a rebellion. The garrison outside the city in the northern desert is the first to fall. Until the very last moment, Shen Miaoyi puts aside all thoughts of personal gain and stays at Lin Qingxuan's side, facing everything with her.

All her calculations crumble. She no longer wants to scheme for power or profit. She only wants to stand with Lin Qingxuan through everything.

But who could have guessed that the rebellious crown prince would die in Nanyang, and that the person behind it all was the former Princess of Nanyang...

Together, the two women scheme to unite the three kingdoms.

"I want to share the splendor of this world with you."

Theme: Women's future is bright and full of promise.