After I Transmigrated into the Song Dynasty's Dark Moonlight for Both Ruler and Ministers

Zhao Ye, a history buff, hated transmigrating with all her heart.

In modern times, she had close friends by her side and a happy life. Her work as a doctor was exhausting, but at least she enjoyed it. Every so often, she'd gripe about some ridiculous patient and move on.

Perhaps she'd complained about too many people. One day, she ran into a hospital dispute, and her soul transmigrated to the Song Dynasty, where she became the eldest daughter of Emperor Renzong and Empress Wencheng.

An infant's body was weak and helpless. Just surviving was a challenge, let alone dealing with the extremely inconvenient conditions of ancient times.

The bad-tempered Dr. Zhao gritted her teeth and secretly swore:

If she managed to grow up safely, she would make as much trouble as she liked in the Song Dynasty, wield power and command the winds and rain, torment all those nobles and ministers, and have a wonderful time playing a version of life simulation set in a feudal dynasty!

Little Zhao sneered. Could things get any worse than transmigrating?

-

Later generations had a very complicated view of the Song Dynasty.

They might call it open and tolerant, but it kept a close watch on female rulers and produced a host of wrongful convictions.

They might call it feudal and oppressive, yet it was the dynasty that treated people most like people, where education really could change your fate.

But among all the many opinions, one subject always stood out: Princess Qin Baoyan, the Grand Princess.

Baoyan was named Zhao Ye, with the childhood name Shengguang, and was arguably the most rambunctious princess in history.

While Renzong was alive, she often stayed at the Funing Hall under the pretext that she "couldn't bear to leave Father." At six, she was already copying his example, stamping approval marks on documents in his place.

As she grew older, she secretly went into business and made an astonishing fortune. When she was caught, she argued face-to-face with the court officials, making a huge scene.

As she got older still, she was constantly helping her imperial father with his burdens. She set up a separate chamber outside the court to listen to government affairs, and every three or four days she held a grand debate on filial piety and propriety with Sima Guang and Ouyang Xiu.

In all these situations, Renzong would repeatedly back down, while the princess would grab Zhang Guifei and weep dramatically, coughing as if she were about to spit blood and faint.

With no other choice, Renzong's male pride flared up.

"Though His Majesty was troubled, he would not back down for his wife and daughter."

-

At long last, Renzong died and Cizong ascended the throne. The great Song Dynasty recitation squad was dismayed to discover that things had somehow gotten worse.

Renzong had doted on his beloved daughter without limit. Cizong raised his elder sister even higher.

Whatever Third Sister thought, he listened. Whatever policies Third Sister proposed, he enacted. Whatever Third Sister did, she was right!

"Third Sister is wise and discerning, my equal. She will help make the Song prosperous and strong."

Who said the Song Dynasty had no good stories about women in power? Sima Guang wished he could smash every jar in the palace walls.

-

The Princess of Qin was extravagant, so the literati turned to Wang Anshi, the man of the greatest integrity: How could he not try to dissuade her? Why wasn't he dissuading her!

Wang Anshi looked at his eldest son, who wanted to go to the palace every day to discuss state affairs with the princess, and felt utterly helpless.

Was it that he hadn't tried to talk them out of it? He couldn't talk either of them out of anything!

"Yuanze, the princess already has so many confidants. Why pursue her so relentlessly?"

"No. Father, you don't understand."

The eldest son, known for his fierce, calculating, and unconstrained nature, answered calmly: "She treats me differently from the others."

Reading tips:

1. The heroine won't ascend the throne. She'll have a blast in the Song Dynasty.

2. Wang Pang is the ultimate male lead and appears midway through. Both are completely devoted to each other, and there will be no children. (Several other male love interests appear along the way but aren't mentioned in the blurb.)

3. The heroine is from modern times and has basic humanist values. She never targets the weak with her "evil." She's neither an evil woman nor a good woman, but a literary hooligan who follows her own heart without breaking the law.

4. The heroine is adored by everyone. No one in the story truly hates her, and there are plenty of people pursuing her.

5. The history is partly fictionalized. I won't deliberately malign historical figures.

6. A lethal dose of everyday life in the Song court and bureaucracy.

7. The story is told from the heroine's perspective. When she dies in the Northern Song Dynasty, the main story ends.

If you notice any obvious historical inaccuracies, please point them out, little angels. I'll look into them and make changes to fit the story.

Message: I've wrestled with myself for so long; I would rather be myself.