The Princess-Building Plan

Everyone knew that the Nine-Phoenix Divine Carriage brought auspicious omens, heralding the birth of Chang'an's one and only princess.

But they did not know that within the palace walls, their wise and mighty emperor father had truly wept himself dry.

Princess Hengshu, Li Chengbi, was the treasured pearl her parents had prayed for before the gods and Buddhas.

"May she enjoy endless glory throughout her life, and be the one who receives my eternal favor alone."

Everyone admired the princess's bearing, but who would dare become the emperor's son-in-law?

The emperor reportedly turned a blind eye to the wildly popular romance stories circulating among the common folk.

Before long, Young General Huo's popularity eclipsed even that of the new top scholar, and every volume sold like hotcakes.

But outside the pages of those stories, everyone knew that the princess and the young general were not close.

*

On the night of Princess Hengshu's birthday, Chang'an blazed with lights.

She ascended a tower with the most noble sovereign in the land, receiving the cheers of the people and gazing down at the twinkling lights below.

The young general stood at the foot of the tower, lychee candy in hand, pretending he wasn't waiting for her.

They say that after watching the fireworks, the princess was kidnapped.

When the young general found her, she was drawing her bow to kill the bandit leader.

"Huo Zhaoyan, the story says you take an arrow for me. Is this fellow's archery better than mine?"

"Your Highness is dressed so lightly. Here, wear my cloak for now."

The brightly lit tower cast their secretly entwined hems in silhouette.

The girl rose onto her toes and gently touched the young man's brow. Moonlight fell upon their clasped hands.

"I don't want to go back. Zhaoyan has to kiss me."

Huo Zhaoyan's Adam's apple bobbed. "You're a princess. It wouldn't be right if anyone found out."

She rested her chin in the hollow of his shoulder, tracing his ear with a fingertip. "I'm a princess. What's so wrong with being a little reckless?"

The Imperial Guards' torches snaked like red serpents, their light flickering in his eyes. "I can't take advantage of you..."

Before he could finish, the sweet taste of lychee pressed against his lips.

"Then consider it me taking advantage of you."

---------Reader's Guide----------

★ A sweet royal family story, one-on-one romance, both leads are each other's only one

★ Happy ending! A happy ending in a peaceful, prosperous age! (Very loudly!)

★ An alternate setting inspired by Tang, Song, and Ming customs

"The Directorate of Ceremonies, Also Known as the Great Tang Marketing Account"

"How the Auspicious Princess Healed the World"

"Father's Parenting Diary Is More Interesting Than His Memorials"

"The Common Folk Are Still Swooning Over Their Favorite Couple's Beautiful Romance Today"

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★ "If I cannot be a good father, how can I be an emperor? Even common folk will risk their lives for their wives and daughters, let alone me."

★ In bright yellow sleeves, the emperor smiled as he looked toward the red-clad girl in the training grounds. "I want every line of history written in fine calligraphy to be a footnote to her audacious deeds."

"The Princess-Raising Plan" blurb, November 2024, saved

Theme: Beneath the prosperity of a golden age, Her Highness the Princess