Scheming for the Throne

"What's the point of being a powerful minister's wife? I'm a powerful minister in my own right."

Zhao Linghui was born clever, perceptive, and brilliant, but unfortunately, she was born in the countryside. The people around her thought she could marry a suitable husband, manage the household and raise children, and live a smooth, happy life.

Zhao Linghui didn't think so. She believed she was meant to be ennobled and serve as chancellor, shaping the course of the realm. Even if she was a woman.

She chose a ruler for herself: Lü Zhi. Zhao Linghui was perceptive and knew she wouldn't be mistaken.

She wasn't mistaken. But before she could be ennobled and become chancellor, she died.

After her death, she saw the hypocrites who had betrayed them. Their foundation was destroyed, and Lü Zhi died, her name erased.

Zhao Linghui was unwilling to accept it. So she was reborn.

At the time, Chu and Han were at war, and the feudal lords were carving up the land, each serving their own lord. It was the perfect time to seek fame and fortune and build a legacy.

And she was still a commoner. But she was clever, capable, and patient. Most importantly, she was a woman, so she could only serve the King of Han.

She traveled far and wide on the King's behalf, risking her life several times without a single complaint. She manipulated everyone in the realm, remaining loyal only to the King. Who wouldn't praise her as a loyal, devoted hound?

My King, my King, look at me. Don't I seem like a loyal subject of Han?

They saw only her cautious, mild, and considerate side. They had no idea that her true nature was ruthless, honey-tongued and treacherous, greedy for wealth, lustful, and hungry for power.

Zhao Linghui smiled gently as she sent them all to their deaths, Liu Bang included.

If the King of Han wouldn't ennoble her, she'd earn it herself. If he wouldn't make her chancellor, she'd earn that herself, too. If she couldn't earn it, she'd take it.

No, it was hers to begin with. How could that be called stealing?

Later, this loyal subject of Han helped Lü Zhi ascend the throne, and the dynasty changed.

Zhao Linghui smiled. Yes, she was a loyal subject, but no one had said whose loyal subject she was.

.

Many years later, Lü Zhi, now an emperor, held Zhao Linghui's hand, just as she had for so many years before, and entrusted the Crown Prince to her. "We have been sisters and sovereign and subject for over twenty years. I have no regrets in this life."

"How splendid the realm is. It should bow to me."

Reader's Guide: 1. The Han dynasty in this story is not the historical Han dynasty. It is a parallel world, and the later story takes a fictionalized direction. This is entirely made up, so please don't take it as real history. The author will lie flat and accept criticism, but please don't insult the female characters.

2. The male characters are virgins. Any male character who has a romance with the female lead is a virgin, and the ending is one-on-one.

3. Past and present lives. The previous life ends in tragedy, the current life has a happy ending. Both leads are reborn. No childbirth or rivalry between women.

4. The female lead has a slight universally-adored quality (in friendship and family relationships). But she is not a good person in the traditional sense, and both the male and female leads have flaws. The female lead disguises herself as a man early on, but returns to women's clothing in the middle and later parts and directly serves as an official in court. There are other female officials, and there will also be an empress. The Crown Prince is a woman.

5. The romance and plot are in a three-to-seven ratio, with somewhat more romance early on and in Volume Four.

Theme: Follow the rules, then change the rules, and become the rules.