The second installment, at 200,000 words. The opening is worth a look.
The first book Qiao Yisi ever treasured was A Guide to Revitalizing the Royal Family Under a Constitutional Monarchy.
He concealed his identity, got into military academy, strove to rise through the ranks, and earned countless honors. At the critical moment when a crisis of trust in the royal family erupted, the little prince's identity was exposed, and he became the one pure white jasmine flower in the hearts of countless people across the empire.
"The Lodrin royal family is already rotten to the core. It's hard to imagine what else they might do... Oh, of course, the little prince is still adorable."
"The color of His Highness Qiao Yisi's eyes is this year's fashion."
"You mean who I'll vote for? Obviously I'm backing the anti-monarchist faction and Representative Wu Sesi. The current one should step down already, and the crown prince should take over... What? That's not what the anti-monarchist faction means?"
But because he was only a female, the royal family still only needed him for a political marriage.
Qiao Yisi tossed and turned, and finally decided to follow his heart. Before heading to a frontier planet to enlist, on a bright moonlit night, he carefully left a letter breaking off their engagement, along with an apology, on the windowsill of his powerful but thoroughly disliked fiance.
The moonlight was so bright. Someone watched silently from the shadows.
Later, for various reasons, the little prince no longer had the energy to pore over books at night. He only occasionally jotted down a few hasty notes.
"Minor problems with the starship: ... needs crystal oil."
"Heavy rain. Hate it. Everything's soaked."
"That fucking boss is a total..."
"Earned another first-class merit... If I get promoted half a rank more, I'll be granted a title. Won't that expose me?"
Much later, someone collected and compiled these scattered notes into the bestselling biography of all time.
Its title was The Cruel and Heartless, or the People's Choice: Unveiling the Unknown Truth About the Founder of the United Empire.
From an innocent little prince to the heartthrob of the entire universe.
"Being the Queen Mother was the least remarkable thing about His Majesty. In every other way, he still shone brilliantly."
Theme: N/A
Why are the beginnings of these chapters all the same?