Defying One's Superiors (Female-Dominated World)

In the twenty-fifth year of the Tianyan era, eunuchs held sway over the court. Ning Fanyin, chief among them, wielded absolute power and controlled the government. She showed no respect to the emperor above or the court officials below.

The court was full of people condemning Ning Fanyin. If every one of them had spoken up, they could have drowned her in spittle. Of course, they only said it in private.

The emperor has no children, only one son.

Now everyone in the realm is hoping that the old prince, who has yet to marry, will produce an heir.

When Ning Fanyin hears the news, she lifts the chin of an over-the-hill bachelor, a meaningful smile curling at her lips. "What do you think, Your Highness? Shall I find you a suitable wife?"

The man kneels on the bed, looking up at her as he pleads. "You know I don't have the energy for that, Fanyin."

Ning Fanyin arches a brow, her smile vanishing as her eyes darken. "What if you were in better health, Your Highness?"

The woman lifts the man's hair ribbon and covers the eyes that set her heart racing.

He flinches beneath her hand and says, "I still wouldn't marry."

For a moment, Ning Fanyin is dazed by the breath against her palm, then she presses on. "What if you married me?"

After a long pause, the man finally whispers, almost inaudibly, "I'm old and past my prime, Fanyin. You should find yourself a younger man."

"Smack!"

Xie Yunyu is tossed back onto the bed. When he looks up again, the woman has already disappeared.

Ning Fanyin thinks the man has rejected her because she is a eunuch, but she doesn't know that Yunyu is only afraid: afraid he won't be able to stay by Fanyin's side for long.

He is six years older than Fanyin. Not only is he old, but his health is poor. Fanyin is so wonderful that marrying him would be a waste.

One day, he will no longer be handsome. He will always grow old before Fanyin, and even if she still loves him then, he will die before her.

What will Fanyin do all alone then? Wouldn't she end up just as she was before?

P.S.

1. Female-dominant setting, female lead is a eunuch (of course, it's only in name; there's nothing physically wrong with her). This is an important content warning!

2. The female lead had a difficult childhood, so she has a rather extreme personality.

3. The male lead loves the female lead very much, but has yet to accept her for a number of reasons.

Theme: Cherish the present.