After Becoming the Cannon Fodder Empress in a Male-Oriented Novel

Li Junhe faced two major obstacles in life.

First, she transmigrated into the body of an emperor who was a woman disguised as a man. She had no real power, was sickly, and could die at any moment.

Second, even after all that, a year later she was destined to be trampled underfoot by the overpowered male protagonist, helping him seize the throne.

Heads rolling on the ground, flesh and blood flying everywhere.

Every time Li Junhe imagined the scene, she shuddered.

She had never bowed to fate, and dying was out of the question. She was going to survive, no matter what.

As she kept lying low, she suddenly realized these weren't two major obstacles at all. They were two priceless assets!

As emperor, Li Junhe could endure hardship, govern diligently, and reclaim her power before long!

And the protagonist, her sworn enemy, was a treasure beyond compare.

He was the protagonist, which meant he had an invincible aura no one else could match!

He was a male protagonist in a male-oriented novel, which meant he had an invincible buff that brought him into contact with powerful people wherever he went!

He was the hero of a wish-fulfillment male power fantasy, which meant he could surely kill anyone who stood in his way, be they man or god!

Could there be a more useful tool at her disposal? No!

Li Junhe, armed with two priceless tools for survival, smiled faintly:

Begone, all filth. This emperor is going to build up power in secret!

*

Two factions of officials controlled the government, so Li Junhe casually promoted the protagonist.

The once-stagnant political landscape was thrown into disarray, and she seized the opportunity to put her own people in power.

Officials and merchants in Jiangnan were colluding, so Li Junhe appointed the protagonist to take charge there.

In return, she gained a whole group of talented people, including experts in weapons, government gadflies, and business geniuses.

A neighboring country deliberately launched a propaganda war, and the people rushed to join in.

Li Junhe used the protagonist's reputation as a top scholar to turn the tide with little effort, and even got a huge payment out of the neighboring country!

Gradually, her empire grew more secure, the granaries filled, and the people lived in peace and comfort.

Li Junhe sat on the throne, gently stroking her embroidered dragon robe. I really was born to be emperor!

*

At twelve, Wei Lang's poetry and painting made him famous throughout the capital. At sixteen, his scholarly talent shook the court. He topped the imperial examinations and entered government service.

For over a decade, he had bided his time, eager to stir up the court's politics, take the worthless emperor's head, and seize the throne himself!

But when he finally stood in the court and looked upon the mysterious, exalted face of the Son of Heaven: ?

The current emperor was a woman.

And she was so frail and gaunt.

He smiled inwardly, convinced his own path to the throne would soon be clear.

Gradually, he gained more and more power, and his reputation at court grew. Even the emperor trusted him more and more.

But why did it feel as though the throne was getting further and further away?

Especially when he saw the group of talented young men around the emperor, all chatting and laughing with her.

Wei Lang's face darkened.

He really wanted to kill them all.

-

Reading guide:

1. The female lead disguises herself as a man throughout the early part of the story. After her career reaches its peak and she reorganizes the court, she reveals her true gender.

2. The male lead is a jack of all trades and the most useful blade in the female lead's hands.

3. The female lead has a bit of a harem magnet trait. The romance leans toward a dog-training dynamic.

4. The male lead is gloomy and yandere, a mad dog.

5. The dynasty and everything else are fictional. This is an uncomplicated wish-fulfillment story, not to be scrutinized.

Synopsis screenshot dated 2025.5.18

- The Retirement of the Capital's Moonlight -

A major event recently occurred in Zhongchen.

The Imperial Preceptor, who had supported the new emperor ever since he was an unfavored prince, suddenly vanished without a trace!

The Imperial Preceptor always wore a mask, so no one knew what she really looked like, but everyone remembered her well.

She was gentle and easy to get along with. The palace servants all liked and respected her.

She was experienced and farsighted, and every one of the court's six ministries had benefited from her help.

She was witty and fun, happy to spend time with anyone. Every wealthy family in the capital was eager to invite her to join them.

When the Imperial Preceptor suddenly disappeared, everyone thought she had descended from the heavens, completed her mission, and returned after retiring from a successful career.

Only the new emperor thought otherwise.

The new emperor was ruthless, unpredictable, and gloomy-tempered. The only person who could keep him in check was the Imperial Preceptor.

Now that she was gone, he issued an order at once:

Anyone who encounters the Imperial Preceptor will be rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold.

*

Li Zhaoning had transmigrated into a book. After completing her mission to help the protagonist ascend the throne, she eagerly moved to a small town far from the court to enjoy a carefree life of eating and drinking.

She even met a kind and gentle gentleman and married him.

But her husband proved a little too capable. He passed the imperial examination, and now planned to take his whole family to the capital to sit the exams.

Li Zhaoning missed all the delicious food in the capital, so she happily agreed to go with him.

Then one day, she went to buy osmanthus cakes and the vendor greeted her warmly. "Miss, why not buy a few more?" He leaned closer and pointed upward conspiratorially. "They say these were the Imperial Preceptor's favorite."

Li Zhaoning: ?

Only then did she realize that she was the mysterious person behind all those rumors about the "enigmatic figure" spreading through the streets and alleys!

Watching all sorts of people chase after the mysterious stories about the former Imperial Preceptor every day,

Li Zhaoning: "..."

This can't be right. How did she become a legendary figure?

*

Pei Wenli thought the luckiest thing in his life was meeting Li Zhaoning, and the happiest thing was marrying her.

To give Li Zhaoning a better life, he worked tirelessly until he finally achieved his wish and secured a post in the capital.

But life in the capital seemed... not quite what he had imagined.

At first, he often heard tales of the Imperial Preceptor from people on the streets or from his colleagues and seniors. He paid them no mind, taking them for idle chatter.

Gradually, he began to think that the mysterious Imperial Preceptor everyone talked about sounded more and more like his wife.

Then one day, he was suddenly summoned to the palace.

The young emperor sat high upon the dais, supremely noble, his eyes commanding respect without a word.

He raised his hand and tossed a divorce agreement at Pei Wenli, standing over him with an imperious air.

"Take it, and then..."

The emperor smiled faintly, his tone exceedingly dangerous.

"Get away from her."

Theme: Work hard toward a better life