Fine, I'll Admit It: Your Daughter Is Wu Zetian

Empress Wu Zetian died peacefully of old age. When she opened her eyes again, she had transmigrated to the Qin state, before it had unified the realm.

And she had become Ying Zheng’s eldest daughter?

Was this King of Qin, who kept declaring he would sweep away the six kingdoms, her father?

The empress wore a cool expression. [Not a bad-looking face. If he were in Great Zhou, I’d definitely take him as my male favorite.]

The next second, she saw her father’s face darken...

“Elder Sister, Elder Sister...” This bothersome little thing, all chubby cheeks and snot bubbles...

The empress looked displeased. [Keep your distance from me.]

Her younger brother? Hu Hai?

Oh no. Could she still start over now?

Then she turned and saw Prince Fusu.

“Little Sister...” Fusu held a kite in his hand and smiled, warm as a spring breeze.

The empress smiled. [Fusu on the mountain, lotus blossoms in the marsh. This peerless young noble is a delight to behold. This is what I ought to be looking at.]

The First Emperor’s Diary (1)

Perhaps I have been overworked lately. I seem to be hallucinating, and suspect I heard Man’er’s thoughts.

At her first-birthday grab ceremony, I saw her sitting there with a faint pout, bored out of her mind.

“Man’er, what is it you want?”

I thought I heard her thoughts...

[The jade seal. But if I actually said that, you wouldn’t be happy.]

“Someone, bring me the jade seal.”

I snatched it up and shoved it into her hands.

Would that satisfy her?

Who would have thought...

She stared at the throne. [How about giving the throne to me?]

So I swore an oath: I would sweep away the six kingdoms, then gift her all the land beneath the heavens as a coming-of-age present.

The First Emperor’s Diary (2)

Time flies. Man’er has grown up, and it is time to hand the realm over to her.

Rebels have risen lately. I am fully prepared and will crush them in one fell swoop.

But why does the female general leading the rebels below the city tower look so familiar?

I heard that familiar voice in my mind again.

[You came before anyone else, and no one will come after me. There’s no need to feel inferior about losing to me.]

Her gaze burned bright, her ambition spreading like wildfire.

...She really knows how to honor her father.

[Reader’s Guide]

1. An alternate-history setting. The early story is a cute, pampered-child-rearing tale told through inner thoughts. There will be some little misunderstandings later, leading to a showdown between the empress and the First Emperor. The overall tone is lighthearted, with no angst.

2. The historically established love interest appears later.

3. I read both the Old and New Books of Tang. Of the many names, including those suggested by later generations, I chose the one evoking the sun and moon shining together, and call her Wu Zhao.

4. Synopsis screenshot dated August 2, 2025. I don’t read the comments, to avoid spoilers.

6. See the author’s note in Chapter One for content warnings.

Theme: Never give up; strive to move forward.