Guardian of the Nation, Everlasting Peace

Female Lead's Perspective (Career Arc):

Who says women must be trapped by love, content to be stepping-stones for men and help pave the way for their careers?

In just three years, Li Changning made a four-stage leap from regent princess to officially dead fugitive, then princess's substitute, and finally empress of An Guo.

Abandoned by everyone and trusting the wrong people, Li Changning was sent to her death with a cup of poison by the younger imperial brother she had worked so hard to raise to the throne.

After faking her death and being reborn, Li Changning returned to the capital under the identity of Ning Tang, her cousin and the real princess who had been switched at birth, to exact her revenge. In three years, she challenged the imperial clan, treated an epidemic, reclaimed her high position, purged corrupt officials, guarded the borders, and rallied to save the king before ascending the throne. She cast aside useless attachments and played various factions against one another, ultimately becoming empress.

Women have suffered under worldly conventions for far too long. Li Changning would carve out a place for them. But she would do more than that: she would sweep away every injustice in the world.

Li Changning's declaration: Since Your Imperial Sister had the ability to put you in that position, she will personally be the one to pull you down. Since you cannot bring peace and prosperity to An Guo, I will take your place at the helm. After all, I too would like to hear the cries of "Long live the emperor" and watch the officials pay homage.

The History of An Guo records: Emperor Zhaowu, the eldest daughter of Emperor Jing, ascended the throne at the age of twenty-five and ruled for thirty years. She developed water conservancy, improved people's livelihoods, reclaimed wasteland, reduced taxes, and built schools and clinics on a grand scale, ensuring the elderly were cared for and the young provided for. She encouraged women to attend school and promoted the children of humble families. Every trade and profession flourished. The nation grew prosperous and peaceful, and envoys from every land came to pay tribute.

Male Lead's Perspective (Romance Arc):

[Cool and commanding princess who trains her dog x Jealous, devoted hostage prince]

Xiao Huan, a hostage prince from an enemy state, was weak and helpless, with everyone free to bully him. At long last, the goddess of his heart showed him favor. He had hoped to offer himself to her and become a servant in the princess's bed.

As relations between the two states soured, Li Changning showed no regard for their past. With a cup of poison and a sharp blade, she personally sent him to hell. Even after his death, his body was hung on the city wall to bake in the sun.

Xiao Huan was lucky enough to survive, but he began to hate Li Changning with all his heart. Then he rose to power and set out to humiliate her, hoping to take her back from someone else. But word arrived from afar that his old love had died.

Xiao Huan went mad. Li Changning was all he had left in life, and just as he was about to provoke a war between the two states, she returned.

Story Highlights:

1. The male and female leads are each other's only love. The male lead is insanely jealous and, like a puppy, has eyes only for the female lead.

2. The male lead is younger and was more or less taught by the female lead. He is strong, but she is even stronger.

3. The female lead focuses on her career, while the male lead focuses on romance. He is very good at convincing himself of her feelings, so don't worry about misunderstandings caused by him not speaking up: he will always find an excuse on her behalf.

4. Aside from the political scheming, the male lead is a skilled martial artist and the female lead is an excellent physician.

Extra Scene:

Male lead: She killed me with her own hands because she loves me. Why doesn't she kill anyone else with her own hands? She schemed against me because she loves me. Everyone else she schemes against is already dead, so why am I still alive? It must be because she loves me.

Male lead's guard: A hopeless romantic. Even dogs won't eat that.

Theme: Love is not a life-saving cure but a poison that hastens death. Only by saving yourself can you step into the light.