Glory Never Returns

Basic premise: A political scheming novel with a female lead Female lead: Wen Junyan (Song Qing) Carries a torch for her childhood friend / Ting Junyi / BE Bound to the son of her enemy / Xiao Yehuan / BE Marriage match: Jiang Wanhe / Yan Sheng Growth companions: Xu Fu / Song Da Content warning: An imaginative, unconventional story, not a traditional historical romance. Main plot: In the Great Song Dynasty, the current ruler, Song Rende, is neither benevolent nor virtuous. He favors surrendered ministers, relies on eunuchs, repeatedly persecutes loyal officials, and suppresses military commanders. Wen Junyan, daughter of a military family, grows discontented. Defying her ancestors' instructions, she interferes in the succession and secretly raises the young imperial grandson, Song Da, who has been living outside the palace, helping him ascend the throne. She then pours her heart and soul into helping him consolidate his power, secure his position at court, pacify the frontier, and strengthen the nation, until he becomes a wise ruler for the ages.