The mighty official, Huo Jue, wields immense influence.... more>>

People who sent him money, jewels, and various rare items wanted to cross his threshold.

Of course, some also sent him women.

One day, someone happily presented him with a married woman, “It’s said that this woman was once engaged to the Lord. Later, when the Lord’s family fell into misfortune, she married someone else. Now she’s sent to the Lord. Lord can do as he pleases.”

Everyone thought that the woman who had abandoned Huo Jue would meet a bad end in his hands.

No one knew that ten years ago, a girl traveled thousands of miles alone just to tell her former fiancé, who had suffered palace punishment, “In this life, there is more than one path to take. It’s just a matter of choosing another path. It’s difficult, but you must keep going and live your own life.”

Her former fiancé said, “Okay.”

The girl cried and said, “Then I’ll go back and get married.”

Her former fiancé said, “Okay.”

Since then, she has been the cinnabar mole on his heart, unfathomable and untouchable.

It hurts when thinking of her, and pain by touching her. <<less

"There are four sights most deserving of praise in the world; that of the snow, the moon, the wind, and the bloom. Yet their beauty only hides an invariable truth, that nothing gold can stay."... more>>

"These stories have been written countless times by the scholar’s brush. People come and people go, but the lament remains the same; no joy is greater than a promise made, no pain deeper than hope betrayed."

A collection of four independent tragedies on the themes of snow, moon, wind and bloom. Inspired by Ming Dynasty history; written and translated in the huaben style. <<less

It tells the love story of a woman who overcomes many trials to become a female official and a general who has weathered many hardships in his road to victory.... more>>

Despite being an illegitimate daughter, Mu Zhuohua breaks away from from the path of traditional women during her time as she escapes from her own wedding and enters the capital to seek a position as a female official. In her journey, she meets Liu Yan, a man known as the god of war.

He may have been defeated in battlefield but he does not waver in his resolve as he endures hardships to avenge his grievances. The two may have started out trying to use each other for their own purposes but they eventually join hands in their mission to better the nation, creating a world where women can also enter the court as officials. <<less

In the mansion of the Duke of Tang in Jinyang, a pair of twin brothers resided. The elder brother, Li Shimin, was physically robust and excelled in martial arts, while the younger, Li Xuanba, had been consuming medicines from the time he was born. It was often said that twins shared a mysterious telepathic link. Li Shimin, the second son of the Duke, confirmed these rumors to be true.... more>>

After several moments of shock caused by the astonishing words originating from Li Xuanba's mind, Li Shimin decided to confront his twin. "Xuan, do you know that each time you focus your mind, I can hear your thoughts? Can you possibly stop doing so? I prefer not to listen." Li Xuanba, known far and wide as the fragile son who was always under the weather retorted, "No. If you're dissatisfied, you can talk as well." Li Shimin, though physically healthy but mentally not as robust as Li Xuanba, tried with all his might to conjure a mental expression, only managing to squeeze out a single character after turning a shade of purple. "Ah!!!!!!!" This left Li Xuanba almost laughing himself into convulsions.

In his previous life, Li Xuanba worked as an editor for a historical marketing account. He had specialized in trolling Li Shimin to gain traffic. However, after overworking himself to death one night, he was reborn as the fragile twin brother of Li Shimin, a character from a historical fiction novel famous for a bravery akin to that of Xiang Yu, but in reality died of illness at the age of sixteen. Li Xuanba thought, "Oh ho, this is retribution." Regardless, he decided to go with the flow, even telling his brother, "Hey, if you want any spoilers, I'll tell you!" Li Shimin, exasperated, retorted, "I don't want to hear anything!!"

Years later, Li Shimin was adorned in dragon robes, his hands stained with fresh blood. Li Xuanba, frail as ever, was still alive. One day, after Li Xuanba fell onto the ground pretending to faint after an argument with Wei Zheng, Li Shimin hoisted his brother onto his back and set off running, just like when they were children. "Hahaha, brother, you should have seen how twisted old Wei's face was!" Li Xuanba laughed. "Shut up!" replied Li Shimin. "Congratulations, brother. You can finally say two words, hehe." Once again, Li Shimin displayed a grimace of annoyance, carrying his bothersome brother forward with each step.

Footnote:
This is a story that the author enjoys writing, filled with palace intrigue, sibling rivalry, and acts of patricide. It's an alternative history, filled with many unfounded rumors and private settings. The dialogs and appellations are more modernized instead of being authentic to the Tang Dynasty. The main characters are far from perfect: Li Shimin has his flaws as a feudal emperor; Li Xuanba is even less of a good person, his main priority being his own well-being. Updates are daily. If any changes, an announcement will be made.

Next up is the lengthy novel "Ren Xiaojun Liu Ying Ye of the Great Han Dynasty". Please add it to your favorites! In this story, Liu Ying awakens his memories from a past modern life at the age of five. He knows his "history". He remembers his father, Liu Bang, tried to depose him, and his mother, Lü Zhi, attempted to scare him to death. All these memories ignited his anger towards his cruel parents.

Decorative Tags: Court Nobility, Time Travel, Daily Life, Spoilers, Ensemble Cast

Search Keywords: Protagonist: Li Xuanba, Li Shimin | Side Characters: Many people from the Sui and Tang dynasties | Others:
One-line Summary: Li Shimin: Brother, I beg you to shut up!
Guiding Thought: Water can carry a boat; it can also capsize a boat. <<less

This is the story of a legendary queen who stood firmly in the imperial harem for 50 years and won the love of the Emperor.... more>> She is smarter than any Empress of the Ming Dynasty and a lot subtler than Wu Zetian. Presenting the story of the Ming Dynasty’s first six emperors after the establishment of the Dynasty. <<less

No Arm General × Female Official... more>>

Xue Cheng led the Qi army to kill all the enemies on the battlefield and achieved an outstanding military accomplishment. On the day of his return, the city gates were opened wide, and people all over the city lined the streets to welcome him. Additionally, the court held a banquet to celebrate.

Ming Zhen squeezed into the crowd. She waved her handkerchief and cheered with everyone else.

Until she saw Xue Cheng’s empty right arm.

——

Ming Zhen worked as a female official in the palace and somehow became an older woman in her early thirties. The Empress once again proposed to let her go home and get married. However, Ming Zhen requested to go to the Xue Family and be the tutor for the Xue Family’s young miss.

——

Violent and loyal dog × foolish female lead <<less

Sun Tu who came from the modern era possesses a system of warehouses. From here begins a period of exciting, tragic and unpredictable tale of... more>> life and death. Here, not only is there corrupt officials and emperors but also brave and loyal officials and generals. In this world, where even the Heroes of the Water Margin exist, how will Sun Tu get along with them? For all these answers, do read Bringing a Warehouse to the Song Dynasty! <<less

Year Eleven of Hongzhi.... more>>

This is a particularly beautiful morning day.

At this time, Zhu Houzhao has just reached adulthood.

At this time, Wang Shouren and Tang Baihu are sharpening their blades, readying for the imperial examination.

At this time, the cold winds have descended and a long winter ravages the land.

At this time, within Count Nanhe’s mansion, the master’s intellectually disabled son, Fang Jifan, his heir…. begins his shameless, recalcitrant journey to prodigality. <<less

Chief Forensic Pathologist for the Police Department, Ji Chan, is transported to another dimension and wakes up as the shameless and insolent niece of the distinguished Duke Lu.... more>>

Blessed with a visage as fair as a flower and a figure as light as a feather, the original Ji Chan is unfortunately ignorant beyond measure. She spends her days dreaming of marrying into wealth. Eventually, she becomes a pawn in her cousin’s scheme, and finds herself in bed with her future cousin-in-law.

And then she kicks the bucket…

On their wedding day, Si Qi offers Ji Chan two choices.

First, she can take the title of the Si family’s Young Madam, but she won’t be allowed to bear his children.

Second, they could divorce with him offering her a generous settlement of ten thousand taels of silver, henceforth each would live their own life.

Ji Chan chooses the second.

And so, she becomes a discarded wife.

*

Four years later, Si Qi, now Deputy Chief of the Supreme Court, is confronted with a perplexing case that torments his sleep for two relentless days and nights.

Overwhelmed by a sense of duty, Ji Chan comes forward to lend a helping hand.

From that point on, his haughty demeanor shatters. He finds himself regularly lurking outside Ji Chan’s doorstep, pleading through tear-streaked cheeks for her assistance with autopsies. Unashamedly, he vows to shoulder responsibility for Ji Chan and their child.

One-line summary: The daily life of the chief female coroner raising her son and solving cases. <<less

Three years ago, in order to pacify the Western Jiang, he married the daughter of the military governor of Yongzhou as his empress, but this is when he met Huo Shi Ying, the most unparalleled woman in the world, the only female general of the Great Yan Dynasty. What she doesn’t know, and what nobody else knows, is that he has been paying full attention to her for twenty years, since he was six years old. The first time he heard her name was when by his mother the Empress and his elder sister, he then thought, a two-year-old toddler being taken to the border, how amazing.... more>>

More than ten years later, he once again saw her name on the battle report, these three characters Huo Shi Ying immediately drawing out a desolate picture in front of his eyes : flying smoke in the desert, galloping horses, soldiers in golden armors, a valiant woman drawing her sword, a strength lonely yet full of life, cruel but sweet, such a strong assault. Just because name gave him so many fantasies, his heart suddenly started beating.

Later, he quietly gave her a lot of opportunities. Her name appeared on the battle report again and again, bringing contributions again and again, making blood flow, ruthlessly killing. Countless times, he fantasized about what kind of woman she was exactly.

Later he learned that her nickname was An Sheng (meaning peace and quiet). How could he give her peace, he no longer had that ability, the moment he raised the empress’ veil on their wedding, there was a faint regret in his heart, until he finally met her for real, this moment’s monstrous regret could overturn the skies and lands.

No one knew, he had followed her for twenty years.

The road to love is long and difficult. She soars in the sky like an eagle, and the sky is her yoke ; he dives deep into the sea like a dragon, and the palace is his cage. One is the first female general of the Yan Dynasty, and the other is the Palace’s Emperor. How can these two people who are as strong as enduring get closer to each other and turn their love into marriage? <<less

In this world, There are Confucians, Daoists, Buddhists, Demons, and Arcanists.... more>>

Xu Qi'an, a police academy graduate, suddenly finds himself waking up in a prison, set to be exiled to the frontier three days later...

His initial goal was to protect himself in this world with no human rights and to be able to live a leisurely life as a rich man.

...

Many years later, Xu Qi’an looks back on the past, with long-dead enemies and friends, as well as the numerous bones he has left behind.

As the Yangtze River flows eastward, the waves wash away the heroes; right and wrong, success or failure will all turn into nothing but history.

However, just like the sun’s rays gleaming over the towering mountains, after each sunset, a new sun will rise. <<less

Q: What is more tragic than serving a temperamental, wicked and merciless scum?... more>>

Answer: When you crossed over and become this scumbag.

Actually, this is a serious ancient essay – thus the author Jun said.

Kuang Xihan (Jian Xin): In vain, I respected you, love you, beared with you, and forgived you. In the end, it was such a plight.

Jiang Zhuo: Even though I am wrong in a thousand ways, I am only true, and I have never dared to deceived.

Kuang Xiqing: For this end I have only myself to blame, so when I lost the world, I have no complaints. When I lost her, I refuse to accept it. <<less

Transmigrated as a widow and live a noble life?... more>>

That’s nice. Just teach the children, drink some wine, listen to operas, and even sneak a few little wolf dogs when you’re free.

Gee, don’t be too unrestrained.

Lu Jinxi’s golden abacus rattled loudly, but who would have guessed that human’s calculations were not as good as heaven’s calculations?

At first glance, the man in the picture was a painted skin demon. He wished he could tear her apart and swallow her whole. He finally ran out of tricks and asked her to remarry. The crippled concubine-born son was actually the former crown prince who was secretive and coveted the mother.

What’s even more terrifying was…

The deceased husband who had died in the battlefield for six years came back from the dead. <<less

Li Yunzhu is a well-known beauty within the elite circle, but she is also known for her arrogance and promiscuity, unable to tolerate even the smallest slight.... more>>

Cao Shao, a young Imperial Uncle, once dreamed of marrying her, but sadly his elders had a change of heart.

“Yunzhu, I have failed you with my incompetence,” Cao Shao confessed.

“Oh,” was all Li Yunzhu could muster. She didn’t have much affection for Cao Shao, but she couldn’t let it go.

It was at this time that Cao Xun, the Great Imperial Uncle, returned to Beijing. In his youth, he had once proclaimed, “A man can’t marry without securing a solid foundation.”

Now at thirty years old, Great Imperial Uncle Cao Xun had achieved great success and stood tall and mighty.

Li Yunzhu reluctantly agreed, “Fine, I’ll marry him.”

The female protagonist is indulged, while the male protagonist is scheming. Neither of them are flawless character.

There is a twelve-year age difference between them. <<less

Gao Lingfeng traverses into the Great Qian Dynasty and becomes the Emperor, gaining the most powerful "Supreme Foolish Emperor System."... more>>

Ruining the national fortune will lead to ascension to immortality? Well, then, being an Emperor is not so bad after all!

What? The Cabinet wants to force the Emperor by submitting resignation together? Sure, Bye-bye!

What? The Eighth Uncle wants to rebel? Quick, open the gates of the imperial palace wide! Today, he will surely succeed in rebellion, and no one can stop him.

What? My father-in-law is a treacherous minister? Quickly issue a decree to appoint him as the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat!

What? Eunuch Xiao Dezhi is a cunning villain? From today, you shall be the Director of the Eastern Bureau of Surveillance!

Eighth Uncle, hurry up and rebel! Father-in-law, hurry up and usurp the throne! Zhao Gao, hurry up and cause chaos in the court!

"Your Majesty is a wise ruler for all eternity. I, as a humble subject, am willing to devote myself until death!"

Gao Lingfeng: "???"

How am I supposed to ascend to immortality now?! <<less

GAIDEN 4
Side stories of Saiunkoku Monogatari... more>>

Contains:
鈴蘭の咲く頃に ("Suzuran no Saku Koro ni": In the Lily of the Valley Season, originally published June 2007 in The Beans vol 9)

空 の青、風の呼ぶ声 ("Sora no Ao, Kaze no Yobu Koe": Blue of the Sky, the Voice of Wind Calling, originally published August 2008 in The Beans vol 11)

千一夜[書き下ろし] ("Sen-ichiya [Kakioroshi]": Thousand and One Nights [You Write, Lowering], new material)

千 一夜そのあとに[書き下ろしショート] ("Sen一ichi Sono Ato ni [Kakioroshi Shooto]": 1001 Night After That [You Write, Lowering & Short Circuiting], omake) <<less

Her father is the Prime Minister,... more>>

Her mother is the Princess of Chang,

Among her siblings, all are talented scholars from the Jiangnan region, possessing refined and graceful qualities.

“Between scholars and commoners, there is indeed an insurmountable gap.” So, even after marrying into this family, Gao Luoshen still can’t understand – how did this man, a lowly-born warrior from the northern wilderness whom she hadn’t even heard of until recently, dare to propose to her father for her hand in marriage? <<less

A naturally timid engineering student found himself transported to France before the grand revolution, only to become the older brother of the future Emperor Napoleon... more>> for some inexplicable reason. Now, he faced a crucial decision: would he seize this opportunity to create his own remarkable destiny or merely cling to this lifeline and drift along? <<less

After Rong Zhuo’s death, it was written into a book. The original owner was introduced to the prince as a confidant because of his ability and political integrity. When he passed through, he was not familiar with the prince. In order to avoid the ending of the original book, he decided to be a dummy and ruin his reputation so that he would not provoke the prince. Unexpectedly, Rong Zhuo overturned the car on his first day as a dummy, and also met the prince’s nemesis by accident, and this person is the future emperor of this dynasty…... more>>

Rong Zhuo, the protagonist of this article, is not a brilliant genius, but a little sun full of justice and kindness in his heart. Under his influence, the playful friends around him “returned to the righteous” one after another, and even the cold and violent His Royal Highness King Yan was unknowingly warmed by him, and slowly walked out of the gloomy past. <<less

This is a story about the study of technology in the wizarding world.... more>>

Probability, electromagnetic induction, nuclear physics, relativity... if one explored and learned the scientific way, one would be able to master everything. This was Richard's way of thinking until he traveled to a world similar to the Middle Ages as the prince of a nation.

One day... he'd been carried away by a dragon.

"This is quite an interesting aerodynamic flight, isn't it. How does it fly when it doesn't satisfy the Kutta Condition. Maybe it has to do with the number of wings and the Bernoulli Theorem? Does it have a built-in engine?"

Richard could not help but wonder as he looked at the dragon he was riding.

"Well, this is good study material. Oh, by the way, you said just now that you kidnapped me as a prince because you wanted to find a playmate for your dragon daughter? Isn't this reason a bit too... outlandish?"

"Roar!" the dragon roared angrily and flapped its large wings straight into the sky. <<less

It was 1068, Year 1 of the Xining era. Emperor Zhao Xu had recently ascended the throne of the Song dynasty. The widely respected old-guard of civil officials, Ouyang Xiu, Han Qi, and Fu Bi, were in their twilight years. The unorthodox reformer Wang Anshi was full of vigor, wishing to reverse the tide of decline sweeping over the empire. The stubborn Sima Guang would rather leave imperial government than give up on proper orthodoxy. The literary Su Shi watched from the sidelines, unable to pick a side. ... more>>

With such a talented crop of civil officials, the Song dynasty should have shone brightly. Instead, these geniuses embarked on a mutually destructive course, leaving the Song empire with a gaping, irreparable wound, and leaving future students of history with regret and controversy.

But the sudden arrival of a junior lawyer opens a new path for the Song dynasty. Reformers and conservatives, civil and military officials, domestic and foreign affairs, all shall come under the Law. <<less

Shen Cui unexpectedly transmigrated into a classical novel, becoming the beautiful yet malicious stepmother, Shen Cuihua, as described in the book. Her stepson, Mu Yunchuan, is destined to achieve great success in the imperial examinations, rise to a prominent position, and repay her a thousandfold for the wrongs she committed in the past.... more>>

Without hesitation, Shen Cui prepared to escape that very night. However, unexpectedly, the "Examination Foster System" went online!

[Task 1: Choose one son to nurture from the two sons. ( Lazy Biological Son ) or ( Genius Step-son )]

[Task 2: Master cooking skills and household management to become an outstanding mother in the classical examination style.]

[Task 3: Choose a teacher for the son, with qualifications not lower than 85.]

Shen Cui didn't dare to provoke the original male lead, so she could only choose her original son from the book — a lazy, chubby and ignorant child — to a comparison foster. She pulled him out of bed and said, "Son, it's time to study."

"Mama, I don't know how to read!"

Regardless, she forced him to study. If he didn't achieve fame, her eldest son would make sure she and her son were both finished! <<less

My father joined the army and became a marquis, but his wife is not my mother, what should I do? The stepmother seems to be transmigrating. She is gentle and virtuous, but in fact she wants to kill me, what should I do? The grandmother is snobby and wants me to give up the position of the eldest son. What should I do? When preparing for the imperial examination, the relatives make trouble and want me to fail the examination. What should I do?... more>>

The above answers are all in the “Complete Explanation of the Negative Textbooks for the Imperial Examination”. This book covers family disputes, imperial examination difficulties, officialdom troubles, king and ministers. Suitable for people interested in a powerful villain minister.

With a book in hand, taking scientific exam, and the teaching will not give a full refund! Later, when the noble families taught their children to study, they would always take Xiao Jingduo as an example: “Read well, don’t go astray. Don’t learn from him. You can’t disgrace the words of the sages.”

The world’s evaluation of Xiao Jing Duo is mixed. What he is most criticized for is that he has no literati style. And he is willing to be the sword of the regent princess and work for the princess. Until later, Xiao Jing Duo married the princess regent.

Courtier: …………No wonder! <<less

Su Wen transmigrated and became the Prime Minister’s son, possessing both power and money.... more>>

In the capital, Su Wen was known to be a profligate young master who had no cares.

However, all of this was merely a façade. He was provided with a goldfinger which was a cultivation system that rewarded him for triggering intense emotions in others.

He put on the image of an arrogant playboy to incur the negative emotions of others to farm points for his cultivation.

Thus, he started on the path towards the pinnacle of life.

But when he turned 18, something happened.

A general’s daughter went to war on behalf of her father and managed to rout the enemy, killing 40,000 of them.

Such startling news became the talk of the town and everyone was apprehensive when they talked about this woman who killed without batting an eye.

Meanwhile, Su Wen who had been having fun sowing his wild seeds in the capital was suddenly granted a marriage by the emperor. He was to marry this woman, the Goddess of Death. <<less

It's laughable that after a century of the Great Zhou Dynasty, it crumbled due to the decline of the royal heirs. Not only did a fool ascend the throne, but also a eunuch seized great power.... more>>

Wu Jing found himself in the shoes of the last imperial son of the Great Zhou, a recently crowned emperor who was perceived as a fool. He watched as people took advantage of his ignorance, serving him a meager meal of vegetables and plain rice.

Fists clenched, he grew angry.

Outside the palace hall, palace maids gossiped:
"That little emperor is quite handsome."
"If only he weren't a fool."
"The Ninth Thousand Years probably won't tolerate the restored normal emperor sitting in this position."

Wu Jing felt deflated.
He had to swallow his pride and continue pretending to be a fool.

Until one day, as he passed by the imperial garden, he accidentally saw the unpredictable and ruthless Ninth Thousand Years, known for killing without blinking, wearing a crane-patterned court robe. The red sleeves draped gracefully on the ground.

The Ninth Thousand Years squatted down, revealing a side profile with a smiling expression, extending a slender hand, feeding... a wild cat!

This cat was one of the wild cats in the imperial garden.
The next day, at the same spot, he saw the Ninth Thousand Years feeding a limping stray dog.

The third encounter was in the imperial study.
Wu Jing sat stiffly on the grand dragon throne, with a eunuch beneath his feet, a ten-year-old who accidentally spilled tea on the Ninth Thousand Years' robe, now frantically bowing.

Blood streamed down his face.

After a moment, someone came to take the little eunuch away, but the man sitting in the chief minister's chair suddenly spoke in a gentle tone, "Forget it, he's just a child."

Wu Jing shifted his black eyes.
Ning Qinghong turned his gaze, "Your Majesty, please let me review your lessons during this time."

"Gurgle—"
Wu Jing awkwardly looked at his stomach, a sudden insight striking him. The semi-grown teenager tilted up a pretty little face, his black eyes innocent, "Brother, I'm hungry."

Ning Qinghong narrowed his eyes slightly, picked up a pastry, "Come here." He fed the little emperor like he was feeding a kitten, coaxing him to finish.

Rumors spread that the Ninth Thousand Years suffered from a mental illness.
Sometimes smiling, sometimes cruel and tyrannical.

Wu Jing, who regretted hugging this thigh too late, hid in the wardrobe of the sleeping palace, hearing calls from outside.

Ning Qinghong, with a cold face, spoke in an oddly soft tone,
"Wu Wu, aren't you hungry?" <<less