Power Under The Skirt

The Crown Prince is dead, and the Great Xuan Dynasty is in turmoil. The rebel army is at the gates. To stabilize the situation and uncover the cause of death of her twin elder brother, Zhao Yan, Princess Changfeng, has no choice but to disguise herself as a man and take on the role of the Eastern Palace Crown Prince, facing the wind and shedding blood. On the night she enters the Eastern Palace, the Empress repeatedly admonishes her, “As the only prince of a different surname in this dynasty, the cunning Prince Su has controlled the court and the military for many years. His ambitious nature must not be underestimated!” Hearing this, Zhao Yan feels like she’s walking on thin ice every day, her heart pounding. Until one day, Zhao Yan is ambushed. When she wakes up, everything is chaotic, and there, the powerful Prince Su, with his disheveled hair and half-dressed attire, looks at her with his dangerously handsome and slightly raised eyes. This is bad! Zhao Yan’s mind goes blank, and she turns to run. In the next moment, her sash is caught. Prince Su sneers and his voice carries a hint of displeasure, “Running away so soon, isn’t that improper?” “The Little Crown Prince” with ink-black hair scattered and a pale face stammers, “I… I’m going to review the memorials.” “Sure.” The man leisurely hooks her hair strands, his voice low and hoarse, “As the Crown Prince reads memorials, I shall read the Crown Prince.” ——– People used to say that the naturally rebellious and unruly Prince Su has changed his ways, no longer causing trouble or rebellion, but instead assisting the Crown Prince. He stays overnight in the Eastern Palace every day and even shares a bed with the Crown Prince. Who would have thought that one day, it would be revealed that the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace is actually a girl disguised as a boy, causing turmoil in the court. The whole court is in an uproar, and everyone speculates that Prince Su will seize this opportunity to overthrow the imperial power and take over. However, during the court interrogation, Prince Su, draped in a black cloak, bows in front of the civil and military officials, reaching out to hold the delicate fingertips of the young girl. “Don’t be afraid, let’s move forward.” His voice is stern yet reassuring, as he calmly states, “If anyone dares to speak ill, I’ll kill them; if heaven obstructs, I’ll defy it.”

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Power Under The Skirt "Power Under The Skirt" immediately grabbed my attention with its gender bender premise set in ancient China. The concept of a princess stepping into her deceased brother's shoes as Crown Prince felt ripe with potential for both political intrigue and emotional depth, and I was eager to see if the story delivered. Having finished it, I can say that while it has a few minor drawbacks, it's a compelling read overall. ### First Impressions The initial chapters quickly set the stage. We are introduced to Zhao Yan, our strong female lead, and the heavy burden she carries. The story expertly balances the weight of her deception with the personal stakes of avenging her brother. I was immediately invested in her journey and the challenges she faces navigating the treacherous court. ### What Works Well What I appreciated most was Zhao Yan's character. She's a decisive and compassionate female lead, not overly cruel or pathetically weak. She's willing to admit her mistakes and move forward, and it's refreshing to see a protagonist who embodies strength without sacrificing empathy. The romance, though perhaps needing a bit more detail in its suggestive scenes, is also a highlight. The male lead is complex, a man driven by trauma and revenge, but the relationship that develops between them is genuinely heartwarming and supportive. He may want to destroy everything, but she helps him see the brighter side and guides him to a path of justice without unnecessary harm. I also loved that his revenge plot wasn't simply forgotten after he fell in love, adding depth and realism to the narrative. Their dynamic is best described as, "I am a spoilt princess because you made me so," and his response is simply, "...fair enough." This perfectly encapsulates their sweet and supportive bond. ### Areas of Concern The pacing felt a little rushed towards the end, leaving me wanting more in terms of chapter count. Additionally, the Empress mother's actions sometimes felt inconsistent, particularly regarding the Crown Prince Consort candidate. It raises questions about her risk assessment and how she believes her daughter can deceive so many people while simultaneously fearing exposure. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers have pointed out a potential plot hole regarding the Empress mother's long-term plan for Zhao Yan's deception. The question is, how long did she expect her daughter to maintain the charade? ### Final Verdict Despite a few minor plot inconsistencies and a desire for a slightly longer story, I thoroughly enjoyed "Power Under The Skirt." The strong characters, compelling romance, and intriguing plot kept me hooked from beginning to end. If you're a fan of gender bender stories with a healthy dose of political intrigue and a sweet, supportive romance, I highly recommend giving this one a try.