Phoenix Marrow 凤髓 by You Sijie 尤四姐

After the death of the former emperor, the throne was passed to Fu Wei, with the late emperor entrusting the governance of the realm to the young empress under the guidance of three key ministers: Chief Minister Yan Xiangru and two other prominent officials. Over the years, Yan Xiangru, through careful maneuvering, eliminated his political rivals, becoming the most powerful figure in court. Empress Fu Wei, having been raised under Yan Xiangru’s tutelage, initially appeared obedient and compliant. However, as she matured, she grew increasingly dissatisfied with the Chief Minister’s overwhelming control over the court and began plotting to reclaim her authority.

At sixteen, the traditional age for a royal wedding, Fu Wei planned to use the occasion of her marriage to assert her independence and force Yan Xiangru to relinquish his power. The Grand Tutor once asked the empress: “How will you handle it if the Chief Minister disrespects you, mocks you, avoids you, or despises you?”

The empress replied: “I shall endure him, intimidate him, tease him, pursue him, and seduce him. Wait a few more years, and you’ll see—he’ll marry me and even bear children for me.”

In the treacherous world of palace politics, he is her first and greatest faith. Yet in the arena of courtly power struggles, he is also her ultimate adversary.