On the night my elder sister fled her wedding, Mother pressed the phoenix crown onto my head.

She said, “If you don’t go, our whole family will die.”

I was sent into the palace and made to kneel before the dragon bed, waiting for the emperor to lift my veil.

But the person behind the bed curtains spoke first.

“So you’re a fake too?”

My hand shook, and the ceremonial bridal rod clattered to the floor.

The young emperor sat in the candlelight, his lapels still stained with blood.

“Perfect.”

He said, “The real emperor is dead. His body is in your dowry chest.”

Latest Release