"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

Matsurika, a female officer in the Inner Palace, had a little special skill, and that was "a better memory" than others. One day, she accepted... more>> a request to become a practice partner for a marriage meeting of a certain son of a distinguished family.
However, the one who appeared was the Emperor, Hakuyou, who wanted to try having a marriage meeting?! And interested in Matsurika's special skill, Hakuyou even said, "For now, go and pass the civil exam"...?!
A Chinese-style Cinderella story between an emperor and a girl! <<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

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

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