[Palace intrigue] [Strong heroine] [Empress] [Female-led] [Cunning]
The beautiful scenery of Suzhou and the scholarly atmosphere of the Lin family shaped Lin Xiang'er, daughter of a Suzhou textile official. Though born to a humble family, she was talented and kindhearted. With her family reluctant to see her go, she entered the palace as a seventh-rank selected maiden, full of hope and trepidation. Once inside, Lin Xiang'er was assigned to the Palace Service, where she first met the supervisor, Aunt Yutan. Aunt Yutan seemed strict, but was secretly observing her. The way Lin Xiang'er let her longing for the late empress show, almost without realizing it, would prove significant later. When Lin Xiang'er discovered that the empress's phoenix robe was damaged, she carefully mended it using the exquisite Suzhou embroidery techniques she had mastered from childhood. The palace maids around her were amazed, and word reached the empress, earning Lin Xiang'er her initial favor.
The talented Lin Xiang'er, born to a humble family, steps into the deep and treacherous Forbidden City and embarks on fifteen years of ups and downs in the palace. A struggle for power between humble families and great clans is about to begin.
