The Phoenix’s Cry Across the Heavens: The Empress Dowager Who Guards the Nation

In her previous life, Shen Zhuo, the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's household, was framed for witchcraft by Empress Lin Wantang and died full of hatred in the Jiaofang Palace. Her obsession brought her reborn three days before she was to enter the palace. Carrying a blood feud and memories of her past life, Shen Zhuo swore to take revenge and never again be a lamb led to slaughter. Backed by the Duke of Zhenguo's household, she entered the inner palace with poise, wielding intelligence and strategy as her weapons.

From carefully laying her plans when she first entered the palace, and turning others' power to her advantage, to the perilous trials of pregnancy and childbirth and eliminating her rivals, Shen Zhuo grew stronger amid the bloody struggles of the harem. She defeated the wicked Empress Lin Wantang, deposed the incompetent crown prince, and won the emperor's trust and affection, ultimately ascending to the throne as empress. After the emperor fell gravely ill and died in his prime, she ruled from behind the curtain as empress dowager, guiding the young emperor.

Faced with rebellious vassal princes, criticism from court officials, and enemies on every side, Shen Zhuo displayed remarkable political acumen and an iron will. She implemented reforms, developed the economy, cleaned up officialdom, and strengthened the military, ushering in a golden age. From a deposed empress who died with her name cleared too late to the empress dowager who ruled the realm, hers was a life of sweeping triumphs and trials. In the end, her name went down in history, her phoenix cry resounding through the heavens.