When the chill of the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu fails to claim Zhu Biao’s life, and Zhu Xiongying, who was supposed to die young, grows up safe and sound, the history of the Great Ming splits onto an entirely new course. After Zhu Yuanzhang’s death, Zhu Biao ascends the throne as the Jianwen Emperor. Twelve years of benevolent rule make the Great Ming more powerful with every passing day. Zhu Xiongying succeeds him as the Yongxing Emperor, inheriting his father’s realm, but must face the undercurrents of the princely houses, especially those stirred by Prince of Yan Zhu Di. Xu Mingyue, who transmigrated from the modern era, is the youngest daughter of Xu Da and the Yongxing Emperor’s principal wife. Armed with a script of history, she discovers that everything has long since spiraled out of control: Zhu Di does not rise in rebellion as expected, but instead builds his influence step by step from his base in Beiping; Zhu Yunwen loses his claim to the throne and struggles to survive between the court and the imperial clan. Using modern insight, she assists Zhu Xiongying in countering Zhu Di’s influence, while witnessing Zhu Yunwen, swept along by the butterfly effect of history, live a life entirely different from the one he was meant to lead. Where will this rewritten game of the Great Ming ultimately lead?
