The Phoenix Returns to Court

[Complete]

Ten years ago, the Emperor’s eldest daughter was sent far away to marry into the Rouran.

Ten years later, the Western Rouran was conquered by the imperial court. The princess submitted a request to return to the capital and retire there. The new emperor granted her wish and ordered the Marquis of Ruyang, Liu Fu, and Lu Wei, Junior Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, to go escort her home.

People said that although the princess was still a noble daughter of the imperial family, her father had been replaced on the throne by her cousin. With no one to protect her and now a widow, she was a pitiable woman whose future was already all too clear.

No one could have imagined that for Zhang Yuwan, this was only the beginning of her life.

Her future was destined to be extraordinary.

In Lu Wei’s eyes, escorting the princess was a task with plenty of benefits to be had.

From the moment he left the capital, he began calculating how much he could profit from the princess.

Until…

He and the princess were hunted together.

One unsolved case followed another, and Lu Wei was drawn into them. With no choice but to work with the princess, he followed the clues and sought the truth.

Lu Wei wondered what sins he must have committed in his past life to end up dealing with this woman.

To everyone else, Lu Wei was a man of ethereal grace, unmoved by worldly concerns, versed in the ways of spirits and gods, and sharp-eyed enough to see through everything.

Only the princess knew that this man named Lu was cold on the outside and devious within, with a mind full of schemes and self-interest, and a heart of stone.

In a chaotic world, he lived only for himself.

But, as they say, every cause has its consequence, and you are mine.

An alternate-history mystery. The princess really is a widow.

A princess who is not what she seems vs. a minister who is not what he seems.

Inspired by the Sixteen Kingdoms period. The story and characters are not based on real people. This is largely an alternate history, so please don’t read it as historical fact.

Some readers have a great many content preferences, too many to list, so if that applies to you, please read with caution.

Please don’t bring up works unrelated to this novel or compare and comment on other authors. Such discourteous comments will be deleted if seen.

Theme: Forge your own path and create a new world for yourself