Empire

By the time the Great Xuan dynasty reached its seventh ruler, Emperor Xiaowen, it was already riddled with decay. After Emperor Xiaowen came Emperor Dejia, a debauched ruler who imposed harsh taxes. The people of Great Xuan lived in misery, and rebellions broke out across the land. In the tenth year of Yuande, Emperor Dejia died. The crown prince, Su Yuan'an, ascended the throne as Emperor Dexi, known to history as the Last Emperor. The last: the end of the road. The official histories record only a few words about this ruler: He reigned for five years, was incompetent and immoral, and fled at the sight of the rebel army. Captured, he took his own life. And yet... There was a woman who stood at the heart of the storm, witnessed the rise and fall of a dynasty, and saw this emperor's love and hatred. What is righteousness? What is evil? Who can say for sure? With a single stroke of the vermilion brush, the court historian could only follow the will of the one on the throne. But she could not let him follow in the footsteps of those who came before him. Theme: