The Ming Dynasty: My Beloved Imperial Consort

Centered on the love story of the only emperor and empress in Chinese history to share a lifelong devoted marriage, Ming Xiaozong Zhu Youcheng and his empress Zhang Qiang, this story depicts the history of the mid-Ming dynasty, from the Zhengtong era to the Jiajing era. It spans seven reigns and six emperors: Zhengtong, Jingtai, Tianshun, Chenghua, Hongzhi, Zhengde, and Jiajing. It portrays the fascinating and distinctive figures of the Ming dynasty, from emperors, empresses, and consorts to civil officials, generals, and eunuchs. Does the dragon-slaying girl eventually become a dragon herself? “My Zhang family was once trapped by power, and ruined by power... He lifted me to the very pinnacle of power, and I resented him for leaving me trapped there. Only after he was gone did I understand what it meant to be a canary in a cage. In this vast imperial palace, even the carved jade railings are cold to the touch...” “If I can't live a good life, what does that have to do with power?”