Meanwhile, Wan Zhen’er, who lives in the Forbidden City, is only the nanny to Zhu Jianshen, the future Emperor of China. But although she eventually rises to the rank of official concubine of the Chenghua Emperor and becomes the most powerful woman in the Middle Kingdom, Lady Wan is forced to defend her precarious position daily against conspiratorial eunuchs, warlords, ministers, and much younger and ambitious concubines.
The great Mongolian warrior, Unebolod, spends his life in Manduul Khan’s shadow, preparing for the day when he can seize the throne even though he’s not a direct descendant of Genghis Khan but rather of his younger brother, Qasar. But when he forms a dangerous alliance with Mandukhai Khatun, it swiftly transforms into a lingering passion that could destroy them both. But just as the two young people are sure that fate will bring them together and make Unebolod the next Khan, a young prince emerges from the shadows, captures the Khan’s attention, and attempts to steal the people’s hearts.
But as Manduul Khan slowly withers away, Mandukhai Khatun faces her most formidable challenge thus far: Carving out her place in a political hierarchy ruled by men. And as the Mongolian warlords prepare to raise their war banners again, secrets are revealed, and dangers lurk around every corner. Who will survive the treacherous games of influence and power at the Mongolian court and the Forbidden City? Will this end the great forefather Genghis Khan’s royal bloodline? And who will be left to tell the tale when the dust finally settles?
