A palace servant trained in herbal medicine finds herself in the heart of imperial intrigue in this enthralling period mystery The birth of Gyokuyou's son earns her the title of empress and rewrites court politics. Jinshi can also no longer continue his pretense as a eunuch at the rear palace. Although the Shi clan's demise restores peace, threats still loom--including an impending plague of insects. Maomao, as ever, finds herself caught...