Fuliao Yishen Man

At the age of twenty-five, she was already revered as the Empress Dowager of a dynasty. Beyond the curtain of her regency, demons and schemers alike sought to tear pieces of flesh from her and the young emperor. Yet, only one man willingly bowed his head to her—sharing quiet moments with her in the desolate palace, gazing at the spring mountains together. He was the most powerful among the five chief ministers during the Guangyou era, described as “a piercing frost cutting through a jade tower, or a snow-laden breeze caressing blossoms.” The emperor deferred to him, and officials stepped aside in his presence. The world bestowed countless accolades upon him. But he made one mistake through...