“I know what they have planned and I cannot stop it.” I looked at my brother who I’d called to the palace to vent my spleen.

“I must take a wife, the people demand it. The ministers kneel outside the royal court day in and day out pleading.”

I pounded my fist on my thigh. The thought repulsed me more than I thought possible. The Empress dowager had finally found a way to back me into a corner.

The kingdom was in an uproar. My people were wary of all the ...