The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 1

When a clever, ambitious noblewoman finally gets her shot at the imperial palace, it's not quite the way she dreamed—she's been hired as a consort to shake up a deliberately absent emperor who's content to let everyone else run his kingdom. The twist? Her new husband seems far more interested in avoiding her than ruling his realm, and Shurei will need all her wit and determination to even find him, let alone convince him that his people actually need him. Packed with political intrigue, witty banter, and the slow-burn spark of two people who might be exactly what the other needs, this is a delightfully charming tale of ambition, duty, and unexpected connections in a sumptuous imperial court.