The Story of Saiunkoku, Vol. 4

After disguising herself as a boy to work alongside the brilliant but tradition-bound Minister of the Treasury, Shurei finds herself caught between her dreams and her heart when her secret threatens to unravel. As she navigates the treacherous politics of the imperial court—where she's been tasked with becoming the emperor's consort while secretly helping reform the civil service exams—she must convince Kijin that women deserve a place in government, even as their own connection deepens in unexpected ways. With every stolen moment and careful word, Shurei discovers that changing a man's mind might be just as challenging (and rewarding) as changing an empire. This volume beautifully weaves political intrigue with the slow-burn tension between two people whose principles keep clashing, even as they find themselves increasingly unable to deny what's growing between them.