For centuries, the nation of Great Xing has been synonymous with power and prestige, with no finer example than the country’s glorious capital: Yongjing. The city teems with scholars, bureaucrats, artisans, and performers. But Yongjing was not always so vibrant. Beneath the fine floor tiles and immaculate garden paths lie the remains of prior dynasties and their long-dead citizens—concealing a turbulent past marked by war, subjugation, and famine. The rule of the Xing dynasty has brought wealth, stability, and peace to Great Xing. But now the imperial secret of longevity has been exhausted, which means the White Jade Emperor’s long reign will end soon. The Grand Secretary who governs Great Xing according to the emperor’s command knows that it’s only a matter of time before word of the emperor’s impending death gets out and the stability of the empire is put to the test.