Matt Penrose

Yan Mei Ling, the fiercely independent daughter of Imperial Chixian Shenzhou’s most revered military commander, dreams of a life unburdened by the rigid expectations of her noble lineage. Restless and daring, she craves freedom and purpose beyond her family’s gilded walls. Desperate to escape her reality, she dons the guise of a foreign ninja and enters the Empire’s famed Imperial tournament, where only two people know her secret: her loyal maidservant and her closest companion, Princess Li Lei Shuang, the Emperor’s cherished daughter.

But when news arrives that the ruthless warlord Hsien Mao Dong demands Princess Li Lei Shuang’s hand in marriage-or threatens war against the Empire-Mei Ling’s life takes a perilous turn. Determined to protect her best friend at all costs, Mei Ling does the unthinkable: she sheds her false identity and joins the Imperial army as Tang Lao Fang, an orphaned boy, risking everything to safeguard her homeland and the people she loves.

As Mei Ling navigates the brutal realities of war and the dangers of deception, her journey is fraught with betrayal, courage, and self-discovery. Each step reveals not only the treacheries of those she once trusted but also the unbreakable strength she carries within. Torn between duty, loyalty, and the growing understanding of her heart, Mei Ling must make choices that will alter the course of her life-and the fate of an empire.

Brimming with heart-pounding action, intricate political intrigue, and a touch of forbidden love, this novel weaves an unforgettable tale of honor, sacrifice, and the search for one’s true self. Dive into the extraordinary world of Yan Mei Ling’s journey-where every decision could cost her life and every victory reshapes her destiny.