Ambitious Protagonist
Above the Crimson Steps
His Majesty handpicked three women to enter the palace and help secure the phoenix throne for the woman he loved.
The first was the Grand Tutor’s daughter, steeped in the classics and celebrated throughout the capital for her brilliance.
The second was the general’s legitimate younger sister, peerless with bow and horse and proud to the bone.
The third was me, a woman without powerful kin or scholarly fame, armed only with hands that could manage a household and turn simple ingredients into exquisite food.
On the night before I entered the palace, Grandfather reminded me again and again to keep my head down and stay safe.
I smiled and agreed, yet as soon as I turned away, I wondered why I should.
The learned woman had no respect for her sovereign.
The horsewoman let her mount trample the palace steps.
As for the woman raised to the phoenix throne, she could not recognize a written character if it were as large as a grain measure.
Now that I had entered this game, I did not want safety.
I wanted to win.
Now that I had caught the emperor’s eye, I would not settle for a share of his favor; I would take it all.
