Ink of the Heavenly Mandate

About this book

In an alternate 1912 where the Taiping Rebellion conquered China, the Eternal Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace thrives on a blend of theocracy, Confucianism, and steam technology. Official decrees are believed to be divine mandates, dictating the course of the empire. Seventeen-year-old calligraphy apprentice Li Mei, an orphan living with her stern uncle in Beijing, possesses an unparalleled eye for spotting microscopic flaws in brushstrokes. While working at the Imperial Archive, she discovers subtle anomalies in the "suicide" mandate of her late father's colleague. Suspecting a sinister connection to her own father's similar demise, Li Mei teams up with Elias Thorne, a half-British telegraph operator, and Wei, a eunuch messenger boy with knowledge of the palace's secret tunnels. Together, they uncover a massive conspiracy led by the high-ranking Chancellor Liang to forge divine decrees, embezzle resources, and stage a coup against the God-Emperor. Facing spies, betrayals, and the looming threat of civil war, Li Mei must use her skills to expose the truth and clear her family's name, risking everything to break the silence imposed by a corrupt bureaucracy.

Book details

Genres:

Mystery, Alternative History, Steampunk

Language:

en

Published:

2026-02-25

Content rating:

PG