Akin to the bestselling and preceding novel in the series Empress Orchid, names within the story are different in spelling but retain the same pronunciation - allowing the reader to identify each relevant character to his or her real life counterpart.

As well as this, she also believes that Alute has little experience with political and court matters – thus rendering her unsuitable for the role as Empress of China.

Yet these possibilities had no effect on foreign journals describing Orchid as a violent character who contributed to the death of her son – whilst portraying Alute as the protagonist of the event.

Initially, Orchid felt no motherly love for her nephew as she only adopted him to prevent his death at Rong's hand.

Shortly after the appointment of Guang-hsu as Orchid's successor, her love Yung Lu announces that he is planning to marry and move away to faraway Sinkiang.

Soon after Orchid realises that she is no longer at full health, she receives information that Empress Nuharoo has collapsed from illness.

After Guang-hsu learns of the mistake he made that almost cost Orchid's life, he becomes deeply shamed and loses the will to live.