Imperial Mind

 The secret to enjoying the Imperial Mind is to read the novel slowly.  If we take wine as a metaphor, drink as you will any "XO". Read it reflectively. Get an idea of this only Lady Emperor from historical sources before reading. 

The story is very simple as it is structured to unveil the workings of the mind of Wu Zetian. The Scholar was forcibly brought to record the recollections of Gong Gong. In ancient China, Chief Eunuch wields enormous, unseen power in the Inner Palace. Thus this is an observer's account of inner, Palace politics.