A silver-haired survivor navigates the secrets of a fictional ancient Chinese court
In short: In a world inspired by ancient China, sixteen-year-old Shouxue holds the title of Raven Consort. Despite her high rank, she lives in seclusion, using mysterious arts to communicate with the deceased. Her survival depends on a dark secret: she is the last of a family marked for extermination.
Shouxue, the protagonist of the light novel series Raven of the Inner Palace, serves as the latest successor to the title of Raven Consort. Living within the Ye Ming Palace, she maintains a life of seclusion, avoiding nighttime duties and direct contact with Emperor Gaojun. Her role involves using mysterious arts to call forth spirits and purify them so they may find peace in Paradise. She is accompanied by a lady-in-waiting and several servants. Her only familiar is a golden-yellow chicken named Xing-Xing.
Authored by Kōko Shirakawa with illustrations by Ayuko, this series depicts Shouxue's journey through the intricate inner palace. She is the final surviving member of the Luan Family, a dynasty known for their distinctive silver hair. To hide her identity and avoid the fate of her ancestors, Shouxue dyes her hair black—a secret known only to a few, including Emperor Gaojun and Wei Qing. An anime adaptation produced by BN Pictures aired in late 2022. Seven Seas Entertainment handles the English publication of the series.
The Luan Family was targeted by a powerful man named Yandi, who accused them of treason. This historical trauma drives much of the narrative tension, as Shouxue struggles with the essence of the 'Raven' within her and the rage stemming from her family's destruction. The series has gained significant popularity, with over 1.2 million copies in circulation by 2023 and a Grand Prize win at the 22nd Sense of Gender Awards in 2022. The plot follows her interactions with Emperor Gaojun and his various attendants. This narrative explores her struggle against the corruption of the Empress Dowager.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Raven of the Inner Palace
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