Typical over-explainy style of writing where the narrator feels a need to interrupt every other sentence to explain what was said previously. Even though it's wildly obvious. The dialogue is unsubtle and doesn't impart any sort of seduction/political skill/ruthlessness that the explanations so desperately try to convince you of. I had a slight interest in the character Li Tao based on the implied complexity to his character in the author's first book, Butterfly Swords, but based on my disappointment from that first book, I avoided this one until now. 
 Alas, I should have left it alone. 
 On the other hand, this author's writing ability DOES get better. The Lotus Palace scores where this one fails (though I argue the crime-solving mystery part needs work), and I intend to read the sequel to that as well. Additionally, her steampunk series starts out strong with Gunpowder Alchemy Gunpowder Alchemy. So yay! I can't recommend this particular book, but it's nice to see an author growing in skill rather than churning out crap after hitting it big.