The third book in the Taiwanese classic Real/Fake Princess adds a new dimension to its already complex relationships. Zhong Lu – the soldier ordered to seek out and return exiled princess Zhi Li to the royal court – has a jealous lover in the closet, who pretends to be the princess in an effort to assassinate her. Failing to do so she commits suicide instead, but not before she’s whispered poisoned words into the ear of her rival.
I-Huan’s drawing remains as luscious as ever, particularly the intricate detail on the period costumes she dresses her characters in.