As a slave in the Kipchak Khanate, Jinghua has lost everything: her home, her family, her freedom. She becomes an unlikely conspirator in the escape of Prince Khalaf and his father from their enemies across the vast Mongol Empire. Jinghua hatches a scheme to use the Kipchaks' exile to return home. Her feelings evolve into a hopeless love, as Khalaf seeks to restore his kingdom by forging a marriage alliance with Turandokht, the daughter of the Great Khan. All suitors must solve three impossible riddles to win her hand-- and if they fail, they die.