The scarlet alchemist
(Book)

Series information from author's website, https://www.kylieleebaker.com/the-scarlet-alchemist

Includes bibliographical references.

In an alternate Tang Dynasty China, aspiring royal alchemist Zilan, who has the ability to resurrect the dead, arrives in the capital to compete against the best alchemists in the country and becomes drawn into the dangerous political games of the royal family.

Zilan dreams of becoming a royal alchemist, of providing for her family by making alchemical gold and gems for the wealthy to eat in order to stay young forever. Instead she lives in an impoverished village in southern China, practicing an illegal form of alchemy to keep food on the table: resurrecting the dead, for a price. Given a chance to complete her imperial exams, she is followed to the capital by her reputation for raising the dead. The Crown Prince himself seeks out her help, suspecting a coming assassination attempt. Caught in the dangerous political games of the royal family, it's only a matter of time before the secrets of her past catch up with her. -- adapted from jacket