Centered on the imperial court and palace politics of the Tang dynasty, this book presents the loves and conflicts of emperors and empresses and consorts as its events, and the open and covert struggles among court officials and eunuchs as its main thread. Drawing on official histories as well as miscellaneous notes and writings by various authors, palace secrets, and traces from both court and common society, it weaves into its narrative anecdotes about famous scholars, beauties, heroes, and outstanding figures of the era. By combining official histories, unofficial histories, secret histories, and tales of romance, it gathers a broad range of material, both onstage and behind the scenes. Many important historical events are incorporated, giving a panoramic portrayal of the Tang dynasty's historical course and court struggles. This makes the book less dry and rigid than an official history, and adds literary vitality and interest. The events and figures are brought to life through vivid scenes and lively portrayals. The characters' dialogue is witty and amusing, with lessons and admonitions woven into their banter, making the book an effective cautionary tale and a work of considerable artistic achievement.
This work is especially unsparing in exposing the extravagance and absurdity of life in the Tang imperial palace. Countless tales of seduction and debauchery are all laid bare beneath the light of the bright moon, providing people with much to talk about over tea. It delivers a forceful condemnation and critique, and is highly entertaining, engaging, artistic, and enjoyable, earning a warm reception from readers.
The book does contain some exaggeration in its descriptions of details, but it remains largely faithful to the historical record in its major facts. It not only recounts major events in Tang history and portrays historical figures, but also delves deeply into the emotional worlds of emperors and offers detailed depictions of palace life. It will greatly help you understand the lives of emperors and the women of the imperial harem, secluded deep within the palace, and will also be a valuable guide to exploring Tang history.
This book is very interesting! As the title of the book says, it tells about the romantic affairs in the Tang Dynasty palace. It felt very real and made me understand the life in the palace. I particularly like the descriptions of the characters in the book, which are very vivid. For example, Jiao Na, the daughter of Governor Zhu, is simply a classical beauty in my mind! Moreover, this book is interesting and artistic, and it is not boring at all. However, some details may be a bit exaggerated, but this does not affect its readability. Overall, I think this book is worth reading and I recommend it to you!