A Beauty's Fading Grace, the Emperor's Tears

Once upon a time... there was a winding, intricate tale.

Once upon a time... there was a love so stirring it could take your breath away.

Once upon a time... there was an insurmountable divide.

How many beauties have withered, and how many tears have emperors shed? Let me tell you the story, little by little.

A merchant’s daughter has come of age. Decisive and sharp-witted, she can captivate the world with a single dance. Watch her scheme and maneuver in the former dynasty’s court and the imperial harem, turning the tides and throwing the realm into turmoil. And in the midst of all her plotting, see how she faces one unexpected challenge after another.

Excerpt One: An Unintended Act Bears Fruit

She meant to use him to get close to his older brother. Who could have guessed he would give his heart to her in vain? Their entangled fate was destined to become another heartbreaking tragedy.

He: “I don’t care. As long as you’ll leave with me, we can forget the world from now on, wander through the misty rains of Jiangnan and the yellow sands of the desert, roam beneath the heavens, and live as we please. What do you say?”

She: “No...”

What? How could she be unmoved by such a handsome man, as refined as an orchid and a jade tree, and words so touching they could move heaven and earth? As the author, I simply can’t stand for this. It’s just too, too... Ahem.

For more excitement, follow Red Beauty’s Lament: The Emperor’s Tears on Xiaoxiang Academy. Coming soon!

Excerpt Two: The Scheming Woman and the Cunning Man

The two of them are destined to keep blurring truth and lies. Which is true, and which is false?

He: “Come back to the palace with me. I’ll give you a title.”

She: “As long as I can be with you, I don’t care about any of that.” (Tears welling up over here.)

What? How could she possibly not care about anything? You, you, you... are you serious or not? Whether “he” believes it or not, I don’t. As the author, I can’t take this anymore. It’s just too, too... Ahem.

For more excitement, follow Red Beauty’s Lament: The Emperor’s Tears on Xiaoxiang Academy. Coming soon!

There are countless other bit-part characters passing by. Ahem. As the author, I can’t help thinking this woman is a tangled mix of indecision and contradiction, kindness and wickedness, devotion and ruthlessness.

In the end, when the flowers have fallen and all has come to nothing, there is only one question: “My heart is steadfast as stone. What, then, of your love for me?”

Why so serious?

For more excitement, follow Red Beauty’s Lament: The Emperor’s Tears on Xiaoxiang Academy. Coming soon!