Empress Orchid, Paperback/Anchee Min

An enthralling, erotic story of Imperial China. 17 year old Orchid becomes a concubine to the Emperor in order to save her family from poverty. As she seduces the monarch, little does she know that China will collapse around her, and that she will be its last Empress. "Strong on both sexual chicanery and violent conspiracy... a fascinating account" }Guardian{