2007, second part of the novel that chronicles the period of activity of
the Empress Tzu Hsi in the Forbidden City; the saga continues from the moment Lady
Yehonala and her counterpart the Empress Nuharoo assume the power of the
empire, until her passing at the age of 72.
The sequel describes the most tragic and political events in history,
Orchid must endure her loved ones’ deaths and get on governing with the shrewdness
and the skill of a juggler so the empire does not collapse.
Her son’s erratic behavior, his apathy towards Chinese people and their
political conflicts, and to top it all, the total indifference toward his
mother, sum up the most excruciating sufferings in Orchid’s life; not to
mention that in return the Empress had to give up the love of her life.
My score:
