Yearning to step aside yet growing constantly into er role，only she can hold the nation’S rival factions together．In this sequel to the bestselling novel Empress Orchid，An(hee Min brings to life one of the most important figures in Chi nese history,a very human leader who assumes power reluctant ly．

AT THE END of the nineteenth century Chiv a is rocked by humiliating foreign attacks and local rebellions．The only constant is the power wielded by one wom3 n：the res lient，ever—resourceful Tzu Hsi，also known as Empress Orchid．Moving from the intimacy of the concubine quarters into the spotlight of the world stage，Orchid makes a dramatic metamorphosis from a strong—willed young woman to a wise political leader,who must not only face the perilous condil ion of her fading empire but also a series of devastating persol’tal losses．Yearning to step aside yet growing constantly into er role，only she can hold the nation’S rival factions together．In this sequel to the bestselling novel Empress Orchid，An hee Min brings to life one of the most important figures in Chi nese history,a very human leader who assumes power reluctant ly,and who sacrifices all she has to protect both those she and her doomed empire．