The Prince and His Concubine

Book excerpt: Crown Prince Xiang Xu's life is regimented and predetermined by tradition from the day of his birth. The Prince of Yan, slated to be the next emperor, is bored with his life. But this disposition changes drastically when he and his cousin journey into the village incognito. Unexpectedly, the prince encounters Wei Lu, a woman who captures his interest and will one day become his soul mate. A member of a formerly wealthy family that has fallen on hard times, Wei Lu now works in a sandal factory to help her elderly and ailing parents. In exchange for financial support for her parents, Wei Lu agrees to become Xiang Xu's concubine his first and only love. She vows to bear him many children. But the couple, so devoted to each other, faces many challenges in their unusual relationship. The vagaries of war, assassination attempts, and treachery are part of the culture in which they live, and only time will tell whether their love will last.