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Zhang
Dynasty:
SEDUCTION OF THE
PHOENIX
By
Michelle M. Pillow
Chapter One
Imperial Palace of
the Zhang Dynasty,
Honorable City,
Muntong Territory,
Planet of Lintian
Prince Zhang Jin
watched the women
bowing before him,
one right after
another. Their long
sleeves trailed over
their hands, falling
gracefully to the
floor. The delicate
silk of their
traditional gowns
only complemented
their beauty. White
powder hid their
complexions,
accenting their red
painted lips. They
were all lovely,
each sent from the
far reaches of his
home planet of
Lintian to present
themselves in the
Hall of Infinite
Wisdom located at
his home in the
Imperial Palace.
“Yang Ping,” the
herald announced as
another woman
stepped forward.
Jin kept his eyes
forward as Yang Ping
bowed before him.
The yellow silk
surrounding her
added a pleasing
light to her face,
as the orange glow
of the palace
torches reflected
lightly off her. The
torchlight was only
to add ambiance to
the ceremony and
wouldn’t truly be
needed until
nightfall. Above,
the outside sun was
reflected in through
small holes in the
ceiling. They were
so tiny and inlaid
into the intricate
design that it was
impossible to see
them.
The herald spoke
again, but Jin
didn’t catch the
woman’s name. He
bowed as was
expected, bored to
the point that his
mind had gone numb.
Absently, he traced
the gold statue of a
warrior god standing
by the entranceway
and imagined the
life-size bust to be
on the verge of
attacking the hall.
Jin wasn’t one for
violence, but the
prospect was more
entertaining than
bowing and smiling.
This was the Qi-zi
ceremony and he was
to have his pick of
the women for his
bride--if he so
chose. What none of
the elders seemed to
realize was that he
did not wish to be
married. Still, he
and his brothers
were eligible, each
year they’d send
women for his
inspection and each
year he’d send them
away as unworthy.
He’d done it so many
times that he was
beginning to
recognize some of
the women from years
before, though they
wore different
makeup and clothing.
At
least he wasn’t
forced to endure the
tradition alone. His
brothers stood next
to him, each feeling
much the same way he
did. They did not
wish for brides
either. Why marry
when they could
spend their days at
leisure in the arms
of a concubine?
However, according
to their father,
when the time to
take a bride
presented itself,
they’d be guided by
their ancestors and
would have an
uncontrollable
compulsion to claim
her at any cost.
“Yu Xiang,” the
herald announced the
next eligible lady.
A woman covered in a
long blue gown
shuffled forward and
bowed respectfully.
The four princes
nodded their heads
in return. She was
pretty, but her
virtue was indeed in
question. Some
experience wasn’t
necessarily a bad
thing in a bride,
but the princes knew
well Xiang had
enough experience to
rival that of all
the princes
combined--a very
great feat. Though,
looking at her now,
she appeared as
unsullied as a
virgin. That was
another thing he
didn’t like about
the ceremony. How
did you really know
anything about a
woman by watching
her bow? Just a look
was supposed to
capture his interest
and make him want to
know more? How could
that be possible
after so many women
came before him?
Their faces would
blur into one and he
wouldn’t remember a
Shu Fang from Ting.
Xiang batted her
eyelashes at them
while pursing her
lips. Hearing a
noise, Jin looked
out of the corner of
his eye. His oldest
brother, Zhang Haun,
winked in his
direction. Jin tried
not to return the
insolent look with
one of his own,
knowing his father,
the Emperor of the
Muntong Empire, was
watching them
carefully. Next to
Haun stood the
youngest prince,
Shen, and then their
brother Lian. They
also had two
sisters, Mei and
Fen. Mei was off in
space with her
husband, a foreign
prince, but even if
she had been home
she wouldn’t have
been present. The
Zhang princesses
weren’t forced to
endure these
ceremonies.
“Jia Wan,” the
herald said and Jin
tried not to yawn.
Traditional music,
passed down for many
generations, played
over the quiet hall.
The sound of the
flute mingled with
that of the harp. It
was beautiful and
archaic. It was
tradition. Jin knew
that without
tradition the people
would lose all
connection to the
past. It was
important for them
as a royal family to
rule in accordance
with ideals and to
honor the old
customs. That is why
they never protested
coming to stand for
hours to watch women
parade before them.
As much as he
loathed it, he out
of all his siblings
was blessed with a
powerful
understanding and
respect for the
past.
The Zhang palace was
hidden behind great
walls in what was
known as Honorable
City. Aside from
when duty demanded
it, Jin never left
the city. Why would
he want to? The city
was a fortress. He
was comfortable in
his home, surrounded
by his family and
his scrolls. His
needs were tended to
and every whim
fulfilled. On the
outside, the palace
walls were protected
by a thick moat and
there were only two
known entrances
inside--one in front
and one in back of
the large
rectangular complex.
The Hall of Infinite
Wisdom was only one
building within the
palace walls,
located in the
center. It was the
largest structure,
set high upon stone
to tower over the
surrounding
courtyard and
gardens. Also within
the compound were
practice halls where
the royal family and
imperial guards
could exercise.
There was a hall
where they paid
homage to their
ancestors, a
library, archery
range, the Exalted
Hall used for
weddings and special
private ceremonies.
Barracks for the
guards were near the
weapons chambers,
which were located
close to the royal
chambers where the
Zhang family lived.
“Dong Xia He,” the
herald said, as a
woman clad in red
shuffled forward.
Jin took a deep
breath, eyeing the
long line waiting
behind her.
Emperor Zhang and
Jin’s mother, the
empress, sat in high
thrones above the
hall. Carved golden
dragons coiled
around the royal
couple. His father
had a long mustache
that hung down the
front of his tunic.
They wore matching
yellow embroidered
silk decorated with
Imperial red dragons
and ancient symbols.
Just like when their
people had lived on
Earth long ago, red
and gold were the
colors of royalty,
representing fortune
and wealth. The
emperor’s clothing
matched the
buildings, all of
which had yellow
tiled roofs and dark
red walls.
“Let go of me, you
son of a Lophibian
whore!”
Jin perked up at the
very feminine cry.
The language wasn’t
that of Lintian but
he understood it
well enough. It was
a star language,
from a culture that
long ago shared the
planet Earth with
his people. When
they were growing
up, the emperor had
demanded that all
his children upload
language files into
their brains. They’d
been on a very
strict educational
schedule for most of
their childhood--but
that had been
decades ago.
“I’ll kick your ass,
you tyrannical
brute!”
Jin narrowed his
eyes, concentrating
on what the woman
screamed. The
translations
shouldn’t have been
difficult to do,
though it had been a
long time since he
had used them. Was
she really screaming
insults or were the
translations harder
than he thought?
“Zhang Jin,” said an
authoritative, old
voice. The words
were soft, carried
as if on a gentle
breeze.
Jin turned, seeing
the transparent
figure of his dead
grandfather, Zhang
Manchu, standing
beside him.
Instantly, he placed
fist to palm and
bowed in respect for
his ancestor.
“Grandfather.”
Tension curled in
his gut. What was
his grandfather
doing here? Now? At
this ceremony? Did
the bearer of the
female voice bring
danger with her? He
knew he’d much
prefer facing a life
and death battle
than finding a
bride.
“Jin?” Haun asked.
His brother’s eyes
glanced to Jin’s
side. Jin knew his
brother couldn’t see
the spirit. The
ancestors only
showed themselves to
those they wished to
guide.
“Grandfather
Manchu,” Jin
answered. Haun
frowned, but nodded
once in complete
understanding. The
commotion grew
louder and the sound
of a struggle
ensued, distracting
Jin from his
grandfather’s
spirit.
“Takes five of you
brutes and a blow
dart to subdue a
little girl like me?
Your parents must be
so proud! Is this
all you got? Huh?
Huh! ”
The line of awaiting
women parted in a
flurry of blue,
green and yellow
embroidered silk.
Their bodies created
a pathway to the
large gold doors
leading from the
hall. Five Imperial
guards dragged a
woman by each of her
limbs, the fifth
holding her masked
head to keep it from
thrashing about.
Even clad from head
to toe in black, it
was easy to see by
her curves that it
was a female--that
and the sound of her
ungodly curses as
she fought their
hold.
“Let go of me you,
Kaokin scum.” The
woman freed an arm
and tried to punch
the guard holding
her head. The man
jerked to the side,
wrenching her into a
strange angle. She
didn’t scream at the
painful twist of her
body as Jin expected
she might, but only
got madder. “You’ll
pay for that.”
Feeling a hand on
his shoulder, Jin
looked once more at
his grandfather. The
dead man appeared
apologetic, but
didn’t take his eyes
off the female. Jin
turned back to the
show.
“What’s the matter?
Can’t understand me?
Well see if you
can’t understand
this!” The woman
kicked violently,
jerking the guards
back and forth with
her weight. “Cao ni
zuxian shi ba dai!”
Everyone in the hall
gasped. Jin couldn’t
believe the audacity
of the woman. To
insult a person’s
ancestors, let alone
eighteen generations
of them, was a
striking offense
indeed. Either she
was very brave or
very foolish.
With great effort
the guards thrust
the woman down
before the emperor,
shoving her to her
hands and knees
while forcing her
head to bow low in
submission. A gold
feather dart stuck
out from her side.
Jin knew the men had
tried to subdue her
with the
tranquilizer dart,
just acquired less
than a decade ago
for use in palace
security. From the
looks of it the dart
wasn’t having much
of an effect.
The prisoner
squirmed, fighting
to get free. The
guards twisted her
arms back, pulling
until she cried out
in pain. Jin didn’t
move, though he
stared with
interest. His
grandfather’s hand
tightened on his
shoulder until it
felt as if his
ghostly fingers were
dipping beneath his
skin, burning into
his flesh. He tried
to lower his
shoulder to stop the
feeling, but his
grandfather held
tight.
“What is the meaning
of this?” the
emperor asked
calmly, eyeing the
prisoner. No one
made a move to help
her and she did not
look around as if
she wanted to be
helped. Jin
suppressed a smile.
This one was
stubborn, maybe
foolishly so. He
wished he could see
her face. He’d like
to look at the woman
behind the mask.
“It is time, Jin,”
his grandfather
said.
“Time?” Jin asked
confused, prying his
eyes from the woman
to study the
departed man once
more.
Everything moved as
if in a blur. His
grandfather’s
fingers dug deeper,
holding him in
place, even as his
fingers slid over
Jin’s heart to his
throat. Jin froze,
unable to move or
speak. He opened his
mouth to protest but
all that came out
was a long hiss of
air. A chill worked
over his entire
body, growing like a
frost over his
throat and shoulder,
down his lungs and
into his hips and
legs. Gasping for
breath, he was
helpless as his
grandfather’s spirit
entered into his
eyes, crowding his
soul as the ancestor
took residence
inside him. Before
he knew what was
happening, his body
was taken over,
jerkily moving with
a will outside its
own.
“Cease!” His voice
commanded harshly,
but the words did
not come from him.
His body moved
forward on the
platform, out of his
control. He tried to
pull back to his
spot by his
brothers,
desperately wanting
to reach to them,
but he no longer had
power over his body.
Grandfather! he
thought. Tianna!
What are you doing?
I
told you, Jin. It is
time, his
grandfather’s voice
answered in his
head. The man
sounded sad, if not
a little apologetic.
No, Jin began to
protest, but his
brother’s harsh
voice interrupted
the thought.
“Jin?” Haun said
quietly from between
his teeth. “What are
you doing? Come back
here!”
Jin desperately
wanted to obey. He’d
never felt so
helpless in his
life. Every part of
him tried to resist
the possession, but
his grandfather’s
spirit was too
powerful for him to
resist. The will
inside him was
strong, but his
grandfather’s hold
over him was
stronger.
A
murmur of sound
flowed over the
hall, rising and
falling like a
crescendo of music.
His body was forced
down from the
platform and he was
moved before his
parents. Jin was
only a mere mortal
and did not possess
the knowledge of the
spiritual plane.
There was no way to
fight off the
attack, no way to
tell the others what
was happening to
him. The emperor and
empress watched him
approach, their
expressions blank.
Grandfather! Cease
at once! I order
you!
The faint sound of
laughter in his
grandfather’s voice
was the only answer
he received.
“I
have chosen,” Jin
announced out loud,
bowing respectfully
to his parents. He
looked down at the
woman completely
covered in black, as
his hand lifted to
motion to her.
Despite his best
effort to keep his
mouth pressed
tightly shut, his
lips moved, forming
words that filled
him with dread and
anger. “I have found
my bride.”
His parents didn’t
move. The hall was
still at the
declaration. Out of
all the children, he
was the first to
declare marriage.
Princess Mei was
married, but she’d
defied tradition
when she took the
foreign prince as
her husband. They
had been joined in
space, away from
Lintian in some
foreign Var ceremony
of joining.
Jin struggled to
regain control, but
it was no use. It
was too late. To
take it back now
would be to dishonor
himself and his
family. He looked
down at the woman,
unable to see her
face. It was hard to
tell anything beyond
the fact that she’d
been arrested and
had what appeared to
be a tight little
body beneath the
black clothing she
wore. Jin felt his
body stir with
passion. The mocking
sound of his
grandfather’s
laughter filled his
head once more. Jin
wondered if the
desire was his own,
or that of his
possessor. Even as
he wondered, he
knew. He desired the
woman before him.
Her mere presence
rocked the
foundation of his
safe, protected
world. The danger in
her excited him.
The prisoner’s eyes
darted up to stare
at him. It was
possible the
declaration had just
saved her from
death, and she
didn’t look at all
grateful for the
gesture. Her gaze
pierced inside him,
jolting him with the
anger that her eyes
held. They were the
color of jade, the
precious green jade
their ancestors had
brought with them
from Earth. The only
pieces that survived
were in the Sacred
Chamber, protected
by Zhang An, his
long dead
great-grandmother.
To even look upon it
was an honor.
Is
this a sign? Jin
asked his
grandfather. What
does this mean? Her
eyes, they….
It
is done, his
grandfather’s voice
interrupted,
reminding Jin that
he stood in the
middle of the palace
hall. Jin held
tense, ready to
reclaim his body. To
his annoyance, his
grandfather didn’t
act like he had any
intention of getting
out right away.
This goes too far,
laotou. Make
yourself known to my
family and take it
back. I will not be
married to this
woman. She is
unworthy of my
family. She is a
thief!
It
is too late, my
grandson. What had
to be done is now
done.
Jin wanted to
scream, but
couldn’t, as the old
man held him in
silence.
*
* * *
I
have found my bride.
The words echoed
through Francesca La
Rosa’s head over and
over. She was sure
that’s what the
prince had said, but
her Lintianese was
faulty due to an
imperfect upload and
she couldn’t be
positive. At least,
she really didn’t
want to be positive.
I
have found my bride.
Couldn’t the man
just fight her
instead? Or shoot
her with some more
of those fun darts?
Francesca glanced at
her side. The thing
was as sharp and
annoying as a giant
thorn, but she
didn’t give them the
pleasure of watching
her remove it. Let
them think it didn’t
bother her. By sheer
mental will alone
did she keep from
passing out as the
drugs flowed through
her body.
If
the rumors of the
royal family held
true, he would be a
skilled warrior
proficient in many
martial arts.
Francesca glanced up
to the prince. She
knew what he was. It
was clear with just
one look. He was
handsome, like his
brothers, dressed in
the royal color of
red. The dragon
tunic looked to be
made of silk
brocade. It was
absolutely gorgeous
with perfect
details. Golden
flames were
embroidered around
the oriental
dragons. The long
tunic fell to mid
thigh, the material
so light it caressed
his muscled chest
and trim waist
perfectly.
She tried to tell
herself she was
unaffected by his
physical form, but
even so, she looked
him over from head
to toe. His silk
pants were red,
trimmed in gold.
They were loose, as
was the style of the
Muntong court, and
he wore black ground
shoes.
Francesca stared at
his hips in
disbelief. His
weight shifted
slightly. Was he
aroused? Is that
what this was about?
He wanted to sleep
with her? The prince
was handsome and
strong, she’d give
him that much, and
he appeared just
arrogant enough to
be fun between the
sheets. No untried
virgin, she could
see the merit in his
plan, but this
dramatic display was
hardly warranted.
Though, now wasn’t
the time for such
thoughts. Her life
hung in the balance
and she needed to
stay focused if she
were to escape.
Francesca had no
doubt she would
succeed in getting
away. She always
did.
Slowly, she drew her
gaze back up to meet
his. His eyes were
dark, piercing,
almost burning with
an inner fire as he
stared at her
through the strands
of his chin length
hair. A strange look
passed over his
face, but he did not
turn away. That’s
when she noticed the
hall had gone deadly
still.
“So shall it be,”
the emperor
announced, breaking
the silence.
Francesca gasped,
knowing her mask hid
her expression as
her eyes turned
upward to the
throne. Someone
roughly pushed her
head back down. She
gritted her teeth.
If she got a hold of
those ponytailed
guards, she would
pull their hair out
one by one. Staring
at the emperor was
considered an
offense. However,
since she’d just
gotten caught not
only stealing the
royal jewels, but
using an outlawed
form of Wushu to do
it, impoliteness was
the least of her
worries.
Besides, they can do
nothing worse than
what has already
been done to me.
“My son, Zhang Jin,
has chosen a bride,”
the emperor
continued in
Lintianese. “Hang
the banner of good
fortune at the
palace gate, so that
all may know of our
happy day. Inform
the matchmaker and
summon the
astrologers to the
palace at once.
Guards, take her to
my son’s chambers.”
“Father,” one of the
princes asserted
from the platform.
Francesca gritted
her teeth as the
egotistical prince
motioned toward her.
The emperor shook
his head once. The
gesture was all that
was needed to
silence the man.
With fist to palm,
the prince bowed,
saying no more.
“There will be time
for you to offer
your blessings after
the astrologers read
their futures,
Prince Haun,” the
emperor said to the
man who had spoken.
It didn’t take a
genius to know that
was not what prince
Haun had tried to
do. He’d been
protesting his
brother’s actions.
Ah, come on,
Emperor. Let the man
speak. Francesca
gave a short laugh.
I for one happen to
agree with him.
The hands on her
body loosened and
Francesca wiggled
free. She’d fight
every man in the
hall if she had to.
“I--”
The words never left
her as fingers
clamped down on the
back of her neck.
Shivering, she
looked up to find
that Prince Jin
touched her. His
lips pressed into a
harsh line, but
other than that his
face was
expressionless. Very
sternly, he said in
her language, “It is
done, do you
understand? Cause no
more trouble.”
Who in the hell does
this fuck-nut think
he is talking to?
Francesca opened her
mouth to retort. Jin
let go of her, only
to grab the front of
her neck. He pushed
at the soft spot in
her throat and she
instantly felt
lightheaded. Her
vision blurred.
Speech became
impossible. Though
she still saw colors
and heard voices,
she was too numbed
to move. The prince
jerked the dart from
her side, holding it
up so she could see
him pass it to a
guard.
“Take her,” Prince
Jin ordered. Her
body was lifted up
and she felt herself
being carried from
the silent hall.
Hands pressed into
her, digging into
her flesh, and she
couldn’t even find
the will to scream
at them, let alone
fight.
*
* * *
Jin turned to the
emperor. When his
grandfather moved
his hand to touch
the woman, he’d sent
a shock of energy
over her, making her
helpless and
compliant. However,
it also left his
grandfather’s spirit
weakened and Jin was
able to cast the man
out. The departure
left him feeling
dizzy.
He
opened his mouth as
he gasped for
breath, but it was
too late to stop
what had been done.
His father had
acknowledged his
supposed choice in
bride. The
astrologers were
called, the banner
hung to show that
one of the princes
had chosen a new
princess. News would
spread over the
countryside. To take
it back now wasn’t
an option.
Glancing around the
hall, Jin saw that
Manchu’s spirit had
gone completely. He
took a deep breath.
How dare his
grandfather possess
his mortal coil,
declare a bride for
him and then leave
without so much as
an explanation as to
why he chose this
particular woman?
The hall was filled
with eligible
Lintianese
bachelorettes, so
why pick a stranger?
Why a foul-mouthed,
disrespectful
foreigner?
“Leave me with my
family,” the emperor
ordered the quiet
hall. The women were
the first to go.
Some looked upset by
the interruption in
the ceremonies. He
knew that they would
pout that he’d
chosen, after all
these years, a woman
not like them. Most
likely, they would
consider it an
insult that a
criminal would be
his bride over the
richest, most
well-bred women in
the land. Jin hated
to admit it, but he
found it to be a bit
of an insult. He
again glanced around
for his grandfather.
The man was gone.
See if I ever leave
you offerings again,
old man.
When the royal
family was alone,
the emperor relaxed.
Stepping down from
his throne, he went
to his son. Jin’s
brothers followed
suit, joining them
on the hall floor.
The empress stayed
on her seat, not
moving as she looked
at her boys.
“Jin, are you crazy?
She’s a criminal. We
don’t even know what
she was arrested
for,” Haun said.
“How could you pick
her?”
“Her crime has to be
serious, if the
guards dare to
interrupt the
ceremony for it,”
added Shen. He was
the most
contemplative of the
brothers and often
spoke with a sound
mind.
“Jin--” Haun
demanded.
“Stop,” the empress
broke in, standing.
She slowly made her
way down from the
raised platform from
her throne. Their
mother was regal and
beautiful--a true
ruler. Gracefully,
she touched Jin’s
cheek, running her
finger lightly over
his jaw. “He could
not help himself,
could you my son?
You saw her and just
had to have her.”
“Grandf--” Jin
began. His mother
slid her hand over
his mouth, leaving
her palm pressed
against his cheek as
her thumb moved to
still his lips. She
shook her head, her
serious eyes telling
him to be quiet.
“Lian,” the emperor
ordered. “Go
retrieve the guards.
We must find out
what Jin’s bride is
charged with. And
see if they know who
she is. If they
don’t know, you have
my permission to
access the
intergalactic
database to find
out.”
Lian obeyed. Jin
knew his father was
worried about the
family honor. The
emperor would not
want the scandal of
his son marrying a
criminal. If her
deeds weren’t that
bad, she could be
pardoned in light of
the situation.
“There is still
time,” Haun said.
“The astrologers’
readings.… Madame
Eng could announce
the obvious
imprudence of the
match. Undoubtedly
the stars will not
agree with such a
joining. She isn’t
like us.”
“Let us meet the
young woman first,
my sons,” the
empress said, still
studying Jin,
“before we are to
judge her. There is
a reason Jin was
compelled by her.
Perhaps this is
fate.”
Haun nodded once,
but he wasn’t happy.
Jin was surprised to
hear his mother talk
favorably about
fate. He knew her to
still be bitter
about Mei’s
departure. It was a
fact she blamed on
her own grandmother,
Zhang An, who
guarded the Sacred
Chamber and often
divined the family’s
futures. An’s
prediction with Mei
hadn’t been
completely
forthcoming as she
manipulated the
situation. If the
empress had her say,
Mei would have been
married to a
Lintianese prince,
Song Lok, whose
family lived across
the Satlyun River,
ruling the only
other dynasty on the
planet.
“Shen, go tell your
sister Fen of this
news and send a
communication to Mei,”
the empress said.
“We must appear
pleased in this,
otherwise there will
be suspicion of our
family. Haun, I
beseech you, go
welcome the woman to
our palace and make
sure her every
comfort is met.”
To
any other, it would
seem odd sending
Haun to greet an
arrested woman, but
Jin knew his mother
sent the oldest
prince to ascertain
the security risk
she posed. Haun was
an honorable man and
the greatest of
warriors. He might
be a harsh judge,
but he would be
fair. And, should
the woman continue
to prove volatile,
he would be able to
easily subdue her.
“She is not to be
allowed to roam
free, not until we
know more,” the
emperor said. “Jin,
it will be your
responsibility to
see to her.”
Jin would’ve smiled
if he wasn’t so
irritated. When he
was alone with his
parents, he said,
“Grandfather Manchu
came to me, or more
to the point, took
over me. I had no
will to stop this.”
“We warned you about
the compelling force
of the ancestors
when a match was to
be made,” the
emperor said. His
lips curled
slightly, as if he
was suppressing a
laugh at the
thought.
“Compelling is one
thing, but
possession?” Jin
shook his head.
“Certainly if we
announce what
happened, the people
will understand. I
can’t be expected to
marry a … a
criminal.”
“No, my son, the
people will not
understand. They
will believe it an
even stronger sign
that you are meant
to be together. One
does not dispute the
ancestors in such
things,” his father
said.
“All ancestors were
once human and not
all humans act with
logic,” Jin mumbled.
“Very true,” the
empress agreed.
“Maybe your
grandfather knew you
needed a push.” His
father smiled,
giving a small
laugh. He didn’t
even try to hide his
amusement. “How many
years now have you
been avoiding even
considering finding
a bride? You and
your brothers walk
in here, eyes bored
as you look through
each and every woman
presented. You have
never considered the
possibility. Perhaps
your grandfather
knew that.”
“He should have told
us beforehand,” the
empress said,
“before meddling.”
“And perhaps it was
just time,” the
emperor stated. “The
one meant for you
presented herself.
What else could be
done?”
“He’s an old fool,
that’s what he is!”
All eyes turned to
the keeper of the
secret chamber,
Jin’s
great-grandmother,
Zhang An. The three
living royals bowed
to the woman in
respect, though the
empress’ movements
were stiff. Empress
Zhang was not
talking to her dead
grandmother whom she
blamed for leading
her daughter Mei
away.
The spirit was
dressed in the old
style. Her long
sleeves swept over
the floor as she
drifted to them. The
delicate silk gown
was made even more
so by the fact that
it traveled on air.
Every movement was
silent, like the
breeze. Her
wrinkled, pale face
was transparent,
shading with each
subtle movement
until it appeared
smooth as a young
girl’s. She shifted
over them, as if
threatening to blow
away completely.
Long, dark hair
streaked with white
flowed around her
shoulders. Tradition
from her time of
life would have had
her put it up, but
An was proud of her
locks and, being
dead, didn’t have to
listen to tradition.
“She’s a thief of
the worst kind,” An
accused. “She is not
fit to be part of
this family.”
“What do you mean,
thief?” The emperor
stepped closer to
her, studying the
old woman carefully.
“Exactly that,” An
returned in
irritation. Out of
all his ancestors,
they saw Zhang An
the most. Since her
death, she had been
residing in the
sacred room hidden
within the walls of
the Hall of Infinite
Wisdom behind the
thrones. However,
lately she’d been of
sour
temperament--ever
since Empress Zhang
refused to leave her
offerings of wine.
“She tried to steal
the phoenix. If not
for my guarding it,
she would’ve
succeeded in taking
one of the last
pieces of precious
jade! And you know
what that will do to
this family’s reign.
Emperor Song
wouldn’t hesitate to
claim what is ours
if he feels we are
no longer capable of
ruling. Within a
generation our time
would be over.”
The comment left
them speechless. The
phoenix was a symbol
of not only their
royal power, but
also a receptacle to
that power. It fed
them, guided them.
Jin closed his eyes.
What cruel game was
this the spirits
played? Were they so
bored as to guide
him to a woman who
wished to take all
his family had? What
had she to gain by
taking such an
important artifact?
There were other
things in the palace
that were easier to
get to for a thief
and would provide
just as much profit.
Why the Jade
Phoenix?
Then an idea struck
him. An mentioned
Emperor Song. He was
the only man who had
anything to gain by
his family’s fall.
Emperor Song was
ruler of the only
other dynasty on
Lintian. It was
located across the
Satlyun River, which
flowed through the
exact center of
their planet,
separating the
territories of
Muntong in the east
and Singhai in the
west. The river
circled from north
to south. It was a
marvel of nature, so
wide it was
impossible to swim
across. It was one
of the reasons that
the two empires did
not fight. Though
they didn’t agree on
much, peace was
something the
Lintianese
cherished. Or so the
Zhang family had
thought.
Was Emperor Song
tired of peace? Did
he yearn to rule all
of Lintian? Jin had
never met the
Emperor of Singhai,
but Haun had. His
older brother didn’t
seem too impressed
with the man. He
said he was a snob.
Or was Emperor Song
still angry that
Haun had discovered
the drug, chandoo,
was being produced
in his Lin Yao
Mines? The Zhang
family fought hard
to protect the
masses from the
drug. It lured you
in, made you feel
alive, but
eventually would rot
your brain and wear
you down into a
worthless mass of
nothingness. Emperor
Song denied
knowledge of the
intergalactic drug
traders, but the
Zhang family was
unconvinced.
Was this just a plot
to dethrone the
Zhang family?
Slowly, Jin noticed
all eyes were on
him. He shook his
head. This day was
supposed to be a day
like any other. But
now, he was engaged
to a woman he knew
nothing about, to a
woman whose face
he’d not even seen.
The memory of her
eyes pierced him.
Jade, just like what
she tried to steal
from them.
“By my will or not,”
Jin said, taking a
deep breath as he
tried to figure out
his path. “By my
will or not, the
words left my lips.
Everyone heard them.
I will honor my
decree and take the
woman as my bride.”
“You cannot!” An
shook, her
transparent figure
rippling. “To do so
will grant her
immunity from this.
This is not the
path. It can’t be! I
would have seen it.
For once she is your
bride she won’t be
put on trial for
taking what becomes
hers as well as
yours. Our
possessions will
become hers and hers
ours. Not that she
could possibly have
anything we want.
Think about what you
are doing!”
“I
must, Grandmother.”
Jin turned to his
parents, knowing
full and well he was
changing his tune
from a few minutes
before. “To back out
of my word now would
be to dishonor the
Zhang name. The
declaration was
public and witnessed
by many. How would
it look if the first
of your children to
declare marriage
backed out later
like he was
indecisive? The
people will be
angered.”
“You are wise, my
son,” the emperor
said, nodding.
“What? No!” Zhang An
screeched. “What if
she steals the jade
and leaves you? You
don’t know these
outsiders. They are
not like us, Jin.
They are deceitful,
liars--”
“Odd, Grandmother.
When you sent Mei to
marry an outsider,
you didn’t seem to
mind them. What is
it? They’re fine, so
long as you choose
them?” the empress
demanded.
“I
did not choose for
Mei. The fates
chose. I only told
her of her destiny,”
An said, lifting her
chin. “Do not be
angry with me,
child, for divining
the future. You are
lucky I tell you
anything at all.”
The spirit’s face
became tight as she
mumbled, “Ungrateful
woman, refusing to
give me my
offerings.”
Jin hid his smile.
Zhang An liked her
‘offerings’. Wine in
particular.
“Perhaps Father
spoke for the fates
as--” the empress
began. Jin sighed,
his grandfather
hadn’t said anything
about fate.
“Zhang Manchu is my
son,” An
interrupted, her
image fluttering. “I
think I know what--”
“Please,” Jin tried
to insert into the
argument. He wasn’t
in the mood to
listen to them fight
about Mei’s
marriage. Prince
Jarek was a good
man, the empress
knew that, but he’d
taken Mei with him
into space. His
sister was happy and
in love with a child
on the way. To Jin,
there wasn’t really
anything else to
discuss about the
matter. Mei had
chosen her fate,
accepted it with
open arms. Jin
wished he could do
the same. But his
situation was
different.
“What if she was
tried for her crimes
before you married?”
Zhang An glided
forward, her words
merely a whisper on
the breeze that came
with her. Her milky
eyes stared into
him, eerily
searching his
depths. Jin had to
look away before the
woman saw too many
of his thoughts. Her
voice low, An
continued, “If she
were to receive
death--”
“Death?” Jin
repeated, frowning.
He recalled his new
bride’s eyes. They
haunted him with
their anger. A pain
unfurled in his gut
and he couldn’t bare
the thought of
killing her. It was
strange that he’d
feel such, but there
it was. “Isn’t that
a little severe?”
I
just want to
discover her
purpose. My defense
of her has nothing
to do with the fact
that her body sets
mine on fire.
“Such a harsh
punishment when she
didn’t even succeed
in her crime?” the
empress asked.
“I
told you not to
defend your father’s
actions to me,” An
told the empress.
“He was my son and
even I don’t
understand why he
would betray us in
such a way.”
Grandfather betrayed
them by making him
choose a bride? That
makes no sense. If
An said the man was
bored and meddled,
he’d understand
that. But betrayal?
What exactly was
going on? What was
this all about? And
what were the
ancestors not
telling them?
It
wasn’t odd for the
spirits to disagree,
especially if they’d
disagreed in life,
but Jin didn’t like
the almost desperate
look on his
great-grandmother’s
face.
“Enough!” Emperor
Zhang demanded. Both
women jumped.
“But death,
Grandmother?” Jin
repeated, not
wanting his elders
to fight. “Do you
really think
that--?”
“She was caught in
the act,” An argued.
A slow smile spread
over her features.
“The crime of
attempted theft may
not be enough for
such a sentence, but
the fact that she
used the ancient
form of Wushu when
doing it would be.
Long ago, it was
declared illegal.
For the safety of
the people, those
who practice must be
put to death. We
cannot risk its
teachings being
passed on. Read the
scrolls, they will
tell you. Law is the
law.”
“And I am emperor,
not you,” his father
answered.
An’s lips pressed
tightly together.
Jin took a deep
breath. He didn’t
know much about the
Wushu Uprisings,
except what he had
read about in the
ancient scrolls and
he didn’t remember
the death law An
spoke of.
“There are many
things for us to
consider,” his
father said at last.
The emperor ran his
fingers over his
mustache, looping a
long piece over his
forefinger. He
pulled his hand
down, stroking the
long whiskers before
patting them against
his chest. “If she
is gifted in Wushu
as you say, we must
find out how she
learned. If her
master taught one
person, he could’ve
taught more.”
Turning to his son,
he continued, “I
leave it to you to
discover what we
must from your
bride. For now you
must be attentive to
her. Show the people
that you were
serious in your
word. And, if the
courts deem her
guilty and she is
put to death, you
will go into
mourning for her. I
am sorry, my son,
but there was a
reason you were
guided to do as you
did. It might not be
for marriage, but to
watch her and
discover her
secrets. If she was
hired to take the
jade, we must know
by whom. And if she
truly practices
Wushu, we need to
know who trained
her.”
“This is
ridiculous,” An
protested. “We
should be rid of her
at once. If my son
wouldn’t have
interfered, she
would be tried and
hung for her
crimes.”
“No offense,
Grandmother, but the
world belongs to the
living.” The empress
studied the woman
with a calm
expression. “Your
duty is to guide,
not to dictate.”
An’s already
translucent features
paled and dimmed. A
sensation of anger
washed over Jin. His
great-grandmother
was upset by his
mother’s harsh
words. If he didn’t
know better, he
would have said her
eyes teared. “Very
well, my child. See
how well you fare
without my guidance
in this.”
With a strong gust
of wind, the woman
dissipated into thin
air, leaving them
alone. Jin wasn’t
worried. The spirit
might be angry now,
but she would come
back. She always
did.
“You should not have
said that to her,”
Emperor Zhang said
to his wife. “I know
you are upset with
her, but she is
still our elder and
we must respect the
dead.”
“And why shouldn’t I
remind her of her
place? The woman is
dead and yet she
intrudes in our
lives like she is
still ruler of this
house. Her guidance
is welcome, but I
will not be dictated
to. The sooner she
learns that, the
sooner this will be
a peaceful
household. She had
her time of rule,
this is ours.” The
empress turned to
her son. “Jin, this
argument is not for
your ears. You are a
good man, my son.
You are wise and we
trust you to do what
you must. Right now
your duty is to
introduce yourself
to your bride.”
Placing fist to
palm, Jin bowed. His
mother was right and
he would do what he
must. As he walked
from the hall, he
glanced around for
his grandfather’s
spirit. The old man
was nowhere to be
found.
©
copyright Michelle
M. Pillow, October
2004
This is a work of
fiction. All
characters, events,
and places are of
the author’s
imagination and not
to be confused with
fact. Any
resemblance to
living persons or
events is merely
coincidence.
REVIEWS
"5
Angels! Michelle M.
Pillow has started a
new series with a
bang. ...this story
does a superb job of
grabbing the
reader’s attention
immediately ....
Zhang Dynasty:
Seduction Of The
Phoenix immediately
impressed this
reader and I can
assure you that I
will grab every one
of the new
installments as they
are available.
Readers you don’t
want to miss this
tremendous read. 5
Angels! " Reviewed
by: Jessica, Fallen
Angels
"5
STARS! Written with
style. The extremely
vivid sex scenes
will heat up the
coldest night."
Candy, Ecataromance,
April 2006
"I
am a big fan of Ms
Pillow and this book
only fuels my
growing addiction to
her work. She weaves
a story as
engrossing as it is
erotic, as sweet as
it is seductive.
This is yet another
fine example of why
she is one of my
favorite authors.
Her heroes are
always wonderfully
masterful and her
heroines always
strong enough to
more than keep up
with them. This is
another must read."
Jenn, Coffee Time
Romance, April 2006
"Enjoyable!"
Ann Wilwert, RT
BOOKreviews, July
2006
"SEDUCTION
OF THE PHOENIX is a
dramatic story in
which author
Michelle M. Pillow
draws from the rich
traditions and
stories of Asian
culture. (She) has
created a wonderful
romantic world"
Romance Reviews
Today, June 2006
"Zhang
Dynasty: Seduction
of the Phoenix
brought me fully
into the world of
Lintian... I felt as
if I were part of
the family."
Joyfully Reviewed,
June 2006
"Great
dialog and a
gripping story that
will keep you on the
edge of your seat
and is definitely a
keeper." Reviewed by
Julie Bryan for The
Road to Romance
Additional
Book
Information
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Electronic
ISBN:9781452411064
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ISBN-13:
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Date: Oct
2011
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