
A brilliant empire trembles under the weight of a ruler’s yearning for a beauty that seems to eclipse the heavens. When the young lady of the Yang household steps into the palace, her grace and charm instantly captivate the emperor, drawing him into a world of sumptuous gardens, fragrant baths, and endless celebrations that eclipse all courtly duties. Their days blossom with music, silk‑lined chambers, and whispered vows, while the palace itself glitters with the decadence of a love that feels eternal.
Yet beneath the silk and song, the story hints at the fragile balance between passion and power. The emperor’s devotion begins to reshape the rhythm of the capital, as officials and soldiers watch the court’s pleasures swell while distant murmurs of unrest stir. Listeners will be drawn into the tender intimacy of the couple’s early romance, feeling the heady mix of desire, indulgence, and the subtle foreboding that shadows even the most radiant of loves.
Language
zh
Duration
~20 minutes (19K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2008-05-06
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

772–846
Remembered as one of the Tang dynasty’s great poets, he wrote in a clear, approachable style that brought everyday life, sorrow, friendship, and public injustice vividly onto the page. His poems were admired in his own lifetime and have remained among the best-known works in classical Chinese literature.
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