Before the Concubine

Before the Concubine A Cautionary Tale of Betrayal, Darkness, and Survival In an empire built on beauty, silence, and secrets—one woman dares to speak through fire. Meilin has been trained in elegance, submission, and deadly poise. Once a loyal agent of the elusive Phoenix Network, she now returns to the court of Hanbara cloaked in silks, bearing smiles, and carrying dangerous secrets. As the Mid-Autumn Festival begins, Meilin's mission is clear: infiltrate the palace, reclaim a stolen memory crystal, and prepare the empire for the Phoenix's final ritual. But the court is a labyrinth of masked loyalties, and even among allies, betrayal is only ever one breath away. The Emperor is watching. The Raven is circling. The truth is buried beneath layers of memory and myth. And Meilin must decide who she is before the concubine becomes the weapon. Blending lyrical prose with gripping tension, Before the Concubine is a story of feminine rebellion, ancient power, and the silent resistance carved beneath every graceful bow. It is a tale where silk hides steel, love walks alongside vengeance, and the most dangerous voice in the empire may be the one that speaks softly. What readers will find: ? A poetic and powerful heroine ? Court intrigue, espionage, and dangerous secrets ? A richly detailed imperial world with cultural depth ? Emotional intensity, internal conflict, and quiet rebellion ? Themes of memory, identity, trust, and transformation Perfect for fans of historical fantasy, feminist fiction, and stories where every glance hides a motive—and every woman holds her own revolution.