Dynasty of Summer: Part One

By Ticana Zhu

Summer is a daughter to the Emperor’s fourth concubine during the Xia Dynasty. After stumbling upon her half-brother’s corpse, she finds herself faced with dangers she couldn’t begin to understand. As if those troubles weren’t enough, she’s ambushed while traveling to her betrothed’s kingdom. Summer was meant to live in luxury and safety with her new husband, but instead finds herself amongst bandits.

With the aid of her brother from a shared mother, Winter, and friend, Hanming, she navigates her way back home to Zhenxun. Yet once she returns, Summer discovers treachery had been living alongside her in the palace her entire life. It’s not long before she finds herself a target.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ticana Zhu
• Release date: Sep 3, 2021

Book preview

1.png

Dynasty of Summer: Part One

Ticana Zhu

For more information, visit space-tigers.com

Copyright © 2020 by Ticana Zhu

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, please email [e-mail].

Printed in the USA

ISBN: 978-1-949195-20-0 (ebook)

For my family around the world, who helped nurture my love for Chinese dramas… and the summers spent with them touring places of history. The experiences seeded and fertilized my imagination.

Especially for XiaoGuMa, who bought me the dress that I photographed to use on the cover of this book!

WARNING:

Contains mild depictions of violence.

Reader discretion advised

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One: Ting

Chapter Two: My Mother’s Bloodline

Chapter Three: Mother in the Palace

Chapter Four: Tadpoles

Chapter Five: Farwells

Chapter Six: The Gold Coin

Chapter Seven: The Sentence

Chapter Eight: Innocence

Chapter Nine: The Empress

Chapter Ten: Betrothal

Chapter Eleven: The Bandits

Chapter Twelve: My Brother

Chapter Thirteen: The River

Chapter Fourteen: Winter

Chapter Fifteen: The Tai Palace

Chapter Sixteen: Celebration

Chapter Seventeen: The Low Court

Chapter Eighteen: The Middle Court

Chapter Nineteen: The High Court

Author’s Notes:

Acknowledgments

I loved the first-person and third-person narrative employed in the novel as it made the story enjoyable. Dresses, architectural styles, and instrumentation were era appropriate... And just when I was getting to the climax, Ticana introduced a cliffhanger. I would love to read more from Zhu!

—Jennifer Ibiam (Readers’ Favorite)

I rate this 5 out of 5 and recommend it to anyone who loves history and historical fiction. It is reminiscent of books written by Ken Follet, but will open your eyes to a world not yet overexposed by mainstream culture.

—Maureen Wahu (The Virtual Book Tour Company)

Prologue

Lan Ming, wait for me! his sister, Lan Tai called.

The boy raced between buildings, following the tall, beckoning figure. The crown pinned to his topknot bobbled as his feet kicked over smooth stones. Lan Ming didn’t wait for his twin. He paused in the servants’ yard, searching until he spied the old man peeking from behind a wall. As he ducked away, Lan Ming darted forward.

After rounding the bend, the ten-year-old boy stared dumbfounded. Solid walls blocked three sides in the outdoor storage area. Nothing more than straw brooms and broken wine jugs.

Why are you hurrying? Lan Tai puffed as she caught up.

Did you hear him, the old man? He said mother’s name!

Lan Tai frowned. That makes no sense. We’re many leagues from home.

"But Mother was from this palace. Perhaps people here knew her while she was alive!"

Lan Ming… Mother died long ago, she shook her head sadly. And you’re being rude. We’re here for the Emperor’s funeral. Father’d be upset!

No sooner had she scolded, a grinding reached their ears. The two jumped back as glistening eyes pressed in wrinkly skin peered from a crack in the wall. Twisted lips spoke grouchily, Well, what are you waiting for? Do you want to know the Ku Queen or not?

Lan Ming gave his sister a challenging look. See? He knows Mother!

His twin’s eyes grew round with worry. The dangling gold pins in her hair trembled from uncertainty. His glance traveled back to the secret passage, to the old man’s eyes. He weighed his options. They were royalty. None would be foolish enough to harm them.

I’m not going in there, Lan Tai backed away. Her words came from reason, but Lan Ming felt driven by a sense of adventure and filial piety. For his entire life, their mother was revered as a sprite. Some of the locals even claimed she was a goddess. Lan Ming and Lan Tai never knew her. She’d died giving birth to them.

If mother is truly from another realm, perhaps this is where we’ll meet her.

At this, Lan Tai looked to him as if he were mad. The spiritual realm? You’re asking me to enter the world of the dead?

The cranky old man flicked his head with annoyance. Decide now if you’re ready. Do not waste my time, adding with a growl, I’m not getting any younger.

Lan Ming made up his mind. Sister, go back to father if you wish, he told her gently. But I need to know. He saw her gulp before following the man into darkness. To his relief, he heard Lan Tai’s steps follow before the heavy stone door swung shut. They were in a narrow tunnel. Lan Ming could sense his sister’s discomfort, yet she followed, descending endless steps by the light of a small lantern.

The old man hadn’t said another word. They moved in complete silence for a dozen steps before Lan Ming felt his sister’s cold fingers grip his hand. A howl blew through the tunnels, moaning like a sick beast. Lan Tai moved closer, quivering. Guilt crept upon him.

She had no intention of being here. She’s only come to make sure I’m safe.

Lan Ming squeezed her hand in gratitude.

The tall man slowed his steps. They’d arrived upon a landing. The last step was quite a drop compared to others, but the man jumped down easily. Lan Ming hopped after him but stumbled. He caught himself against a dusty wall.

He straightened to see Lan Tai crouching, before she rolled onto her torso to drop down. She too stumbled and the man rushed forward. Lan Tai let out a squeal and hunched away, fearful. Lan Ming’s breath caught in his chest as he realized the stranger could indeed harm them.

To his relief the old man set her upright. Lan Tai blinked sheepishly with flushed cheeks. She dipped a curtsy in thanks. Lan Ming exhaled, now feeling confident the stranger was a friend.

The tall man turned without a word and continued. A few paces away, he stopped and slowly moved his lantern. Lan Ming saw that he studied a door with an odd metal contraption on its face. Lan Ming watched in awe as the man worked the dials around. A moment later, there came a click. The door swung open, releasing a gust of wind.

They stepped through a moon door and were met with the warm glow of torches. Lan Ming’s breath caught in his chest. Before them, endless scrolls were stacked neatly in cubbies, each labeled by date and topic. Scattered between carved sculptures were strange contraptions Lan Ming couldn’t keep his eyes from. Some ticked and chimed while others were partially draped with muslin. He turned to his sister and saw that her eyes glistened as well.

It’s a library, she breathed. What’s a library doing underground?

These are the sacred texts of the Empire, the old man announced. You are not to touch anything. He shuffled behind one of the many heavy shelves as the twins imploringly took in the cavernous room.

Lan Ming lifted a hand, meaning to dust off a label. Lan Tai hissed, tensing, Brother! He said not to touch anything!

I’m not touching the actual scroll, he whined.

Here it is! The raspy old voice announced.

The twins peered down an aisle and saw the tall man moving quickly from about a dozen rows deeper in the chamber. In his arms he carried a heavy object tied in black and gold silk, the colors of Emperors.

The twins exchanged a look of curiosity as the nameless man set down the object with a thump. Gnarled and shaky fingers undid the knot, revealing an ornate lacquered box. Lan Ming wanted to finger the intricate designs, but remembered the warning to not touch anything.

Studying the mother of pearl inlays, Lan Tai asked, "Are these designs of people in trees?"

And caves? Lan Ming added, all but pressing his face into the lacquer.

What are these large waves? Are they the rivers? asked Lan Tai.

It can’t be, her brother frowned, Those must be depicted by these long, squiggly lines. He pointed to another of the box’s details.

…Then the ocean… Lan Tai whispered in awe.

Enough, step back, the man snapped. He fumbled around his neck and retrieved an old bronze key. Fitting it into the lock he gave it a turn. It clicked open, allowing the lid to be removed.

The scent of old ink and faded orange flowers emerged, accompanied by a strong feminine fragrance. Intense longing gripped Lan Ming as something stirred, just beyond his memories.

Lan Tai whispered, brow furrowing, I know this smell.

The old man ignored them and reached in to retrieve a scroll. It appeared to be hammered on the finest paper and attached to jade ends. Ceremoniously, he laid out gold silk, and carefully set the scroll on top. He cleared his throat and rolled out the first characters before calling their attention. There were specific instructions, he announced. These words are meant only for your eyes.

Lan Ming looked onto the paper and read, A Summer Poem, scrawled as the title. Oh no! Not another boring epic about the beauty of seasons. Aren’t we here to learn about our mother? he griped to the man.

Look! Lan Tai gasped, The poet’s name is Tai Xia. His family name is my given name!

With interest piqued, Lan Ming deigned to read the first few lines. The poet is a woman!

Chapter One:

Ting

Thirteen years.

That’s how long I lived with a heart and mind as innocent as spring blossoms hooded in snow. The days enjoyed with music and poetry in my mother’s courtyard. She, the fourth wife to the Yu Emperor.

And me… her fourth child.

My mother told me, when I was born, the bold whispered behind sleeves that I was doomed to a cursed fate. Something they wouldn’t dare do if I were a boy.

The number four was avoided. Its pronunciation seldom distinguished from death. For that reason, my father didn’t take a fourth wife for five long years.

But when presented with my mother… he couldn’t deny her bloodline and what it meant for his empire.

In our era, blood meant everything.

Ages ago, the Three Sovereigns blessed the world with gifts linked to sentience and foresight. When the deities left earth, each chose a family to bestow the heavenly mandate to rule. For only the wise could ensure their gifts were not squandered.

If they were, the sin would leave the world in ruin.

~*~

I was named for the season I was born, Summer; as were each of my full-blooded siblings. The four of us made a year. My first thirteen years flew by, each summer more beautiful than the last. I wish I would’ve taken the time to see more clearly. To smile more.

Even during my tender ages, I noticed changes around me and questioned them. Such as the Emperor’s heir, Yu Longjing. When I was barely to his waist in height, he used to let me ride on his shoulders. He visited his half-siblings often, laughing with us.

When I turned nine, he ceased to visit. When chancing upon him, he no longer greeted with a smile. Instead, he acted as if I were invisible.

I was taught to step aside and bow.

I didn’t have to bow to my other half-brothers.

Ting, the younger son of the Emperor’s third wife, explained Yu Longjing’s life belonged to serving the empire. That I shouldn’t let it get to me. Ting could be kind when he wished.

When we were little, Ting liked to sneak from his mother’s courtyard and played games with my brother and two sisters. I was the smallest and often left chasing after them. Witty and loud, he announced openly his mother didn’t like us because our mother usurped her role as the Emperor’s favorite.

My sisters asked, Why do you not play with Second Mother’s children then? referring to my father’s second wife. Or your full-blooded brother, Shen?

They’re pretentious, Ting would roll his eyes. Winter and I agree on many things, he’d sling an arm around my full-blooded brother, so you’ll need to put up with me.

It’s true. I often saw Ting and Winter speaking for long hours in my mother’s orange orchard. Winter could be headstrong; tenacious yet silently patient. The complete opposite, brash Ting openly challenged authority. The two as a pair were difficult to contend with.

Ting often angered the Lords. Winter would try to keep him grounded, but Ting declared he was untouchable as the Emperor’s son.

I remember well the last time I saw him alive.

Shortly before my fourteenth birthday, Ting told me about dangers lurking in the palace. I didn’t believe him, thinking he sought to frighten me for his amusement. He had begged me to help with a simple task, wanting me to paint a portion of a walkway with black ink.

But he wanted it done in the middle of the night. He said he needed to, catch a man up to no good.

I held no interest in sneaking from my room in the dark and told him as much, with a huff.

Ting threatened, Shall I have Father marry you away to a distant land?

I didn’t believe he could sway our father to do such a thing.

So I shut him out.

Later that evening, I heard him crying softly outside my door. Something in his tone changed my heart. Little sister, I’m sorry if I’ve upset you. I’m in a very bad situation. I desperately need your help to save my life.

At the time I thought him melodramatic, but agreed to assist, hoping the heavens would observe my generous nature and bless me.

After the stars came out, I grumbled, approaching our agreed meeting place. With an arm outstretched, I groped through the dark. The other precariously balanced an ink dish.

Adding to my annoyance, I stubbed my toe and heard sloshing. My mind turned, wondering what I would ask of Ting in return. Perhaps a new gown, since mine might be soiled.

In my frustrated state, I stumbled again. This time on something lying across the path. I lost balance and ink definitely soaked my sleeve. Aiya, Ting! I gritted my teeth.

Something dislodged from the lump as I landed on my behind. A round, slimy object rolled into my lap. The scent of metal made me cringe.

A lantern came around a wall. I looked about eagerly for a place to hide. But its light cascaded to me before I could budge.

My eyes stretched wider than I ever thought they could.

As I tripped, I had assumed I’d fallen for another of Ting’s pranks.

The thought evaporated when I beheld his head in my lap.

Dull eyes pointed in different directions, no longer holding the spark I knew. The world spun and I opened my mouth to scream.

Only muffled sounds came as a hand appeared from nowhere and pressed my lips. I thrashed violently, believing for certain I was meeting my end.

The hand was replaced with a wet rag. An awful smell traveled down the back of my throat. I bit, trying to find the flesh of my captor, but instead inhaled more horrendous fumes.

Spikes of terror tore through my chest as everything went black.

~*~

My eyes opened heavily to see coarse cloth. It took me a moment to realize it was a bed cover. Servant grade. Something my maid would use.

My breath came in short as my heart tried to break free from my chest. Too terrified to move, my body lay immobilized as my eyes searched. I found myself in a typical canopied bed, built against a wall. I spied a single candle, hardly lighting a room smaller any I’d ever entered. Moving shapes whispered nearby, but I couldn’t make out faces or words.

Without warning, the image of Ting’s empty eyes burst to the front of my mind, in the same brash manner he was known for. My body revolted, sitting up on its own. I felt something rise in my throat. Covering my mouth, I used all my will and swallowed the contents.

A sword appeared at my throat and a gruff voice threatened, Scream and I’ll slice out your voice.

I traced the blade to a thick hand, covered in callouses. Above it, yellow eyes glared through slits. I gulped and slowly withdrew to a corner of the bed. Stirring my clothes, the smell of blood rose. I bit my lip and shook, barely able to keep from retching.

Oh poor Ting! I’m sorry I ever doubted you!

I didn’t immediately notice a cup of tea being offered, too entranced by the threat of the blade.

A hand nudged my shoulder. I took the drink gratefully and swallowed in one gulp.

Be kind to her, she’s a Princess, spoke a gentler voice. Look at her gown.

Don’t care, the gruff one spat, What was she doing there?

I don’t know, but I don’t think she meant to harm Ting, the kinder voice reasoned.

I clutched the cup as a dagger of fear