The Black Chinese King

the air was s

Jiang, whose anger radiated through the grand hall. The shining candlelight shined al

ce laced with venom. "Foreigners have no pla

efore, but nothing quite like this one. This was not just about love, this

ple yet filled with unspoken defiance. "Jiang," she said softly

you forgotten who we are? You are meant to marry within the noble

ng within him. He turned to her, his voice low but stea

ion was a burden she had carried all her life. But here, before her, stood a man unlike any she had ever kno

ke," she whispered.

u think this is love? This is a fleeting illusion, Mei Lian. Do

's royal lineage. This wasn't just a noble family this was the ruling dynasty of an

, unyielding. "I will sp

ed. "You will regre

his heel and stormed out of the room, leav

ng to Mei Lian. "Your father...

dress. "My father is a man of great power, bound by tradition. But he is also

sitant but full of conviction. "Then tel

ad smile. "Then we must prepare

es of the palace guards. They spoke of their lives, their dreams, their fears. Kwame told her of Ghana's golden coast, of the w

l lingering touch beneath the cherry blossom t

r lurked i

and sentiment of Mei Lian's forbidden affair had begun to spread. Th

moonlit pavilion, a figure emerged from the darkness. A

must leave now. The Emperor

reath hitche

. "Jiang has told him ev

sts clenched. "Then

eyes wide with fear. "You cannot.

stant sound of heavy footsteps

g!" the maid wh

. Mei Lian gripped his hand one last time, pressing something i

e," she whispered. "No matter

look, she turned and hurri

eside her. But he knew that if he was caugh

ared into the dark, the jade pendant clutched tightly i

t let this

contin