Digging into Chinese folktales, Mr. Woo tells us stories about falling in love in a world that is distant in time and place, distinct in culture and expectations, each with a touch of the exotic. In these tales dating from the Han Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty, dramas unfold in the Imperial palace, along the back roads, and in gardens perfumed with the scent of peony blossoms in the moonlight.

Song Sun likes to talk but never listens. After talking too much to a stranger, Song Sun accidentally gives away the Chinese secret of silkmaking. Will Song Sun be able to save the secret?

"Dream Peony" is the story of Yang Yuhuan, the most voluptuous of the Four Legendary beauties in Chinese history. She was best known for her fleshy figure, and statues of her were typically sculptured in the nude. When she was sixteen years old, she was chosen as wife to Li Mao, the Prince of Shou, and a favorite son of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang Dynasty (685 to 762). Unfortunately, her exquisite beauty had attracted the attention of her father-in-law, and his obsession turned her world upside down. Once, the famous poet Li Bai, who was known as the "Drunken Immortal," had written a poem, "Song of Pure Peace," in praise of her mesmerizing beauty. Half a century later, another famous poet, Bai Juyi, wrote "Song of Perpetual Regret," narrating Emperor Xuanzong's obsessive love for her. Both poems have been translated by the author within this novel.

Fearless heroes, feisty princesses, sly magicians, terrifying dragons, talking foxes and miniature dogs. They all feature in this enthralling compendium of Chinese fairy tales and legends, along with an array of equally colourful characters and captivating plots. Although largely unknown in the West, the 70-plus stories in this volume are just as beguiling as the more familiar Grimms' Fairy Tales or Arabian Nights. They were collected in the early 20th century by Richard Wilhelm and first translated into English by Frederick H Martens. This beautifully produced revised and edited new edition includes updated notes which not only provide background on the tales, but also offer a fascinating insight into ancient Chinese folk lore and culture. These are stories to return to time and time again. From awesome adventures to quirky allegories, from the exploits of the gods to fables about beggars who outwit their betters, Chinese Fairy Tales and Legends is extraordinarily diverse and endlessly engaging. These wonderful stories have enduring and universal appeal, and will intrigue both children and adults.

China has such a colorful history, literally and figuratively. Not only is it known for its art, it is also a hub of age-old cultures and traditions. In this book, you will learn the beginnings of it all as you read about the stories of ancient China. Set a time for reading because it is a self-paced learning technique that will get you places. Get a copy today.

Liaozhai Zhiyi (Liaozhai; Chinese: 聊齋, or 聊齋誌異), called in English Strange Tales from a Chinese Lonely Studio is a collection of Classical Chinese stories by Pu Songling comprising close to five hundred "marvel tales" in the zhiguai and chuanqi styles which serve to implicitly criticise societal issues then. Dating back to the Qing dynasty, its earliest publication date is given as 1740. Since then, many of the critically lauded stories have been adapted for other media such as film and television. The main characters of this book apparently are ghosts, foxes, immortals and demons, but the author focused on the everyday life of commoners. He used the supernatural and the unexplainable to illustrate his ideas of society and government. He criticized the corruption and injustice in society and sympathized with the poor. The book is complete translation of all volumes (Vol. 1 to 12) of Liaozhai.

From the dust of antiquity, over 2,500 years ago; the author unearthed the panorama of Ancient China, at the end of the Spring/Autumn Period (770 to 476 BC). Mud Blossom is a story of love and hate; vengeance and redemption. During that period, the Yue Kingdom was conquered by the much stronger Wu Kingdom. Fan Li, the top advisor of King Goujian of Yue, came up with a plan to restore the country. He offered up Xi Shi, the mesmerizing beauty he loved to Fuchai, the King of Wu; to seduce and distract him. King Fuchai indulged in seeking pleasure, and gradually lost sight of the quiet expansion of the vengeful King of Yue, giving Yue the opportunity to turn the tide. Xi Shi: our heroine of this tale was a young and beautiful silk yarn washer in Yue Kingdom. She and Fan Li met by chance on the bank of a stream, and they fell in love despite the vast difference in their stations. After their country was conquered by the Wu Kingdom and facing being annexed; Fan Li persuaded Xi Shi to sacrifice their love and personal happiness, for the sake of king and country. Xi Shi agreed to his proposal, and entered the Wu King's Inner Court, to endure a precarious and sensual existence for many years. She was inadvertently caught between the conflicts of these two kingdoms, and the two powerful men who loved her. Throughout history, Xi Shi had been alternately lauded as a savior of her people, or maligned as a fox spirit with base morals. She was like a lotus blossom rising out of muddy water, yet retained its purity! Note: Xi Shi was one of the four legendary beauties in Chinese history. Out of four of them, the author decided to write Xi Shi's fascinating story; because she greatly admired this historical woman's courage and resolution: in an age when the Chinese society regarded its women as mere chattels.