Mirror Flowers (Illustrated Text Full Two Volumes)

Author: Liu Ruzhen (Qing Dynasty), illustrated by Li Baomin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The story takes place during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian. One day, when Empress Wu abolished the Tang Dynasty and established the Zhou Dynasty, a heavy snowfall occurred. Drunk, she issued an edict for all flowers to bloom. Unluckily, the Flower Fairy was out traveling, and the flower deities had no one to consult. Fearing to defy her imperial decree, they had no choice but to bloom. As a result, they violated the heavenly laws, and the Flower Fairy was demoted to the mortal world, where she was reborn as the daughter of a scholar, Tang Ao, named Tang Xiaoshan. Tang Ao was stripped of his official rank due to the treachery of villains and thus accompanied his wife, Bei Lin's Yang, and the ship's cook, Duo Jiugong, on a sea journey for business. They traveled through more than 30 countries, encountering various strange people and customs. This is a mystical and enchanting ancient tale. The novel's content is vast, covering a wide range of knowledge. The work praises the talents of women, fully affirms their social status, and criticizes the feudal notion of male supremacy and the belief that women are useless without talent. The author praises the wisdom and abilities of talented women. For example, the palace maid, Shangguan Wan'er, is described as "extraordinarily knowledgeable," "quick-witted," and "possessing a mind like a brocade and a mouth like pearls." She writes poems swiftly and skillfully, leaving even court officials in awe.