Mandarin

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Set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century China, where imperial rule is on the brink of collapse due to the Opium Wars and Taiping Rebellion, a gripping tale unfolds. In Shanghai, Jewish merchant Saul Haleevie and his Chinese partner, Aisek Lee, have built a successful business despite facing hardship and distrust. Their lives are upended when Aisek is falsely accused of causing his mother’s suicide, prompting Saul to risk everything to save his friend while navigating a corrupt penal system that threatens his own safety. Meanwhile, Saul's daughter, Fronah, grapples with her identity amidst the influx of Westerners in Shanghai. Torn between cultures, she inadvertently destroys one man and confounds another in her quest for love. In the imperial palace, the “Virtuous Concubine” Yehenala schemes to bear the opium-addicted Hsien Feng emperor’s only son, positioning herself for power as the formidable empress dowager. While she wins the power struggle, she cannot avert the impending collapse of the imperial dynasty, which jeopardizes the lives and loves of all involved. This rich narrative weaves together themes of loyalty, love, and deception, showcasing intricate diplomacy and family dynamics amidst a period of profound change in China.