Phoenix

{Disclaimer: this is my own work constructed upon my own imagination. Yes there are ties to ancient China, such as apparel, architecture, class, titles, the harem, the dragon (aka the emperor), the phoenix (aka the empress), and what not. But nevertheless this is a work of fantasy, the legend is completely made up, the kingdom they reside in as well, and other aspects of course.}

{Old Description}

The Dragon and Phoenix are two deities destined by fate to fall in love.

They are created for each other.
They are soulmates.
They are bound by destiny.

Zhao Xiulan never cared for love. She was a bastard daughter, a result of an affair. Who would love her? Instead, she focused her days on her studies; politics was a favorite. She lived a simple life but a happy life. She had no riches or fortune, but she was content.

So imagine her dismay when news comes that she has been selected to enter the palace to compete for a spot in the Emperor's harem.

Although beautiful and virtuous, her fault is her kindness. Within the palace, concubines either die from hanging, poison, or assassination. One must be despicable and loathsome to survive... for Xiulan, her kindness may be her death.

But what happens when she catches the eye of the cold, ruthless emperor, whose name itself is stained with blood? The man whom she's heard cruel, bloody, and dangerous stories of? The man known as the...

Demon Emperor

After all... A Dragon cannot survive without his Phoenix