Empress Orchid by Anchee Min.

From a humble childhood, Orchid enters the Forbidden City and will go to any lengths to win favour with the Emperor. But to what cost? Set in 19th century China, and based on Tzu Hsi, China's last Empress, this is a dazzling and exotic story of forbidden love, betrayal, politics and power. Packed with fascinating facts and beautiful descriptions of Imperial China, it is truly enlightening. Loved it.