鏡花緣

by Ruzhen Li

"鏡花緣" by Ruzhen Li is a fantasy novel completed in 1827 during the Qing dynasty. When Empress Wu Zetian commands all flowers to bloom overnight, the flower-spirits obey but face divine punishment—banishment to earth as mortals. Tang Ao, father to one incarnated flower-spirit, journeys overseas through fantastical lands including the Country of Women and the Country of Gentlemen. The novel explores revolutionary ideas about gender equality and ideal society, creating worlds where traditional roles reverse and virtue reigns supreme.