Excerpt from Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

"You say she has an aptitude with the qín." Madam Wu clapped and a servant appeared almost immediately in the doorway. "Have her demonstrate."

A table was quickly brought out, the instrument placed upon it, and a stool positioned in front. I ran my hand over the qín and gently plucked the strings, getting accustomed to the feel. It was made of a golden-colored wood, speckled with brown whorls, strung with good-quality silk. Each qín was unique—playing a new one was like meeting a person for the first time. This one's sound was warmer in tone than my own instrument, but it was well cared for.

"You are her teacher?" Madam Wu poured a cup of tea for my uncle, placing it next to him as they settled upon chairs for the performance. Uncle betrayed nothing in his expression as he lifted the cup to drink, no hint of nervousness or doubt in my abilities.

"Me?" He laughed. "I do not hold my musical skills in such high esteem that I could hope to train someone worthy of your notice. Her skills have long surpassed my abilities. Her instructor for the past two years has been Kong Yang of the Shandong School."

Teacher Kong. My fingers twitched at the phantom pain that lashed across my knuckles, a reminder of the thin piece of bamboo he held at his back like a sword to use on his students. Arrogant, and fastidious in his devotion to technique, but the sounds that flowed from his hands …

"Kong Yang?" I heard the surprise in her voice. "If she is worthy to be his student, then why not become one of his disciples at the academy?"

"I believe she will receive a more well-rounded education at your house," Uncle stated, resorting to flattery. "I've no doubt once she comes of age, other offers will follow…"

She gave a harsh bark of laughter. "That may work on those who are dazzled by your many accolades, Tang Guanyue, but you and I know each other far too well for that."

"Of course." Uncle bowed his head. "There is a reason why not many of my associates are aware of her existence." Reaching into his robe, he pulled out the stone pendant that identified each of the citizens of the kingdom. One that stated our names, both family and given. My hands faltered and betrayed my nervousness, even as I continued the process of tuning the strings.

Madam Wu held it up to the light, examining the red mark struck across my family's name. I could see it even from across the room. A stain. Another blemish upon my record. One even more damning than a scar in a house of beautiful things.

"Her family?" she inquired.

"Her father was a minister who was loyal to Prince Yuan," Uncle said. "I once swore an oath before the Star of Balance that I was blessed to call him my brother, in this lifetime and the lifetimes to come."

"May he find peace in another life." She inclined her head, then sighed. "If—and this is only if—I were to admit her into my ranks, there is no guarantee she would ever be pardoned."

"You would be the one to give her the best chance at success." Uncle stood and bowed deeply. It hurt me to see him beg, for I knew his pride. The chance of me ever clearing my record was slim, but Uncle wished for me only the best opportunity. I was beginning to understand it now.

"I cannot make any promises." She stood and helped him up, alarmed at the display of reverence, gesturing for him to sit again. "That a rank such as the yuè-hù should exist in this enlightened time is a disgrace upon us all."

To hear it uttered felt like a slap to the face. A term that I'd heard followed with spitting on the street, a bitter reminder of what caused the execution of my father, mother, and brother. To have my family name stricken from the Book of Records.

"Guxue." She looked toward me then. "A fitting name for a poet's ward."

Solitary Snow.

It was indeed appropriate for someone who would never marry, never bear children, never have anything to my name. I would exist only to serve, to bear the punishment of the transgressions of my parents, unless the emperor or empress ever found me worthy of a pardon. I willed myself to remain still, even as tears threatened to overwhelm me. To wait, even as my hands shook in my lap.

Excerpted from Song of the Six Realms by Judy I. Lin. Copyright © 2024 by Judy I. Lin. Excerpted by permission of Feiwel & Friends. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.