The palace of heavenly pleasure

China 1899. A weakened Dynasty watches helplessly as western powers encroach on its land. But in the hills and forests, driven by drought and hunger, a secret society is preaching rebellion. Unaware of the forces broiling around her, a young English girl arrives in the city of Shishan. Life is picnics and tiger hunts for the foreigners - but for Helen Frances there are other, more dangerous delights.