The Opium Lord’s Daughter

Love, betrayal, and a forbidden trade ignite on the eve of the First Opium War.

In 19th-century Canton, the British Empire’s hunger for Chinese tea, silk, and porcelain drives a ruthless opium trade—one that threatens to unravel an ancient nation. Su-Mei, the fiercely independent daughter of wealthy merchant and secret opium dealer Lord Lee Shao Lin, refuses to submit to her father’s will or the suffocating traditions of her class. When she’s sent to a Macau convent as punishment for her disobedience, Su-Mei’s world expands. There, she meets Pai Chu, a young woman of mixed heritage, whose life story reveals the brutal truths of East-West encounters—and ignites Su-Mei’s desire for freedom.Meanwhile, British navigator Travers Higgins thrives in the lucrative smuggling network feeding China’s growing addiction. But as tensions between Britain and the Imperial Court escalate toward open war, he begins to question the cost of his ambition. Their paths, forged in separate worlds, are destined to collide in a time when loyalty can mean life or death.From the glittering courts of Canton’s elite to the ironclad warships at China’s gates, The Opium Lord’s Daughter sweeps readers into a story of love, betrayal, and resilience. Blending rich historical detail with the pulse of high-stakes drama, Robert Wang delivers an unforgettable portrait of a nation—and a woman—on the brink of transformation.For fans of Lisa See, Amy Tan, and James Clavell, this novel is a gripping journey through one of history’s most pivotal—and turbulent—moments.