The Jade Temptress Quotes

“She always complicated things, but everything was so clear to Wu Kaifeng. He stripped away all the layers of nuance and illusion until there was nothing left but the truth and then it became impossible to deny.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“Mingyu listened with fascination. “I’ve never heard you speak so much about your past.” “It’s the minang soup. The poppy makes one’s thoughts wander.” “I must remember that.” “It can also be poisonous. Such is true of many remedies, light properties along with dark. People are like that, as well. Cruel, then kind.” Kaifeng was getting maudlin. And free with his words. She was rather fond of the condition.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“Kaifeng had been ensnared and it had nothing to do with logic or rationality or even lust. Physical desire was understandable and easily remedied. The hold that Mingyu had over him was nothing as simple as that.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“With a soft murmur, deep in her throat, she let herself sink down onto the mat and closed her eyes. Her arm served as a pillow. The lantern light flickered over the room while Kaifeng sat back and let himself be tormented by her silhouette. Save for his own stubbornness, he could be lying beside her, their limbs entwined. He leaned back against the wall and let the light ebb away into darkness.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“Mingyu had gotten into his blood along with everything else that clouded a man’s judgment. His fists were clenched with jealousy, his stomach churned in anger. And deep in his chest, where his heart lay pounding, he desired a woman he couldn’t have.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“Kaifeng had let her go then. He’d had no choice and neither did she, but Mingyu had that memory to take with her. At least she had the memories. She kept their final moments close to her heart as the lotus petal pavilion came into view.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“His blunt observation put her back in her place. Xi Lun was all but reminding Mingyu that she had come here subservient, ready to please. She dreaded the thought of engaging in an affair with him. Sex would just be another way for him to exert his dominance.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“Madame Deng wasn’t concerned with justice or retribution. Public face and respectability were more important to her.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“As the melody filled the room, Mingyu focused her attention inward and enjoyed the hum of music inside of her. The low, vibrating sounds held an inherent weight and sadness within them. The song wasn’t pretty, but it drew one in nonetheless. The individual notes demanded attention. They hung in the air forever so the listener never knew when one would end and the next one would fall. Like raindrops that obeyed no one’s command.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“Usually she took such pleasure in the nuances and ambiguity of conversation, but his blatant disregard for politeness was undeniably exciting.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“Mingyu was frightened and desperate and she was certainly hiding something, but his gut told him she wasn’t guilty. Unfortunately his gut and every other part of him were susceptible to Mingyu. He couldn’t trust his instincts around her.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“There was a time when Mingyu had been young and vying for notoriety. She had dreamed of catching the attention of a gentleman like that, but she’d since learned that it was better to rely on her own skills for protection. Mingyu’s heart had left the quarter when her sister had left. What remained was her warrior self, which was more than capable of handling Lord Bai, General Deng and any man who sought to challenge or possess her.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“I was found innocent,” she interrupted. “Your actions were not condemned,” he corrected. “It occurs to me that many of your patrons are men of rank and influence.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress

“Anger was a sign of weakness. So was fear. Kaifeng breathed deep to keep both at bay.”
― Jeannie Lin, The Jade Temptress