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"Here. Take her." The man shoved a scrawny bundle forwards, causing it to stumble, the tiny figure hidden underneath the heavy blankets shuddering in cold and fear.

The woman appraised the bundle with barely hidden disdain in her ebony eyes. Her cherry-red lips turned downwards in a disapproving contempt. "This girl is half-dead," she snapped, casting the man a withering glance. "What good would she bring here?" Reaching forwards, she grabbed onto the thin wrist of the hidden child within. A sharp yelp of terror rose from whatever was inside, slicing through the silence of the night air like the blade of a sword. The woman looked over the skinny arm with a scrutinizing eye, instantly seeing each purple bruise etched upon the white skin.

"And look at this; she is a sickly pale. Her arms are covered in bruises. She is not even healthy enough to please the most drunken of clients. You have wasted my time."

But the man smiled knowingly, causing the woman to narrow her eyes in a veiled curiosity. He knew something. "Yes," he replied smoothly. "But you have yet to see her face. Come. Look." Grabbing the hood, he threw it back, revealing a child's face. It was instantly hidden behind raised hands, but they were smacked back as the man reached forwards to wrench the child's face back to reveal one of surprising beauty. The woman was instantly taken by the stunning jade-green of her wide eyes, framed with the thickest lashes she had seen in her many years of entertaining. The girl's gaze held a sense of impertinence and intense fervor, tempered only by panic and anxiety. One eyebrow cocking upwards, she was filled with renewed interest.

"Who is this child?" She asked. "How old is she?"

The man turned her head back and forth, his dirty fingers pressing into the softness of her white cheeks, forcing her full lips apart. "She is eleven; she is a member of the noble Li Family of Shanghai. Isn't she the loveliest little thing you've ever seen?"

The woman did not reply; instead, she seemed mildly shocked. She did not question the methods in which this thief had managed to get his hands on this noble child, but it intrigued her nonetheless. She was truly a jewel in the trough. Yes. She had to have her. Looking once more into the black gaze of the man, she asked,

"And she is untouched?"

He nodded. "Apart from a couple bruises along her body, I swear that this exquisite creature remains purer than a white finger jade."

Minutes later, the woman found counting out the price of the child's contract, and the girl found herself stepping into a dark world of hidden pleasure and sex.

"Spring Jade," a piercing voice cuts through my thoughts as I sit within my chambers, my er-hu rested upon my lap. The doors are flung open with such force that I cannot help wincing. A young girl about my age peeks into the room, the flat upper lids of her cat-like eyes narrowed in her curiosity. I recognize her as White Orchid, and I resist sighing. "Spring Jade, the Golden Flower requests your presence right away."

"Ai-ya," I quietly curse under my breath, wondering what the mistress could want with me now. I quickly recounted my last few days, and questioned what I could have possibly done to get her to call me into her offices. "What for?"

"I'm not sure." White Orchid replies, her tiny eyes narrowing even more so that they're barely slits. I resisted laughing at her futile attempt to remember what the Golden Flower could have said; White Orchid wasn't the smartest of girls in the Pearl Pagoda. Yet I enjoyed her presence nonetheless, despite her stupidity. "She just told me to summon you."

I shake my hand dismissively, carefully put down my er-hu. "It does not matter now." I murmur. "If I am summoned, than it must be important anyways." I rise from my bed, and step out of the room, closing the doors with much more care then how White Orchid had obnoxiously entered. I follow her down the halls, my feet cushioned by the thick carpets underfoot, my path softly lit by candelabras, giving the surrounding area a romantic, sensual feel. We step into the vast reception hall, pleasantly cool on my skin by the ceiling fans overhead. Taking the doorway to the left, we enter the private chambers of the Golden Flower; a private pavilion on the most secluded part of the grounds.

I look around, still in marvel, though I am familiar to my surroundings. The pavilion was lined with books and scrolls, each dictating stories in my native language, and of the language of this country, English. Tables were aligned against the eight walls, each holding bundles of paper, of brushes, and of bottles of ink.

The Golden Flower was seated upon a thickly cushioned seat before a central table of lacquered black. The chop of the Pearl Pagoda had been carefully set upon it, along with sheaves of paper, an ink bottle of oil black, a brush, ballpoint pen, and a beautifully bound book. To the left was a bowl filled with fruits; to the right was a porcelain cup splendidly painted. She was dressed in a cheongsam of black silk lined with shimmering gold, the stiff, high neck emphasizing the length of her slender neck. Her hair had been gathered in a low bun, and diamond earrings shivered from her earlobes, dripping down her throat like frozen drops of moonlight. She balanced a jade holder in-between two of her long fingers, where it held a long cigarette. Her other hand gracefully fluttered a black fan, trimmed with silver.

I appraised the mistress with an indirect gaze; it was a skill I had attained from my mother. Do not stare too deeply into the eyes of your husband or superior; this is seen as disrespect. So instead, I kept my eyes modestly tipped to the ground, admiring the shining marble of the pavilion floors. White Orchid lingered by the entrance, before flitting away, allowing the two of us privacy.

"Ah, Spring Jade," the Golden Flower's voice was soft as it caught my attention, yet holding the slight rasp of a heavy smoker. "I see you made it here. I have something of great importance to discuss with you."

My eyebrows furrowed, and I felt slight concern at whatever the topic may be. But, to show that I was not troubled, I smoothed out my features, attempted to remain neutral though my insides churned with anxious anticipation. "What may that be, mama?" I replied as quietly. While she was called the Golden Flower, us courtesans referred to her as mama, for she had asked us to call her 'mother'. I still failed to see the significance in it, as she was not our mother, and taught us the art of lust, which, I would think, is not something a mother would attempt to teach her daughter.

"You have never failed to impress me, my little Spring Jade," the Golden Flower began, and I looked up to see that her black gaze had settled on something far away. She paused to bring the cigarette to her lips, before she exhaled, smoke curling around her mouth and nostrils, the smell overwhelming to my sensitive nose. "Time after time again, you manage to make an impression on many of my clients; I have been offered many high prices for the ownership of your pearl gate." Her lips curled into a wry smile at that, and I resisted grimacing. I hated the thought of selling my body to one of those old, smelly men. "You are one of the most requested courtesans in the entirety of the Pearl Pagoda; you have had more demands then even the most seasoned of them. And that pleases me. To know that you are valued by the foreigners of this country is quite a feat, miu-miu." She smiled affectionately at me, and I returned it with a hesitant one of my own.

"Is that all, mama?" I kept my eyes on her, even as she turned to look my way. Her gaze was piercing, but I refused to look away. After a couple moments, she looked down, a small laugh escaping her lips.

"That's what I've always loved about you and your emerald eyes, Spring Jade. They always hold a sense of determination to them; a sense of singularity and unbroken pride. That is what will get you far in life, my dear, but can also lead to your downfall." She smirks, and I am confused at her words, not knowing whether to be offended or complimented.

Then, her expression changes to one of utter seriousness. I am slightly frightened, but I do not allow it to show on my face. "Tonight, we have a very important guest visiting the Pearl Pagoda," she continues. "He owns a very large estate here in England, and is from a noble family back in Shanghai. He is a man of many secrets and holds many friends of high esteem, here in this country and back in China. Yet, he still brings great danger around him; I hear he has an assassin that is his personal assistant." Her lips twist to a grimace, and she takes a long drag of her cigarette.

"But tonight, he is seeking the comfort of a mistress, so he will be visiting here. I have chosen you, because I know that you will be perhaps one of the only ones to please him. Surely, you will be. You are to stay on the private lodge just beyond the gardens; there, you will pleasure him. Hopefully, if you delight him enough, he will offer a great deal of money for your release, and perhaps, if the fates are kind, you will become more then just a courtesan to him." Exhaling slowly, I watched the smoke curdle from her mouth. The Golden Flower seemed deep in thought. "Seduce him, Spring Jade, make him yearn you, but do not offer your body just yet. Make him impatient for you; I have heard he is a man that enjoys the great lavishes of life." With a smile, she turned to look back up at me. "Show him the hidden mysteries of the courtesan, Xiuju."

I was shocked to a silence; the Golden Flower had just uttered my real name. Staring at her with wide eyes, I despised her smirk of amusement. But then, I shook away my surprise, knowing it was unattractive to keep my eyes so wide, like a bug. I attempted to look as apathetic as possible, though it was terribly hard. "What is his name, mama?"

The Golden Flower took one more drag from the cigarette, once more lost deep in thought, black eyes looking slightly troubled. "He is called Lau."

Lau looked around the dining hall of the Pearl Pagoda, mildly amazed by its wonderful design that managed to incorporate both the cultures of China and England. The table of shining oak was set with a silver candelabra; the dishes and chopsticks were set of solid gold, he noticed as well. A fountain murmured to the side, and the perfumed scent of the flowers within the room subtly encircled the two. Steaming plates of delicious foods were set before him, the scents themselves causing his mouth to water. Oh, how he missed the delicacies of China.

Across from him sat the owner of the Pearl Pagoda, a middle-age Chinese woman who was named the Golden Flower by those familiar to this opium den. She was still quite lovely, he found, dressed exquisitely in a cheongsam of shimmering gold. She fluttered a fan of lacquered scarlet in her hand, the beads of crystal set within the fan constantly catching the firelight, causing it to shine like the rays of the sun. He affably enjoyed the company of the other, finding comfort in her languid words and phrases known only by an experienced member of the pleasure district. Ran-Mao stood somewhere in the shadows, out of view.

After a bit, the Golden Flower turned to look at him with her onyx gaze. "I have a bit of entertainment for you tonight, Ah-Lau. I hope you find her presence agreeable; she has pleased many-a-client here." Clapping her hands, Lau turned in his seat to see a young girl barely a day older then thirteen making her way gracefully towards the stool located in the middle of the hall, an instrument held carefully in her hands. She was shockingly beautiful, fine-featured with pale skin. She was dressed in an elegant cheongsam of a quixotic sunset-orange, and it fitted to her lean body perfectly. Kowtowing to the two, she seated herself onto the stool, cradling the neck of the instrument - an er-hu Lau instantly recognized - to her smooth cheek. Raising the bow, she began to draw it expertly across the strings of the instrument, the notes flowing limpidly through the air, enchanting the ears of the beholders. Lau sat, transfixed by the music.

The music slowly began to ebb away, before it was completely gone. Lowering the instrument did the girl finally look up, and Lau was startled by her ravishing beauty. She possessed a perfect oval-shaped face, with skin as white as the snow that fell upon the ground during the winter. Her nose was pert, her cheeks smooth, her lips plump and red as though stained by fresh roses. Her wide eyes were round, and the startling color of deep jade, enhanced only by the smoky orange of her cheongsam. She blinked her vivid-green eyes, before modestly lowering her gaze, bowing once more to the important guest.

"May I introduce Spring Jade, one of the most popular courtesans here at the Pearl Pagoda." The Golden Flower introduced. "Is she not a vision?"

But Lau was too spellbound by the gorgeous girl to say anything. He barely even heard the words of the Golden Flower. She was absolutely divine, her innocence shrouding her like cloud. And yet, the way she held herself told completely different stories of her upbringing. Surely, she was of some affluence somewhere in her lifetime; Lau could tell by the way she held herself, by the strong challenge in her emerald eyes; to the pride that was so detectable, yet so subtly hidden underneath her stance, her features, and the tilt of the perfect curve of her chin. She was well-versed in literature and the arts, he could see, by the wisdom that had been so obvious in that single glance of her eyes.

With a small nod, he agreed readily with the Golden Flower.

"A pleasure to meet you, kind sir." The girl murmured, voice as melodious as a nightingale, pleasing to his ear. Her intonation held a silky delicacy to it that was only found in those of noble upbringing. "I hope my music was most enjoyable."

"Of course." Lau replied, voice smooth. "It was splendid."

The girl hid her smile behind a dainty white hand. "Thank you, kind sir," she said with yet another low bow. "It makes me happy to know that people take pleasure in the sounds of my er-hu." Her hand brushed the neck of the instrument slowly, and somehow, Lau could detect the hidden truth underneath her words, yet he was unable to know whether or not his suspicions were true. Instead, he just praised her with more kind words.

"No, thank you, Spring Jade. You have made this night most pleasant." From the corner of his eye, he could see the Golden Flower's smirk, only to be obscured by the glimmer of her fan. And with another flick of scarlet, the girl departed, leaving Lau only lusting for more.

I sat on the stool before my vanity table, pulling my brush through the thick tresses of my black hair. As I stare into the face opposite me, I see no more the person I once was. Instead, I see an unfamiliar girl; a girl named Spring Jade. I force a laugh from my lips - how ironic. My greatest fear was getting lost; I have lost my soul in my own self.

No longer do I see the happy glow of a young girl; no longer do I see someone who is secure in her beauty and aware of her wealth. No, all I see now is a whore. All I see is an insignificant being who had sunken so low, whose job was to bring pleasure to men. No matter where they placed on the hierarchy, men were all the same to me. Dirty, stinking beings who cared only to stick their ivory shaft into a woman's pearl gate. In the end, that was all they wanted. And when a woman could no longer provide that, they would move to someone younger, prettier.

Someone like Spring Jade.

I spat at my reflection, looking away. To sell my body was the lowliest thing a woman could do. Especially someone born into a ranking like mine.

Upturning my head, I looked up at the ceiling. What could I have done in a past life to deserve this? Sighing, I returned to brushing my hair, my thoughts drifting back to last night. That Lau man had been different to the old, ugly foreign barbarians I usually spent the night with. I missed the presence of those of my culture; perhaps that's the reason I took such a liking to him? But I had to admit; he was quite handsome. He retained the air of a nobleman, similar almost to my brothers. He had been kind, gentle. I was surprised - last night at the Golden Flower's private lodge, he had not asked for an experience of sheer pleasure like most men; instead, all he wished for was to hear me sing or play my er-hu. And afterwards, he had spoken to me about what had been happening in Shanghai. I had almost been tempted to ask about my family, but I realized that now was not the time, nor the place. And besides, it'd be unwise if I unveiled the truth of my past, so instead, I just listened intently, drinking in the information hungrily.

We had gone to bed late into the night. I had awoken a little past ten to find him gone, already left early this morning. Beside me, where he had slept, was a chrysanthemum flower that was now drifting in a small bowl filled with water on my bedside table. I looked at it with mild sadness, knowing how it related so well to my real name. Reaching over, I leaned to caress the blossoms, only to stop to a halt by a sharp knocking on my door.

"Spring Jade," several voices sang outside my door. "Spring Jade, are you inside?"

Putting down my brush, I turned to face the door. "Yes, I'm here." I called back. "You can come in."

Six girls flooded into my room, excitement barely hidden upon each of their pretty features. I forced a smile upon my face, attempting to look at least a little happy before them. After all, I was the only girl to see a Chinese man in a long while. But, as I looked at each of the faces before me, I could not help but feel a knot of grief deep in my belly. These girls had suffered devastating pasts, almost like mine. Some had been kidnapped, like me, but many had been sold from families who had been on the brink of poverty, and in an attempt to make a profit, had sold their youngest and most beautiful daughters. Their pasts, however, did not show on their faces; instead, innocence and beauty lit up each of their features, as if they had lived here, in the Pearl Pagoda, the entirety of their lives.

"So tell us, Spring Jade," one of the girls around my age chirped. It was Red Orchid. "Was he handsome?"

I turned away from them, once more facing my mirror. I attempted to look silly and girlish, pretending I did not know what they were talking about. "Who? Who is this handsome man you talk of? I greet many handsome men each night."

In my mirror, I could see the pout of Red Lotus. I hid my smile as I wiped a kerchief over my lips.

"You know who we're talking about," came the smooth lilt of Beautiful Moon. "Come, Spring Jade. Tell us. Was he handsome?"

"Please tell us, Spring Jade!" Added Fragrant Jasmine, her face, still childishly chubby, appearing just beyond my shoulder. "What did he look like? You're so lucky; we haven't seen a Chinese man in so, so, so long!"

I ignore them; continue to brush my hair. I can see they are getting irritated.

"Spring Jade!"

"She'll tell us in good time," a new voice murmured. I turned in my surprise, as did the others. There, sitting on my bed, was Ivory Blossom. She was one of the older courtesans here, about five years my senior. Therefore, she was about eighteen. Ivory Blossom, one of the more popular woman at the Pearl Pagoda, was truly a beauty, I found, with her shiny black hair, bamboo-leaf eyes, and sparkling teeth, and was a master at calligraphy and the playing of the zither. Her hands were primly placed in her lap, eyes closed, a small smile on her lips. Cat eyes opening, she appraised me with her amber gaze.

I stared back at her, could see my emerald eyes reflected in her own gaze. Then, I looked away, feeling mild discomfort. Although Ivory Blossom was nice enough, she was still volatile in her emotions: sometimes she could be as kind as a patient, doting mother, other times, she could act as the most spoiled child. My gaze falling back to the other, younger girls, I decided to speak of Lau, knowing that they'd complain if I didn't.

And I didn't really want that.

"He was handsome," I replied. "Very handsome. His name is Lau; he is similar to one of those handsome scholars back in China." I smiled at how transfixed they seemed. "And he was very rich. He had white, white skin, and such long hands; tapered fingers, similar almost to a woman. He enjoyed my music, he told me, but he was not vulgar in speech. Not like the barbarians here" - as I say that, all the girls giggle, even Ivory Blossom - "and he didn't force himself upon me."

Beautiful Moon's eyebrows raise. "So he didn't attempt to stick his ivory shaft into your golden gate?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Instead, we talked of Shanghai." I let a dreamy expression pass over my features. "I sang and played my er-hu for him; that is it."

"Oh, you're so lucky!" Fragrant Jasmine complained in a high-pitched voice that scratched my eardrums. "I had a crude, old man who wanted only to have sex and smoke the pipe. He didn't even care to hear of my name. And he smelled of stale sweat and his beard was gross and knotted." She stuck out her tongue immaturely.

I smirked, turning to stare at my reflection once more. Although I was not lucky, I was luckier last night than most of the girls. Raising my brush once more to my hair, I let myself smile. Perhaps there was something about Lau that could possibly benefit me in the future?

Looking deep into emerald eyes, I knew that my life was not here. I knew that I would be free in good time.

Description
"Here. Take her." The man shoved a scrawny bundle forwards, causing it to stumble, the tiny figure hidden underneath the heavy blankets shuddering in cold and fear.

The woman appraised the bundle with barely hidden disdain in her ebony eyes. Her cherry-red lips turned downwards in a disapproving contempt. "This girl is half-dead," she snapped, casting the man a withering glance. "What good would she bring here?" Reaching forwards, she grabbed onto the thin wrist of the hidden child within. A sharp yelp of terror rose from whatever was inside, slicing through the silence of the night air like the blade of a sword. The woman looked over the skinny arm with a scrutinizing eye, instantly seeing each purple bruise etched upon the white skin.

"And look at this; she is a sickly pale. Her arms are covered in bruises. She is not even healthy enough to please the most drunken of clients. You have wasted my time."

But the man smiled knowingly, causing the woman to narrow her eyes in a veiled curiosity. He knew something. "Yes," he replied smoothly. "But you have yet to see her face. Come. Look." Grabbing the hood, he threw it back, revealing a child's face. It was instantly hidden behind raised hands, but they were smacked back as the man reached forwards to wrench the child's face back to reveal one of surprising beauty. The woman was instantly taken by the stunning jade-green of her wide eyes, framed with the thickest lashes she had seen in her many years of entertaining. The girl's gaze held a sense of impertinence and intense fervor, tempered only by panic and anxiety. One eyebrow cocking upwards, she was filled with renewed interest.

"Who is this child?" She asked. "How old is she?"

The man turned her head back and forth, his dirty fingers pressing into the softness of her white cheeks, forcing her full lips apart. "She is eleven; she is a member of the noble Li Family of Shanghai. Isn't she the loveliest little thing you've ever seen?"

The woman did not reply; instead, she seemed mildly shocked. She did not question the methods in which this thief had managed to get his hands on this noble child, but it intrigued her nonetheless. She was truly a jewel in the trough. Yes. She had to have her. Looking once more into the black gaze of the man, she asked,

"And she is untouched?"

He nodded. "Apart from a couple bruises along her body, I swear that this exquisite creature remains purer than a white finger jade."

Minutes later, the woman found counting out the price of the child's contract, and the girl found herself stepping into a dark world of hidden pleasure and sex.

"Spring Jade," a piercing voice cuts through my thoughts as I sit within my chambers, my er-hu rested upon my lap. The doors are flung open with such force that I cannot help wincing. A young girl about my age peeks into the room, the flat upper lids of her cat-like eyes narrowed in her curiosity. I recognize her as White Orchid, and I resist sighing. "Spring Jade, the Golden Flower requests your presence right away."

"Ai-ya," I quietly curse under my breath, wondering what the mistress could want with me now. I quickly recounted my last few days, and questioned what I could have possibly done to get her to call me into her offices. "What for?"

"I'm not sure." White Orchid replies, her tiny eyes narrowing even more so that they're barely slits. I resisted laughing at her futile attempt to remember what the Golden Flower could have said; White Orchid wasn't the smartest of girls in the Pearl Pagoda. Yet I enjoyed her presence nonetheless, despite her stupidity. "She just told me to summon you."

I shake my hand dismissively, carefully put down my er-hu. "It does not matter now." I murmur. "If I am summoned, than it must be important anyways." I rise from my bed, and step out of the room, closing the doors with much more care then how White Orchid had obnoxiously entered. I follow her down the halls, my feet cushioned by the thick carpets underfoot, my path softly lit by candelabras, giving the surrounding area a romantic, sensual feel. We step into the vast reception hall, pleasantly cool on my skin by the ceiling fans overhead. Taking the doorway to the left, we enter the private chambers of the Golden Flower; a private pavilion on the most secluded part of the grounds.

I look around, still in marvel, though I am familiar to my surroundings. The pavilion was lined with books and scrolls, each dictating stories in my native language, and of the language of this country, English. Tables were aligned against the eight walls, each holding bundles of paper, of brushes, and of bottles of ink.

The Golden Flower was seated upon a thickly cushioned seat before a central table of lacquered black. The chop of the Pearl Pagoda had been carefully set upon it, along with sheaves of paper, an ink bottle of oil black, a brush, ballpoint pen, and a beautifully bound book. To the left was a bowl filled with fruits; to the right was a porcelain cup splendidly painted. She was dressed in a cheongsam of black silk lined with shimmering gold, the stiff, high neck emphasizing the length of her slender neck. Her hair had been gathered in a low bun, and diamond earrings shivered from her earlobes, dripping down her throat like frozen drops of moonlight. She balanced a jade holder in-between two of her long fingers, where it held a long cigarette. Her other hand gracefully fluttered a black fan, trimmed with silver.

I appraised the mistress with an indirect gaze; it was a skill I had attained from my mother. Do not stare too deeply into the eyes of your husband or superior; this is seen as disrespect. So instead, I kept my eyes modestly tipped to the ground, admiring the shining marble of the pavilion floors. White Orchid lingered by the entrance, before flitting away, allowing the two of us privacy.

"Ah, Spring Jade," the Golden Flower's voice was soft as it caught my attention, yet holding the slight rasp of a heavy smoker. "I see you made it here. I have something of great importance to discuss with you."

My eyebrows furrowed, and I felt slight concern at whatever the topic may be. But, to show that I was not troubled, I smoothed out my features, attempted to remain neutral though my insides churned with anxious anticipation. "What may that be, mama?" I replied as quietly. While she was called the Golden Flower, us courtesans referred to her as mama, for she had asked us to call her 'mother'. I still failed to see the significance in it, as she was not our mother, and taught us the art of lust, which, I would think, is not something a mother would attempt to teach her daughter.

"You have never failed to impress me, my little Spring Jade," the Golden Flower began, and I looked up to see that her black gaze had settled on something far away. She paused to bring the cigarette to her lips, before she exhaled, smoke curling around her mouth and nostrils, the smell overwhelming to my sensitive nose. "Time after time again, you manage to make an impression on many of my clients; I have been offered many high prices for the ownership of your pearl gate." Her lips curled into a wry smile at that, and I resisted grimacing. I hated the thought of selling my body to one of those old, smelly men. "You are one of the most requested courtesans in the entirety of the Pearl Pagoda; you have had more demands then even the most seasoned of them. And that pleases me. To know that you are valued by the foreigners of this country is quite a feat, miu-miu." She smiled affectionately at me, and I returned it with a hesitant one of my own.

"Is that all, mama?" I kept my eyes on her, even as she turned to look my way. Her gaze was piercing, but I refused to look away. After a couple moments, she looked down, a small laugh escaping her lips.

"That's what I've always loved about you and your emerald eyes, Spring Jade. They always hold a sense of determination to them; a sense of singularity and unbroken pride. That is what will get you far in life, my dear, but can also lead to your downfall." She smirks, and I am confused at her words, not knowing whether to be offended or complimented.

Then, her expression changes to one of utter seriousness. I am slightly frightened, but I do not allow it to show on my face. "Tonight, we have a very important guest visiting the Pearl Pagoda," she continues. "He owns a very large estate here in England, and is from a noble family back in Shanghai. He is a man of many secrets and holds many friends of high esteem, here in this country and back in China. Yet, he still brings great danger around him; I hear he has an assassin that is his personal assistant." Her lips twist to a grimace, and she takes a long drag of her cigarette.

"But tonight, he is seeking the comfort of a mistress, so he will be visiting here. I have chosen you, because I know that you will be perhaps one of the only ones to please him. Surely, you will be. You are to stay on the private lodge just beyond the gardens; there, you will pleasure him. Hopefully, if you delight him enough, he will offer a great deal of money for your release, and perhaps, if the fates are kind, you will become more then just a courtesan to him." Exhaling slowly, I watched the smoke curdle from her mouth. The Golden Flower seemed deep in thought. "Seduce him, Spring Jade, make him yearn you, but do not offer your body just yet. Make him impatient for you; I have heard he is a man that enjoys the great lavishes of life." With a smile, she turned to look back up at me. "Show him the hidden mysteries of the courtesan, Xiuju."

I was shocked to a silence; the Golden Flower had just uttered my real name. Staring at her with wide eyes, I despised her smirk of amusement. But then, I shook away my surprise, knowing it was unattractive to keep my eyes so wide, like a bug. I attempted to look as apathetic as possible, though it was terribly hard. "What is his name, mama?"

The Golden Flower took one more drag from the cigarette, once more lost deep in thought, black eyes looking slightly troubled. "He is called Lau."

Lau looked around the dining hall of the Pearl Pagoda, mildly amazed by its wonderful design that managed to incorporate both the cultures of China and England. The table of shining oak was set with a silver candelabra; the dishes and chopsticks were set of solid gold, he noticed as well. A fountain murmured to the side, and the perfumed scent of the flowers within the room subtly encircled the two. Steaming plates of delicious foods were set before him, the scents themselves causing his mouth to water. Oh, how he missed the delicacies of China.

Across from him sat the owner of the Pearl Pagoda, a middle-age Chinese woman who was named the Golden Flower by those familiar to this opium den. She was still quite lovely, he found, dressed exquisitely in a cheongsam of shimmering gold. She fluttered a fan of lacquered scarlet in her hand, the beads of crystal set within the fan constantly catching the firelight, causing it to shine like the rays of the sun. He affably enjoyed the company of the other, finding comfort in her languid words and phrases known only by an experienced member of the pleasure district. Ran-Mao stood somewhere in the shadows, out of view.

After a bit, the Golden Flower turned to look at him with her onyx gaze. "I have a bit of entertainment for you tonight, Ah-Lau. I hope you find her presence agreeable; she has pleased many-a-client here." Clapping her hands, Lau turned in his seat to see a young girl barely a day older then thirteen making her way gracefully towards the stool located in the middle of the hall, an instrument held carefully in her hands. She was shockingly beautiful, fine-featured with pale skin. She was dressed in an elegant cheongsam of a quixotic sunset-orange, and it fitted to her lean body perfectly. Kowtowing to the two, she seated herself onto the stool, cradling the neck of the instrument - an er-hu Lau instantly recognized - to her smooth cheek. Raising the bow, she began to draw it expertly across the strings of the instrument, the notes flowing limpidly through the air, enchanting the ears of the beholders. Lau sat, transfixed by the music.

The music slowly began to ebb away, before it was completely gone. Lowering the instrument did the girl finally look up, and Lau was startled by her ravishing beauty. She possessed a perfect oval-shaped face, with skin as white as the snow that fell upon the ground during the winter. Her nose was pert, her cheeks smooth, her lips plump and red as though stained by fresh roses. Her wide eyes were round, and the startling color of deep jade, enhanced only by the smoky orange of her cheongsam. She blinked her vivid-green eyes, before modestly lowering her gaze, bowing once more to the important guest.

"May I introduce Spring Jade, one of the most popular courtesans here at the Pearl Pagoda." The Golden Flower introduced. "Is she not a vision?"

But Lau was too spellbound by the gorgeous girl to say anything. He barely even heard the words of the Golden Flower. She was absolutely divine, her innocence shrouding her like cloud. And yet, the way she held herself told completely different stories of her upbringing. Surely, she was of some affluence somewhere in her lifetime; Lau could tell by the way she held herself, by the strong challenge in her emerald eyes; to the pride that was so detectable, yet so subtly hidden underneath her stance, her features, and the tilt of the perfect curve of her chin. She was well-versed in literature and the arts, he could see, by the wisdom that had been so obvious in that single glance of her eyes.

With a small nod, he agreed readily with the Golden Flower.

"A pleasure to meet you, kind sir." The girl murmured, voice as melodious as a nightingale, pleasing to his ear. Her intonation held a silky delicacy to it that was only found in those of noble upbringing. "I hope my music was most enjoyable."

"Of course." Lau replied, voice smooth. "It was splendid."

The girl hid her smile behind a dainty white hand. "Thank you, kind sir," she said with yet another low bow. "It makes me happy to know that people take pleasure in the sounds of my er-hu." Her hand brushed the neck of the instrument slowly, and somehow, Lau could detect the hidden truth underneath her words, yet he was unable to know whether or not his suspicions were true. Instead, he just praised her with more kind words.

"No, thank you, Spring Jade. You have made this night most pleasant." From the corner of his eye, he could see the Golden Flower's smirk, only to be obscured by the glimmer of her fan. And with another flick of scarlet, the girl departed, leaving Lau only lusting for more.

I sat on the stool before my vanity table, pulling my brush through the thick tresses of my black hair. As I stare into the face opposite me, I see no more the person I once was. Instead, I see an unfamiliar girl; a girl named Spring Jade. I force a laugh from my lips - how ironic. My greatest fear was getting lost; I have lost my soul in my own self.

No longer do I see the happy glow of a young girl; no longer do I see someone who is secure in her beauty and aware of her wealth. No, all I see now is a whore. All I see is an insignificant being who had sunken so low, whose job was to bring pleasure to men. No matter where they placed on the hierarchy, men were all the same to me. Dirty, stinking beings who cared only to stick their ivory shaft into a woman's pearl gate. In the end, that was all they wanted. And when a woman could no longer provide that, they would move to someone younger, prettier.

Someone like Spring Jade.

I spat at my reflection, looking away. To sell my body was the lowliest thing a woman could do. Especially someone born into a ranking like mine.

Upturning my head, I looked up at the ceiling. What could I have done in a past life to deserve this? Sighing, I returned to brushing my hair, my thoughts drifting back to last night. That Lau man had been different to the old, ugly foreign barbarians I usually spent the night with. I missed the presence of those of my culture; perhaps that's the reason I took such a liking to him? But I had to admit; he was quite handsome. He retained the air of a nobleman, similar almost to my brothers. He had been kind, gentle. I was surprised - last night at the Golden Flower's private lodge, he had not asked for an experience of sheer pleasure like most men; instead, all he wished for was to hear me sing or play my er-hu. And afterwards, he had spoken to me about what had been happening in Shanghai. I had almost been tempted to ask about my family, but I realized that now was not the time, nor the place. And besides, it'd be unwise if I unveiled the truth of my past, so instead, I just listened intently, drinking in the information hungrily.

We had gone to bed late into the night. I had awoken a little past ten to find him gone, already left early this morning. Beside me, where he had slept, was a chrysanthemum flower that was now drifting in a small bowl filled with water on my bedside table. I looked at it with mild sadness, knowing how it related so well to my real name. Reaching over, I leaned to caress the blossoms, only to stop to a halt by a sharp knocking on my door.

"Spring Jade," several voices sang outside my door. "Spring Jade, are you inside?"

Putting down my brush, I turned to face the door. "Yes, I'm here." I called back. "You can come in."

Six girls flooded into my room, excitement barely hidden upon each of their pretty features. I forced a smile upon my face, attempting to look at least a little happy before them. After all, I was the only girl to see a Chinese man in a long while. But, as I looked at each of the faces before me, I could not help but feel a knot of grief deep in my belly. These girls had suffered devastating pasts, almost like mine. Some had been kidnapped, like me, but many had been sold from families who had been on the brink of poverty, and in an attempt to make a profit, had sold their youngest and most beautiful daughters. Their pasts, however, did not show on their faces; instead, innocence and beauty lit up each of their features, as if they had lived here, in the Pearl Pagoda, the entirety of their lives.

"So tell us, Spring Jade," one of the girls around my age chirped. It was Red Orchid. "Was he handsome?"

I turned away from them, once more facing my mirror. I attempted to look silly and girlish, pretending I did not know what they were talking about. "Who? Who is this handsome man you talk of? I greet many handsome men each night."

In my mirror, I could see the pout of Red Lotus. I hid my smile as I wiped a kerchief over my lips.

"You know who we're talking about," came the smooth lilt of Beautiful Moon. "Come, Spring Jade. Tell us. Was he handsome?"

"Please tell us, Spring Jade!" Added Fragrant Jasmine, her face, still childishly chubby, appearing just beyond my shoulder. "What did he look like? You're so lucky; we haven't seen a Chinese man in so, so, so long!"

I ignore them; continue to brush my hair. I can see they are getting irritated.

"Spring Jade!"

"She'll tell us in good time," a new voice murmured. I turned in my surprise, as did the others. There, sitting on my bed, was Ivory Blossom. She was one of the older courtesans here, about five years my senior. Therefore, she was about eighteen. Ivory Blossom, one of the more popular woman at the Pearl Pagoda, was truly a beauty, I found, with her shiny black hair, bamboo-leaf eyes, and sparkling teeth, and was a master at calligraphy and the playing of the zither. Her hands were primly placed in her lap, eyes closed, a small smile on her lips. Cat eyes opening, she appraised me with her amber gaze.

I stared back at her, could see my emerald eyes reflected in her own gaze. Then, I looked away, feeling mild discomfort. Although Ivory Blossom was nice enough, she was still volatile in her emotions: sometimes she could be as kind as a patient, doting mother, other times, she could act as the most spoiled child. My gaze falling back to the other, younger girls, I decided to speak of Lau, knowing that they'd complain if I didn't.

And I didn't really want that.

"He was handsome," I replied. "Very handsome. His name is Lau; he is similar to one of those handsome scholars back in China." I smiled at how transfixed they seemed. "And he was very rich. He had white, white skin, and such long hands; tapered fingers, similar almost to a woman. He enjoyed my music, he told me, but he was not vulgar in speech. Not like the barbarians here" - as I say that, all the girls giggle, even Ivory Blossom - "and he didn't force himself upon me."

Beautiful Moon's eyebrows raise. "So he didn't attempt to stick his ivory shaft into your golden gate?"

I shook my head. "Nope. Instead, we talked of Shanghai." I let a dreamy expression pass over my features. "I sang and played my er-hu for him; that is it."

"Oh, you're so lucky!" Fragrant Jasmine complained in a high-pitched voice that scratched my eardrums. "I had a crude, old man who wanted only to have sex and smoke the pipe. He didn't even care to hear of my name. And he smelled of stale sweat and his beard was gross and knotted." She stuck out her tongue immaturely.

I smirked, turning to stare at my reflection once more. Although I was not lucky, I was luckier last night than most of the girls. Raising my brush once more to my hair, I let myself smile. Perhaps there was something about Lau that could possibly benefit me in the future?

Looking deep into emerald eyes, I knew that my life was not here. I knew that I would be free in good time.