11. 1649, early May, year of the Earth Ox

  Jade Butterfly had expected that the envoy would visit her once she settled in the capital. However, he merely sent people to escort her to the flower house where she was now to live and work, and twice inquired afterwards whether everything suited her.

  On one occasion he sent an invitation for her to dance at the celebration of a high-ranking noble, but he did not even find time to exchange a few words with her and left early.

  The flower house where she had taken up residence was quite a large complex of buildings.

  Guests first had to pass into a garden enclosed by a high stone wall, cross a curved bridge, and ascend into the main building. It had two tiers of galleries running along the walls. Below, guests strolled, musicians played, and the girls danced. The first gallery held tables for those who wished to watch the performance from above, away from the noisy crowd. On the upper level were enclosed rooms — for private banquets or for those who preferred to spend the night on the premises.

  The musicians came from outside, but the girls lived in a smaller house at the far end of the estate. A separate building housed the servants and the kitchen.

  In addition, in the garden behind the main building stood three graceful pavilions for those who desired quiet and privacy. Jade Butterfly grew fond of sitting in one of them in the mornings, when the entire flower house still slept soundly, resting after the previous night.

  Besides herself, eleven other performers lived in the flower house. Two of them were from Joseon, and they at once began to fuss around their new acquaintance, asking for news from home. Thanks to their help and advice, Jade Butterfly quickly adjusted to the new rhythm of life, learning where to purchase rouge and commission outfits. She was even introduced to several guests who seemed charmed by her clumsy accent and immediately began condescendingly teaching her how to pronounce the proper phrases.

  Jade Butterfly, in turn, sought to make as many useful acquaintances as possible. She hoped that one day it would assist her in a personal matter, for the sake of which she had agreed to this strange adventure of moving to Qing.

  Therefore, when the mistress of the flower house informed her that that evening she was to attend upon a high-ranking lady, Jade Butterfly did not refuse.

  The girls said that at times they were invited to women who possessed excessive yang energy. It was unusual, but such meetings generally passed more restrained and respectful than their daily performances for men. One had to pay a considerable amount of silver to be admitted beyond the first gallery of the flower house at all. Those who secured such a privilege therefore usually tried to avoid loud scenes and drunken scandals.

  In Joseon, gisaeng typically entertained guests during supper itself. The guests ate, drank, and enjoyed the singing and dancing.

  In Great Qing it was customary first to dine and afterward to watch the performance. At private gatherings, courtesans waited until the servants removed the tables and dishes before entering to pour wine and display their art. At times they waited an hour or two for their turn.

  This evening, however, Jade Butterfly was summoned to the lady almost at once. The guest had refused dinner, declaring that wine with osmanthus pastries would suffice, and demanded her musicians and dancers. Jade Butterfly entered the room behind her two companions and bowed low.

  The lady was past thirty, elegant and well cared for. Her glossy hair was arranged around her head and adorned with a magnolia blossom. The high collar of her dusty-rose silk gown emphasized her slender neck; the narrow sleeves ended in cuffs shaped like horse hooves.

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  In Great Qing it was customary to dress more simply than in Joseon. There was little embroidery, few layers of fabric. Women’s garments scarcely differed from men’s in color or form. Nevertheless, small brown birds were scattered across this lady’s dress, her neck was adorned with a long strand of beads, and besides the magnolia flower, several pearls gleamed in her coiffure. By the standards of Great Qing, it was likely an expensive ensemble.

  Behind the lady, whose name they had not been told, stood two servants: a man and a woman. This was unusual. More often than not guests preferred to revel without extra eyes present.

  “You must be the new girl from Joseon,” the lady’s voice proved rather low, her tone confident. “Pour me wine while I watch the dance.”

  “Allow me to serve you, my lady,” Jade Butterfly seated herself upon a tall stool nearby and reached for the slender-necked pitcher.

  The musicians started to play, the courtesans to dance. Jade Butterfly had begun learning this dance but did not yet know it fully and could not have performed with them.

  “Tell me how you came here,” the lady commanded. “You are not part of the annual tribute, are you?”

  “The ambassador appreciated my modest talents and extended his patronage to me,” Jade Butterfly replied with the memorized phrase. “I hope to repay him in the future.”

  “I see,” the lady drawled. Her maid approached the table, dipped a thin silver needle into the wine, and nodded when it did not lose its sheen. The lady lifted her cup, covered her mouth with her sleeve, and took a small sip.

  Jade Butterfly studied the servants more closely. They wore plain dark-blue garments and were no longer young, perhaps nearing fifty. The man’s face, however, was smooth, without the beard favored by the Han or the long mustaches popular among the Manchus. The observation made the gisaeng listen with renewed interest to the unnamed lady.

  “Does he visit you?” the lady resumed her questioning.

  For a moment Jade Butterfly considered whether to answer, but ultimately decided she had no wish to be caught between the millstones of the powerful.

  “Unfortunately, the envoy is a very busy man,” she replied honestly. “He has twice sent a servant to inquire after me.”

  “Mm,” the lady responded and again raised the cup to her lips. “You may never see him again. What will you do then?”

  “Our agreement was that I would live in Great Qing for three years,” Jade Butterfly hastened to dispel any suspicion of the noble lady. “After that I intend to return to Joseon. I seek no greater favor from your husband than what was needed to settle here.”

  The lady suddenly laughed and gestured to her maid. The maid clapped her hands and loudly announced, “Enough! Leave the room.” When Jade Butterfly began to rise, she added, “You remain.”

  The matter was taking a dangerous turn. Jade Butterfly cast an anxious glance toward her departing companions, but they avoided her eyes. The musicians followed the courtesans out, and the doors closed.

  “He is not my husband,” the lady finished laughing and arched one neatly painted brow. “Though he has enough wives. Do not count on his lasting attachment.”

  “I thank my lady for the advice,” Jade Butterfly replied meekly and refilled her cup.

  “Hmm, it seems you are not trying to catch the moon’s reflection in the lake after all. You do not look surprised or distressed,” the lady observed, leaning back on the stool. “Why are you here, then?”

  “Do I dare trouble my lady with my small desires?” Jade Butterfly continued to portray submission with all her strength. It seemed safer.

  “I asked you myself. If it is within my power, I shall grant it, and you will not have to live three years far from your homeland,” the lady promised.

  At first Jade Butterfly had taken her for a Manchu woman. Her hairstyle and unbound feet proclaimed as much. But the way she sighed when speaking of homeland… It seemed the lady herself had been torn from home and lamented her inability to return. What people did she belong to?

  “My lady is most generous,” Jade Butterfly decided that such an opportunity merited a bold gesture. Since she had brought a eunuch with her and showed interest in the envoy’s affairs, the lady must possess notable authority. In Joseon, eunuchs were found only in the royal palace. How was it in Great Qing? “I am trying to find my mother, who disappeared many years ago. One rumor that reached me says she may have been taken to Great Qing. If my lady helps me find her, I am ready to serve her faithfully.”

  “Oh, how interesting,” the lady’s previously bored face transformed. Her eyes brightened, and she leaned forward. “Fill your own cup as well and tell me more about this matter.”