The Women of the Han Family

The Yan Chun House was bustling with people coming and going. The male officials either embraced beauties while drinking or sought other pleasures, while the women, each with her own charms and allure, either poured wine or went about soliciting customers.

Before the dressing mirror in the Jade Pavilion on the second floor, Han Qing sat upright, not even glancing at the woman behind her, who was over fifty yet still retained her charm. The madam, however, could no longer hold her tongue. “Listen, girl, once you come here, you’re one of us. Still hoping to preserve your reputation? This isn’t your family’s official residence, where you can do whatever you please. You’ll take the stage whether you want to or not. Maybe some wealthy official or merchant will take a liking to you and bring you home as one of his concubines. That’s a way out too, isn’t it?”

Han Qing was furious. She had never imagined that she, the daughter of a high-ranking minister, would end up sold into a brothel. Her father had been framed, and her four siblings had each been sent down a different path. If she hadn’t been thinking of her younger sisters, she would have smashed her head against a wall long ago. Why should she perform and smile for patrons in a filthy place like this, or listen to this old madam spew obscenities?

“Listen, girl, everything I’ve said is for your own good. Think about it: you’re so beautiful, and so talented. Since you’re already in a place like this, there’s no point dwelling on what might have been. You’d be better off earning as much as you can while you’re still young and lovely, then finding yourself a good husband. This place has no shortage of high-ranking officials and nobles…” The madam went on and on.

“Madam, I can agree to perform onstage, but I have conditions. I’ll sell my talents, not my body. I must wear a veil when I perform, and I’ll use the name Chuchu while I’m here.” Han Qing knew that she couldn’t afford to oppose the madam right now. If the woman forced her to receive customers, that would truly be the end of her. Fortunately, she had mastered music, chess, calligraphy, and painting from an early age, and was renowned for her talents even in the capital. That gave her leverage to negotiate. She was surely a money-spinner, so the madam wouldn’t make things difficult for her just for the sake of it. That way, she could preserve her reputation and wait for a chance to escape, then find her elder brother and three younger sisters.

The madam considered Han Qing’s words. She had seen Han Qing’s talents for herself. The girl was among the best not only in Yan Chun House but in the whole capital. Though she was now a criminal’s daughter, her father had only been exiled to the frontier. Who knew what would happen to the general? The madam never lightly offended those connected to the official world. Even if the girl’s future was uncertain, she wasn’t willing to take that risk. All she wanted was for Han Qing to earn her a great deal of money. How she did it was of little concern to her.

“Now, listen to yourself, girl. I’m not an unreasonable woman. It’s only natural that you’re not used to this place yet. Every girl in this house came from a respectable family, but they all got used to it eventually. Since you say you’ll sell your talents but not your body, that can be arranged. But let me be clear: if you only perform and don’t earn me any money, then I won’t care whether you sell your body or…”