Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Dream House

Li Yingshan chuckled. "That would be nice."

One of the ladies further away eyes her warily. "What happened to you?"

Without being fazed, Li Yingshan casually replied, "Poison. I was ambushed and lost the ability to walk after being poisoned."

The others' eyes widened.

Another one asked, "Who recommended you here?"

This time, Madam Meng answered for her. "His Highness, the Seventh Prince, introduced me to Young Lady Li."

Su Dongmei gasped. "You know the Seventh Prince?!"

Li Yingshan nodded. "I met him a few years ago. After running into some troubles at home, I came to the capital, and he helped me."

The youngest of the ladies spoke up, "It's not everyday someone comes in knowing one of the Imperial Princes. I'm Yu Jiao于娇  yú jiāo - given name meaning "Lovely" or "Dainty", by the way."

"Nice to meet you."

Li Yingshan could tell that the two who had introduced themselves so far would be good company. The others seemed too snooty and self-righteous. Still, if she was going to be living and working alongside them, she'd need to keep on good terms with them.

Yu Jiao smiled and nodded. "Welcome to Dream House."

"Why do you get a personal maid when the rest of us don't?" one of the seven grumbled. "I'm the most-loved courtesan here at Dream House, and yet even I don't have my own maid."

"Qiu Ling came with me from my hometown. And as you can see, I can't walk. I need someone to aid me. Madam Meng was gracious enough to take in Qiu Ling on my account. But as she herself said, if any of you need her help, she's willing to lend a hand."

Li Yingshan didn't really feel like digging into her past. Sensing it, Madam Meng cleared her throat.

"Cheng Nuo程诺 chéng nuò - given name meaning "Graceful", that's enough."

Cheng Nuo hmphed and crossed her arms over her chest as she leaned back in her chair. One of other four who had already spoken finally introduced herself begrudgingly.

"I'm Xia Qiuyue夏秋月 xià qiūyuè - given name meaning "Autumn Moon"."

Li Yingshan nodded towards her. "Nice to meet you."

The last three introduced themselves in succession.

"I'm Zou Xiaodan邹晓淡 zōu xiǎodàn - given name meaning "Little Dawn"."

"I'm Lai Yuming赖玉明 lài yùmíng - given name meaning "Jade Bright"."

"I'm Ke Huian柯惠安 kē huì'ān - given name meaning "Kind Peace"."

Li Yingshan acknowledged each of them. Once the introductions were over, the others stood. As they filed out the door, Su Dongmei stopped at her side and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't mind some of the others. They'll warm to you eventually."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

Yu Jiao smiled gently. "Su Dongmei is right. The others have been here the longest and don't really want new blood. You're also really pretty, which scares them. They're worried you'll attract the attention away from them and then they'll be forgotten."

"I wouldn't dare. I'm just here to entertain."

Zou Xiaodan scoffed from ahead. "That's what we all say. That's never how it ends up."

Understanding her meaning, Li Yingshan sighed. I know what's expected. I'm already disgraced, why should I hold onto my maidenhood?

With that, the other seven ladies of Dream House left the back gathering room. Madam Meng walked over.

"Give the others time. Su Dongmei and Yu Jiao do have a point."

"I know. I also know Zuo Xiaodan is right also. When I agreed to come here and work, I've agreed to work in any regard you need me to. Once I turn eighteen, if a man pays, I'll sell."

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"My Lady!" Qiu Ling cried in dismay. "But-!"

"Enough, Qiu Ling," Li Yingshan cut in coldly. "We're not in Longxin City anymore. We're in the capital. I'm not the Third Daughter of the Li family anymore. I'm Young Lady Li. To survive, sometimes things must be sacrificed."

"But your future..."

Li Yingshan scoffed, "What future? You were there when my father announced the breaking of my betrothal. I have no marriage prospects. I have no hope for the future until I can walk again. Then, and only then, will I think further than the present."

Sadness filled Qiu Ling's eyes. "My Lady..."

As her voice trailed off, silence filled the room. Finally, Madam Meng spoke up.

"Young Lady Li, my friend will be over tomorrow afternoon. He'll examine you then."

"Good, thank you so much, Madam."

Madam Meng nodded and exited the room. Qiu Ling steered Li Yingshan out as well and over to the main room of Dream House. Men watched as she approached. Their eyes widened upon seeing her in a wheelchair.

"Madam," some began. "What is the meaning of this?"

"This is Young Lady Li. She's our newest lady."

"Uh, with all respect, Madam, isn't she tainted?"

Li Yingshan looked down at her hands in her lap. Qiu Ling's grip tightened on the wheelchair. Madam Meng's eyes blazed.

"No. When bad situations befall people, it doesn't taint them. Young Lady Li has just hit some hard times is all."

The men eyed Li Yingshan warily before shaking their heads and walking away.

"Perhaps this isn't a good idea. I'll just ruin your business."

Qiu Ling turned Li Yingshan, preparing to leave. Madam Meng stopped them.

"Wait, I have an idea."

Just then, they heard a voice rise up. "You know, I sent a message to Moonlight Pagoda the other day, asking them to investigate the accidents at my coal mine, but I haven't gotten a response yet."

Li Yingshan's ears perked up. "Qiu Ling."

Getting her meaning, Qiu Ling wheeled her over to where a man was drunkenly rambling to Su Dongmei, who was trapped in his arms. As the two approached, relief flooded the girl's face. Madam Meng followed, curious.

Li Yingshan cleared her throat, drawing the man's attention. His gaze swept over her, and he curled his lip at her.

"Get away from me, don't touch me, scum."

"Well, sir, if you want a response from Moonlight Pagoda," she began with a loud voice. "I would suggest that you don't offend me."

The other patrons and ladies turned to look in their direction. From embarrassment, he sat forward and released Su Dongmei.

"And who do you think you are to talk to me this way?"

Li Yingshan blinked coldly as she sat straighter in her wheelchair. Her countenance switched instantly to that of a Lady. "I am Moonlight Pagoda's Goddess. I can send men to investigate your coal mine incidents, if and only if, you amend your attitude towards me."

The drunk man laughed. "Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda, ha! Yeah, right!"

"Your great-grandfather inherited those coal mines in an illegal gamble from the Minister of the Treasury at the time. Since then, you've passed them off as your own, but really they still belong to the Xiu family who resides here in the capital," she called him out.

The other ladies stood shocked. The male patrons gaped. Even Madam Meng was dumbfounded.

The drunk man stammered, "Wh- what, h- how? There's no way you could know this!"

This secret was barely known. The only possible explanation for how she could know about it was that she, indeed, was the Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda.