Chapter 14: Factions

The other women are already assembled for this afternoon’s celebration by the time Ah-Lin and I return to the harem. None of them are aware that Ah-Lin and I have spent the last hour with Qíngfù Niáng. Because of the war, this afternoon’s celebration is to be a more modest affair compared to the one held before Mìngfù Jing departed. However the level of excitement is just as great, and everyone seems determined to have a good time. Luli has saved spaces for Ah-Lin and me around one of the low tables.

Pangfua’s scheming has divided the women of the Lotus Garden into three factions which coexist in an uneasy peace. In one faction are those who support Pangfua’s vendetta ... voluntarily or otherwise; and in the others are those who aren’t intimidated by Pangfua’s and Genji’s threats, and either support Ah-Lin, or remain neutral. The women who remain neutral look to Nuying for leadership, while Ah-Lin carefully looks after her own supporters. It is fortunate that both Nuying and Ah-Lin are natural leaders, even if neither of them asked for the role.

Pangfua accompanies Qíngfù Niáng when they join the celebration. Their arrival is the signal for the music and dancing to begin, and food to be served. Ah-Lin and I remain seated and wait nervously for Qíngfù Niáng to announce her decision about our future to the whole harem. We don’t know the outcome of her investigation into Ah-Lin’s allegations. Unfortunately for us, Qíngfù Niáng doesn’t seem to be in a rush to make her announcement.

Everybody is having a good time and the conversation at our table is light and friendly. We watch the dancing and eventually I give in to Zihan’s urgings to join her on the dance floor. Our relationship has become intimate over recent weeks, but we are careful not to be too blatant. It might give Genji more ammunition for her trickery, and Qíngfù Niáng a new excuse to get rid of me. Even Ah-Lin doesn’t know about the depth of my feelings for Zihan. Ah-Lin is too nervous about the outcome of Qíngfù Niáng’s investigation to want to dance. While Ah-Lin is confident in the truth of her story, she is going up against the resources and might of Chiang Chen and Pangfua.

We spend the next hour or so enjoying the party. Even Pangfua doesn’t seem inclined to spoil the fun. I suspect her good behaviour is because she believes Qíngfù Niáng is about to announce Ah-Lin’s discharge from the harem. I’m busy dancing with a dozen of the others in the aisle of the harem when I notice Qíngfù Niáng has taken Ah-Lin aside so that they may talk in private. I sense that the critical moment has arrived and that Qíngfù Niáng is about to make her announcement.

Qíngfù Niáng calls for silence as soon as Ah-Lin returns to her place. The music stops and the dancers return to their tables. The harem settles down to listen to whatever Qíngfù Niáng has to say.