Chapter 6: Late Night Mission

Over the next two weeks we settle into a routine which is demanding but not unpleasant. Angelina ... or AhLin, as I must now call her ... is still inclined to be moody at times, but she still manages to make friends despite her dreadful pronunciation of Mandarin words. Although we are sisters, AhLin and I have never shared the same ambitions and outlook in life. AhLin has inherited our mother’s looks and outgoing personality, while I’m more reserved like our father.

I’m beginning to make sense of the hierarchy in the harem. Those who have sleeping spaces in the south wing of the harem have all been selected to be trained as concubines or daoshis. AhLi is in the former group, while I’ve been placed with those training to be daoshis. When I finish my training I will become Daoshi Meizhen, just as AhLin will become Furen AhLin. Even though I won’t be a concubine of the Lotus Garden, there is still a chance that I might be called to walk the silver path. Mìngfù Jing has free range of all those in the Lotus Garden. I presume Qíngfù Niáng has the same privileges, but I’ve yet to hear any gossip about her sexual preferences. Nuying has not been summoned to Mìngfù Jing’s bedchamber since the night when AhLin and I first arrived. Perhaps Pangfua is keeping Mìngfù Jing’s bed warm at night. Apparently she is close to her cousin in more ways than one.

Despite being confined to the Lotus Garden, I’m reasonably content with my new life. Qíngfù Niáng ensures we are kept busy, so we are rarely bored. By now I understand enough Mandarin to hold fluent conversations with the other odalisques while we work. Although I sometimes mispronounce words, I find that the others are both willing to help me improve my fluency. Most accept me as a friend despite the superstitions linked to my race. Sometimes a few of them can become too friendly, particularly at night. I’ve woken several times at night to discover Zihan has slipped into my bed with me. At first my night time visitor is simply wanting the extra warmth of a bed companion. The harem can get very cold at night, and we are only given lightweight bedding and clothing.

Before long it becomes clear that Zihan is looking for a more intimate liaison with me. Her hands stray between my legs with increasing frequency and I part my legs in response. The training we receive in sexual techniques is only fuelling my libido. Zihan’s visits to my bed are a welcome release of my pent up urges. It’s not entirely about sex and I’m not averse to taking up her unspoken offer of an intimate relationship. The harem rules don’t prohibit us from engaging in sexual activities with another odalisque as long as we are discreet. Lesbian friendships are apparently commonplace in the more populous and cramped north wing. I suppose it helps ease all our sexual frustrations. I don’t openly encourage Zihan’s advances, but nor do I kick up a fuss when she slips her hand inside my shift, or touches me intimately when we are in the baths.