The Red-Light District
She was a girl not meant to survive. That night, beneath the plum tree, a clumsy fall will change the fate of the Empire entirely.
"Going out again, Pretty boy?"
Xiao whipped her head back in surprise. It was one of the many women from the Whispering Fan House, the most popular yiji house in the country. A beautiful, young woman with an ethereal aura. Her silky, long hair, bright skin, and rosy cheeks—a hint of red color on her lips. She was a high-ranked courtesan, gifted with not only an undeniably beautiful face but also exceptional musical abilities.
"Oh, Shuyan." Xiao turned to face her. "I wanted to pick some plums for breakfast tomorrow. I know you like them so much."
It was mostly an excuse. I simply didn't want to be here when the yiji house was in full swing. Xiao tied the fabric band around her head.
"It's late at night, and the district is already bustling with people," Shuyan remarked, her voice firm as she stepped closer. Xiao met her gaze with a confident smile. It had always been this way. Shuyan, a few years older, had always taken it upon herself to look out for Xiao since she arrived at the yiji house at the age of six, much like a real older sister.
"Tch," Xiao smirked, her tone taking on a cheeky edge. "You don't need to worry about me. I look like a guy after all, right? There won't be any men pestering me."
"Still," Shuyan replied, unable to shake her unease despite knowing about Xiao's disguise as a young man.
"Honestly, you should be worrying about yourself. I'm fine," Xiao said as she grabbed her bag and swung it over her chest. "I'll be back with some delicious plums. Take care, yeah?"
Before Shuyan could respond, Xiao hurried out the door, making the older courtesan sigh.
The red-light district was boisterous. Shops opening, voices melding together in lively conversation, and the clinking of cups mixed with the aroma of food drifting through the air, making Xiao's stomach growl. The festivities were in full swing, just like every night. It was the place people flocked to in search of an excuse to indulge without limit. Nobles, clad in luxurious silks, were lined up. Eager for a mere glimpse of the highest-ranked courtesans as they almost toppled over themselves, while drunkards were already passed out at the corners of the streets. This district was well known throughout the Blue Lotus Empire.
Tourists from neighboring empires often marveled at its splendor. The grounds were clean, despite the occasional commotion, and the streets were adorned with beautiful lights that illuminated the dark evening sky with a soft red and yellow glow. At every corner, graceful cherry blossom trees shed flower petals, creating a pink carpet to walk on. Of course, the place was made to look beautiful; many nobles and higher-ranked men spent their time here and reported back to their homelands about the allure of the district. Apparently, the royal family cared more about the appearance of their empire than the well-being of their people. The beauty of this district merely served to conceal the dark secrets that thrived behind closed doors.
Beauty wrapped around an ugly truth.
With a small sigh, Xiao hurried down Red Silk Street, one of the most notorious alleys in the town of Yanhua. She was careful not to bump into anyone who might cause her trouble. Keeping her head high, she focused on reaching the outskirts of the town while trying to tune out the calls she would receive from nearby women who were on the lookout for customers.
"Hey, pretty boy! Want to spend a night?" An older woman called out to her with a charming smile, a courtesan. Her hair and makeup were perfectly done, and she wore a beautiful robe that left little to the imagination.
"Ah, no, thank you, Madame—" Xiao quickly turned onto the next street. If only she knew I was a woman… it might've been quite funny, actually.
More often than not, Xiao got the attention of women who liked gentler souls. Due to her nature as a woman, she had a lighter voice and soft facial features: big, sparkly eyes, soft brows, a small nose, and plump lips that gave her a more youthful and naive appearance. Her more womanly curves were easier to hide with loose-fitting clothing and by binding her chest. She also had a smaller frame and wasn't nearly as tall as a man her age should be. That's why she was known as "the pretty boy," often being mistaken for a child who was still growing into a man. But none of that mattered now as she passed through the gates, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the streets and stepping into the outskirts of the town.
The noise finally died down as she took a deep breath of fresh air.
This was her favorite place to be, far away from all the people who made her feel trapped. The atmosphere was serene as she climbed up the small hill, taking big steps to reach the plum tree she had discovered years ago when she first wandered through this part of the land. Since it was located on the outskirts of town, this area of the empire's grounds continued to thrive with greenery—plants, bushes, flowers, and trees. If you are careful, you might catch a glimpse of a rabbit or two hopping in the grass.
The cool nightly breeze whispered through Xiao's short, unruly hair as she took off her bag and placed it beneath the plum tree. She looked up at the fruits, assessing which side of the tree bore the most ripe plums. It was already mid-June, just the right time for picking. With a quick nod, she grabbed onto the sturdy, bark-covered trunk, preparing to climb. Xiao wasn't the strongest, and climbing wasn't something she particularly enjoyed doing. But she knew Shuyan liked plums, and besides, she welcomed a little challenge.
Phew. Xiao sighed in mild exhaustion when she finally made it onto one of the less sturdy branches. After a short break, she reached out to pick the fruits that were ripe enough to eat. She had plenty of experience, having picked fruit several times at the market for Madame Ping, the owner of the Whispering Fan House.
Whilst softly humming to herself, she picked the plums. A soft but firm feel, smooth skin that is free of blemishes, and a heavy weight. The strong, sweet aroma of ripe plums was another sign, as well as the deep purple color all around the fruit, with one exception—a green spot underneath the stem. The moon shone down on her as she continued picking, one ripe plum falling to the ground after another.
Moments like these were the only times she could truly unwind. Having endured much in her past—fleeing from her village at a young age after a tragic incident and learning to navigate the world on her own—she had not only grown independent but also come to understand the cruelty that people like her faced in this empire.
As a commoner.
The rich chose between fine silk and gossamer, while the lower class chose between life and death. She had witnessed this with her own eyes long before arriving at the red-light district. She had experienced it. To her, there was nothing more disgusting or infuriating. The way the Blue Lotus Empire operated was deeply flawed, and all the blame fell squarely on the royal family she despised most: the Zhao Dynasty.
"A joke more than a reign…" Xiao mumbled to herself as her frustrations seeped into her movements, making her pick more ruthlessly. She didn't want to remember the past, long buried deep down, along with the person she once was. But moments like these haunted her with memories—
The branch cracked beneath her.
Xiao's breath caught in surprise. She didn't even have time to scream before the world flipped—branches scraping her arms.
In her frustration, her harsher movements caused the already unstable branch of the plum tree to snap, sending her tumbling to the ground. She had always considered herself unlucky, and her clumsiness didn't help. With a loud thud, she landed hard on her back. Winded and with her eyes half-lidded, she saw the moon split in two. Two moons?
Then, a gentle male voice, filled with worry, called out to her…
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Author's note here (because I have no idea where else to put it):
Hi. Yes. It's me.
Soo... apparently this thing hit 1.000 views overnight? (⊙_⊙)
I don't even know if that's normal on this platform or if the algorithm liked me for once, but either way, I'm confused, flattered, and currently lying on the floor. Just like Xiao.
If you've made it this far, you are a ✨legend✨. I hope you're enjoying the start of Xiao's chaotic adventures. I genuinely didn't expect many people to find this story.
Chapter 2 will be uploaded on schedule—every Saturday at 5 pm (CEST)!
💬If you liked it, please consider leaving a comment (I'll read them all!) or dropping a quick rating. It really helps me gauge whether you're into this! Bonus: it makes my day! 💙
Until next time, watch out for any falling plums!
— Your unhinged author ╰( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡° )つ──｡･:*:･ﾟ'★,｡･:*:･ﾟ'☆