Madam approached and stood behind me. "Beautiful" she whispered. Were it not for the fact that her eyes did not leave my reflection, I would have though those words for another. A flush of red went through my skin. Pressure rose in my ears all but deafening me. I wanted to hide; with out refuge my eyes had no choice but, to meet hers. Her face was enigma; it betrayed no secret, offered no answers.
Madam's voice once again rose to command us. "Now we are ready. You will be brought before the master shortly. Mind you, stand straight and do not speak unless you are addressed. You will bow to the master as you enter. Pray that you find his favor." With that she clapped her hands twice and our attendants lined us up single file. I was in front of the group wishing it were otherwise.
Once again we were led through the keep. As we were ushered along, the aroma of cooked meats and spices rose up in my nostrils, again reminding me of my hunger. We reached an ornately carved archway where we stopped. Madam paused and entered, bowing low. "Master Yao, for your pleasure three young women, from the province, have been selected for training as concubines. If it pleases you, I shall bring them forward for your approval." The voice that answered had the quality of an older man; it was reminiscent of some of the elders of our village. "Bring them in one at a time so that we may look on them."
My attendant led me into the hall. As I passed the archway, I bowed low, then stood eyes cast down to the floor. "I would see her face." Came the voice of a younger man. I could not see who had spoken clearly. The voice had come from behind a beautiful standing screen made of the same dark wood as the other furnishings of the keep. I saw, through the slatted paper, three men, all seated.
The man in the center sat higher than the others. I assumed this was Master Yao. He was dressed in fine armor, resplendent with gold and precious stones. He also wore a golden mask, contorted in an ugly scowl and fearsome to look upon. But, what struck me most and held me were his eyes; they were fierce yet compassionate. Like two black pearls they pierced my soul, my very heart.
"What is your name girl?" asked Yao. "I am called Wei my lord", I stammered. I could feel my skin flush as I stood transfixed by his perfect eyes. The older man spoke again, "You may be seated." I bowed and then was lead by my attendant to a mat near the table. I sat down and watched as each girl was brought in.
It was here that I finally learned the names of the other girls. Tui was the next girl to be presented. She was the youngest of us; I would guess fourteen seasons, no more. Her eyes remained downcast through out dinner. Next came the girl who had been disciplined by Madam, Ye. She no longer wore a sullen face in fact, she seemed devoid of all emotion. Finally, Minh was led in. She was taller than the rest of us with a very slender feminine frame.