Summary

Instead of taking Violet to the consulate, Fairweather drops her off at a courtesan house, the Hall of Tranquility. Violet knows she has been tricked when she turns to see the dust from Fairweather’s carriage as it drives away. Violet is angry and acts rudely to the woman who is the madam of the house. The woman forces her to drink wine, then hits and slaps her. Violet wakes in a strange bed. Magic Cloud, the courtesan who was a friend to her as a child, is in the room with her. Magic Cloud, who is now called Magic Gourd, explains to Violet what has happened. The Green Gang has threatened the staff at Hidden Jade Path to keep the secret that Fairweather sold Violet to Mother Ma to settle his gambling debts.

Violet looks in her chest, believing...