With tears streaming down her face, she frantically takes the note from her limp hands at looking for an answer as to what happened.

It read:

To my beloved Daughter Su Fei,

By the time you read this letter, I will have died already. You may wonder why I would leave this world. Before I brought you into the world, I lived in a different place.

I lived in the palace in Chang'an. I was a maid to the Emperor's second wife, Wu Loa. My life was neither excellent nor bad because I had a safe place to stay. 16 years ago, Someone framed me for a crime I did not commit. Due to this situation, I was forced to leave my home and everyone I knew.

Without a home and no one to support me, I had no choice but to sell myself to make a living. I have a suspicion that might have done the deed. I am relatively confident the crime was committed by the Mistress, but I have no proof. Having this knowledge, I felt like I no longer wanted to live. My dear Sou Fei, you may think I am selfish, but I cannot go on with my life. I could not handle being a prostitute. In my absence, I hope you live well.

I love you,

Mom.

With the now damp paper smudging the ink, she clings to it, hoping what she read wasn't right. She was so confused, what did she mean she was framed? Why didn't she ever speak about her time in the palace? Wiping the tears away with the sleeve of her dress, Su Fei folded the note from her mother and placed it in the same pouch she was hoping her mother could fix.

As the sorrow of her Mothers death settled, her anger grew. Fury and rage towards the person who set up her mother boiled inside of her. She needed to face them. She needed all the facts. Her mother was all she had, and now the elites of China took her away too.

She needed a plan. She thought back to the few experiences she had with some of the guards that came infrequently. Every so often, some of the girls in Hongdeng Qu would be elevated in status due to their excellently favored performance. She knew that was her one shot into getting in the palace.

When going to work the next morning, she checked in with Head Muqin for information about when or if there were any guards she could please that day.

"My most favored girl, why have you come in today?"

"I want to perform for the palace guards. Are any coming in soon?"

She told Su Fei there will be two guards coming in that day to find Someone to be redeemed as maids, but they are looking for pure women. She continued, And why all of a sudden the change of heart about being exposed to possibly leaving the brothel. What about your mother?

In the past, Su Fei avoided days when the guards came in with Head Muqin's approval due to her mother's sickness. But after all this time of avoiding these guards, why did she want to be shown off now?

Su Fei brushed off the Head Muqins curiosity about her mother and replied, Muqin, please, help me get into the palace walls. Tell them I am a new and honorable servant.

The Head Muqin thought about all the work Su Fei has brought in, worried about losing her ability, but she saw the emotion behind Su Feis eyes. They were filled with a pleading sorrow. She continued to think about how Su Fei never asked for anything.

Finally, she said, Go into your room, I will send one in there for you. You must please him the best you have ever done. Show you listen to instructions, and lastly, get dressed in these most delicate garments. You must look eloquent but obedient.

Yes, Head Muqin, she responded as she nodded her head and headed towards her room.

When setting up in her room with various drinks and small foods the guards can indulge in, she thought back to the last time she looked in this mirror. Everything has changed since in such little time. From being her mother's caregiver to a seeker of vengeance, her feelings of why she must stay alive changed.