What's in a name?

"Aunt, I apologize for this child's words she's still too ignorant about the ways of the world."

"It's pffft, hahah, alright. She's hahahahas not wrong!!!" I choke out, double over in laughter.

Ha that's rich coming from you! Yanyan has a very bold dream but given her childhood who can blame her?

It's no use holding my laughter back, ah I have a messed up sense of humor. It's rather normal in my workplace though, maybe hospital work just does that to you. You hear a lot of scandalous things after all.

It surprises me though to hear the ice queen break out into a chuckle. I almost forgot that she was here the whole time supporting Lu Shan. She's been staying silent all this time. Her smile was dazzling, if she's not the top girl here I'll eat my own shoe.

"You have quite an ugly laugh."

And it's gone, admiration time over. I take it all back.

Come on it was funny! Definitely, though I've only seen women act elegantly or coquettishly here, how stifling. They're either locked away flowers like Lu Shan or the ice queen or….the woman I saw outside earlier.

"But it's amusing, no one has ever said that before about Yanyan. Many girls have that aspiration here, there's nothing wrong with it. To be the top woman is to hold power, and to marry out and never return is the ultimate goal. "

Wow, that's the most the ice queen has spoken in one go. She takes in my curiosity and answers before I even ask.

"I am called Mingzhu and am Lu Shan's sworn sister."

"Mingzhu has been here with me since the beginning. If not for her and madam I would have never hoped to survive as far as I have. It's shameful of me, despite being the older one, to be taken of so much."

I see, a very good friend then. It's a little suspicious to me but again I can't judge anything yet. The kid excitedly looks back and forth between her mother and I.

"Mama! If auntie doctor is your aunt, is she mine too?"

"No, she would be your great aunt. Forgive me aunt but I don't remember your given name?"

Aw shit, a name a name, gotta come up with a name. I need to stall, and quick.

"It's been so long since I've returned to this country. I've gotten used to being called the name I used over where I lived. It feels more real to me than my birth name now" I stall, acting modest.

"Is it in another language?" Lu Shan respectfully asks.

"Yes it is, I am called Emily... Of course I kept my maiden name." what to do, what to say....

"Oh that is quite hard to say, apologies aunt I will try."

"How about we call your aunt En Lie then? I think it suits her from the way she arrived. En with the character for kindness and Lie using the character for strength. If she kept your family name then it is Lu En Lie" brings forth Mingzhu, a beautifully cold smile on her face.

"Eh! Isn't that character too harsh? What do you think aunt?"

I do not know enough of the culture to have an opinion but I think the ice queen is making fun of me. Oh she's definitely making fun of me, I can just tell. Doesn't this name sound like a contradiction or something, what the joke here? Oh whatever.

"You can call me whatever you wish to now. The past....best belongs in the past."

"Then auntie doctor is now auntie Lu En Lie!" little YanYan exclaims.

"No YanYan, it's your great aunt." her mother tries to correct.

"It's alright, I'm not so strict. Yanyan can call me what she wants too, I don't look too much like a great auntie do I?"

Do I? Ah I must be so old here next to all these young gorgeous ....courtesans.

"My greatest apologies Aunt, I did not mean- "

"I'm just teasing, Lu Shan you must not get anxious or stressed out. If I may I would like to say a little longer and look out after you. The madam has already me permission in exchange to see some of the other girls in the house." I pat at her kind, hopefully in a soothing manner.

The overly familar touch does not off-put her, rather it makes her teary and even more emotional. Though that could just be the hormones talking.

"Aunt!" she makes to grip my hand, close to throwing her arms around me.

"Please, call me my name, we're not so far apart in age. I wasn't there for you earlier, that could not be changed. I cannot buy your freedom either. But now that I've finally found you I cannot leave you alone like this. At least for a few days, let me take care of you." I continue to show, playing off her sincere emotions.

"Oh aunt, how could I ever repay this?"

"There there don't cry. I've already told you, you must live well. Raise the children and live well."

Translation: Please survive after 11 days, I don't know what else to do if you don't. I really don't want to die by magic mirror.

With that, I'll be staying with Lu Shan in her's and Yanyan's dwellings for a while. There's plenty of space on the floor in one of the side rooms and the maids are being sent for some bedding and a spare cot.

They used to have stay in one of the larger more lavish courtyard rooms but since Lu Shan fell pregnant she's been moved upstairs in the main building. It may seem like a demotion to be moved into a smaller space but it made sense for her health. The madam could keep a closer eye on her here and there was no need to burn as much firewood or charcoal. It's still winter now.

Lu shan offered for me to stay in the main room with her and Yanyan but I refused on the basis that I was a guest and she needed her rest, doctor's orders.

Really I just need privacy to use the magic mirror. Hey mirror, I know you can take me back. Oh magic mirror, you can't leave me stranded here.

"You must be so tired, while the others set up your sleeping quarters allow me to show you where you can clean yourself up."

I quickly agree with Mingzhu's request! I'm feeling pretty gross here and if I can wash up even a little sooner I'm glad for it. The gloves and gown were a big help of course. I gathered those into a spare plastic bag to dispose of later.

This place might as well be a maze to me. Wooden corridors branch or twist and turn to various halls. Behind closed doors and layered curtains I can still hear the muffled laughter of both men and women.

"This is where our training girls and upstairs staff clean and get water. I apologize for not being able to provide better service on such short notice."

"No this is plenty, thank you for showing me the way!."

"No thank you for saving Lu Shan, I don't know what I would do if she anything were to happen to her."

"Hmm, you're very close, I'm glad Lu Shan has some like you all this time."

"She is a precious person to me. I will always look out for her."

There's something not quite right here, I'm not being threatened again am I? I can't tell.

"Ah I see!"

"Then I shall be taking my leave."

"Thank you again!"

Well that's that, I must be overthinking things. Not everything is like a harem drama afterall.

Except that Mingzhu brushes against me purposely the moment she she passes by. She leans down, I can feel her breath ticking my burning ears.

"I still don't trust you."

Never mind, I'm absolutely trapped in a bad Asian drama.

There are two courses of actions right now. Break down on the floor screaming to myself or break down screaming at the mirror. I choose the mirror.

Hey what the fuck!?!

No messages. Just the good old

"Save her or die

Time left: 11 days"

I stare straight into the mirror and think how I want to go back. Here's the funny thing, when I look up I am back in my world. It works!

I'm back in my car, exactly I sat in my driver's seat. Isn't that great?

But it was clearly night time on the otherside while the sun is still out here. I ran around for at least 3 hours, hell 4 hours. It should be night time.

Checking both my phone and car's clock read me that the time was half past 6. What the fuck I've been gone for about half an hour? All that shit is less then my usual treadmill time!?

That also means that yes time does run differently there, a lot faster. And I think the death mirror cloth runs on the other's side time.

Shit shit shit

First thing first, I just want to go home. After driving my car back, loading left overs in the fridge, I'm ready to shower and go to sleep. But the common sense that lurks in my mind and coat pockets says otherwise. Judging the time to myself, I think I can afford a quick hot shower.

After bathing it's been half an hour since I got back, the same as 3-4 hours over there. Wonderful. It's the middle of the night, or well morning over there.

What should I do?

If I'm going to panic and plan I might as well do it over there. Falling asleep here would dwindle those crucial 11 days.

Grabbing my overnight gym bag, changing my purse and a change of clothes I make ready for the trip back. Hopefully it will take me back to the room, nice and private. You can't have me appear somewhere everyone can see right mirror?

When I look away I'm on the layed on cot and sheets that must have been prepared for me. Tiptoeing to the other room was Lu Shan sleeping peacefully, her children by her side and her maids taking turns looking after her.

"Ah Ms Lu En Lie! I din't see you come in."

I guess that's my name now. It looks like the shier maid, I can tell her apart from her fox loke face and braids.

"Yes I was quite tired and fell asleep as soon as I washed up. It's been quite a long day…travelling."

"It's you first day here! It really is fate for you and sister Lu Shan to meet at the right moment."

"So I've been told. How is she?"

I need to sleep, now that my make up has been washed off my panda eyes must be in full view. But I need to make sure the mother and child are alright or else in 11 days, well who knows. After confirming there's nothing wrong with mother or child, I'm ready to finally knock out and ask the maid to watch over thing.

I would have gone back and passed out if she wasn't looking over at me like a shy student in love.

She looks like she has something to ask.

Is it my clothes? I'm wearing pjs but I had the sense to put on a bathrobe. It's not that weird is it?

"Alright out with it. What do you need to tell me."

"Epps! Pardon I disn't mean, I simply meant-."

"Yes yes yes , the faster you say it the faster I can sleep. I really won't be mad, I promise, just say it."

"It is my own insolence and curiosity but, that thing you gave Yanyan earlier, when we first met by the plum trees. She's been asking for it ever since. She said it was the most delicious sweet and we can't figure out what it is."

While I believe her about Yanyan's reaction, her sparking eyes tell me she's curious too.

"It's a confection from the country I lived in, would you like to try?"

"Eh? But I couldn't, forgive me I was asking because…forgive me. I was curious."

Making the motion to quiet down with my mouth I chuckle at her cute reaction. Ah what a child, she would barely be in middle school. I try not to think about her life thus far and her grim prospects, if she's the young maid to an established courtesan then that could only mean she's in training. She too will be sold in the not so distant future.

I quickly fish the chocolate bar from my bag and break off a piece or her.

"Is that the thing Yanyan ate, she said it was as dark as night. This looks…"

"Haha it's only brown but it's the same thing. Here, open you moth."

Her hands looked full and she was still wearing the gloves so I popped a piece in her mouth to feed her. Really the girls here are too trusting, I'll have to have a lesson or something for them.

"Mmmm!!!"

"It's good right?"

"My fatigue is melting away! It's a little bitter but amazing! What is this deliciousness?"

"A sweet made from a dark bean. It can only grow in very hot places, but it's so tasty right? Here have the rest of this bar. You can share some with your friend when she wakes up."

"Thank you Ms. En Lie. Not just for the confection but for saving sister Lan."

"Yes yes I know, take good care of her. And enjoy your chocolate, it goes good with tea too. Goodnight now."

I'd have some myself but I've already brushed my teeth in the shower. I more than ready to sleep after today.

It's all too much. I'll think about things later in the morning.

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