When the peonies bloom.

Late Autumn Part 1

She wished to say something but decided other words were more appropriate..

"Look, I know a tea that can help with the pain and discomfort. And no I am not a doctor but I have encountered this problem as you cleverly worked out before."

Hyosaku lit up and interjected.

"Tell me what is this tea? Does it mean I won't have to go for a doctor's visit?"

"I can, but you will have to promise you will go down to Aunty's office and tell her about this and will go to get checked in the morning."

"I can't tell her. I'd-"

Tomo sighed.

"Just bring me whatever tea you speak of. I'll be fine." Hyosaku almost seemed like a desperate teenager ready to initiate any shady suggestion to avoid parental punishment at all costs.

Both had forgotten that their raised voices travelled through these thin walls. A nondescript working staff of the house perked up and leaned in as he caught hold of their conversation. He quickly hurried over to Fujie and her sisters getting dressed.

As the three witches plotted away the prophecy they could dream of for the downfall for the top courtesan of the house, perhaps the gods had heard Fujie's plea when the staff appeared at her door.

"Any mention of her name makes my blood boil. Don't think for a second! I allowed her to get away since her poor attempts to humiliate me."

"How should we make her pay?" Fujie's assistant hissed in her mistress's ear as if to provide steam for her mistress's ever simmering fury since that incident she couldn't forget.

"May the gods have mercy on me and the poor hand I've dealt." Fujie moaned. Pounding her fist on her thigh.

Fujie waved him over when he made a hand gesture that he had something important to tell her.

The courtesan's eyes turned into overjoyed up turned slits like a cunning fox when the staff member told her of what he had overhead.

One of the younger courtesans Fujie decided to mentor, caught her older sister in great mirth.

"Oh do tell us, big sister, what is the good news?"

"I knew it. She is a hideous snake that likes the pretend she is pieous. Listen, Hyosaku is ill but she has been hiding it." Fujie flipped a coin and swung her hand out to catch it like a striking cobra.

"That is great news." Another courtesan cooed. "She should have known better to have reported it. You are right sister Fujie. She was never worthy of the tayu status in this house. She should be ashamed of herself."

In Fujie's mind it couldn't have been better on this auspicious night. An important guest and soon to be regular client and now this.

"Indeed." Fujie slipped a coin into the man's hand and he bowed and hurried away.

"Perhaps it will be my time to shine, sisters!"

Fujie got to her feet and twirled around.

At last her chance had come, the gods had heard her and agreed that she would not suffer humiliation in silence from that mutt guard dog of hyosaku. For all these years, she had been given second rate clients that couldn't get their hands on the top courtesan of the would pass if they weren't up to her standard. Some of them turned out to be decent clients but others were sleazy tasteless men but she had no power to deny them. That was only reserved for the top courtesan.

But she couldn't wait for her status to bring the most powerful and richest men begging to be her patron. Oh the lavish silks she would be able to adorn herself with and the respect she badly lacked. But tonight the sweet release couldn't come sooner, the magistrate's son had seeked to be introduced to her and her most despised rival was ousted by sweet, sweet sickness.