Lotus Emerging

By Jocelynn Babcock

Political intrigue and romance swirl in the big smoke of the opium den hidden deep underneath The Enclave Hotel in San Francisco's Red Light District.

 

Lotus, an empathic psychic can tell a man's greatest fear or his greatest desire with a single touch. This skill is good for business, but wreaks havoc for her personally.

 

Politics enter the opium den with a corrupt councilman hell bent on extending the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Young political upstart, Edward Wright, accompanies the councilman with intentions of courting the elusive Lotus, who seems to know your thoughts before you can speak them.

 

Lotus struggles to find a place to belong. The daughter of a refugee, she is as unwanted in her mother's homeland of China as she is in America. Her plans to flee The Enclave are thwarted by a kindling romance with Edward and a budding friendship with a scrappy prostitute named Emmalou.

 

With Anti-Chinese sentiments sweeping the city, the scales of balance tilt against Lotus when the councilman is slighted and tragedy strikes. As she wrestles with feelings of love and friendship, how can she and Edward be together when the law forbids it?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jocelynn Babcock
• Release date: Jan 18, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393166993

Book preview

Prologue

Yuanmingyuan, Peking, China

October, 1860

---

Light shone through the golden linen curtains, casting the geometric fretwork pattern of the window screen across the floor. Chao-xing sat up, her silk robe pulled to the side, the dry heat of the sun on her breasts. She combed her hand through her long hair. It must be midday. She did not want to rouse her lover Shengxin. His lamp was extinguished and pipe lay upon the silver tray.

Shengxin, overcome by stress and worry of the country’s future, distanced himself from her. Chao-xing planned to be his salvation. The few drops of He Huan Hua herb oil she placed on the opium resin provided the sleep he denied his body the past few months.

War threatened on all sides. While the British and French attacked from the east, a band of zealots intent to restore purity pressed from the south. Conflict brought them to her favorite court, Yuanmingyuan, the Imperial Gardens.

Violent times hung over her and her lover, and changed the feel of the place. The happiness that had once flowed through the gardens became stagnant. Her sanctuary converted to a retreat haven for royalty and army personnel.

A recent triumphant victory prompted a declaration of seven days of feasting. The royal palace summoned players and musicians, Chao-xing among them.

Slow burning joss sticks, near extinguished, perfumed the room with the sweet, musky scent of sandalwood and cassia. Chao-xing drew a deep breath, allowing the healing scent to relax her mind and drifted into a meditative state.

Chao-xing stroked her hand over the smooth lacquer, getting lost in its trails. The mazelike pattern carved into the canopy of the rosewood daybed resembled a labyrinth. The bed comfortably fit them both, the cobalt satin sheets beckoned for her to remain, but alas, she had duties to attend to.

As she shifted over Shengxin, intent to exit through the round moon gate, he reached his hand under her robe and cupped her breast. Where do you think you are going?

Chao-xing smiled. I have to prepare for court.

You should definitely go like this. He stroked her nipple with his index finger.

She tilted her head back, and she sighed. That would cause more commotion than a thousand armies.

Shengxin lifted himself; his bare torso showing the etching from years of combat training. He leaned in and gently nibbled on Chao-xing’s neck. His strong arm wrapped around her back. Excitement raced in her veins as he took charge. As the leader of imperial troops outside the bedroom, lately Chao-xing had to coerce him in the art of love.

For the peace of the country then, you should remain here. He slipped his hand off her breast and pulled the robe off her other shoulder.

If I stay here, where will you be? She encircled him in her arms, drawing him close.

He nuzzled her neck. Goosebumps crossed her skin as he nibbled his way toward her ear and breathed, As close to you as I can achieve.

He pulled her hips down the bed and she opened herself to him like an emerging lotus. Covering her body with his, he kissed her. His fingers traced the length of her body, smiling as she quivered under his touch. Before he slid his fingers into her, Chao-xing reached out to grip him first. He intertwined his fingers with hers.

This time, you enjoy. He placed her hand next to her face. Once freed from her grasp, Shengxin swept his fingers around her moist entranceway. A moan escaped her lips. He pulled back and smiled, finding her warm and ready for him. His eyes remained locked on her, refusing release as he tasted his finger.

Perfect, he said as he pushed into her.

She gripped the carved bed posts as they merged the distance between them.

---

Chao-xing’s serving girl, Hai, entered with a cauldron of water, which she poured into a porcelain jar. Chao-xing added perfume to the water and freshened herself. She sat on a stool as Hai opened the travel case that held jewelry and make-up. Hai outlined Chao-xing’s eyes with kohl and rouge and painted her lips red. Chao-xing kept her head still as Hai pulled and coiled her hair on top of her head in a series of buns, securing them with engraved silver combs and decorative pins.

Shades of blue were Chao-xing’s beloved colors. The pleated satin skirt displayed delicate embroidery of peony and cherry blossoms. She ran her hands over the stitched butterflies. Her short-sleeved coat matched, and she secured a white fur around her to stave the autumn evening air. Admiring her tiny wrapped feet, she slid them into her lotus slippers.

Turning to Hai, she instructed, Deliver the guzheng to the audience hall. If the opportunity arose, she could bring honor to Shengxin by playing for the emperor and his companions. Chao-xing slowly stepped across the granite floor and knocked on the wooden door to Shengxin’s room.

He opened the door instead of his eunuch man-servant Heng. His lips were thin and eyes misty. Over his shoulder, Heng moved about the room frantically.

Is something wrong? asked Chao-xing.

Shengxin closed the door behind him. Let us have our evening, and then we will talk. He offered his arm, and she placed her hand on top.

---

The walk to the audience hall was eerily silent. Considering the recent victory, she expected revelry and celebration. An unknown force dampened the usual spirit surrounding the palace. Shengxin appeared lost in thought. As she observed his demeanor, she mentally perused the catalog for an herb or remedy to add to his next pipe to combat the stress.

Oh, I wish this war would end! The western barbarians were difficult enough, but then to contend with rebellion from their own people. Chao-xing heard the high-ranking army officials speak over the years, while they assumed she listened only to the strings of her guzheng.

Palace guards opened the great wood door, allowing Chao-xing and Shengxin entry. Candelabras and hanging chandeliers reflected against the yellow tiled ceiling. Paired with the golden drapes of every window, the room radiated like sunlight.

Scents of fresh fruits, the last of the season, wafted over Chao-xing. They sat with the royal court sharing her favorite green tea. As the conversation turned political, Chao-xing rose and signaled Hai, from the back of the room with the other servants. Shall I play a song Your Imperial Majesty?

Chao-xing dared not look upon the emperor. A simple nod in her direction from the high eunuch provided permission. She crossed to the stage. Hai removed the wooden instrument from its case and placed it on her lap. Chao-xing put her ivory fingerpicks on her left thumb, index and middle fingers. She connected eyes with Shengxin as she cascaded her fingers to mimic a waterfall, then began the introduction to Lotus Flowers Emerging from Water, Shengxin’s favorite. A slow relaxing, tune she hoped would remind him of happier times.

Her fingers flowed like water as she plucked the sixteen silk strings. She pressed the strands on the right side of the bridges, creating a wide vibrato. Vibrations tingled her fingers as the instrument pulsed under the pressure. The rhythmic motion created a meditative state as she lost herself in the art of song.

The doors to the audience hall opened, returning Chao-xing to reality. A royal courier delivered a letter to the emperor. She noticed Shengxin tense as the emperor rose and retreated from the room.

A pause in song provided enough silence to hear screaming in the distance. Chao-xing stopped, her hands hovering above the guzheng. The courtiers disbanded as Shengxin bowed to them and strode toward her.

We have to leave, now.

She did not argue. Glancing around the room, Hai was missing.

Shengxin glanced at her, a knowing look in his eyes. If she is smart, she is gone. It would be wise for women to flee.

The case to her guzheng lay open. She packed the instrument and gripped the loop handle, her fingers tight with fear. They were the last remaining in the room. Chao-xing took one last backward glance at the sanguine yellow hall as Shengxin put his hand on the small of her back and led her away.

They walked the corridors lined with porcelain vases almost as tall as she. Marching past ironwood columns, supporting high ceilings, they exited into a garden. The jade water fountains continued to cycle, harvest birds chirped. Nature was still alive while the mundane world crumbled at Chao-xing’s bound feet.

Villagers clamored into the streets sobbing and yelling to bar the gates. The enemy approached as she heard gun and cannon fire growing louder. Flashes lit up the night sky in the distance. Shengxin’s stride quickened and Chao-xing fell behind. People ran in every direction, the confusion of the scene overwhelming. Shop owners boarded up their businesses.

A firm grip on her arm startled her. Chao-xing spun and found Shengxin.

You will never escape in those shoes. Take them off.

She did as he bade.

He thrust the orange robes and leather shoes of a monk at her. Put these on.

The robes had enough room to cover her fur, ensuring warmth during the night. The shoes; however, were large. She thrust her feet back into her lotus shoes.

Shengxin sighed. He lifted her over his shoulder and ran, her guzheng striking his back as she swayed. He took a path she had never been on before. All other men ran toward the marble gate with their concubines, a rainbow of colored robes as the women with bound feet struggled to keep up. The women screamed and cried as they were dragged from the palace grounds.

A small gate lay in secret by the eunuch’s court. Heng waited for them, a single trunk at his feet. Shengxin lowered Chao-xing and rested upon the garden bed.

She had not noticed that the flowers turned their petals dried and brown. Leaves tore themselves from trees. The season changed.

We cannot linger. In haste, Heng hoisted the trunk upon his back and exited the gateway.

Shengxin rose. As he approached Chao-xing, his hands at the ready to return her to his shoulder, she shook her head. I wish to walk.

He bowed and motioned for her to move forward.

Gripping the loop on her guzheng case, she walked through the darkened gateway into the unknown.

---

They crossed rugged terrain heading southward. Shengxin secured horses and a mule to hasten their progress. They traveled dirt trails on foot over several days. Their journey ended at the port town, Tianjin city. Off to one side, a small encampment of western soldier tents. Chao-xing gasped as she observed the scene. The leveled land contained remnants of thousands of hoof prints. The army that marched out left the once fertile ground barren.

We will sneak through the city, there. Shengxin pointed to the side opposite the fort.

Exhausted, Chao-xing collapsed upon a boulder. Shengxin sat beside her and she leaned onto his shoulder. She removed her lotus shoe to peek at her throbbing feet. Blood dotted the bandage. She needed clean cloth. Her mind drifted to other essential items left behind. Surely they could return home, or at least to the palace. The war would have moved further south and they could piece together their homes and get on with their lives.

He kissed her closed eyelids, then her nose, and finally her mouth. She basked in the tenderness until she felt his wet tears fall upon her cheeks. She opened her eyes and gazed into pools of sadness. My love? What is it?

He looked out toward the waters of Bohai Bay. "The