Kowloon, Hong Kong
June 1856
Staring off into the distance at the top of Lion Rock, the girl takes in the view of the city.
Even in the early morning, the streets are bustling as merchants show off their goods and buyers contemplate what's useful. The girl has seen an upsurge in Western travel to the Qing Empire since the English took control of Hong Kong Island. She had never spoken to these Westerners before, knowing that her English was not as excellent as it previously was. But this was simply what she imagined because she didn't recall her life before Master Bolin and Brother Ye Hua rescued her off the street. After fourteen years in Hong Kong, she was able to write, read, and communicate in Mandarin and some Cantonese.
Master Bolin had pitied her for being five years old and without parents. Thankfully, Master had known English due to his relationship with an English woman named Charlotte Green, who is now her adoptive mother. The night they took her in, Brother Ye Hua and the other older disciples bathed, fed, and nurtured her. Brother Ye Hua was at least fourteen when they met outside the doors of 战士精神学院 Zhànshì Jīngshén xuéyuàn (or, for you, English readers, Warrior Spirit Academy). The girl had always wondered what her life would've been like if Master Bolin, whom she considered a father, hadn't taken her in. Her life surely would have been different and from her memory, she was likely kidnapped and disposed of. If it weren't for her kidnappers who had struck her in the side of her head she would've probably found her way back home and likely remembered her name.
As for her name, Madame Green had given her the name Anle when she recalled no memory of her name and her life prior. Anle in Mandarin meant peace and happiness because, according to Anle, Madame Green had told her, "The moment I saw you, your presence resembled something like peace and your personality always brought a smile to everyone's face. You especially brought a smile to my face. You were my new form of happiness." Madame Green had adopted her into her household as she had no children. As a starving child in her eyes, she knew she wanted to raise this child. Madame Green had somehow known that God had brought her to this country to be a mother to this child.
Anle sighed, staring down at her calloused hands. Her life had been difficult, and she knew that living in Hong Kong was not easy. Since the age of sixteen, she had been working to assist Madame Green in any way she could. She felt beholden to Madame Green, despite the fact that she had never been required to work in her life. Madam Green had always cherished her and considered her a daughter, but Anle wanted to express her gratitude for her care over the years. She felt thankful to have a mother figure in her life, unlike most unfortunate souls.
Madame Green was an English widow who moved to Hong Kong after the death of her late husband. Her husband, Lionel Green, had no noble title and whose only riches were from properties he had owned in London. After his death, having no heir to pass his wealth to and no living extended family, he left all his belongings to his wife, Madame Green. Madame Green and her husband had been married for twelve years until his death. In London's society, women who were married and unable to bear children faced ostracism, humiliation, and punishment, which made their marriage life difficult. Their parents disapproved of their marriage, but Charlotte adored her late husband and wouldn't change it for the world. His death shattered her heart, especially after hearing the news after a disagreement with her sister, with whom she hadn't spoken in a long time.
During his funeral, the only attending members were Charlotte and their loyal servants. Her family had already exiled her from their lives and blamed her for ruining her sister's reputation, who had married up in status. They sent no letter or word, only a stack of cash to aid her in her time of mourning. Having no one to rely on after her husband's death, Madame Green sold the properties that her late husband had left for her. The only property she hadn't sold was her country estates in Norwich, just in case she needed to return. As of now, she found no purpose in returning to England. Having raised her daughter in Hong Kong, life for her was all she could ever ask for.
Looking up again, Anle saw the sun rising in the East. The colors of purple, orange, and red illuminated the sky. She had always enjoyed this view each morning before she headed off to the academy. Closing her eyes, she made a brief photographic memory of the scenery. After a few minutes, she gets up brushing off the dirt of her black and red hanfu before setting off to see her Shifu (Master). She had tied her dark hair up into a ponytail with a red ribbon Madame Green had bought her at the market. This was her usual uniform whenever sparing with the other disciples.
Descending the mountain was an easy trip, as she had done it many times before. Brother Ye Hua had brought her to Lion Rock Peak when she was nine and at the time she had lost a fight to a male classmate her age. She was so furious as she had been mastering her swordsmanship for three weeks. She ended up losing to the new student after just one week of being there.
"Sometimes, it's ok to lose," Brother Ye Hua had told her. "The more we tend to fall, it humbles us to see the skills we lack."
There are going to be more and more people you'll meet who are stronger than you. Do not defeat yourself solely because their mere impression of you is based on your size and gender."
Brother Ye Hua was eighteen at the time, and many of his contemporaries lacked the insight he possessed. He was usually very courteous and protective of her, but this put her at a disadvantage. She didn't want to be perceived as a weak girl who was constantly in need of protection. That is why she has always taken kung fu seriously. The perception of her enemies towards her made them lower their guard, and that's when she strikes.
It was a thirty-minute walk from Lion Rock to the academy. Most of the disciples had probably woken up and had breakfast. Unlike Anle, the academy did not allow her to sleep there because she was a woman. The majority of her peers were male students, so it was uncomfortable for them to sleep next to a woman. Luckily, Madame Green's estates were fifteen minutes away, so Anle could easily walk the distance. Nearing the gates of the academy, she was met by Li Li, another female student of the academy. Li Li was just two years older than her and had been born and raised in Hong Kong. Unlike Anle, Li Li's purpose to practice kung fu was because she was Third Master Yùyi's daughter.
"Anle," Li Li yells waving towards her. Li Li was wearing a white and pink hanfu with her jet-black hair braided and tied with a pink ribbon. She was Anle's closest female friend and had grown up taking lessons together. On days when Li Li was sick, Anle would always practice with one of her male peers.
"Did you hear that Second Master Hàoyú is planning to take some of the male disciples to Guangdong?" Li Li said, linking her arm around Anle's.
"Why? Didn't he just return from there?" Anle replied.
"Yes, but the rebellion has gotten worse, and he campaigned to Master Bolin to allow our seniors to help fight."
"Surely, Master Bolin opposes the idea." They had arrived in the central garden, where the other students were queued up for attendance. As Li Li and Anle stood in line, the majority of the students had yet to arrive. The academy has seen an increase in female students over the last three years. Li Li and Anle stood out as seniors among the younger female students. They referred to Li Li as the First Senior Sister, and Anle as the Second Senior Sister.
"From what I know, Pa and Ma were discussing it over breakfast and Pa is also against it," Li Li whispered, leaning over.
"Zhùyì!" yelled Senior Brother Wei, grabbing the attention of the students. He had begun roll call as Anle and Li Li continued their conversation.
"Doing so will simply instill dread in us. We are not soldiers, and this is not our struggle to wage." Anle murmured. Anle was furious with the whole situation. Second Master has always been ready to rush into a battle, even at the expense of others. His lack of prudence has resulted in the death of his son and the disappearance of many other disciples, including Brother Ye Hua.
It's been over a year since many of her senior brothers and Ye Hua had gone missing. Second Master had sent them on a separate route, hoping to ambush the rebels on both sides. Unfortunately, to their disappointment, the rebels had trapped Ye Hua and his group and had taken them hostage. Nothing was heard from them since Second Master's return that year. Each time expedition, the Second Master continued to insist on looking for them and avenging his son, who had met his fate four years prior. Second Master's goals have prevented the majority of his male disciples from participating. He would invite none of the female disciples because he felt ladies were not strong enough to fight and would just slow them down.
Anle and Li Li disliked Master Hàoyú because he constantly insulted them and accused them of wasting his time. Of course, he never said this in front of Master Bolin and Master Yùyi. They were too terrified of him to say anything. They never sought to learn from Master Hàoyú again.
As Senior Brother Wei finished the roll call, everyone turned towards a loud noise coming from one of the Master's offices. It sounded as if someone was throwing glass across the room and yelling at the top of their lungs. For a brief moment, the noise had ceased, and a minute later, Master Hàoyú rushed out of the room, storming out of the academy. Anle and the rest of the students stared as he stormed out, then turned their attention to the room he had just stormed out of. At the doorway stood both Master Bolin and Master Yùyi. Their facial expression was both worrisome as well with a hint of anger.
For the rest of the training, everyone was talking about it, but no one had the guts to ask Master Bolin and Master Yùyi what happened. Anle and Li Li were in charge of teaching the younger female students, so there was no opportunity for discussion.
...
"We'll be arriving in 45 minutes, Your Grace," Captain Ackermann said, entering the Duke's office. "We shall make any final preparations for your arrival."
"Excellent," the Duke says finally looking at the captain, whose appearance seemed he had run sixteen kilometers to deliver this news. "Please, have my men off the ship first so they may deliver my belongings to the hotel."
"Yes, Your Grace. Is there anything else I can be of assistance to?"
"No, that will be all. You are dismissed."
Following the captain's departure, the Duke returned to reviewing his accounts. This is his fifth voyage to Hong Kong. Several occurrences in the colony had brought his arrival closer, as tensions between the Qing dynasty and Great Britain had grown anew. Before reaching Hong Kong, some of his shipments were destroyed. There was rebellion among the people of Qing in Hong Kong, and it was his royal obligation to ensure that no one stood in his way.
The ship arrived at twenty past two, and Hugh Kingsley, Duke of Kensington, disembarked to go to his accommodation. His next order of business was to meet with Patrick Reilly, Lieutenant Governor, whom he had dispatched three months earlier to handle the situation. But, to his dismay, Mr. Reilly failed to provide a result, and he was going to investigate for what reason.
...
For Tian Fei, today was a special day for the hotel. Unbeknownst to Anle, she didn't understand why her boss had gathered her and the rest of the hotel employees at the front of the building. The only instructions that were given to her were to arrive before their important guest arrived. Mira Hotel wasn't big enough to have important guests, based on the two years Anle had started working there. The only important guests she'd seen were Western governors who came to enjoy themselves after visiting a nearby brothel.
Tian Fei had everyone wear their formal uniforms, which were only to be used if the Emperor or a monarch stayed the night. But this was a rare occurrence, meaning they've never had to wear them. The hotel uniform was a royal blue with gold buttons. Anle's uniform was in the form of a dress which suffocated her ribs and abdomens. She could hardly breathe in the uniform. They even instructed her to wear her hair in a bun and put on makeup before getting to work. Luckily, after training, Li Li was able to help with that since she knew nothing about the art.
She'd seen Madame Green wear makeup on occasions, mostly when Master Bolin and Brother Ye Hua would come over for dinner. Anle sometimes wondered who she was trying to impress when it was only Master and Brother Ye Hua. She once asked her that question but her only response was "You'll learn one day when you meet the person who'll imprison your heart someday." To this day Anle still didn't understand what she meant.
"Alright everyone," Tian Fei exclaimed. "Once our guest arrives, make sure to keep your back straight and remember to smile. Also to speak in English and if you can't communicate, just nod and find me. Ok? Ok."
After Tian Fei finished her speech, a yellow carriage pulled up in front of the hotel. Tian Fei was the first to greet the guest as the guest's footman opened the carriage's door. A tall, muscular man steps out of the carriage, wearing a black suit and coat. As Anle observed the man, she noticed his eyes were green deep in emeralds. He had golden blonde curls which the sun reflected off of hidden under his top hat. He truly was mesmerizing to her. She's seen many Westerns, but many she never had to look twice at. This man surely looked like he came from high status. His entire aura seemed untouchable to her, like stepping near him was a death sentence. Anle couldn't stop staring, knowing full well she was supposed to bow at his presence. The man took two steps forward after dismounting the carriage, staring down the line of the hotel employees until he met her gaze. She immediately looked away, finally bowing. Her entire face was flushed. She'd never had to feel embarrassed about staring at a person for so long. She felt the heat rising from her neck and her heart started pounding endlessly.
What is this? She thought. It's probably nothing, just act normal.
Before she had a chance to look again, she heard boots slowly moving in her direction. She was still bowing with her eyes closed, afraid to look up. The boots got closer and closer, and with every wish in her bones, she prayed that this man wasn't standing in front of her. She couldn't shake the feeling that this man had captivated her. The sound of the boots continued getting closer until it reached a halt.
Anle felt a dark presence towering over her. She had hoped it was the clouds, getting ready to rain, but no. Slowly opening her eyes, she sees a pair of black boots standing in front of her. Moving her gaze up ever so gently, those boots were met with legs, which were met with a torso, which were met with shoulders, and slowly met with the man with emerald eyes. She felt her heart sink but butterflies lifted her spirits. The royal guest was standing over with keen eyes. His lips curved into a smirk as he stared down at her. Then he turned to Tian Fei.
"This one will do," the man announced in English, pointing at her. Anle had not been listening to the conversation. Something had told her that this man had made her his prisoner.