To walk around the Siuma District on a summer night was to have all one's senses assailed at once. Paper lanterns hung from every doorway and balcony, illuminating the darkness with their green and yellow glows. Street performers played raucous melodies and hawkers stridently advertised their wares. A hundred fragrances wafted from the food stalls: the yeasty notes of steamed buns, the smoky odor of grilled meat skewers, the fruity aroma of candied haw berries, and much, much more (1). But, most of all, there was the ever-present humidity that hung in the air and clung to everyone and everything.
As Jinyi weaved her way through the press of pedestrians, she self-consciously felt the string of silver coins tucked into her sash. This area was rife with pickpockets. She didn't want to lose her winnings before she could stash them in the lockbox in her room.
There had been quite some debate after the match ended as to how the prize should be awarded, given that there was no clear victor. Pot-Belly Liu, with his characteristic stinginess, had tried to argue that it should not be given out at all. This proposal was met by unanimous protest from judges and contestants alike. The corpulent owner of the arena was finally forced to agree to a compromise in which Jinyi would take half of the pot and the three benders would each take a sixth. Jinyi was glad that her opponents had been good sports about the whole thing. Many of the competitors she had faced before didn't take well to the humiliation of being bested by a woman half their size who couldn't even bend. But Hajime, Iklak, and Wai had all congratulated her and complimented her skill and fighting spirit. They'd even invited her to join them in squandering some of their newly earned silver on the myriad vices Siuma had to offer. Jinyi had politely declined. What she really wanted to do right now was go back to her room and sleep.
Jinyi soon found herself at her destination, the Jade Peony Teahouse. Her room here was home sweet home, at least for the time being. She stepped through the doorway, which was open to the street in the vain hope of collecting some cooling breeze. Despite its name, the "teahouse" served mostly alcohol at this time of night. Serving girls bustled to and fro, carrying trays laden with earthenware wine bottles and small dishes. In the corner, gamblers played high-stakes Pai Sho, winning and losing small fortunes at the whim of the tiles. A few guests climbed the stairs to the rooms above, where one could spend the night with or without a hired companion. (2)
"Welcome dear guest," greeted the pretty young hostess. "Where — Oh, it's you, Jinyi! Welcome back!"
"Hi Shaolan," said Jinyi. "You don't have to bother yourself, I'm just heading to my room."
"Wait, Jinyi." Shaolan stopped her as she headed for the stairs. "Madam Tsui wants to speak with you. She said to meet her in the back room."
"Ugh." Jinyi pressed a palm to her forehead. An annoying request from the teahouse's owner was the last thing she needed right now. But it was because of running various "errands" for Madam Tsui that her rent was so low, so she had no choice but to humor her.
"Did she tell you what exactly she wanted me for?" Jinyi asked. "If it's not urgent, I'd rather she ask me in the morning."
"It's not her. She has a guest who asked to meet you," said Shaolan.
Jinyi cocked her head quizzically. People who wanted to hire her for jobs usually didn't go through Madam Tsui. They either left a note or approached Jinyi directly.
"Who is this guest?" she asked.
Shaolan looked around and then beckoned Jinyi to come closer with a conspiratorial gesture. Jinyi leaned in so that Shaolan could whisper in her ear.
"Madam's guest is a rather handsome young gentleman," she said. "And from the look of his clothes, a quite wealthy one at that. Do you have a secret admirer or something?"
Shaolan giggled, coquettishly covering her mouth with her sleeve, as Jinyi grimaced at the suggestion. Since leaving home at the age of seventeen, Jinyi had never interacted with a man in a romantic way, and she preferred to keep it that way. There was no place for anything like a lover in her life right now.
"I'm going to wash up and change first. If Madam Tsui asks, tell her I'll be there in a few minutes," said Jinyi. It was a plausible excuse to delay a possibly unpleasant encounter for a while. The match against the three benders had left her covered in dust, water, and sweat. She filled a basin with water from the pump and brought it to her room. There, she pulled off her high felt boots and took off her heavy cotton shirt and pants. These were the clothes she wore when she was expecting a fight. The fabric was thick enough to offer some protection from glancing blows, but not so heavy that it would weigh her down, and their dark grey color helped camouflage her when stealth was required. But, unfortunately, it was all rather uncomfortable to wear in the summertime.
Jinyi took off her underclothes as well — linen shorts and chest wrap (3) that were now damp with sweat — then took a towel and dipped it into the basin of water. She wrung out the excess and wiped down her body, taking extra care on the left side where her scar was. Time had lessened the pain of this old burn wound, but the pink scar tissue, which extended from her hip to just above her knee, still felt tender at times.
Once clean, she changed into a fresh pair of shorts and a yem, a halter-top undershirt tied in the back with string. Over these went her casual clothes: a pair of loose-fitting light green trousers and a darker green short-sleeve ao dai, a long, dress-like tunic that went down past her knees and had slits cut out at the sides (4). A mirror in the bedroom allowed Jinyi to check that she was presentable. She didn't really care that much about her appearance and certainly wasn't looking to impress the young man Shaolan mentioned. But Madam Tsui often scolded her for her unladylike manner of dressing, so she thought she'd save herself from getting an earful this time. Once she was satisfied that her tunic was on straight and any loose strands of hair were tucked away, Jinyi put on a pair of cloth slippers and went back downstairs.
Like many "teahouses" in Siuma, the Jade Peony had a dining room in the back of the house that could be reserved for private parties. Madam Tsui sat at the big round table with two guests. The older of the two men was truly a giant. He was a little more than a head above Jinyi, even though he was sitting down. His long bushy beard hid a broad face that was flushed as scarlet as a Fire National's clothes (5). He was enthusiastically tossing back cupfuls of wine. The small cup looked almost like a thimble in his enormous hand. The younger man had a small cup in his hand as well, from which he sipped more measuredly. He was much smaller and thinner than his companion, and whereas the older man wore plain cotton clothes like Jinyi, the young man wore fine silk robes that were clearly out of place here in the Lower Ring. He was facing away from the door, speaking to Madam Tsui in flirtatious tones. The older lady tittered and batted softly at his arm. Jinyi wasn't sure whether this was calculated flattery or genuine attraction on the young man's part. Madam Tsui was undoubtedly past her prime but was still quite a beautiful woman. In her youth, she had been the most popular courtesan in Siuma, a position she had wisely used to save up to buy the Jade Peony. Jinyi knocked lightly on the open door to get their attention.
When the young man turned to look at her, Jinyi could see that Shaolan had been right, he was indeed incredibly handsome. He had a long, slender face that ended in a pointed chin; smooth, unblemished skin; and delicate, almost feminine features. The man smiled, and his bright green eyes lit up like well-polished jade.
"Greetings," he said, saluting her with fist in palm. "You must be Jinyi. I happened to see your match tonight. I've heard they call you the Little Shirshu."
Jinyi frowned. People in Siuma had given her this nickname shortly after she started working here, but she'd never liked it. She wasn't sure whether it was because of the comparison to a ravenous beast of legend or because it emphasized her small stature.
"Just Jinyi is fine," she said, curtly. "And what is your honorable name, sir?"
"Jinyi, this is Young Master Yan," said Madam Tsui. "He came to me and asked me to introduce him to you. Why don't you have a seat with us?"
"A pleasure to meet you, Young Master Yan," Jinyi bowed and pulled out a chair from the round table to sit across from the others.
"This is my associate, Uncle Gao," said Yan.
"Nice to meet you, Sir Gao," said Jinyi.
"A pleasure to meet you too, Young Lady. Care for a drink?" asked Gao, offering the porcelain bottle. "It's good stuff, best I've tasted in a while."
"No, I'm fine, thanks," said Jinyi.
"Suit yourself," said Gao, greedily pouring some for himself instead. Given his size and fondness for the drink, Jinyi was surprised he didn't just drain the whole bottle.
"You know, I've never seen Jinyi drink wine," said Madam Tsui with a girlish giggle unbefitting her age. "Such a well-behaved girl."
The way she said it seemed more like an insult than a compliment, but Jinyi paid it no mind.
"So what did you want to see me for, Young Master?" asked Jinyi. Madam Tsui gave her a scandalized look. It was uncouth to jump to business so quickly, but Jinyi wasn't in the mood for empty pleasantries right now.
"Jinyi! How can you —" Madam Tsui began to protest.
"It's fine, Madam Tsui," said Yan, raising his hand to calm her before turning to Jinyi. "If you wish that we be forward, then let us be forward with each other ..."
Yan leaned forward dramatically, putting his elbows on the table and resting his chin on the knuckles of one hand.
"I wish for you to join my household," he said, a winning smile on his face.
Jinyi's own face twisted in disgust. She wasn't new to getting outrageous propositions from men who'd just met her, but there was something about the way he'd said it, as if it was so obvious that she should accept, that really rankled her.
"Go ask your mother instead, you son of a hog-monkey," said Jinyi, angrily pushing her chair back and standing up. "I'm not one of Madam Tsui's entertaining girls. I'm not interested in being some rich man's plaything. If this is what you want, then I guess we're done here."
"Jinyi!" cried Madam Tsui, her face white with absolute mortification. There was nothing worse in her eyes than directly turning down a gentleman's request, especially in such profane terms. All the while, Yan kept his slight smile, seemingly undisturbed by Jinyi's harsh rejection. If anything, he looked amused and slightly intrigued by it.
Gao broke the mood with a bellowing laugh. He slapped Yan good-naturedly on the back so hard that the young man almost knocked his head on the table.
"Young Master, aren't you being a bit too mischievous?" he said. "You seem to have given the young lady the wrong idea."
"Just like the merchant's daughter in Gaoling," Yan sighed, before turning back to Jinyi. "I apologize for any misunderstandings I may have caused. Though I'm sure many men would desire you in such a way, that is the farthest reason from why I wish for you to join my retinue."
He sat back and drank some wine before clearing his throat to continue.
"It's not a concubine I'm looking for, but a bodyguard," he said. "When I saw you fight in the arena, I knew you would be perfect for the job, and Madam Tsui has told me you are quite reliable."
Jinyi sat back down but raised a puzzled eyebrow at the young man.
"Tossing out unruly drunks and tracking down deadbeat gamblers is quite a bit different from being a bodyguard," said Jinyi. "Besides, isn't that what you have Gao for?"
"An astute observation," said Yan. "Gao is indeed quite skilled, but he alone can't handle the threat I'm facing. I'll be upfront with you, so I hope you can be discreet. Someone is hiring assassins to kill me."
"And why would this someone want one as good-natured as the Young Master dead?" Jinyi asked, sarcastically.
"Let's say it's a … family dispute over a question of inheritance," said Yan. "While I trust that Gao can certainly fend off any direct attacks upon my person, I need someone to watch the rooftops and shadows. A hidden blade. 'Insurance', if you will."
"I don't know," said Jinyi. "This isn't the kind of gig I usually do."
"I am willing to compensate you quite handsomely, far more than what you're earning from Uncle Liu's arena," said Yan. "Additionally, you would live with us in my residence in the Upper Ring. It's quite modest for the area, but surely a room in an Upper Ring manor is better than your quarters here. No offense to Madam Tsui, of course."
"None taken, Young Master Yan," said Madam Tsui. "How can my humble inn compare to the Upper Ring? Why they're as different as the spirit world and the mortal world. I think it's a great opportunity for you, Jinyi, though I'd be sad to see you go."
Jinyi shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She was used to taking short-term jobs and disliked the idea of being tied down to a single household, but Yan's offer was certainly attractive, even if the man himself was rather infuriating. It was the look on Gao's face that finally convinced her. His dark, bloodshot eyes looked at her expectantly like a young sky bison who had just chosen its Air Nomad partner.
"Okay, I'll do it," said Jinyi. "When would I start?"
"Excellent. Pack your things tonight. Gao and I will return in the morning and take you to get your transit papers for the Upper Ring. I look forward to working with you, Jinyi," said Yan, before he gave that slight smile of his. "I hope you will treat me well."
1. The description of Siuma is based on night markets, which are quite popular throughout East and Southeast Asia. The specific foods mentioned are common in Northeastern China and especially in the cuisine of Beijing, on which Ba Sing Se is based.
2. These dens of ill repute are another fixture of wuxia fiction. One can be seen at the beginning of the Zhang Yimou film House of the Flying Daggers. The name of the establishment in the film, the Peony Pavilion, was the inspiration for naming ours the Jade Peony.
3. You'll remember that Katara wears something like this in the show. Chest wraps are called sarashi in Japanese and are worn by women underneath kimonos. They were also worn around the belly by samurai as an extra layer of protection.
4. The yem and ao dai are both traditional Vietnamese clothes.
5. Many people of East Asian descent experience alcohol flush reaction (AFR), which is sometimes called Asian flush or Asian glow. Gao's appearance is an allusion to the famous general Guan Yu of the Three Kingdoms period who is depicted as having a long beard and red face.