As Abby was led through the palace compound she could hardly contain her wonder. The change from the palace she had seen just what seemed hours before and now could hardly been explained. It almost smelled new. Abby laughed to herself. It's smells new silly because compared to the present day palace it is. The eunuch lead her to a large compound in the palace with several buildings surrounding a beautiful garden. Abby remembered on the tour this were the palaces of the Concubines of the King. She was not happy. Why was she being brought here. Hopefully just to protect her maidenly virtue as no one would dare touch a woman that was under the King's protection. As they reached the compound the eunuch had a whispered conversation with what looked like a Court Lady.
Court Lady Jo appraised Abby as His Majesty's Eunuch had a whispered conversation with her.
"Lady Jo, His Majesty has commanded me to bring this young lady to you. He has expressed his wish that she should be housed in the Compound of the Concubines until such time as they determine what to do with her and ascertain the validity of her story."
Lady Jo tried to contain her surprise at not only the unusual appearance of the girl but also the unusual circumstance but her voice did give away some of her mood, "Who does she claim to be? She is quite different looking." She looked Abby up and down again and then repeated her question, "Who does she say she is?"
"From what we could understand she claims to be a Foreign Princess captured by the Ming's and brought here as tribute."
Lady Jo nodded, "Well that certainly explains the manner of her dress. She certainly has fine clothing and beautiful jewelry but nothing fits properly, her shoes are positively indecent and her hair is done up as if she were already a married woman." Court Lady Jo sighed. She foresaw a lot of work ahead of her.
"Well," the Eunuch said, " It is the Ming's dressing her, we are lucky she is somewhat properly attired. She also does not speak the language correctly or understand everything that is said to her. So speak slowly and be patient with her."
Lady Jo nodded, "I understand. We will treat to her as an honoured guest until instructed otherwise."
She then turned to Abby, "My name is Lady Jo," she said with a bow, "please follow me, My Lady." She then lead Abby into one of the buildings, down a few corridors. They past other brightly dressed women who stopped and stared at Abby in amazement. Their maids and eunuchs whispered in what seemed to be both horror and excitement to Abby. Lady Jo gave them one look of admonishment and they quieted immediately.
"Pay them no heed My Lady. Things will settle here soon. You are just new and different. Here is your room." She led Abby into a small but beautifully furnished room. Hand painted bureaus of what looked like the finest cherry wood were placed low along the wall. Beautiful scenery was painted on a modesty screen that sat behind ornate hand sewn cushions which were propped up for a seating area in front of a small table that looked to be used as a writing desk. The skill and time that it must have taken to create all of this took Abby's breath away. Lady Jo bowed to Abby again and said, "this will be your room until His Majesty says otherwise. Your retinue will be outside your door should you require anything. I apologize for it being so small for a person of your position but we were not ready for you arrival. You will have one Eunuch and two maids with you at all times. Should you require anything else you may ask me." She then bowed as she backed out of the room.
Abby's eyes slowly filled with tears. How on earth was she ever going to figure out how she had got here or even get back to the building she had first arrived in if she was never to be left on her own? Utterly exhausted she collapsed onto the cushions and started to sob. She had never felt so alone and helpless. Her surroundings may not look like a prison but they sure felt like one at the moment. Abby continued to cry softly to herself until sleep overcame her, her head in her hands still sitting but dead to the world from her plight.