A few years ago, I read a book about a group of chinese women in imperial china, but I can't remember the title or author, and I can't seem to find it through searching what I can remember.

I think they are friends as young women, but they are then split up due to social classes, and they move to different areas. I think at the end one of them dies, but I'm not sure.

If anyone has heard of this, or knows what I'm talking about, that would be great! :-)

3 daughters of Madam Liang? Amazon.co.uk: Three Daughters of Madame Liang (Oriental Novels of Pearl S. Buck): Books: Pearl S. Buck

No, I don't think that was it. They weren't related, as I remember, and there were more than three of them. I'll try and remember more about it if I can and post later to see if it helps :-/