You seriously doubt that's the end of it Through. Sure enough two days later Prince Jin have guests to entertain and requires extra servants. You are asked to attend.
Xiu Ying: (I wonder what kind of quest requires an extra cinder maid in attendance?)
You enter the room carrying a tea tray, feeling rather gloomy. Wei Jie is looking rather elegant in white robes. Your eyes meet and then you look away from one another, careful to not give anything away. It appears Prince Jin still has his suspicions.
Prince Jin: [Raising the tea tray] You have excellent manners for a cinder wench... comparable even to a palace maid.
His observation makes you catch your breath. You're not behaving like Afu, but instinctively following the rules of etiquette from the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Xiu Ying: (I'm Afu now, I'm Afu now...)
Your hand pouring the tea trembles, almost spilling the boiling water in front of the Prince. You scald your hand and blow on it to ease the pain.
Prince Jin: [Frowning] I must have jinxed you. What a clumsy fool you look.
Xiu Ying: [Dropping to your knees] I am clumsy, my Lord. Your compliment made me very nervous. Please forgive me!
Prince Jin: Never mind. I take back what I said.
His eyes falls on your scaled hand and the hint of a smile plays across his lips.
Prince Jin: You must appreciate what would happen if you were to pour boiling water on a Prince.
Xiu Ying: You are a great noble, my Lord. If I harmed you I would deserve to die!
In the strange silence that follows. Wei Jie slowly puts down his cup and makes a careful observation.
Wei Jie: How can a cinder maid be expected to do such fine work? Why would you ask her to serve tea?
Prince Jin: [Looking at you skeptically] Afu, see how Master Wei disdains you! Perhaps you could do something to prove him wrong?
You don't know what Prince Jin has in mind, but it's obviously not something good, and probably involves tormenting you in some way.
Xiu Ying: [Quietly] Master Wei is right, I cannot contradict him.
Prince Jin: Have you forgotten what you did for Si Yan already? If it wasn't for her, I would have thrown you to my tiger long ago. That's why I say, don't sell yourself short. Master Wei, I find this cinder wench very capable. She shall continue to serve us.
Wei Jie does not respond, but swirls the tea leaves around in the bottom of his cup. As the meeting continues, your nerves become more and more frayed. You feel like someone's holding a knife to your back, and a trapdoor awaits you at every step. You move very carefully, but eventually the wicked Prince knocks a bowl of boiling tea over your hand.
Prince Jin: Sorry, I slipped.
Two cups of boiling water have turned your skin into a blistered and broken mess. The pain is excruciating and you only just manage to hold back the tears, but you grit your teeth and keep sering. Wei Jie watches you as you serve out the tea, hands trembling in pain and fear. Anger flares in the pits of his eyes, but the carefully regains his composure before speaking.
Wei Jie: Why get such a clumsy girl to serve tea? Get rid of her.
Prince Jin: [Eyes narrowing slightly] You're contradicting yourself, Wei Jie. First you want her, now you don't.
Wei Jie: I owed her a life. Naturally, I would want to repay it. How could I not?
Prince Jin: [Smiling mildly] Of course, you are right. That being the case. Afu, you may step down. Come! Send in a maid who knows how to serve!
The Dark Guard shoves, kicks and drags you outside, and you receive twenty strokes of the paddle.
Dark Guard: Stick to being a cinder wench and don't draw the Prince's attention again! Fool!
It is night. You lie face down on the bed groaning, the ointment having been applied to your new bruises. Fu Heng walks quickly into the room. Seeing you, he unconsciously rolls his hands up into a fists.
Fu Heng: If you stay here, you're as good as dead!
Xiu Ying: Trust me, I know how to protect myself.
Fu Heng: Every day I've been worried sick, not for myself but for you.
Fu Heng: You don't have to be here! We've got to get you out of here. Then you can change your mask – it will make the next stage much simpler.
Xiu Ying: And if I refuse, are you going to force me to leave?
Fu Heng: [Losing his temper] If it will help, I'll knock you out and drag you off.
Fu Heng leaves and you try to go to sleep. Not long after, someone shakes you awake. You open your eyes and see a masked man in black standing beside the bed. You start in fright.
Man in Black: Get up! Come with me!
Xiu Ying: I'm quite ugly. Are you sure you want to do this?
Men in Black: [Staring] What the hell are you talking about?! Get up! The Prince's Dark Guard will be here any second!
Xiu Ying: I don't think so. I got a beating today. I can hardly move... unless you plan to carry me?
The man in black looks back at you. After an internal struggle, he relents and pick you up, putting you onto his back. The next moment he has a cold hard dagger pressed up against his throat.
Xiu Ying: [Smiling] Don't do anything silly, or the knife might slip.
Man in Black: You idiot!
Xiu Ying: Shh! Now tell me who sent you and where are you taking me?
Man in Black: What's the problem? You'll find out when we get there.
Xiu Ying: [Smiling] Not talking, huh? Well, you asked for it...
Man in Black: Wait! Don't do it! I'm on your side!
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