The paper-thin mask is removed, revealing your face. Although it’s swollen after the slap, your beautiful features are still visible. Darkness dissipates from your eyes, and you see Prince Jin approaching you slowly and gently raising your chin, his cold gaze on your face.
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Xiu Ying: (What’s going on? Have they found out about my mask?)
Prince Jin: Afu, you just never stop surprising me.
Xiu Ying: [speaking hardly] Your… Your Highness, I… don’t mean…
Prince Jin: Enough. No more speaks.
Matron: Your Highness, Afu has entered the mansion with her face concealed. I’m afraid she could have some ulterior motives. How would you like to deal with her?
Prince Jin: [eyes faintly flashing] Take her away and tend to her wound. I’ll make the decision later.
You are brought back to your room. The matrons consider for a moment, then gently lay you down on the bed. You can hear their exclamation.
Matron: Afu is such a proper name. She is indeed a lucky girl! All my years in the mansion, I have never seen His Highness be so tolerant to anyone else, not even to Lady Yan’er…
You fall asleep, and when you wake up, you see a face staring at you, a face that is like a nightmare to you.
Xiu Ying: [immediately sit up] Your Highness? Why are you here?
Prince Jin: What? So afraid of me?
Xiu Ying: (I almost died at your hand for so many times. Who else should I be afraid of? But my life is still in your hand, and I have to act as such.)
Xiu Ying: I’ve made mistake, that’s why I’m afraid of Your Highness.
Prince Jin: [snort] Made mistake? I thought you would never learn.
Xiu Ying: I understand my faults. I wore the mask at the beginning for my own safety, never expecting to inadvertently intrude Your Highness' pleasure boat and enter the mansion, but I dared not to tell Your Highness for fear of punishment.
You finish telling your half-true story, but you're worrying whether the suspicious Prince Jin will believe you.
Prince Jin: I know. You were admitted into my mansion at my whim, so I don't think you have some ulterior motives to cover your face.
Hearing his "at my whim", you almost faint again. Whether your luck is too good or too bad, for now he believes what you says.
Xiu Ying: Thank you for forgiving me, Your Highness. I am eternally grateful.
Prince Jin: I can forgive you for this, but you have been making mistakes repeatedly and I have forgiven you over and over again. What are you going to do?
Xiu Ying: I shall serve Your Highness until the last moment of my life!
Prince Jin: [chuckle] How can you serve me like this? I would be pleased if you don't cause me any more trouble.
You suddenly realize that there are only two of you in the room. Prince Jin had been watching you for the whole time you were sleeping. Why did he do that? Confused, you are surprised at Prince Jin's good mood. Does he have a the solution for the uprising? Are you going to ask him?
Xiu Ying: [probing] Your Highness, the mansion was attacked by the rebel scums previously. Is the situation under control now?
Prince Jin: Are you caring about me or your own life?
Xiu Ying: I care for everyone in the mansion.
Prince Jin: You just stay here. As long as I'm in power, this mansion will stand, and you will be fine.
Xiu Ying: Yes. As Your Highness commands.
Prince Jin: Remember how I treat you. By the way, stop making me more trouble, or I can't guarantee you will keep your life the next time.
Only after Prince Jin has left do you learn that he has commanded to cure your wound. He even assigned several handmaidens to take care of you. Carrot and stick? Why would he do so? You are increasingly confused at his behavior, but you have no idea of the reason behind.
Handmaiden: Afu, why do you look so troubled? Aren't you happy to be spared by His Highness?
Xiu Ying: That His Highness spared me so easily only makes me more worried.
Handmaiden: Alas, I understand. Afu, I want to tell you something...
Xiu Ying: What? Is it about me? Just tell me!
Handmaiden: It's common for powerful people in the capital to gift consorts and handmaidens to each other. Since your real face is so beautiful, perhaps His Highness is planning on this.
Xiu Ying: You mean His Highness is planning to gift me to others?
Handmaiden: Hush! I'm just guessing, but this is a common act... Moreover, His Highness is running into some troubles lately, and he will need to gain the support from more powerful people.
You agree that this could be the case, otherwise there is no reason for the prince to treat you this way. Unaware of this problem, you have a bad feeling and your heart starts pounding fast.
Handmaiden: Afu, I won't lie to you. Those men won't treat the "gifts" they receive well. The girls end up badly most of the time, locked in cages like livestock.
Xiu Ying: [uneasiness grows stronger] I see. Thank you for reminding me.
Handmaiden: Alas, our fates are beyond our control. All we can do is to follow others' arrangement...
Matron: [hurry in] What are you doing here? Don't disturb Afu's rest! Afu, I'm sorry for hitting you badly, but I was just following my order. Please don't resent me.
Xiu Ying: You were just doing as the rules required. It was I who made the mistakes. I have no resentment for you, matron.
Matron: You are a good girl! I feel much relieved at your words!
Xiu Ying: Matron, I'm still a handmaiden. Now that my wound has almost recovered, it's time for me to go back to work.
Matron: [flashing in her eyes] Don't worry. Take some good rest. His Highness will summon you soon!
The matron leaves after finishing her words, and you are more certain of your speculation. If the prince is really going to send you away, you must start planning your escape...
