Empress Ying

IV

Her: The antique of the lord is missing!

Not long after that, we heard the butler:

Butler: All servants must go to the main hall.

I stood up and got changed. My dear sleep! I had a hard training yesterday. My muscles were so sore. I walked into the hall like a zombie. That's how sore I was. My friend disappeared when I entered the hall. She had to do something she said. 

x: All of you kneel!

The pig was very pissed. I guess the vase was expensive. We all kneeled and waited for his interrogation.

Lord: I will ask nicely, who stole the vase, if you admit it now, I may be more lenient. Who stole it?

Everyone was trembling. I guess we are in for big trouble. Some self-proclaimed witnesses stood up. Judging from their attire, those were high-ranked servants.

Them: My lord, forgive us, we saw Xian (my friend) with it. We didn't think much of it so we didn't report it to you.

I looked at my friend in disbelief. No, that's impossible. She wouldn't do such a thing. She came forward and tried to defend herself. I was ready to do the same but what she said next...

Xian: It wasn't me, I swear! It was A'lin! Look in her room.

I couldn't believe my ears. How could she? I thought we were friends.

- Xian... How could you?

The lord sent people to search my room. He found the vase. I was on the verge of crying. That hypocrite, that's why she went into my room. She wanted to hide it in there. Was it her plan all along?

The high-ranked maids looked at me with compassion. It's like they knew what was happening. I couldn't defend myself. I was there just waiting for death.

Maids: Do you have anything to say for yourself?

Xian: Of course not! She must be shocked that I saw through her plan. She instigated the maids to talk against me. Now they found the evidence under your bed. I knew you hated me, but to kill me? 

Shedding crocodile tears. Anger flew through my veins. That gave me the courage to talk.

- Oh yeah? First of all, how would you know that it was under my bed?

Xian: Haha, I saw it. That's why I know that you stole it. I didn't get the time to report you before.

- You know that expensive hairpin you got, how could you afford it? 

Xian: What are you talking about? This? - showing it to me- It's fake.

Lord: What are you getting at?

- My lord, isn't this fake way too convincing?

He took a look at her hairpin.

Lord: It is indeed convincing. This must be the work of - he looked at his right-hand man-...

Who are they talking about? Doesn't matter. I have to clear my case.

Lord: How did you get your hands on that hairpin?

Xian looked scared and stressed. She didn't give a response. That proved my thought.

- My Lord! Look at this vase. It's fake!

Hey, I know this came out of nowhere and what I did was very risky but at that moment I was ready to risk everything. I wasn't sure if it was fake. However, it would be weird for her to hide the real one in my chamber. She would only gain my death through that.

The lord broke the vase. I was right! It was fake. 

-She hid the fake vase in my room so that she could cash the real one. 

Xian didn't try to defend herself this time. She tried to flee but died by the sword of the lord's right-hand man. 

That was harsh. But anyway, I was glad I proved my innocence.

After all this bloodiness, we could all go back to our rooms - except me. Did I not just now prove my innocence? It is night.

Lord: A'lin. How old are you this year?

Why was he asking such a question? But I answered anyway.

- I'm 11.

I couldn't read him. What did he want ? He started to approach me. His gaze changed and he smiled. A smile that I would never forget. Then he grabbed my hand. What is going on?

Lord: Quite young it is, but I'm getting impatient. 

He dragged me into his room. I was scared? Is he going to kill me or abuse me? But I didn't do anything. I did all I could to stay away from this pig. 

- My lord, you are hurting me.

He held me so tight. You must imagine, an 11-year-old girl against a middle-aged dude. He locked the door behind me. Now I was very worried.

- What did I do to you? Did I offend you in any way? Why are you hurting me?

Lord: Come on! Don't play innocent. I saw how you looked at me. Don't you like me?

What... What is he talking about. That was obviously a lie. And he knew that. Is he going to... No Ying Yue, think, think of a way to get out of this. He tried to make a move on me. I was horrified I couldn't move. What am I supposed to do? I wanted to cry. I knew now what he wanted to do. That's why he said that I wasn't old enough! He is really a pig! 

- My lord, if your wife sees us like this she will kill me! Please let me go!

He stopped, looked at me and slapped me. That slap was so hard that I fell to the ground with two teeth fewer. I couldn't stop my tears.

Lord: If you don't stop talking I will **** you and kill you afterwards! How dare you say no to me! 

He took me with force. I will skip the details.

I was devastated. My body hurt so much and I was running away. I couldn't believe I killed someone. I didn't want to do that. I just wanted him to stop. Why, why me? What did I do wrong? Why do I have to suffer so much? I'm only eleven and I already have blood in my hands. I was walking on the streets. It was pitch black. Nobody could see me and I couldn't see anyone. I cried again. I never cried so much in my life. Why couldn't I have a normal life like those kids? Why do we have to suffer so much as poor people? As I was walking, I arrived at my old home.

I looked at it for a long time. I wanted to go inside, hug my father and tell him all that happened. However, inside was also the person who caused all this. I looked at the house a little longer and went on.

???: Ying Yue !!!!!