Mei worked tirelessly in the rice paddies. The sun beat down on her back, and the mud clung to her feet. She was used to the hard work, but today, she felt a sense of foreboding. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change.
Suddenly, she heard a commotion in the village.
As Mei hurried toward the village, she saw a crowd gathered around the headsman's house. Her heart beats fasters as she pushed her way through the crowd. The headsman stood on the porch, addressing the villagers. "I have an announcement to make," he said "there is a rich and powerful man who has come to our village. He is looking for a wife. Mei's breath caught in her throat.
The headsman continued, this man is offering a large dowry to the family of the woman he chooses. He has asked to met all the eligible women in the village. The crowd began to buzz with excitement.
Some of the women were eager to met this wealthy man, while others were apprehensive. Mei felt a mix of emotions, but she knew she had to face whatever was to come. She squared her shoulder and stepped forward.
"You there", The headsman said, pointing to Mei "come forward". Mei walked up the steps of the porch her heart racing. The headsman turn to the man standing next to him.
"This is Mei, he said. She is a hard worker and a virtuous woman, she would make a fine wife. The man studied her carefully " she is acceptable, he said at last. " I will take her as my wife".
The next few days were a blur for Mei, she was fitted for a wedding dress, and she was given instructions on how to act and behave as a wife .
On the day of the wedding, she felt numb as she walked down the aisle , the ceremony was brief and then she was whisked away to her new home.
As Mei stepped into her new home, she was struck by how different it was from her old home. The walls were covered in luxurious fabrics and the furniture was carved, she noticed that there was no sign of her new husband.
Just as Mei was starting to feel a bit uneasy, the door opened and her husband entered the room. He was tall and broad-shouldered with a face that's both handsome and stern. Mei stood frozen as he approached her. "You are my wife now, he said "and you will do as I say".
Mei was still trying to comprehend what was happening when her husband spoke again. "You will do as I say, and in return I will provide for you but if you disobey me, there will be consequences. His words sent a chill down Mei's spine she remained silent. "Good he said "now let us begin your training. The first part of Mei's training was learning to be a proper hostess, her husband showed her how to greet guest, how to serve them food and drink.
It was alot to take in, but Mei was determined to learn. But even as she went through the motions of being a perfect hostess she couldn't help but feel uneasy.
One evening, as Mei was serving dinner to her husband and his guests, she noticed something strange, her husband was speaking in hushed tones with one of the guest and the keep glancing in her direction she felt a knot of worry in her stomach.
As the evening drew to a close, her husband dismissed the guests and turned to her. " You have done well tonight. But there is one more thing you must learn.
He took her by arm and led her to a room she had never seen before. This is where your training will really begin.