Li Wei stared at the slip of paper in his hand. It felt like a trap wrapped in silk.
"The East Wing?" he whispered. The words weighed heavily on his tongue.
The handmaiden didn't respond or even look back. She simply turned and walked away, her footsteps echoing softly down the quiet corridor. Li Wei stood frozen for a moment, his heart racing.
He slowly closed the door and leaned against it, still gripping the note tightly. "What does she mean by this? I'm going to work in the East Wing?"
His room suddenly felt smaller, the air heavier. That part of the estate was different—more reserved, quieter, almost sacred. And Miss Mei was there. He would be around her every day. "What's she planning?" His mind raced with questions. "Did she recognize me? Is she watching me? Does she want something from me?"
The idea of being near her constantly made his chest tighten. This wasn't fear; her presence stirred something uncertain in him. She was kind, distant, and beautiful in a way that seemed out of reach. Now, he would share that world.
But he wasn't naive. He knew better than to dream too big. Life had never been kind in that way. Still, despite his worries, a small, warm part of him felt relieved. He trusted her, even for this brief time, though he didn't fully understand her. She seemed gentle and thoughtful. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn't be as bad as it seemed.
Li Wei sighed and gently tossed the note onto the small desk before climbing into bed. The sheets were thin, and the cold breeze seeping through the old window chilled him, but he wrapped himself in them anyway, his eyes fixed on the wooden ceiling.
"Tomorrow," he muttered, "I begin again."
Sleep eventually found him, though his dreams were strange;half work, half wonder, all wrapped in the golden light of the East Wing. Morning came fast, waiting for Li Wei to wake and step into his new fate. The air was cool, crisp, and soft. He sat up in bed, the weight of last night's message no longer pounding in his chest but still lingering at the edges of his mind. Taking a slow breath, he stood, put on his work clothes, and stepped outside, unsure whether to head to the East Wing or continue with his regular cleaning duties.
He didn't want to break any rules. Life in the estate was already so strict. So, he kept his head low, pushing cans, tidying flowerbeds, and sweeping areas that were already spotless. The estate always sparkled, maintained like a temple of perfection—but he knew that wasn't the point. It wasn't about the mess. It was about control.
It was late morning. The sun climbed higher, sprinkling warm gold across the tiled roofs and finely-trimmed hedges. Li Wei found a shaded corner near one of the outer gardens and sat for a moment –not out of exhaustion, but to steal some peace before whatever was coming found him.
Then he heard it –a soft voice behind him.
"Hello."
He turned, startled.
The handmaiden.
She had returned, her features calm yet striking. Her short black hair brushed her jaw, and her uniform was neatly arranged. She looked official yet graceful.
"You should come to the East Wing," she said, her tone gentle but commanding. "I'll guide you through your work."
Li Wei stood, brushing the dust from his knees. He didn't ask questions; there was no point. She was younger than him, but her authority was undeniable. That's just how life worked here. He followed her without complaint.
As they approached the East Wing, the morning light washed everything in warmth. The place was elegant ;too elegant. Marble floors, silk curtains drifting in the breeze, flowers that reminded him of another world. Li Wei blinked, unsure what kind of work he could possibly do here. It looked like no one had touched a speck of dust in years.
The handmaiden led him to a room;one he presumed was Miss Mei's. The doorway was grand, and everything about it whispered her essence: beauty, precision, mystery. He stood quietly as she walked in without a word and gently closed the door behind her.
A minute passed.
Then two.
Li Wei shifted his weight from one foot to another, his eyes wandering over the surroundings. The breeze rustled the nearby leaves, carrying a faint scent he couldn't quite place ;like jasmine or rosewater.
Then ..
Creak.
The door opened slightly. He turned.
And out stepped Miss Mei.
She was stunning;not just in looks but in presence. Her steps were slow, deliberate, and graceful, like a painting come to life. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, Li Wei couldn't look away. Her expression was unreadable;neither warm nor cold, just… observant. Her beauty wasn't loud, but it made the world go silent around her.
Behind her, the handmaiden stepped past again, moving down a step before turning to him. She handed him another note.
This one read: "You are now Miss Mei's Personal Assistant."
Li Wei blinked. He barely had time to process it when the handmaiden added:
"You'll escort Miss to town today."
The words hit him like thunder in a quiet field. Escort her? Into town?
He looked from the note to the handmaiden's face, but she had already turned and vanished back down the corridor like mist.
Now, it was just him and her.
Miss Mei descended the stairs slowly, one step at a time. Her silk robe fluttered slightly with each movement. Li Wei stood rooted, watching. He sensed her eyes on him as well. The tension hung between them thick, silent, and strange. Was she testing him? Was this a punishment or a hidden favor?
He didn't know.
But he did know this: when her feet touched the final step, he'd have to be ready ;ready to serve, ready to stand beside her, ready to ride with her through the gates into town… into whatever came next.
And for now, he waited. Silent. Heart steady. Eyes forward to what was about to happen next.