Li Mei opened her eyes slowly, her head pounding hard as she gripped the bed cover tightly. A soft candle cast a shadow over the wall, offering the room a little brightness. Roses were scattered across the bed, giving it a romantic serenity. Her head felt heavy, her eyes were blurry, and she blinked constantly to get rid of the dizziness that clouded her mind. When she finally regained herself, she realized she couldn't recall yesterday's event.
The room smelled of jasmine and a subtle mixture of alcohol. Her clothing was tossed everywhere, part of her inner garment exposed, and her deep pink robe draped loosely around her body. She must have drunk too much—so much that everything felt foggy and uncertain. Her hand instinctively moved to her chest, and she froze. Something wasn't right.
When she tried to move, her body hit something— or rather someone. She looked over and spotted him. A stranger lay on the bed next to her, his face unfamiliar. His silken green robes were opulent, and his face was ethereal, almost perfect, that she thought she was in a dream.
Panic set in as her heart began to beat fast—fast that she could hear it echo against the walls. She couldn't remember how she had ended up here with him. She hurried back, shaky and unorganized, not knowing what to do or whom to call. She tried to move, but her legs wouldn't bulge.
What had happened?
On the floor lay some of her inner garment. She ran her fingers down the hem of her robe and noticed it was torn. No, no, no—this is not possible.
She let out a scream as she scrambled to the corner of the bed, holding her inner garment against her chest tightly as if trying to protect herself from harm. Her breath came in rapid, and she felt like her body was on fire.
Her personal maid, Chunhua, entered the room, carrying a basin of water to help her prepare for the day. However, as she raised her head to attend to Li Mei, she was shocked to see her in bed with an unfamiliar man. She let out a loud scream, dropping the basin of water.
"My Lady!"
The scream echoed against the walls of the chambers, startling Li Mei. She turned to face Chunhua, who looked like her soul would come out of her body at any moment. Before Li Mei could utter a word, the door swung open with a thud.
"Li Mei, what have you done?" an angry voice thundered from the door. Her eyes darted to the door, where her husband, Sun Jun, stood. His face was twisted with anger, looking like a balloon ready to deflate. He was dressed in an exquisite blue robe, the intricate pattern beautifully crafted. Sun Jun, the second son of the emperor, had been arrogant and spoiled since childhood, a playboy who indulges in self pleasure, samples different women like he changes his robes daily. He sees others as a means to an end, using them to further his ambitions with no regards for their wellbeing.
Behind him stood Jing Yan, Li Mei's best friend. She had a calculating look in her eyes that made Li Mei's stomach churn. Jing Yan was beautiful, a young, elegant lady known to be reserved and modest. Her long dark hair fell down her back, and part of it was secured with a beautiful jade hairpin, which had a peony shape, accompanied by a dangling trinket—a gift from Li Mei as a token of their friendship.
"Do you know what you have done ?" Sun Jun barked, giving Li Mei a disgusted look.
"A Jun… You're here…" Li Mei spoke softly, a glimmer of hope rising in her heart. "I don't understand what's going on," she began. "I went to bed early last night and I can't recollect what happened. I don't know how he got here," she explained.
But before she could continue, Sun Jun approached and raised his hands, hitting her hard on the face. Li Mei's head snapped to the side, and she could feel the sting of the blow. Her cheek was red, and her eyes teared up. She held her cheek in embarrassment, her heart racing with a million thoughts.
"You bring me shame," Sun Jun spat, his voice filled with venom. "Shameless!"
"What did you say?" Li Mei asked, her voice shaky as she scrambled out of the bed. "You… you don't believe me ?"
"You're in bed with another man, how can I believe you?" Sun Jun said mockingly.
"I'm innocent. You have to believe me, I didn't do it!" She pleaded, but Sun Jun wasn't listening anymore. He turned towards Jing Yan. "Call my uncle, we need to deal with this right now," he said and walked away.
"A Jun," Li Mei called after him, "I didn't do it, I was wronged." But he was already gone.
Jing Yan, who had been quiet until now, moved forward. She placed her hand on Li Mei's shoulder, and with a gentle voice, she said, "Don't worry, I'll speak to him, he'll listen. Don't be afraid, I'm here." She gave Li Mei a smile that didn't quite reach her eye.
"Thank you," Li Mei thanked her, and the door slammed shut, leaving her all alone. She sat on the cold, bare floor, her knees squeezed together and her head buried within them. Her body was shaky, and she looked like she had just seen a ghost. Her mind was filled with different thoughts. She needed to explain herself; she needed to tell them what had happened, what she remembered and couldn't. But before she could put her thoughts together, the door burst open, and guards came in, their presence chilling. Thay seized her violently, grabbing her hand and dragging her away.
"Let me go!" she shouted as she struggled to free herself from their grip. "I didn't do anything, please," she protested.
But her protest fell on deaf ears. They dragged her through the hallway, her feet hitting the cold, hard floor. Her cries echoed along the empty corridors, but no one stopped to listen.
The air was damp and cold, and water seeped through the cracks in the wall. Li Mei sat on the hard floor, her hands bound with ropes. She felt like a prisoner in her own home. Her once neat robe was now dirty and tattered. She felt betrayed, ashamed, and powerless—a woman whose dignity had been trampled upon.
The door creaked open, and Jing Yan emerged. She had an anxious look on her face as she bent down beside Li Mei.
"Li Mei, I'm so sorry this happened," she began, her voice meek. "I know you didn't do it intentionally. If Sun Jun did anything you didn't like, you should have spoken to him about it, or told me, and I would have found a way to help. But don't worry, I'll speak to Sun Jun. He'll understand."
Li Mei grabbed Jing Yan's sleeves. "I didn't… I didn't do it. You have to believe me. I don't remember what happened, but I think I was drugged."
With a soft smile, Jing Yan held her hands. "Alright, I believe you," she said in a quiet voice.
However… she trailed off, then finally spoke, "Sun Jun is enraged, but I'll try my best to talk to him."
Li Mei's eyes lit up, her heart filled with gratitude towards her friend.
Jing Yan sef a tray in front of her. "You must be starving. Here," she said, pushing the tray towards her. "I sneaked this in for you." A single steamed bun sat on the tray, its surface smooth and enticing.
"Eat," Jing Yan urged. "You need your strength."
Staring at the bun, Li Mei hesitated, hunger tearing at her resolve. But she was weak, and needed her strength. With trembling hands, she picked up the bun and chewed into it hungrily. The warmth gave her the comfort she needed, and the taste was excellent.
But a few moments later, she held her head, and her vision became blurry, letting the bun fall to the ground.
"What did you do to me?" She asked Jing Yan, tightening her grip on the hem of her robes.
Jing Yan's demeanor shifted, her eyes icy and cold. She shoved Li Mei's hands away and stood before her.
"Me?" Jing Yan's voice sounded like poison. "What could I possibly do to you?" she asked, her voice teasing.
"Jing Yan!" Li Mei yelled, trying hard to clear the confusion in her mind. "Why? Why would you harm me this way?" she demanded, her voice breaking.
"Why?" Jing Yan repeated and leaned in, a vicious smirk curling at her lips. "Because of your constant foolishness, because you think you're better just because you got lucky." She ran her fingers down Li Mei's shoulder slowly and methodically. "Tell me, did you have an affair?"
"What are you talking about? Li Mei gripped her head as she spoke in pain.
"I said, did you have an affair?" Jing Yan pushed once more, forcefully this time.
"I… l…" Li Mei tried to defend herself, but whatever Jing Yan had fed her with was taking over her mind, body, and soul.
"Don't try to fight it, it's useless. I advise that you succumb to the drug; otherwise, you won't be able to bear the consequences," Jing Yan threatened, perambulating the room like a predator watching its prey "The drug will eat deep into your heart and you'll bleed out, losing all your blood. How's that any different from dying?" Jing Yan laughed evilly.
"You're despicable!" Li Mei screamed at her, holding her chest tightly. "It hurts," she cried out.
"All you need to do is tell everyone the truth. Didn't you have an affair?" Jing Yan asked convincingly.
"Y-Ye—" Li Mei suddenly stammered. She bit her lips to prevent herself from succumbing to the evil thing Jing Yan had fed her, but no matter how hard she tried, the pain in her chest felt like a burning fire, her head felt like it was being hammered with a nail, making her give in.
"Yes, I did," she said softly, against her will. A warm metallic taste filled her mouth, making her stomach churn.
"She confessed!" Jing Yan yelled throughout the chamber, her voice loud enough to bring down the whole building.