The figure, with a silent and attentive step, approached a small wooden table, probably used during the tea ceremony, leaving a small bouquet of freshly picked flowers on it.
She touched the petals with her fingers, gently, smiling with the same candor possessed by a lotus flower.
It was almost impossible to take your eyes off her.
Feeling probably being watched, the slender figure turned her head in her direction, wincing to meet her eyes.
She turned pale, as if she had seen a ghost.
Then, without saying anything, she stumbled over to the bed, kneeling as if emptied of all strength.
"You are alive..." she whispered, with a surprised and fearful voice.
Suddenly, the fear born in her gave way to despair, with the same speed with which it was revealed.
-Maybe... my savior...?-
She felt stupid.
How could she have immediately thought of the worst, she, who had always been used to the worst?
To be defeated by the fear of a non-existent danger was totally unacceptable, for a person like her, who has always been used to fighting with her own strength, without the help of anyone but luck.
Overwhelmed by guilt for having doubted up to that point of other human beings, she decided to ignore everything, setting it aside with the excuse of confusion.
-I found myself in an unknown place, remembering nothing but the misery of my life. It is because of this that I have reacted in this way.-
She hoped that thought was enough to silence repentance.
"You are really alive..." the figure repeated, as if to make sure that it was not in a dream.
"Of course, and I will never be able to thank this woman enough for the kind help she has offered to this poor girl..."
Hearing that answer, the relieved air of the newcomer turned to confusion.
Straining, the newly awakened girl was sure she would be able to see two huge question marks inside her irises.
They stared at each other like that for a few minutes, letting the silence linger in the room.
Then, as if remembering something, the confused woman straightened her back, assuming an involuntarily rigid position.
This was followed by another smile, filled with patience.
"I was warned. Forgive my disrespect, please."
She said, bowing her head slightly, in a gesture of cordiality the girl was not used to.
In her tone, she saw an unusual understanding, which she could not connect to anything of the little that she was allowed to remember.
"I hope this question doesn't offend you, but ... What are you talking about?"
The nameless girl then ventured, eager to find out - at least - who her ethereal savior was.
The woman raised her head again, observing her gently.
She took her hand, stroking the back with her fingertips.
The girl liked that contact, but did not dare to speak out that thought, afraid of offending or annoying.
"My name is Xiu Zan. I am the handmaid of the noble Yeh YaQin."
As she pronounced her lady's name, the woman's tone of voice cracked slightly, as if overwhelmed by a sudden sadness.
"I understand. In this case, if possible, I would like to personally thank your lady for the hospitality she has offered me."
Xiu Zan remained silent, while a thin tear ran down her face, distorting her flawless smile.
In that single salty gem, the nameless girl saw an unspeakable pain, rooted deep in her soul. A suffering so deep that it seems like a chasm with no exit.
And, again, she felt guilty.
Inside, somewhere in her soul, a part of her couldn't bear to see that kind maid cry.
She could not identify the reason why her heart, now shaken by a series of turbulent emotions, pressed in her chest like that. It just happened, with no need for explanation or permission.
"You are my noble lady."
Hearing those words, the nameless girl winced.
"No, I think you're wrong ..." she tried to defend herself, trying to free herself from Xiu Zan's grip, suddenly feeling her too invasive.
"No, my lady. I can swear to you on my own life. You are the noble Yeh YaQin and we have all been waiting for your awakening."
Having said those words, she hastened to wipe away a second tear, in a vain attempt to hide her frailty.
The nameless girl remained helpless to observe that scene, a miserable spectator of a life suddenly oversized.
At first she smiled nervously, then furiously shook her head.
"No, no, no and then no..."
-What story is this? I'm sure I'm not a noble. I don't remember my name, that's true. But I clearly remember my poverty, my little house, the struggle to survive...!-
She continued to vigorously shake her head, denying what had been said, in an attempt to escape to that reality into which she had - despite herself - found herself catapulted.
Xiu Zan put her hands on her cheeks, forcing her to stop and look into her eyes.
Beyond the pain, this time, the girl saw a little hope. A glimmer of serenity in a stormy gaze.
"What happened...?"
She found herself whispering, despite herself.
She had to know.
She had to understand what was happening, and the best method was to ask.
The handmaid hesitated for a moment, and then took a deep breath, as if gather all her courage.
"You died a few weeks ago. And now, your soul has been called back."
At that very direct confession, the unnamed girl -the new "Yeh YaQin"- felt herself die a second time.