~"
Her eyes wide in horror, her father stood in front of her with a leather whip in hand -Dad... What's that in your hands?- the man looked at her sadly -Your mother told me you haven't been behaving nice lately and suggested me that punishment by my hand might help you- -What did my mother tell you...?- -That you refuse to listen to her, you sneak out and always throw a tantum when it's time to study- the girl's jaw fell open -But that's not true! She is saying that to conceal the truth! I've been on my best behaviors for years now, dad please believe me!- she screamed as the man ordered a servant to tie the girl up -No dad! Don't do this please, I'm gonna die! I promise I'll be an even better daughter... I never once hated or neglected my duties dad, I'm learning well, the mother is lying!- tears going down her neck as she struggles against the ropes on her wirst -You shouldn't accuse your mother this way, no lady would ever- -But dad...- she fell on her knees, her breath lost -We hope you will become a perfect wife one day, one who doesn't push blame on others or talk back. Don't get me wrong, I don't enjoy doing this either- she kept staring at him -Then don't do this...? Why would you damage your daughter for discipline?- he looked at her with a twisted expression -Lai'Er... I'm doing this because I love you- he said, ChangLai"s face dropped-Yes, father...- and the whip stroke for the first time.
...
She was still crouching on the floor, blood dripping from her back and the clothes torn apart. A doctor tried to aproach in pity but got dragged outside by the mother... Her consciousness slipping away -But Ma'am, she will die if I don't disinfect and sew her up- -Not yet, she need to learn her lesson... Besides, no sewing is allowed or there might be ugly signs on her skin- the Doctor voice trembling in anger -Ma'am, you whipped her 50 times... Scars are inevitable, it's a miracle that she's still alive. No girl ever would have survived that- she smirked -Means that my Lai'Er is very strong and wants to change for the better too! She's even still awake.- but right after that, her face hit the ground and she fainted, still trembling and biting on her tongue to the point of cutting almost half of it.
...
Hours later, she woke up in her bed with clean clothes on -LET ME IN I SAID!- screamed a voice and the girl's heart sunk, he was back for her again... he was going to save her again, his presence was enough for her to forget it all -But young lord, your mother...- -I DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT WHAT THAT WOMAN SAID, MY SISTER COULD HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF HER MADNESS- -Young master!- the boy pushed the maid away and stomped inside the room -Lai'Er...- after seeing her brother, the little girl lost all her strength and started crying again -Ehy, shh shh I'm here- he rushed to her side and hugged her, patting her hair -Our Mother lied, she she... I'm not a bad daughter, I swear- -It's not your fault, she's a whicked demon- murmured the boy -Dad... Our Father said to not talk bad about her- he could only agree -Mmhn... Not in front of them, never make a mistake in front of them ever again please... I don't want them to hurt you anymore, our mother must not see anything but a perfect lady in you- -But how Ge?- she asked, staring up at him -Lie, deceive them if you need to... Pretend that you love that life they force on you, believe in your own lies too... Hide away your true self, be perfect-.
"~
...
~"
She was sewing elegantly in the hall as her mother passed by, looking at the design -Good good, now this is was I call worth praising- nodded the woman placing am hand on her shoulder -Dear, you are such a calm child but sometimes your weird inclinations really make me worried... You're so good with the arts of a lady but why can't you be pleased with those? It's enough for a woman. You're even well behaved but it's so hard to tear from your heart such indecent desires, everything seems to go perfectly and then you ruin it out of the blue! Well it's still a big improvement from when you were little... Maybe all those offerings to Qiao ZhongXin helped afterall- sighed the woman worried -When will you understand that it's for your own good? You're 14 now, we need to get you ready for marriage- the girl forced a smile and got back to her work -Sure, my dear mother-.
...
Later that day she sneaked away with the excuse to take a stroll after being seated all day sewing. She hid a book in her clothes and went to search for an isolated place to read... The book was about martial arts, instructions on how to make all the different poses and narrations of various deeds from a few Martial Artists.
She opened the book on one page and tried a few moves, after some time she lost balance and fell. Her hands got slightly scratched and the hem of her skirt ripped -Ah thankfully I came prepared! All those sewing lessions actually came handy, but I shall bring a change of clothes next rime I go out to train- she smiled as she took out a little sewing kit and fixed the thin fabric.
...
Coming home she found quite a few maids on the doors and her mother in front of them all, she fixed the little pouch on her arm and gulped down while getting closer -What's... Happening?- the mother rose an eyebrow -Show me your hands- the girl took out her palms, closing her eyes with fear -I don't see any scratches here, have you been lying to me?- asked the woman toward a maid -No I swear! Look at her clothes next!- the girl looked at her hands in shook, sure that she scratched her palms just a few hours before... But her focus switched quickly to the mother, grabbing her skirt -I see some patch work, did you ruin your clothes?- -I did... I'm sorry, I went by the fields to relax and I passed by a fallen branch by mistake. It's my fault, dear mother, I'm sorry... I fixed it myself, you never know when you might need to fix your son's torn clothes so I arranged for me to always have a sewing kit by hand- she said calmly and earned smile from her mother...
Never again has she been hurt by her parents, she even ended up being grateful for all they did to her. Her mind deceiving her that it all helped her in building up her strength and made her learn how to wear a perfect poker face... Somehow managing to enjoy such an existence.
~"
...
-ChuanZhu?- asks a man behind me, I shake my head and grab the reins tight, getting back to the current mission -Let's charge inside- I order to the men before whispering to myself -If I've grown to be this type of woman is also thanks to you, so watch me mother.... Watch me closely and witness your hand crafted masterpiece-