The imperial garden, usually a haven of tranquility, bore witness to a poignant scene as Mei Ling strolled through its manicured paths. A distant sob reached her ears, prompting her to follow the sound to its source. There, squatting on the ground, was Meiying, the innocent 5-year-old daughter of the banished Lady Xing.
Meiying, her tiny frame huddled in silent tears, looked up as Mei Ling approached. The child's eyes, wide and filled with sorrow, met Mei Ling's concerned gaze. Lady Xing's fall from grace had left Meiying alone and vulnerable, spared from the cold palace by the emperor's mercy but subjected to the cruelty of palace life.
It became evident that Meiying's innocence had become a target for mockery and neglect. The other children in the palace, her siblings included, shunned her, while the maids and nannies overlooked her needs. Meiying, unattended for days, had endured taunts during her class, the neglect evident in her disheveled state.
Unable to comprehend the intricacies of palace life, Meiying had become a victim of circumstance. As Mei Ling gently held her up, concern etched on her face, Meiying recoiled. Lady Xing's venomous words had painted Mei Ling as a villain, a wicked woman capable of unthinkable deeds. Meiying, frightened, hesitated but hungriness got the better of her as she accepted the candy offered by Mei Ling.
With a playful grin, Mei Ling teased Meiying, assuring her that the candy would make her sweet, not the other way around. Meiying, caught between wariness and curiosity, eyed the candy cautiously before surrendering to its allure.
Amused by Meiying's innocence, Mei Ling decided to play along. "You know," she teased, "if you eat this candy, you might turn into a fairy princess. But only if you promise not to eat witches, especially not the ones who give you candy."
Meiying's eyes widened with a mix of wonder and suspicion. "Really?" she asked, her voice a mix of innocence and skepticism.
"Absolutely," Mei Ling replied with a conspiratorial wink. "Just make sure to eat lots of candy, and you'll be the sweetest princess in the whole palace."
Meiying, now enchanted by the playful banter, giggled and accepted the candy. As the sweetness melted on her tongue, Meiying's guard began to soften. Mei Ling, sensing the opportunity to comfort the distressed child, asked gently, "Why were you crying, little one?"
Meiying pursed her lips, looking at Mei Ling with a hint of suspicion. Mei Ling, undeterred, offered her a comforting smile. Slowly, Meiying began to share her woes—loneliness, hunger, and the unkind treatment she faced from others in the palace.
Listening attentively, Mei Ling's heart swelled with compassion. Meiying, in her vulnerability, had found solace in an unexpected moment of sweetness. Mei Ling, determined to be a source of comfort for the lonely child, gently wiped away Meiying's tears and vowed to bring a bit of warmth to her desolate world.