The imperial garden bathed in the soft glow of the afternoon sun, witnessed the delightful interaction between Mei Ling and Meiying. Laughter echoed amidst the vibrant blossoms as the two engaged in innocent conversation. Meiying, the weight of her earlier sorrows momentarily lifted, reveled in the company of her newfound friend.
However, the tranquility shattered when Meiying's nanny, driven by frustration and anger, stormed into the garden. Meiying's joy transformed into trepidation as the nanny unleashed a torrent of scolding, belittling the young princess. Unable to bear the emotional onslaught, Meiying's cries pierced the air.
Mei Ling, hidden from view, observed the scene unfold with growing unease. When the nanny's tirade reached an unbearable crescendo, Mei Ling emerged from the shadows, her expression stern.
"What is the meaning of this?" Mei Ling's voice cut through the nanny's harsh words.
Caught off guard, the nanny stammered as Mei Ling's gaze bore into her. Mei Ling called her personal maid, Anwen, into action. The command was simple yet carried the weight of authority – 20 slaps on the nanny's face.
The nanny, now terrified, begged for mercy, but Mei Ling's indifferent demeanor remained unyielding. Anwen, following the order with precision, delivered each slap with a crisp sound that resonated in the air. However, the atmosphere shifted when blood trickled from the nanny's right ear.
Alarmed, Mei Ling immediately ordered a halt. It seemed the consequences were more severe than anticipated. The nanny, her face swollen and ear bleeding, thanked Mei Ling through tearful eyes and hastily left for medical attention.
Unknown to the nanny, her hurried departure led her to collide with Crown Prince Jia Liang. His irritation flared as he questioned the nanny. When he noticed her battered appearance, he demanded an explanation. Terrified, the nanny revealed only one name – "Concubine Mei Ling."
Enraged, the crown prince stormed into the imperial garden, finding Mei Ling standing beside a tearful Meiying. His protective instincts kicked in as he assumed Mei Ling's involvement in bullying his younger sister. Mei Ling, unaware of the unfolding drama, respectfully saluted the crown prince.
Jia Liang, not sparing Mei Ling a glance, sternly rebuked her for mistreating his sister. Meiying, struggling to control her sobs, tried to defend Mei Ling, but her brother's assumptions prevailed. The crown prince, holding Meiying close, led her away, leaving Mei Ling in the garden.
In the crown prince's palace, Meiying's appearance was swiftly transformed by attentive maids. The dining area, adorned with treats, awaited the siblings. However, Meiying's joy was short-lived as she recounted the injustices she faced. The crown prince, perplexed by the revelations, frowned, questioning his initial assumptions.
Recalling his recent anger towards Mei Ling, Jia Liang felt a pang of regret. Still, his princely pride prevented him from acknowledging any wrongdoing. Despite Mei Ling's intervention, he cautioned Meiying against trusting anyone, especially Mei Ling.
Little Meiying, influenced by her brother's words, nodded hesitantly. The crown prince, maintaining his stoic facade, observed the scene, unaware of the complexities weaving beneath the surface, and the unintended consequences that his assumptions may unfold in the future.