Li Mei returned home, her steps heavy as she crossed the familiar courtyard. The evening air was cool, but it did little to soothe the storm inside her. Her heart felt like it had been shattered, yet she kept her expression calm, not wanting to raise any suspicions. She knew her family was waiting for her at dinner, and the last thing she needed was for them to ask questions she wasn't ready to answer.
As she entered the dining room, the lively chatter of her siblings and the soft voice of her mother filled the space. Her stepfather was talking about the upcoming royal banquet, something that usually would've made Li Mei feel detached, but tonight, it was background noise to her inner turmoil.
Li Mei forced a smile, joining them at the table. She listened, nodded, and laughed in all the right places, pretending as if everything was normal. Her mother occasionally glanced at her, a little too long, but said nothing. It was only her maid who truly saw through her facade. Even though she said nothing, Li Mei could feel her gaze, sharp and knowing, as if waiting for her to crumble.
After the meal, Li Mei excused herself quietly, retreating to her room. The minute she closed the door, she let out a long, shaky breath. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep up the act.
Moments later, her maid entered, as always, her face a picture of calm and curiosity. She stood by the door, watching Li Mei sit on the edge of her bed, her shoulders slumped.
"You've been quiet tonight," her maid said softly, her tone gentle. "What's wrong?"
Li Mei shook her head, unable to find the words at first. It all felt so raw, so confusing, and she didn't know where to begin.
Her maid, sensing her hesitation, walked over and sat beside her. "Miss, I know something's wrong. You don't have to hide it from me." Her voice was soft but insistent, coaxing Li Mei to open up.
Li Mei sighed, her hands twisting in her lap. "It's... Wei Ming," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her maid's eyes widened slightly, but she didn't react with anger or surprise right away. She stayed quiet, giving Li Mei the space to continue.
"I thought..." Li Mei's voice cracked, and she stopped, taking a deep breath before trying again. "I thought he cared about me. I thought he understood me, but... tonight, he made it clear that I was just—nothing to him. He insulted me. Called me cheap. He said I could only be his concubine."
A soft gasp escaped her maid's lips, but still, she didn't interrupt. Instead, she placed a hand on Li Mei's shoulder, her touch warm and comforting.
"He... he said I wasn't good enough for anything more. That I was just... pretty and resilient, but that's all I am to him," Li Mei's voice wavered, and her chest felt tight as the emotions she'd been holding back all night threatened to overflow. "He... he even compared me to the women at the flower houses."
Her maid's grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, but she kept her composure. "I see," she said quietly, her voice steady but filled with understanding. "So that's why you've been so quiet."
Li Mei nodded, wiping away a tear that had slipped down her cheek. "I feel so stupid... I thought he saw me for who I am, but I was wrong."
The maid leaned in, wrapping her arms around Li Mei in a soft, warm embrace. "You're not stupid," she whispered, her tone soothing. "You trusted him. You believed in him. That's not a fault, Miss. That's being human."
Li Mei let herself be held, resting her head against her maid's shoulder. For a moment, she let herself cry quietly, allowing the comfort to sink in.
After a few moments, the maid pulled away slightly, wiping the tears from Li Mei's cheeks with a soft smile. "He's the one who's lost out," she said gently. "Anyone who can't see your worth doesn't deserve a place in your life."
Li Mei smiled weakly. "Thank you," she whispered.
The maid's face softened, and she tilted her head, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "But you know, there's one thing I can't let slide."
Li Mei blinked, confused. "What?"
"That scoundrel said all that to you, and you just walked away?" The maid raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.
Li Mei laughed, her sadness momentarily lifted. "I slapped him."
The maid's eyes lit up. "Good! I hope it left a mark," she said, then leaned in and tickled Li Mei's side, making her squeal.
"Stop! Stop!" Li Mei giggled, trying to push her away, but the maid wasn't having it.
"You need to laugh more," the maid said, her fingers still attacking Li Mei's sides. "We can't have you moping around all night."
Li Mei laughed harder, finally managing to wriggle out of her maid's grasp. "Alright, alright! I'm laughing, see?"
The maid grinned, satisfied. "Good. That's what I like to see."
Later that night, after her maid had left, Li Mei lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. She felt a little lighter, but the pain was still there, gnawing at the edges of her heart. But this time, it wasn't just the pain that filled her thoughts—it was something else.
Determination.
She had been hiding in the shadows for too long, avoiding the world of the nobles because she didn't want the attention. But now, it seemed that no matter what she did, attention would find her. Princess Qing Yue had made sure of that. And Wei Ming's cruel words had stung more than she cared to admit.
But they were wrong about her.
They didn't know about her grandmother, the woman who had taught her everything she needed to know to navigate the world of the nobles. Her grandmother, a noblewoman herself, had been disowned when she married a merchant. But she never regretted her choice, and instead, she had poured all her wisdom and grace into Li Mei.
Her grandmother had taught her music, calligraphy, dancing, embroidery—everything a noble lady should know. Li Mei had learned it all, but she had chosen not to display it. Until now.
Her grandmother's words echoed in her mind, words spoken long ago, but still fresh in her memory. "One day, my dear, you will need these skills. And when that day comes, you will shine."
Li Mei closed her eyes, her heart heavy but her mind clear. The royal banquet was coming soon, and for the first time, she wasn't going to avoid it. She wasn't going to shrink back or hide.
No, she was going to show them all who she truly was.
Her grandmother had been right. It was time to shine.
"I'll make you proud, Grandmother," she whispered into the night, a small smile tugging at her lips.
And with that, she drifted off to sleep, the weight of the day lifted, and a new sense of purpose growing inside her.