"Meili!" Mei Meili knelt before her mother.
"I just don't understand what you were thinking?" her mother cried angrily at her.
"I'm sorry, mother," Meili was contrite, but there was nothing she could do now, it was split milk wasn't it.
"But why would you bare your stomach like that. And in front of strangers! Men! Not just men, the Second Prince, Prince Nur and Commander Bai!" her mother put her face in her hands, wailing. "Meili. Where have I gone wrong? What aspect of my teachings have you not understood?"
"I'm sorry, mother," Meili repeated uselessly. "I understand your teachings. I was caught between two teachings, modesty and politeness to guests."
