Her hands flailed but it was of no use as she fell backwards, head first into the snow with a muffled gasp, the cold immediately slipping into her robes and she sneezed the moment her body hit the ground, the sudden and unexpected chill shocking her senses.
"Achoo".
The maid who had collided with her gasp in horror, dropping the firewood to the side and immediately falling on her knees in front of Peizhi.
"My Lady, please forgive me. I didn't realize you were coming over, please forgive me". The maid whose name was Biqi pleaded on her knees.
Peizhi glared at Biqi from her spot on the snow covered ground, her cheeks flushed red with cold and embarrassment.
Before she could say a word, Xiliu finally caught up with her panting heavily from exertion. She immediately knelt beside Peizhi, brushing away the snow from her Mistress's face with tender care.
"My Lady, you shouldn't have fun out like that". Xiliu scolded gently, worry evident in her tone. "Look at you now, all covered in snow".
Xiliu then draped the thick fur coat over her shoulders, tucking if snugly around her.
Peizhi sat still for a moment, allowing Xiliu to fuss over her but her eyes remained locked on the maid on her knees and for a moment, her eyes locked into hers and the moment Biqi cowered away, Peizhi scoffed.
"Stand up". She commanded coldly, her voice dripping with sheer authority.
Biqi trembled, her hand shaking as she clasped them in front of her, eyes downcast. "Please forgive me, I . . "
"Stand up". Peizhi snapped impatiently, her patience long gone with the fall and Biqi immediately scrambled to her feet, her hands still trembling as she braced herself up for the worst that was yet to come.
But before she could utter another word of apology, Peizhi's hand shit out striking her sharply across the face with an audible crack.
Biqi head snapped to the side as she stumbled backwards, tears welling in her eye as she cupped her stinging cheeks.
"That is for your carelessness". Peizhi said. "Could you at least watch your steps and where you're wandering into, I could have been hurt so seriously or cab you even dare to imagine the consequences if there was a guest around and this happened, you wouldn't see tomorrow for sure".
Biqi collapsed to her knees again with trembling voice. "I beg for your forgiveness, My Lady. It was all my fault entirely, please have mercy".
Peizhi's eyes narrowed as she considered Biqi's pleas. She turned her gaze to the snowy courtyard then back at Biqi who was kneeling before her.
"Kneel in the snow". She ordered with a commanding voice. "For five minutes, let this be a lesson to you for your recklessness".
Biqi's eyes widened in fear but she knew better than to protest or disobey. She bowed her head low, accepting the punishment as she remained kneeling in the snow, her hands pressed against the icy ground.
Satisfied, she turned away and walked towards a nearby pavilion, the fur coat draped elegantly over her slender form .
Xiliu followed closely behind, her expression grim but silent as she set about preparing a small seat for her mistress under the shelter of the roof.
Peizhi sat down, adjusting her robe and casting a glance at Biqi who knelt trembling in the snow.
"My Lady, why do you suddenly chose to punish her?. You're not the one to be burdened by etiquette and courtesy, this is unlike yourself". Xiliu leaned forward and asked.
"Just wait and watch the whole series unfold". Peizhi replied with a smile and Xiliu could only nod.
The duo watched quietly as the seconds ticked by into a minute with Biqi's figure trembling more and more as the cold bit into her skin.
Peizhi was just about to order her to stand up when a familiar shrill voice called out from across the courtyard.
"Sister, what's happening?. Biqi, why are you kneeling on the floor?".
Peizhi turned to see her younger sister Zeitan approaching with graceful strides, her face full of concern as she took in the sight of the kneeling Biqi and Peizhi smiled.
Donning an elegant white robe trimmed with soft furs, she looked like she belonged to the very snow itself, her beauty delicate and ethereal, just like an angel.
"Zeitan". Peizhi greeted with a raised eyebrow. "I was just teaching this maid of yours a lesson for her carelessness and recklessness. She ran into the knocking me into the snow , a minute of kneeling should be enough to nake her think twice next time".
Zeitan's expression softened as she looked at her maid who was now shaking uncontrollably from the cold.
"Sister please". Zeitan pleaded softly. "She's young and has made a huge mistake, in sure she's learned her lessons already".
Peizhi tilted her head, her gaze appraising her sisters as she scoffed. "Young, you say?. I remember when I was her age, I'll be punished so harshly, way more harshly then this just for a minor mistake that could merely be overlooked".
Zeitan was about to plead but before she could say a word more, Peizhi glared daggers at her.
"However, that's not even the main thing here. I was wondering how she dared to enter my chambers without prior permission, even you dared not to so how emboldened could she be to do such?".
"Sister". Zeitan stammered and fell on her knees immediately, left with no choice than to say the truth. "I was the one who told her to come check over you".
"Check over me ?". Peizhi repeated curiously.
"Yes". Zeitan replied with her head bowed low as she stammered for the right choice of words. "Yesterday, I noticed you sneaking out of the mansion at night and I was so worried that you haven't returned yet so I asked her to come over".
"What a sweet little sister I have, so considerate . " Peizhi grinned. "However, she didn't came over so nicely, did she ?".
"I'm sorry about that". Zeitan sighed in relief. "But I'm sure she's learnt her lesson already".
"And what would you suggest Sister, should I let her off already?" Peizhi asked.