Hundred Times

Long Jia was standing on snow. She was wearing thin clothes, the same clothes that she had worn before going to sleep. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.

Long Jia wondered how she came here. In the hope of finding anything living, Long Jia started walking. She walked and walked, but there seems to be no end. Just when she was wondering what to do, she heard a voice.

"Come, ch..d...I ..... waiting"

She could not hear anything clearly because of the strong winds. She exerted herself for more clearance. Suddenly, the ground vanished and Long Jia fell. She tried to grab anything to save herself but there was nothing. She closed her eyes, afraid that death would come to her again. What met her instead was a soft mattress. She opened her eyes and looked around.

There was a floor, curtains, doors and all the furniture one would need in a room. She realised and it was just a dream. But what a peculiar dream it was! The snow was understandable, but why would someone call her in her dream! Is she dreaming about voices because she wants to go back?

A knock prevented her from wondering further. She looked up and permitted to enter.

The servant who had escorted her entered and bowed.

"Greetings to Wangfei. None of the maids has left since last night."

"Mmm" replied Long Jia. She was already prepared for this. She stretched her arms and got up. She changed her nightwear and simply tied her hair with a ribbon.

Long Jia exited her room and gestured the servent to follow her. She gave him the order to bring two guards with him.

The servant had already reported the last night's activity to Wu Bingwen. The third prince had not said anything.

Long Jia gathered her servants in the lawn in front of her room. Bend her neck side to side and said,

"Flog them all hundred times."