Rice Cake

Xie Ning woke up in the middle of the night, unable to recall what she had dreamt of. Her heart was beating fast, and she was covered in cold sweat.

Qingmei, who had already risen from bed and put on her clothes, lifted a corner of the curtain and asked softly, "Lady, why are you awake? Would you like a cup of tea?"

"What time is it? Aren't you tired?"

"It's just past three o'clock. Chief Palace Attendant Fang said that lady was tired today and afraid she would wake up at night, so I've been trying to keep alert."

Qingmei poured tea for Xie Ning. After drinking a few sips, Xie Ning felt her scattered thoughts gathering back together. She told Qingmei to go to bed and found herself wide awake.

It was strange how the bed suddenly seemed too empty. The truth was that the bed had not changed, but she missed him.

Admitting to her feelings was not embarrassing as she was not the only woman in the palace who felt this way.