Reflection Quaters

Peizhi tasted blood but refused to look away, looking at him straight in the eyes, she replied .

"You call it arrogance. I call it truth."

"Take her to the Reflection Quarters at once ". Lord Chen barked at Butler Ming, who entered at once. "Let her think about her actions."

" That's all you do best". She replied unfazed, she stood still her cheek burning from her father's strike.

Her delicate hand hovered near the angry welt but did not touch it. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her flinch or afraid of being punished.

"You . . You unfilal child". He roared as he loomed above her.

His once-proud stance now trembled with rage and disappointment as he lashed out with sharp finality. "You disgrace this house with your shameful behavior! You will be sent to the Reflection Quarter and this time your punishment will be doubled".

"Father!" . The cry came not from Peizhi but from Zeitan instead .

She cried out and dropped to her knees in a swift, fluid motion, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Her silken sleeves pooled around her as she bowed her head low, her voice trembling as she pleaded.

"Father, I beg you! Please do not send Sister away. She was impulsive, yes, but she has realized her mistake! The quarters are no place for her delicate self . She cannot endure it."

Peizhi's chest tightened, a flicker of unexpected warmth igniting deep within. Her sister's words, soft and pleading, pulled at the threadbare remains of her heart and for a fleeting moment, hope teased the corners of her consciousness.

But she knew better.

As quickly as the warmth came, it was snuffed out by the cold, hard reality. She had learned long ago that sweetness from Zeitan was nothing but poison dipped in honey.

"Spare me your hypocrisy,". She spat and sneered , her voice cold as the frost-laden winds of winter. " To think that I was almost touched by your tears ".

Zeitan gasped, her delicate fingers flying to her mouth and a pearl-like tear traced the curve of her cheek. "Sister…"

"You ungrateful wench!". Their father bellowed, his eyes darkening with renewed fury.

His hand shot forward once more, a thunderous crack echoing through the hall as it met Peizhi's already bruised cheek.

This time, Peizhi did not move. She stood firm, her back straight, her chin raised in a posture of unshakable pride.

The red mark on her face flared like a badge of dishonor, but she bore it with all the dignity she could muster.

And her voice, when it came, was low and steady. "Hit me all you want. It will not change the truth."

And as if on cue, Zeitan threw herself forward, her arms wrapping around her father's leg.

"Father, please!". She sobbed. "Please do not strike her again. I beg you! She is still your daughter"

Their father looked down at her, his face a storm of conflicting emotions.

Her small hands clung to him like a child's, her tears soaking the hem of his robe and for a moment, his anger faltered, replaced by a flicker of weariness.

"Enough". He growled, shaking her off and his voice dropped, quiet but no less commanding. "Butler! What are you waiting for? Take her away."

Butler Ming immediately appeared from the shadows, his expression a careful mask of neutrality as he stepped forward, hands outstretched.

Peizhi drew back from his grasp, her eyes flashing with indignation as she shrugged him off.

"Don't touch me." She spun on her heel, her silk robes whispering against the polished floor as she strode toward the door.

"I'll leave myself."

The butler hesitated, then bowed. "As you wish, Young Mistress ."

Peizhi swept past him, her head held high, her every step a defiant declaration of her will.

And behind her, Zeitan sobs echoed faintly, mingling with the sharp crackle of incense burning low in its brass holder.

——————---

Outside, the autumn air bit at her skin, sharp and unforgiving.

The garden path wound through groves of ancient cypress trees, their gnarled branches arching like twisted fingers.

She heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Xiliu, her small frame quivering with worry.

"Mistress ! Mistress !". Xiliu darted forward, her eyes wide and filled with tears. "Are you . . "

"Leave, now" . Peizhi said sharply.

"But, Miss. . "

"I said leave."

Before Xiliu could protest further, the butler appeared, his face impassive.

"The Master's orders are clear". He intoned. "The maid is not permitted to follow as the Mistress is to reflect on her actions alone ."

Peizhi clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. She gave Xiliu a final, withering look before walking on without another word or glance back.

The Reflection Quarter lay in the farthest, most forgotten corner of the mansion .Weeds choked the pathway, their thorny vines twisting like serpents.

The once-grand pavilion had fallen into disrepair, its lacquer peeling and its eaves sagging with rot.

The butler stopped at the door. " Young Mistress , we are here already ". He said, bowing.

She ignored him, stepping inside without a glance.

The air inside was stale and heavy with dust. Cobwebs draped the corners like shrouds, and the single, narrow window admitted only the barest sliver of light.

A low, wooden bunk with a sagging mattress stood against the wall, its straw stuffing poking through the seams.

She crossed the room in silence and then touched the threadbare curtain that hung limply from the window, its faded pattern a ghost of former luxury.

And then , her composure cracked. She sank onto the bunk, her shoulders trembling as tears spilled down her cheeks. She cried silently, her sobs swallowed by the emptiness around her.

Her mind raced with memories, the laughter of her childhood, the warmth of her mother's arms, the glow of lanterns on festival nights. All of it had led to this moment of utter desolation and for once she wished she could forever remain young, remain the young, innocent and we'll protected daughter of her mother that she once was .

She disliked the person she'd grown to be , one constantly on edge every single day unlike her usual carefree and playful self and for once the thought of absconding from home crossed her mind.