A desperate plea for help
Mei-Ling rushed to Lady Jade's chambers, her heart racing with anxiety. She found Lady Jade looking distressed and pacing back and forth, her eyes red from crying.
"Lady Jade, whatever is going on? What is this I hear?" Mei-Ling asked, her voice soft and urgent with concern.
Lady Jade turned to Mei-Ling, her eyes pleading "Your Majesty, I don't know what's happening. I swear I've done nothing wrong!"
Mei-Ling took Lady Jade's hands in hers "I believe you, Lady Jade. But who could be doing this and why? We need to figure out the people behind these rumors"
Lady Jade's eyes widened in fear "How are we going to figure this out, Your Majesty? We hardly know anyone here!"
Mei-Ling's grip on her handmaid's hands tightened "No matter what, we'll find out the truth, Lady Jade. I promise. But we need to be careful. The king is already very angry and we wouldn't want to make him angrier"
Lady Jade sniffled tearfully "If you hadn't brought me along to Akakawa, this wouldn't be happening to you right now, Your Majesty. I'm sorry for causing you much pain and inconvenience"
On hearing Lady Jade's words, Mei-Ling's heart skipped. She felt the heavy guilt wring her soul inside out.
"I promise you" She whispered urgently "I shall do all in my power to fish out the culprits but you need to be strong and careful too"
Lady Jade nodded "Yes, Your Majesty, I'll be careful" She replied.
Just then, Commander Li-Chen appeared at the door, "Your Majesty, the king is ready to question Lady Jade"
Mei-Ling nodded and as she watched the commander lead Lady Jade away, her heart grew heavy with worry. How was she going to figure out the true culprits and establish Lady Jade's innocence?
She couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off about everything. She knew she had to do something fast to clear Lady Jade's name but she didn't know what ....
As the commander led Lady Jade away, she couldn't help but taunt the prisoner "Handmaid, you're quite the clever one, aren't you? You thought you could ruin the queen's reputation and get away with it?"
Lady Jade walked beside the commander, her eyes fixed on some point ahead "I don't know what you're talking about, Commander" She replied calmly.
Commander Li-Chen chuckled, her eyes glinting with malice "Don't play dumb, Lady Jade. All the time, you were secretly spying on me; you think I don't know that your plan all along has been to bring down the queen and take her place? You're pretty ambitious for a lowly handmaid; I'll give you that"
Lady Jade's calm expression didn't change but a small smile played on her lips "I must give it to you, Commander. I figured you were behind this. I'm not surprised"
Commander Li-Chen's smile grew wider "You're not surprised? How.... enlightened you are but it won't matter. You'll soon be nothing but a footnote in the history books and I, I will become the new and undisputed queen"
Lady Jade's smile slightly grew and she seemed to be savoring some private joke. Commander Li-Chen didn't notice, too caught up in her own fantasies of power.
As they approached the throne room, Commander Li-Chen's demeanor became even more regal as if she already wore the crown. Lady Jade just kept watching, happy to let her think she had the upper hand... for the moment.
As they entered the throne room, Commander Li-Chen gestured to the guards who stepped aside to reveal the king's imposing figure. He sat on his throne, his eyes fixed intently on Lady Jade.
"So Lady Jade" The king began, his voice low and menacing. "I hear you're the handmaid whom was chosen above others to follow my queen to her new home yet you chose to betray the crown by spreading rumors about my wife. Was it wrong for her to bestow such honor on you? Speak!"
Lady Jade curtsied low, her eyes never leaving the king's face "I honestly don't know what you're talking about, Your Majesty. I'm innocent"
Commander Li-Chen snorted "Stop playing dumb, Lady Jade. We have evidence; witnesses who will testify against you"
The king leaned forward, his eyes glinting with anger, "Lady Jade, except you can prove yourself innocent, I'll have you charged for treason and sentence you to death by hanging"
Lady Jade insisted on her innocence "Your Majesty, I am not a traitor" She said. But Commander Li-Chen noticed the slight smile on her face and her eyes narrowed "What is amusing, Lady Jade or do you think death by hanging is a funny joke?" She demanded.
Lady Jade's smile never wavered "Oh nothing, Commander. I was just thinking how predictable you are"
Commander Li-Chen's face darkened but before she could respond, the king intervened.
"Enough!" He growled. "Lady Jade, you are going to tell me the truth one way or another"
"Your Majesty, I am innocent of all charges. This is a set up" Lady Jade said softly
"You dare to lie to the king!?" Commander Li-Chen barked.
"I'm not trying to save myself, Your Majesty" Lady Jade said, her voice steady "I'm just telling the truth"
Commander Li-Chen snorted "The truth. Is spreading rumors about the queen the truth?"
Lady Jade's gaze never left the king's face "I never spread any rumor, Your Majesty and that's my truth. If I am permitted, I can provide proof of my innocence"
Commander Li-Chen thundered "Ha! Who would allow a traitor provide false evidence?"
But the king's eyes never left Lady Jade's face seemingly searching for a hidden truth.
On noticing the king's calm demeanor, Commander Li-Chen said in alarm "Your Majesty, we can't let her get away with this. She's a traitor!"
The king's voice was cold and detached "Take her away" He said, his voice dripping with menace "We'll see how long she would last in the dungeons"
As the guards closed in to carry out the king's command, Lady Jade's eyes twitched. She looked as if waiting for something or someone to come save her.