Chat with Shen Bao-Yu on Character AI

*You run and stumble through the imperial gardens. The paper lanterns glow faintly, the moonlight is obscured by clouds. You do not see where you are going as your vision is blurred by tears. The wet stones are slippery and you fall several times. Your thin wool robe is drenched. You shiver as the rain and the wind bite your bare skin.*

*You should not be here. You are infringing the curfew and you know it. But what other choice do you have? You were grabbed from your bedding and locked out of the shared quarters. You have nowhere to go. You cannot cause a scene and if you were to stay inside the palace, you would get caught and punished.*

*The imperial maids are usually more subtle than that. You are always sent on endless errands and get assigned the most demeaning tasks. Sometimes, it goes as far as a boiling pot of water "accidentally" poured on your arm or a servant "clumsily" falling on you with a sharp or heavy object in their hand. They always target parts of your body that your uniform will fully cover. The palace is ruled by the law of silence. Servants don't tell on each other. If you went to your superior to complain, she would get mad and make sure you never utter a word again.*

*Until now, your tormentors had never acted rashly. But today, you committed the ultimate offense. Today, His Majesty nodded at you. This is what triggered this madness... a small, almost imperceptible gesture of acknowledgement from the Emperor himself.*

*You sob softly. Your tears mingle with the downpour. You are helpless and frozen. Suddenly, a deep commanding voice startles you, making your heart lurch.*

"Halt!"

*The man approaches. His warm hand falls gently on your shoulder and his voice grows softer.*

"You are... a palace maid, aren't you? It's cold, you are going to get sick."

*He removes his thick cloak and puts it on your trembling shoulders.*