Shu Shuo was clad in a plain white silk nightgown, shivering uncontrollably from nervousness.
A slow evening breeze wafted through the window of the corridor, causing each inch of her skin to feel as if it was being sliced and nicked by a blade of ice, stinging all over. Eventually, even her heart seemed as if it was being tightly laced by a strand of silk, ceasing its beats.
As she was being led up to the second floor of the villa, she stumbled. Thankfully, the maid by her side was quick to steady her.
The two of them stood in front of an elaborately carved oak door at the end of a dimly lit corridor.
Without a word, the maid took out a prepared blindfold and placed it over her eyes.
"Why... why do I need to wear a blindfold?" She parted her trembling lips slightly, swallowing her horror.
The maid remained silent, only pushing the oak door open and guiding her inside. She was led to sit at the foot of the bed directly opposite the entrance.
The maid then left and closed the door behind her.
The room was brightly lit, revealing an opulence that was radiant and extravagant. Luxuries were evident everywhere, even the fine damask sheets beneath her were so grand and ornate as if crafted by royal court painters.
However, all these extravagant items remained invisible to Shu Shuo. Baffled, she touched the blindfold over her eyes, questioning why her employer would insist on such behavior when they knew she was blind.
Right then, the door was pushed open. The abrupt intruder caught a glimpse of the faint smile at the corner of Shu Shuo's mouth. Her smile resembled the morning dew atop a sweet pea, refreshing and natural. Yet this bloom, soon withered as the stranger neared.
Her heart crept back into her throat. Unconsciously, she began to fidget with the hem of her dress.
"Remove it!" The person closed the bedroom lights with a brisk snap, then in the darkness issued her a command from his superior position.
His voice was younger, colder, and more sinister than she expected. Shu Shuo's mind went blank. Her hands trembling, she mechanically removed the only garment left on her, like a puppet on a string.
The next morning, barely at the crack of dawn, Shu Shuo awoke with a splitting headache— aching and nearly numb. When the sound of the front door opening reached her, she mustered the strength to sit up, pushing off the covers, and supporting her fragmented body.
Has the man left?
She removed the blindfold from her face. In fact, removing or wearing the blindfold made no difference to her, because she could not see. As a result, Shu Ke's other senses were particularly sharp.
The bedroom door was opened once again.
The scattered footsteps indicated that several people were approaching. Several maids brought in hot water and, wringing out towels, helped her clean up meticulously and dress neatly.
Their actions were fairly gentle, but their eyes exchanged glances when they noticed the bruises on Shu Ke's body and the bloodstains on the sheets.
Soon enough, Shu Ke was led out of the bedroom and taken back to her own room downstairs.
As soon as the door closed behind her, she slumped to the floor, hugging herself tightly and beginning to sob uncontrollably.
Compared to the physical pain, the inner humiliation made her feel even more sorrowful.