Xuanling thought she heard her mother's voice—a frantic whisper calling out to her. But was it really her? The voice was clear, yet something felt off. Instead of the tender nickname 'Ling'er' her parents had used since infancy, it called her 'Fourth Miss.' Why such formality? Had her mother been gone so long she'd forgotten the name she once cherished? No... wait. Her mother was dead. Yes, dead for years. This couldn't be real. It had to be a dream.
With sudden clarity, Xuanling's eyelids snapped open, and the world rushed in.
"Fourth Miss?" A'bao's soft voice called from just a few steps away.
"A'bao?" She was finally awake. 'I must miss my mother so much to mistake A'bao's voice for hers,' she thought.
"Good morning, Fourth Miss," A'bao and Yu'er greeted in unison.
Xuanling simply nodded, still rubbing her eyes to erase the last traces of sleep.
"Quick, Yu'er, draw the Fourth Miss a warm bath," A'bao instructed, and Yu'er nodded, hurrying away.
"A bath? This early?" Xuanling raised a brow.
"Yes, Fourth Miss," A'bao replied, handing her a twig chewed to frayed, fibrous ends.
"Do I have anything important to do today?" Xuanling's voice was already weary, though the day had just begun. She reluctantly took the twig and placed it between her lips, awaiting A'bao's answer.
"Yes, Fourth Miss. Your father wishes to meet you this morning for tea," came the reply. A'bao left to fetch clean, warm clothes for her to change into after the bath.
"He's probably already waiting, Fourth Miss. You know how punctual he is." A'bao's words drifted from nearby, prompting Xuanling to sigh. 'When will Father ever stop stressing me out?'
She finished with the twig shortly after and stood to let A'bao dress her bed.
"Fourth Miss?" A'bao called again, catching her attention as she began lifting the bedding, spotting her mask lying carelessly on the bed.
"Hm?" Xuanling turned to her and instinctively followed her gaze to the mask. "Oh my! How could I be so careless?" she hissed, picking it up and walking to her bookshelf. Reaching for a particular book on the top rack, she pulled it aside and retrieved a box hidden behind it.
She removed a vividly singular hairpin from her hair—the one she never took off, even during performances. It was her mother's last gift: the hairpin, the box it unlocked, and the mask. It felt like her mother was encouraging her to keep dancing, yet warning her to lock it away properly—or perhaps to hide her true identity. Xuanling always found this confusing, but she wasn't ready to dwell on it now.
She thrust the sharp point of the hairpin into the box's keyhole and twisted slowly. The lock clicked open. Carefully, she placed the mask inside and closed it, returning it behind the book exactly as before.
"Your bath is ready, Fourth Miss," Yu'er announced, drawing her attention back to the present.
They helped her remove her nightclothes and slip into a bathing robe. She didn't linger long in the bath before they hurried to assist her out and into fresh clothes.
They dried her skin with a soft towel, applying lotions and scented oils. Then they helped her with her undergarments and dressed her in the outfit A'bao had prepared.
Today's choice was a turquoise hanfu that perfectly complemented her complexion. Seated comfortably before a bronze mirror, A'bao applied makeup while Yu'er helped with her socks and shoes.
Her hair was rolled up and secured with hairpins and silk ribbons. Matching jewelry adorned her, making her glow with effortless beauty as she simply sat still.
'What would my life be without them?' she thought gratefully. Her maids had everything arranged—from her daily schedule to her elegance and diet. Their help was invaluable, and giving them her earnings after performances felt right.
"You're all set, Fourth Miss," A'bao announced with relief.
"Finally!" Xuanling breathed.
"Yu'er will accompany you to meet the Left Chancellor. I still have things to finish here," A'bao said, glancing at Yu'er for her opinion.
"Yu'er?" Xuanling called softly, curious if her maid was truly willing to face her father's presence. Both knew how terrified Yu'er was of him.
"Of course, Fourth Miss," Yu'er replied with a respectful curtsy.
"Great, let's go, then."