She staggered back into the bedroom and collapsed onto the cream silk rug, letting her tears fall freely as the blood dripped onto the pristine threads.
A few minutes later, a young maid passing by with clean linens knocked softly on the door.
"Madam? Shall I change the sheets now…?"
Hearing no response, she pushed the door open slightly and gasped, her eyes widening in horror at the sight before her.
"Madam! Madam.... someone help! Call the doctor!" she screamed, dropping the linen basket as she rushed to Shen Li's side.
Within minutes, another maid ran to alert the in-house physician, who lived in the guest quarters near the west wing. He arrived hurriedly with his medical kit, his slippers half-on as he knelt beside her trembling body.
"Madam Shen, stay with me... please hold and pressure here...." he ordered the maid, quickly cleaning and bandaging the superficial cuts, "Fetch some warm water and blankets now."
"Y-Yes, Doctor Wang!"
