"Princess Lian Zhi," the maid lowered her head and folded her hands in front of her, "Prince Kabil commands your presence at the feast tonight."
The order came just before sunset, when Xiao Zhi was resting in her room, thinking about the past events that made her mind a mess.
What does he want now?
When she entered the banquet hall, conversation paused for a brief moment, as if her presence had disrupted the flow of the room, before resuming louder than before.
In the hall, Kabil sat at the head of the table. He looked relaxed, but when he saw her, he wore that same smile she had grown to hate.
"Look," he said, holding up his cup. "My beautiful wife is here to serve us."
Serve? Xiao Zhi wasn't sure if she heard him correctly.
A ripple of laughter followed. Xiao Zhi stepped forward, and a servant placed a big wine jug into her hands.
"Pour," Kabil said casually, as if he were asking for something trivial.
So I guess he really did want her to serve him.
She sighed but didn't argue. She moved as instructed, stopping before each guest, keeping her gaze down, already bracing herself for the humiliation the feast would bring.
"Careful, that jug looks heavy," one nobleman remarked. His eyes lingered on her as she approached.
"I can manage," she replied softly, steadying her voice despite the growing weight in her arms.
She poured the wine, bowed, and moved on, repeating the same motions until her shoulders ached and her fingers burned from gripping the jug.
Then someone moved their foot.
Her heel caught, her balance tilted, and the jug tipped just enough for red wine to spill down her sleeve.
The hall burst into laughter.
"Oh no," someone said, amused. "Looks like the Hua bride is very fragile."
"I'm sorry," Xiao Zhi said quickly, bowing. "Please forgive my clumsiness."
The words came out smooth and obedient, just as they expected. What they did not see was the slight roll of her eyes, quick and hidden, like a child indulging a foolish game.
It's not like she was enjoying this little game of Kabil. It's just that she didn't have the energy to fight back. Her mind was still processing the turn of events, the twist of Lin Rui's pathetic plot. She needed to weigh the situation first before planning her comeback. At least that was what she convinced herself.
Kabil stood, and the laughter stopped abruptly. He walked toward her slowly, inspecting the stained sleeve.
For a moment, Xiao Zhi felt hopeful. She expected him to help her, maybe steady her, or offer a hand.
Oh boy, was she wrong.
"You embarrassed me," he said lightly, but a hint of anger flickered in his eyes. Not to the woman who tripped her, but to her.
"I'll change immediately," she said. She was ready to turn around when Kabil caught her hand.
"Sit."
She didn't move, just tilting her head in confusion.
"Sit!" he repeated. His voice was louder.
The musicians fell silent. Every eye turned toward her. Not wanting to provoke him further, Xiao Zhi lowered herself onto the cushion he pointed to.
For a brief, foolish moment, she thought he was ending it there. Then Kabil picked up the wine jug. He filled a cup and set it down in front of her with a not-so-soft thud.
"Drink."
Xiao Zhi closed her eyes for a single heartbeat before lifting the cup to her lips. She drank, forcing herself not to hesitate, because she did not want to learn what would happen if she did.
Kabil's lips curved in satisfaction. He turned back to the guests and raised his voice.
"Everyone," he said, spreading his arms, "isn't my wife lovely?"
Laughter and cheers erupted. "Truly," one of the noblemen added, stepping closer with a wide smile on his face. "As beautiful as a flower from Hua."
Kabil smiled, his fingers brushing against her cheek in a touch that was intentional and cold.
"Really?" a voice said from the crowd. Another nobleman rose from his seat and walked toward her, his steps unsteady with drink. He stopped in front of her and poured wine into a cup.
"Then let me see for myself." He linked his arm through hers, pulling her closer before she could react.
"Come," he said. "Let us share a drink."
Xiao Zhi stiffened, her eyes flying instinctively to Kabil, hoping, somehow, he would find this disturbing as she did. He only smiled back at her.
"Do as you're told." He looked at her as though daring her to disobey.
Her hand trembled as she raised the cup. The man drank first, laughing loudly, wine spilling down his chin. Then his hand slid up, fingers grazing her face.
Something inside her snapped. Xiao Zhi shoved him away and slapped him. The sound echoed through the hall. For a split second, there was stunned silence.
Then Kabil moved. His palm struck her face, hard enough to make her stumble. "How dare you disrespect my guest?" he roared.
Not a single person moved.
"Do it again," Kabil whispered, leaning close, "and you'll regret it."
She nodded, steadying her breath before speaking. "I won't."
He shoved her away and turned his back as though she were no longer worth acknowledging.
That night should have ended there. It did not.
"You think you're above this?" he snapped. "Standing there like you're judging everyone."
"I wasn't—"
"Liar." He laughed. "You Hua women love pretending you're pure."
Her heart pounded violently in her chest. Before Kabil could say another word of hate, the doors slammed open.
Every eye turned toward the entrance, where the Khan and his personal guard stood in the doorway. He didn't say a word, but the air in the room suddenly felt freezing.
Kabil barely had time to react before the Khan walked straight to him. One punch sent Kabil spinning to the floor.
"Leave," the Khan said to the rest of the attendants. No one waited for a second command.
Arkan was already beside Xiao Zhi, draping a cloak over her shoulders. "Come," he said gently.
Meanwhile, Kabil just stared frozen, one hand on his red cheek and the other hand clenched at his sides.
Xiao Zhi didn't remember walking, only that the noise of the hall faded behind her. She could faintly hear Kabil arguing with the Khan, but the words grew distant as Arkan guided her away.
When the door to her chamber finally closed, Xiao Zhi sank onto the bed, her body trembling uncontrollably.
She was wrong. She had thought Kabil was the villain she understood, the cruelty she could predict. But the Khan, the man she feared most, had been the one who stopped it.
"I thought you were the monster," she whispered, clutching the fabric beneath her fingers. "But you weren't."
The words felt strange the moment they left her lips. Maybe he wasn't kind. Maybe he wasn't merciful. But for reasons she didn't yet understand, he had intervened.
And that alone was enough to unsettle everything she thought she knew.