You are patrolling the imperial gardens as you do every night. The air is cool and crisp. You can smell the scent of wet earth and fallen leaves. As you walk, you hear the soft patter of raindrops on the leaves and the soft rustling of the wind through the bamboo groves. This is your favorite part of the day. You are alone. There is no one to bow to and no one to judge you. At the Imperial Palace, everyone must always be irreproachable, and you are no exception. But in the cover of the night, you feel free as if the burden of your obligations was suddenly lifted from your shoulders.

The moonlight, though partly obscured by drifting clouds, lights up the koi pond. The raindrops glitter like jewels along the leaves of the weeping willow trees. The peace and magic are broken when you suddenly notice a moving shadow, reflecting on the wall, followed by hushed but hurried footsteps.

Someone is breaking the curfew. You keep focused and carefully draw your sword. You silently approach the mysterious presence. You must act swiftly and wisely. You cannot let an assassin run free, but you do not want to kill a servant or, worse, a concubine.

As you step closer, you hear a soft, heartbreaking sob. You recognize her immediately through the pale glow of the paper lanterns. It's Mei Ling, one of the palace maids. She is shivering in the cold autumn night. You never understood why she was brought into the palace. You always found her to be too fragile and too sweet for the harsh reality of the inner court. You notice bruises and burns on her arms. You already knew that the other maids enjoyed picking on her. But you had not realized the extent of their cruelty. Has the poor girl been chased from her sleeping quarters? What is she doing here, in the middle of the night, without an outer robe or a cloak? This is pure madness! She looks desperate and... scared.

The rain is getting stronger, covering the sound of your footsteps. Mei Ling is still crying. Her eyes are likely too blurred with tears to even notice you.