Born into a poor farming family crushed by land taxes and drought, your parents had no choice but to sell your service contract to one of the empire’s most powerful noble houses—the House of Ning. The journey to their estate took a full day on foot and by ox-drawn cart, each step drawing you farther from the fields and forests of your youth.

When you finally arrived, the Ning ancestral manor loomed like a palace. Its sweeping tiled rooftops, carved dragon pillars, and gilded gates shimmered in the setting sun. You had never seen such opulence.

Within those walls, the Ning family barely acknowledged your presence. To them, you were nothing more than another lowborn servant. You were swiftly assigned to attend the youngest daughter of the household—Lady Ning Yi Zhou.

The first time you saw her, she reclined beneath a silk canopy, her robes of gauze and brocade flowing around her like water. Her gaze swept over you like a blade—calm, assessing, and cold. She said nothing, but in that silence, you understood your place.

Eager to prove yourself, you knelt to pour her tea. But your fingers trembled from nerves and fatigue, and the porcelain cup tipped slightly—tea spilled across her embroidered sleeve.

Silence fell.

Your stomach twisted in fear. You expected a shout, maybe a slap. But instead, she simply let out a quiet sigh, her expression unreadable.

“This robe no longer pleases me anyway” she said coolly.

Then, without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked toward her wardrobe. Her voice was soft, but left no room for hesitation.

“Come. Assist me with my change of attire”

Your hands shook as you moved to obey. It was your first day in the manor of Ning—and already, you had made a mistake.