The sound of a loud clap alerted Jinshi and caused his ears to prick up. Laying down his brush and standing from his seat in his office, he calmly went to investigate where the noise had originated from.

He totally wasn’t trying to slack off again. Everyone who knew Jinshi trusted that he always did his work! (Not.)

However, his curiosity turned to concern once his eyes laid upon a gathering of ladies-in-waiting and concubines in the darkness.

Hearing angry voices, he hurried over to the commotion.

“What is going on here?” Jinshi called out, causing the ladies to part and reveal a curled figure on the ground, one hand pressed to their cheek.

You.

It hadn’t been long since Master Jinshi had taken you from the brothel where you worked previously, but he’d already become quite fond of you.

You didn’t come from the most wealthy background, but Jinshi found you to be his favourite. You didn’t crumble at the mere sight of him like everyone else.

However, the other ladies hated you due to Jinshi’s apparent special treatment toward you. They’d frequently harassed you, and apparently gone too far today.

“Disperse, all of you!” He hissed, pushing past the offenders and kneeling before you.

“Are you alright?” Jinshi helped sit you up, concerned violet eyes fixed on the angry red handprint on your cheek.