A heavy snowfall blanketed the courtyard in white. Several young maids, each clutching a charcoal brazier, had rosy cheeks from the cold, stamping their feet to keep warm.

“This weather is truly strange. Such a heavy snowfall out of nowhere; it’s never been this cold before. The masters won’t feel the chill with their fine charcoal, but we servants…”

“Exactly. With Master and Madam away at the western suburb villa, and the young master’s fate unknown, it’s only that woman running the household. How could we possibly have it easy?”

The maids were whispering amongst themselves when they reached the main courtyard. There, kneeling on the steps, was a woman in plain, thin undergarments, shivering uncontrollably. Her frail form seemed about to collapse.

The falling snow covered her shoulders, as if merging her with the vast white landscape.

The others fell silent, lowering their heads as if they hadn’t seen anything, and continued towards the house.

The last maid couldn’t help but glance back. Seeing the woman’s bloodless face, numb from the cold, she sighed softly, “Poor thing. Such a cold day, and they think up such cruel ways to torment her.”

“Don’t you want to live?!”

The older maid hissed, “The masters’ affairs are none of our business. You know what she’s capable of… Keep your mouth shut later.”

The younger maid nodded, shrinking back. They silently counted the braziers before approaching two maids standing by the door. “Please inform Madam that the silver-thread charcoal has been counted. We’ll send a portion for Madam’s inspection.”

The hall was warm with a roaring fire. A serving maid added incense to the burner; the heavy warmth mingled with the incense smoke, making one drowsy. Yet, the many maids standing in the hall were tense, heads bowed, waiting for the woman above to speak.

Seated on a high seat, a young woman in luxurious attire reclined on a chaise lounge. The jade bracelet on her wrist was of exceptional quality, its sky-blue hue hinting at a touch of ice. Her languid expression possessed an innate air of nobility.

“What time is it?” she asked, closing her eyes, her slender fingers tapping rhythmically on her hand warmer.

“Reporting to Madam, it’s the third quarter of the 巳 (Si) hour… it’s been… two hours,”

The maid who answered trembled, unable to look up. The sound of fingernails tapping on the warmer echoed for a long time before a casual voice came from above, “Then bring her in.”

Though casual, the voice held immense pressure. Several servants went outside and dragged the kneeling woman inside.

Having knelt for too long, the woman couldn’t support herself and fell to the ground. The cold air clashed with the heavy fragrance of the hall, dispelling some of the warmth. The woman above frowned, seeing the woman struggle to rise. Her knees, numb from kneeling in the snow, gave way, and she fell back down.

“Lin Shi, do you know your wrongdoing?”

Feeling the warmth of the fire, the kneeling woman finally recovered from the overwhelming chill. Her pale face remained bloodless, but her eyes were clear as she looked directly at the woman above, coldly laughing, “What wrongdoing have I committed?”

The woman in fine clothing stopped adjusting her warmer, watching with interest the woman in simple clothes below. Her hair, wet from the snow, clung to her neck, adding to her miserable appearance.

“You were born into the Lin family; that’s your fault. The young master can’t save you now, and the Lin family is barely holding on. I advise you to beg me; perhaps if I’m in a good mood, I’ll let you live. If you persist, I’ll throw you back into the snow for days and nights until you break.”

The woman handed her warmer to a servant and picked up a teacup, taking a sip. Her tone was light, “If you seek death, I have countless ways to torment you.”

The kneeling woman curled her lips. Her frail body trembled, but her gaze held no fear. She merely scoffed, unfazed by her words.

Seeing this, the woman’s beautiful face contorted with anger. She quickly stood and walked to the woman, looking down at her, “Don’t you want to know… what has become of the Lin family?”

The kneeling woman’s eyes flickered, but she still met her gaze, loudly proclaiming, “My Lin family has served loyally for generations, without fault. The Crown Prince supports and protects us; our family is naturally peaceful and unharmed.”

“The Crown Prince? You mean the deposed Crown Prince?” The woman laughed, a mocking expression on her face. She crouched down, lifting the woman’s chin, “You don’t know… the Crown Prince rebelled, captured by the Imperial Guards, and imprisoned? I wonder if your concubine sister is locked up with him?”

“Deposed Crown Prince? No… impossible!”

Long nails scratched her face, leaving deep marks. But she felt no pain. Her pupils dilated; her calm eyes showed disbelief for the first time.

Seeing the woman’s panic, the woman in fine clothes stood up, satisfied. “What does it matter if you don’t believe it? The Crown Prince is deposed, the Emperor is dead, and Liang Wang now rules. You, the Anping Marquis Lin family, are rebels, traitors. Your family will be ruined, your titles stripped. The fact that you’re still alive to argue with me is my greatest mercy.”

“But soon, you’ll be reunited with them.”

The woman in plain clothes trembled. The woman in fine clothes smiled cruelly. Two strong servants lifted her and dragged her back into the snow. Bloody trails appeared on the white snow.

The woman finally collapsed, falling face-first into the snow. The bone-chilling cold returned, and she lay there, eyes wide open.

The howling wind and snow drowned out her ears, but she still heard the arrogant voice from inside, “Since she seeks death, let her kneel outside. With the Lin family’s downfall, she should be imprisoned anyway!”

“No!”

Lin Wanji jolted awake, gasping for breath. Her underclothes were soaked with cold sweat. She stared at the tassels hanging from the bed canopy, her vision blurring before gradually calming down from the terror.

The same dream again. She’d been having the same dream repeatedly: the cold, damp winter, the dark, airless room, the bloody whip marks, the falling snow, and that…