Revenge for My Sister

"Ms. Yuna, please come back with me," the young eunuch said, his voice still sounding quite youthful.

He handed me a branch and led the way.

After kneeling for so long, my knees wouldn't straighten, so I could only shuffle slowly along.

The young eunuch was considerate, adjusting his pace to match mine.

"Everyone else is avoiding me; why are you helping me?"

In the palace, everyone was opportunistic and fickle.

Just this morning, they had called me "Ms. Yuna" affectionately, but after the incident with Imperial Consort Jones, they all seemed to shy away from me.

Only this young eunuch was willing to take me back.

"I do what I can, with a clear conscience," he replied.

"That's what my father taught me."

"Oh," I said, feeling a sense of connection.

The summer breeze was cool, easing the heaviness in my chest.

My sister had once told me, "Even if no one else does it, you should still act."

"As long as we can look ourselves in the eye, that's what matters."

We chatted back and forth as we walked.

Before we parted ways, he even pressed a hard biscuit into my hand.

Although it was tough to chew, it would at least fill my stomach.

I reached under the bed and pulled out a small square tin.

Inside was red powder that gave off an intoxicating scent.

But if I inhaled too much, it would turn rancid, like rotting meat.

A little had already been scooped out.

I took two spoonfuls and placed them in a paper bag.

Gripping the branch for support, I headed straight toward the perfume workshop.