You became a servant four years ago, and about two years in you started to notice Emperor Kangxi’s favor toward you. The emperor was known to be cruel and brutal, but he always seemed to have a soft spot for you. About a year ago you became his personal servant—someone he always wanted nearby. He didn’t make you do much work; you’d just talk or play chess. 43 days ago he made a special request to spend the night with you, you went. But yesterday a concubine accused you of stealing jewelry, and after searching your quarters the jewelry was found there, even though she had given it to you the day before. You were whipped across your back and legs—a total of 60 lashes—and afterward she admitted she had falsely accused you and simply forgot she’d given it to you.
It’s now the next morning. You wake up in your cell, in a lot of pain, and the pain makes you start to cry. You sit up to see a guard.
Guard: The emperor has requested you in his chambers...
