Wan Zhen’er had no confidence in herself. She ran to the bed and lay down.
Whenever she encountered something she couldn’t handle, she liked to sleep first—as if everything would be easier after a nap. She didn’t know when she fell asleep, feeling tired and heartbroken, and then gradually drifted off.
Wan Zhen’er had a dream.
In the dream, she saw the Emperor in high spirits, surrounded by many young women. They surrounded the Emperor, laughing and teasing.
The distant sky was painted with a drunken crimson, just before dusk.
Wan Zhen’er walked over and knelt down: “This concubine greets the Emperor.”
The Emperor ignored her, continuing to seek pleasure with the young temptresses.
Perhaps he didn’t hear her, or perhaps he heard but chose to ignore her.
Wan Zhen’er could only repeat: “This concubine greets the Emperor.”
The Emperor still didn’t look at her.
Ah, this woman, who had just become the Empress, the yellow-haired girl surnamed Wu. Wan Zhen’er recognized her, even if she turned to ashes. The woman surnamed Wu stared at Wan Zhen’er with a proud, condescending attitude, exuding a sense of superiority.
The woman surnamed Wu asked the Emperor: “Who is this old woman?”
The Emperor embraced her, laughing: “I don’t know.”
She asked again: “Why is she here?”
The Emperor replied: “She’s shameless, clinging to me, refusing to leave. I’ve long disliked her.”
All the women looked at Wan Zhen’er, covering their mouths and laughing, humiliating her: “You old, faded woman, how dare you compete for favor with us?”
Suddenly, the wind picked up, cutting like knives across her face and blowing her hair loose. Her disheveled hair whipped her face silently, but her heart was slashed open, bleeding countless wounds.
A thousand sorrows and hatreds surged in Wan Zhen’er’s heart. Her lips began to tremble.
“Beloved concubine! Wake up! Wake up! Are you having a nightmare? Wake up!”
Wan Zhen’er suddenly heard the Emperor’s voice. Someone was shaking her and slapping her face. Half-awake, her mind still immersed in the dream, she looked at the Emperor and those young, beautiful temptresses, feeling devastated. Only they could match the Emperor in his prime. What was she?
Startled by the pushing and hitting, Wan Zhen’er was jolted awake.
