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"Nothing." Queen Langhua stood in front of Bingquing as she looked longingly in the direction of her father's retreating carriage. Tears poured down her face as her arm was jerked by the queen's hand. Langhua's nails were sharp against her forearm as she turned Bingquing to face her.

Bingquing feeling the nails claw into her arm turned to face the queen. "Why can't I say goodbye?"

The queen without answering the question pulled her to the center of the room where there were a pile of chests and a shivering Du Ni who was on her knees.

Bingquing pulled her arm out of her grip and stood her ground. "You didn't answer my question."

The queen's maids began to pick up the chests. "Highness, what are we to do with these."

The authoritarian voice was low. "Bingquing what did I say when you entered the room."

"You said the word 'nothing.'"

"Repeat it."

"Nothing." Her red robes brushed against Bingquing's front as she touched her chin to jerk it upwards. "My dear, you will have no remnant of your former life. Now you are no longer Bingquing. You are no one."

Bingquing breathed out a shaky breath. "I thought there was an adjustment period as there were in Caiwong if--"

"You are no longer in Caiwong. This is Jungpi. You are a slave to this country. You are a slave to duty and decorum." Langhua pushed her face back down so Bingquing was forced to kneel. She turned to her maids, "Burn them--"

"NO!" Bingquing screamed as Langhua's fingers tangled in her scalp. The maids began to load the trunks into the courtyard. As she struggled towards it, Langhua twisted Bingquing's hair so her face was turned towards the torch that had been lit.

"Give it to the maid."

Du Ni stood with the order and got the torch that had been handed to her. She went to go light the fire with tears streamings down her throat. She hiccuped as she lit the chests and turned to face the awaiting queen.

"Shoot."

Du Ni looked concerned at Bingquing as she was shot through the chest.

"NOOOO!" Bingquing rushed forwards, but the queen held her in an iron grip. "Why are you doing this? This isn't necessary. She's the only one I had left."

Langhua's eyes were blank as Bingquing collapsed onto the floor with a sob. She didn't struggle as the maids forced her to stand. Du Ni's body sat lifeless on the burning chests. The fire began to lick the edge of her clothing as her glassy eyes reflected the Queen standing with Bingquing.

Bingquing was raised to a standing position by her armpits and moved to another room.

"There is no use crying now." One of the maids said, touching her hair, "It's already done. Everything you brought with you from outside would never have served you anyways. It's for the best."

Bingquing wanted to say that it wouldn't help but a dark look from Langhua kept her silent. Langhua was drinking a cup of tea, like she was used to these sorts of outbursts. She wasn't rattled in the slightest. Like an inpenetrable wall of no emotions.

Eventually Bingquing's tears calmed and her violet garments were stained with her tears. As she was starting to calm, an ornate box was brought in carried on the backs of four eunuchs. Langhua set down her drink and motioned to Bingquing, "I'm sure you're feeling up to it. I gave you some time as you are still young to adjust. What did I say before one who has no name?"

"Nothing" Bingquing said softly.

She raised an eyebrow as the maids approached Bingquing again. Bingquing stood and was instantly shocked that they began to tear at her outer mantle. "Your highness," Bingquing said shocked.

"Nothing," the Queen repeated in a firm voice.

Bingquing helped the maids with their task instead of resisting until she felt the cool chill of the afternoon air on her exposed skin. She covered her chest with her hands and shivered. "Highness?"

The queen finished her cup before motioning to the attendants who approached with the gilded box. Langhua approached with a slender hand to slide a panel across which opened the dark exterior. She turned to Bingquing who was frozen as she realized she would be inside. The air grew colder as she wiped her nose and stepped inside.

Langhua close the door with a finality and slid more panels around before producing a golden lock which she mounted. As she did this the eunuchs lifted the box and marched out of the room.