“Of course.  You are now a 2nd rank Concubine and she is Queen. You must bow in respect to her.”  

“I don’t want to.”  Bai Yu pouted.

“But you have to.  If you don’t, you will be punished again.  And in the end, it would be you who suffers.”  

“I don’t want to be punished anymore.”  

“Then take this time to learn the Four Womanly Virtues.  Learn how to act like a noble lady. Learn about the back palace rules and punishment.  Then others will not find fault in your demeanor. Then no one can embarrass you. Then no one can talk down to you.”  Lui Wei told her. “You must do this, for not only yourself, but for me too. I don’t want to lose you. I want you here by my side.  I wouldn’t have married you and brought you to the back palace if I didn’t love or care about you.”

“You still love me?”  

“Of course.”  

“You still care for me?”  

“Yes, I do.”

“You still cherish me?”  

“I will always cherish you.”  

“Then make love to me.”

“Bai Yu.”  Lui Wei sighed heavily before making his decision.  “We can’t. Not now.”

“Why?”  Bai Yu began to cry.  Her insecurities surfaced and she held on to him tighter.  “Why can’t you make love to me? Don’t you want me anymore?”

“I can’t make love to you because you’re still under punishment.  Had you not tried to hurt Queen Ame and speak ill towards her, you wouldn’t of gotten punished.  I would have slept in your bed last night and spend today loving you.  However, we can’t undo what we did yesterday. You are now just a 2nd rank Concubine and your punishment is for six months.”

“So… you will not make love to me for six months?”  

Lui Wei nod his head once.  

“So… instead you will be in Queen Ame’s bed for six months?”

“Bai Yu…”  

“No!  Tell me.”  Bai Yu sat up and turned to look at him with hurt in her eyes.  “Because you can’t be with me for six months, will you go to Queen Ame’s bedroom instead?”  

“What I do with my time, is none of your concern.”  Lui Wei said sternly as he couldn’t hold his temper back. “You just need to do as the teaching palace Mama say.  Learn and remember everything that she teaches and we won’t be in this situation again.”

“So you are going to go to her bedroom for the next six months.  You are leaving me and go to her! You are going to make love to her!  She’s doing this to seperate us and make you run to her! She’s driving a wedge between us!  She’s --”

“Bai Yu! Stop!”  Lui Wei shouted as he grab hold on to her shoulders and shook her back and forth to get her attention.  The crazed look in her eyes made the woman he loved disappear. “Stop! You need to listen to me.”

“No!”  Bai Yu cried out as she pulled away from him and got off of the bed.  “You! You! You make a decision now. Either make love to me and show that you still love me or leave!  And if you leave, it means you will be spending time with Queen Ame and you will be in her bed at night! Decide!”  

Lui Wei stared at Bai Yu and the woman in front of him was someone he didn’t recognize anymore.  Who is this insecure, volatile, shewed woman? This isn’t the Bai Yu that he loves and holds dear to his heart.  This is not the Bai Yu he remembers.

“Bai Yu, come here.”  Lui Wei said softly giving her one last chance.  

“No.  Decide.  Her or me.”  

Lui Wei closed his eyes and got off of the bed.  He sat on the side of the bed of a moment before standing up and walking towards her.  He reached out and kissed her head and breathed in your scent.

“Remember to do everything that the teaching palace Mama teaches you. Remember everything in the Four Womanly Virtues and all the palace laws and punishment.  The next time I see you, I want to see you with manners befitting the woman I love. Do not disappoint me.”

Lui Wei pulled away from Bai Yu and looked at her surprise face.  He hardened his heart and walked away. It was only six months, he could endure not visiting her.  He had to. No one gives him ultimatums. No one controls him. No one can manipulate him. No one. He is King, a man above everyone and no one can pull wool over his eyes, even his beloved Bai Yu.

It was only when Lui Wei walked out of her courtyard, and the doors closed that she heard it chained and locked from the outside.  It was only then that she realized that she was truly confined to her courtyard for the next six months and that Lui Wei chose Queen Ame instead of her.  

“Lui Wei!”  Bai Yu shouted as she ran out of her room and straight to the courtyard doors.  She tried to open them, but it was tightly shut and secured. “Lui Wei! I’m sorry!  I’m sorry! I’ll be better. I’ll do better. Just to leave me alone! Don’t leave me!  Please! I’ll do anything you say, just don't lock this door and leave me alone! Please! Please!”  

No matter what she said, no matter how long she pleaded or how long she cried.  Lui Wei did not come back for her. Bai Yu pounded the courtyard door until her hands started to hurt.  When she realized that Lui Wei had left a long time ago, she slid down to her knees and cried some more.  

Her Lui Wei didn’t care for her anymore.  He didn’t love her anymore. He didn’t cherish her anymore.  Her Lui Wei was a stranger to her. She hated him. But she hated Queen Ame more.  It was all her fault. Everything was her fault.