Because if the Emperor truly intended to bring her back to the palace—if the Imperial Guards ever found them—then Mei Lang would only be walking into a lifetime of suffering. Mei Liang thought.
If Xiang Long Wei couldn't protect her and her family in her previous life, what made him think he could protect this girl now—just because she happened to look like her? Even if he saw a shadow of her in Mei Lang, could he really shield someone else from the same ruthless schemes that destroyed her before?
Mei Liang didn't think so. Wearing a sweet smile that didn't reach her eyes, she turned and headed back into the room to collect her change of clothes — a thin, embroidered inner garment and a simple robe. Then she walked to the modest bathhouse nearby. Though she couldn't soak herself fully, she could at least wipe her body clean with the hot water.
