The palace maid had already noticed Cai Wei's two bare legs outside, and her sharp eyes had spotted the underpants thrown on the couch, full of bloodstains. However, she showed no surprise.
Having lived in the palace for a long time, she knew very well that some things were best ignored, unheard, and unasked. That was the ideal way to stay safe.
"Let me help you put these on!"
The palace maid picked up the blood-stained underpants, intending to help Cai Wei put them back on.
Cai Wei frowned at the underwear, asking, "Girl, do you have menstrual bands?"
She remembered that her mother, Lady Du, used to make some rectangular items from fine cotton cloth, which her mother referred to as menstrual bands. These were used during periods, equivalent to modern sanitary napkins.
"Yes, I'll get them for you. Please wait a moment."
The little palace maid bowed to Cai Wei and was about to leave.