Right?! Wouldn't it be better if I were a Concubine?" Ru Lingyi muttered, completely oblivious she was no longer alone.
"Yes, it will be much better," the voice replied again.
Ru Lingyi reluctantly continued, "I know but-" She froze. It was then it dawned on her that this was no longer a monologue but now a dialogue. Someone stood behind her.
Lingyi blinked twice, her eyes darting left and right, she dropped her hand from her waist and her index finger from her lips.
Curious and afraid, Ru Lingyi slowly turned, her blood running cold from the uncertainty of what she might encounter.
Before her, a tall male figure stood there, dressed in dashing official wear. He wasn't an imperial guard, nor a physician.
Surprised, Lingyi's eyes scanned him from head to toe, her eyes betraying the curiosity within her as she was trying to guess his identity. But regardless, the mystery man remained perfectly still, hands clasped behind his back, face expressionless. Instead, he indulged her in a staring contest, waiting for her investigation to conclude, for her to finally ask, 'Who are you?'
Silly thoughts and mixed feelings raced through Lingyi's mind during this silent standoff. The man before her was calm, but she, was the opposite, visibly afraid and surprised.
Is he one of that angry concubine's men? Or just an Eunuch? Or the Emperor!? Oh no, he can't be, how stupid can I be? The emperor walks with tons of entourage. Lingyi battled in her mind.
Suddenly, her eyes and mouth went wide. He must be an assassin, like in the movies! "Haaaaaaaaa!!!" she screamed, dropping the bowl without care, the thudding sound startling the man before her.
Waving both hands in the air, Ru Lingyi immediately ran off, her eyes blazing bright in search of her way back like someone mad, chased by a grim reaper.
Upon reaching the Western Gate, Ru Lingyi halted, panting, her mouth and nostrils opened up for the slightest amount of air. She dragged her feet, leaning against the walls, struggling to cross over.
Once inside Western Palace, she paused. Did the assassin follow? Slowly, cautiously, she approached the gate again, trembling, she leaned forward making sure her body was within the confines of Western Palace as she peeped through the narrow opening on the gate for any sign of him.
Surprisingly, she saw nothing. She let out air through her nostril in relief, shutting her eyes to allow a moment of serenity to endure. Then suddenly, without warning, a forceful kick struck her from behind, sending Ru Lingyi sprawling out through the gate. She let out a shrill scream, "Do not kill me please!" her voice echoing, filled with desperation.
Eyes tightly closed, consumed by terror, Ru Lingyi slowly opened them. Her gaze fell on a rather unexpected figure, Wanying, standing over her, hands on her hips, eyes blazing with disdain and questions.
Wanying's usual composure shattered into a rare display of fury, brows furrowed, lips pressed thin. The anger in her eyes was unmistakable, fueled by Lingyi's sudden disappearance and a deep-seated hate.
Lingyi struggled to her feet. Relieved it wasn't the assassin, her voice still shaken. "Sister Wanying, thank goodness you are here," Lingyi said, dusting off the dust from her garment. "I...I was being chased by an assassin. I had to run to save myself."
Wanying's expression didn't soften. Her eyes narrowed instead. "An assassin? In the imperial harem?" she scoffed. "What nonsense are you spouting, Ru Lingyi? Do you think I'm foolish enough to believe your worthless tales?"
Lingyi's heart sank. She didn't expect Wanying to believe her, but hoped for some benefit of doubt at least. "It's the truth, Sister Wanying. I swear it." Lingyi confessed, her eyes gleaming innocence, her tone low and soft.
Wanying stepped closer, her voice whispering and cutting, but audible enough. "You lowly wench. You've been nothing but trouble since you arrived at Western Palace, always causing chaos. If you think you can cover your incompetence with such ridiculous stories, you are sorely mistaken."
Lingyi's eyes filled with tears, but she stood her ground. "I'm not lying. Please, you must believe me."
Wanying let out a mocking laugh. "Believe you? Why should I? Your actions have consequences. Your disappearance caused this palace a great concern. Do not think you can evade responsibility with far-fetched tales."
Lingyi nodded, still trembling. "I'm sorry, sister Wangying...I was so scared. I didn't know what else to do."
"You didn't know what else to do?" Wanying scoffed. "Who knows if you went to see your secret lover, then cooked up this cock-and-bull story?" Wanying sighed, her anger giving way to cold disdain.
"Let's get you inside, but mark my words, Ru Lingyi," Wanying turned to face Lingyi, who trailed behind like a guilty prisoner. "I'll be watching you closely. One more misstep, and there'll be no more forgiveness...not even her highness Consort Yang can..." Wanying paused, she
suddenly remembered the milk. She looked at Lingyi closely, her eyes piercing though every corner around Lingyi, the wooden bowl was still empty and dry.
"Where is the milk?" Wanying asked, her anger rising, eyes fixed on Lingyi.
"I...I could...I-I didn't," Lingyi stammered, searching for the right words but they seemed to elude her.
"Ru Lingyi, speak! Where is the milk?" Wanying's patience had worn out.
Lingyi decided to tell the truth, awaiting punishment. "Sister Wanying, what happened was...I was searching for the Imperial Household Department when I mistakenly bumped...when a Concubine mistakenly bumped into me." Lingyi quickly corrected, No, I should say the concubine bumped into me. "...and punished me to kneel until dawn before the assassin started chasing after me." Ru Lingyi concluded, nervously biting her lower lip, knowing it made no sense.
Utterly disappointed, Wanying's expression hardened. After a moment, she spoke in a stern, disbelieving tone.
"Ru Lingyi," Wanying began, "such tales are beyond belief. You expect me to accept that a concubine punished you, then out of nowhere an assassin started chasing you? Your excuses grow more outlandish by the day."
Lingyi's heart sank further at Wanying's harsh words. Her credibility was fragile, and this explanation only worsened it.
"I...I swear it's the truth, Wanying," Lingyi pleaded, voice wavering. "I was truly in danger."
Wanying's expression remained unyielding. "Enough," she snapped. "Your theatrics won't fool anyone here, especially not me. Go to your quarters and reflect on your mistake." Wanying concluded, waving a hand forward, motioning for Lingyi to leave.
Ru Lingyi nodded silently, fighting back tears of frustration and shame. She turned away without another word, Wanying's disapproval a heavy weight on her shoulders.
As Lingyi walked away, Wanying's eyes followed her with irritation and suspicion. She knew there was more to this story than what she heard. It was not the first time she had heard excuses from junior maids but this one had something unfamiliar to it, Wanying just couldn't figure it out yet.
She sighed, then turned to tend to her mistress.
*********************
Do you think Wanying will ever come to like Lingyi?