"Greetings, Wangfei Niángniang." (Your Highness the Princess Consort) Ruyi curtsied.
But Jing Yan ignored her and faced her son. "Hao'er, haven't I told you not to talk to strangers?"
"She's not a stranger!" Sun Hao yelled.
"Shut your mouth. What do you know?" Jing Yan whispered before facing Ruyi.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there. Who are you?" Jing Yan asked.
Ruyi answered, "I am Ruyi, I—"
"Oh? It's you. I remember now," Jing Yan cut her off deliberately. She smiled at her, then walked away with her son, Linglong trailing behind them.
Ruyi took a deep breath before walking after them.
At the pavilion, chairs and low tables had been carefully arranged, each set with tea and an assortment of delicate pastries. Two consorts, Consort Li and Consort Fei sat closest to Consort Yao, while the noble ladies were seated by their sides. At a single glance, one could tell they were women of high standing—everything from the richness of their robes to the refinement of their hair ornaments, even down to the embroidered sachets hanging at their waists, spoke of privilege and careful grooming.
Three consorts had been brought into the palace to ease the Emperor's burdens and attend to his needs whenever required. Yet despite their presence, none of them had truly managed to live up to his expectations.
As soon as Jing Yan appeared, Consort Yao remained unmoved, her gaze fixed on the walkway, eagerly anticipating the arrival of her guest.
Jing Yan dropped to her knees alongside her son and Linglong. "I pay my respect, Your Highness. May you live a thousand thousand years."
But Consort Yao barely paid them any attention. "Rise," she ordered, her gaze still glued to the walkway.
Jing Yan rose and turned her head,following Consort Yao's gaze.
Consort Yao suddenly broke into a bright smile as Ruyi emerged.
Ruyi knelt and bowed, placing one hand on the other, "Ruyi pays her respects to Your Highness."
"Good girl. Rise," Consort Yao said gently.
Ruyi rose, then turned to the other consort and noble ladies and curtsied. The noble ladies nodded in acknowledgment, while the consorts smiled at her.
"Come and sit beside me," Consort Yao said, gesturing to the empty seat at her side.
Jing Yan clenched her fist in anger. That was supposed to be my seat! How can Her Highness be so openly biased?
Jing Yan took her seat beside the noble ladies, while Linglong stood with the other attendants.
Soon, they began to sip their tea and chat.
"Your Highness," one of the noble ladies said, "Miss Xu is so intelligent. I like her."
"Yes," another added, laughing softly. "I'm glad to be here. I've already learnt so much from Miss Xu."
They all laughed, clearly enjoying one another's company— well, everyone except Jing Yan, who forced a smile at every point while casting disgusting looks at Ruyi.
Consort Li smiled warmly. "That reminds me, Miss Xu, I hear you are quite skilled at playing the guqin. His Majesty himself has praised you. Would you honor us by performing for us?"
"I… I…" Ruyi stammered. She knew it was hard to refuse, especially with Consort Yao present. But playing the guqin, particularly with someone like Jing Yan watching, felt impossible. She glanced at Consort Yao as if silently asking for help.
Consort Yao smiled. "Ruyi won't be able to play today. Her fingers have not healed yet. Perhaps next time."
No one dared to question her. Whatever she said was final.
Consort Yao found her voice again. "Why don't I entertain you instead?"
With that, she clapped her hands. Zhun Momo emerged, followed by two young women dressed in flowing dance attire with a veil over their faces.
As the music began, they moved gracefully, their bodies swaying perfectly to the rhythm.
The ladies beamed with excitement, clearly enjoying the performance.
"Your Highness," Jing Yan said, her voice sweet, "I have some wine stored in my chambers. I assure you, it is of the finest quality. Why don't I send Linglong to retrieve it?"
"Indeed, Your Highness," Consort Li agreed. "A cup of wine would be most fitting at a time like this."
Consort Yao nodded, and Jing Yan signaled to Linglong, who moved to fetch the wine, accompanied by an attending maid.
Soon after, they returned to clear the tables.
Jing Yan signaled a maid to take Sun Hao away. while the attending maids poured wine for Consort Yao and the others, Linglong stepped forward to serve Ruyi.
As she approached and tilted the jug, it slipped from her hand, the contents spilling across Ruyi's robes.
A sharp gasp rippled through the pavilion.
LingLong immediately dropped to her knees. "Miss Xu, I didn't mean to—please forgive me my clumsiness," she cried, bowing repeatedly.
Ruyi looked down at her damp clothing, the strong smell of the wine clinging to her robes. She exhaled and lifted her gaze, her expression calm.
"It's alright," Ruyi said lightly, brushing off her robes, drawing the attention of everyone seated.
They all took note of how calm she remained in the situation. Consort Yao observed Ruyi in silence before speaking.
"Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yes, Your Highness. Nothing I can't handle," Ruyi replied.
Jing Yan's lips curved. "It would be improper to remain in stained clothes. Linglong, take her to the side hall and make sure she's properly cleaned," she said, her tone filled with disdain.
Linglong nodded quickly. "Yes, Wangfei Niángniang."
Ruyi scoffed inwardly. I'd like to see what you're up to.
"Someone, go with them," Consort Yao commanded. The attending maid who had accompanied Linglong stepped forward. "Allow me to assist you," she offered, then followed after them.
As Ruyi walked away, Jing Yan smiled, downing her cup in a go.
When they arrived at the side hall, Linglong suddenly felt the urge to excuse herself.
"Miss Xu, I need to step away briefly. She'll show you where the change of clothes are," Linglong said, gesturing to the attending maid before leaving.
"Miss Xu, please go in. I'll wait for you out here," the attending maid said.
"All right," Ruyi replied and headed inside.
Moments later, Linglong rushed to the pavilion, her voice shaking. "Your Highness!" She sank to her knees.
"What's wrong? Where's Ruyi?" Consort Yao asked.
"She…" Linglong stammered. "She's in the side hall.
"Then why isn't she back with you?" Consort Li added.
"Be… because she's with a man," Linglong revealed.
Consort Yao rose from her seat. "What?"
Linglong bowed her head quickly, her heart racing.
"How dare you speak ill of Ruyi!" Consort Yao barked. "Who do you think you are?"
Linglong began to tremble. "Your Highness, I'm not lying, I truly heard them."
"If this is true, then Miss Xu isn't who we thought she was," one of the noble ladies remarked.
"Indeed. Has she been pretending to be virtuous all this while?" another added.
Jing Yan stepped into the conversation. "Please let us all calm down. I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding. Younger sister Ruyi (Ruyi mèimei) couldn't possibly do something like that.
"Yes, Wangfei Niángniang (Princess Consort) is right,"Consort Li added. "Her Grace knows her best, she's certainly not that kind of person."
"I'm not lying!" Linglong protested. "I saw them. It's obvious she has no regard for Her Grace."
"Why don't we simply go and see for ourselves?" Jing Yan suggested. "Linglong has been by my side for a long time—she would not dare lie about such a matter."
"Lead the way," Consort Yao instructed.
Linglong rose and led them towards the side hall.
Approaching the door, they were met with the unmistakable sounds of pleasure echoing from within.
"Oh my God, it's true! one of the noble ladies exclaimed.
"I can't believe Miss Xu could do this kind of thing," another added.
"Your Highness, she needs to be punished," Jing Yan urged. "How could she embarrass you like this?"
"Shut your mouth! Open the door," Consort Yao ordered.
Just as the maids moved to open the door, a familiar voice called from behind.
"What's going on here?"
Heads turned and everyone wore a look of shock.
"Ruyi?" Consort Yao called, her face brightening.
Ruyi moved closer, holding a bunch of flowers in hand. "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Linglong froze on the spot. What's going on? Why isn't she inside?
Jing Yan looked at her, anger and pain in her eyes. Useless! she whispered gently.
"Miss Xu," One of the noble ladies spoke, "we thought you were in the room. Linglong said you were in the room with a man."
"I finished changing my clothes a while ago. So I wanted to take a stroll, I saw these beautiful flowers and decided to bring some back for everyone." She turned to Linglong. Linglong, what room? what nonsense are you saying?"
"I…," Linglong stammered. "I clearly saw you in the room with a man."
"Me? You saw me?" Ruyi asked, pointing at herself.
"Y-yes, I saw you," Linglong answered.
"Then why am I not inside?" Ruyi pressed.
"How should I know?" Linglong yelled in frustration.
Before anyone could react, muffled moans rose from the room once again.
"Linglong, if it was truly me inside, whose voice do you suppose we're hearing now?" Ruyi said calmly.
"I–I…" Linglong began to stammer.
"Cut the crap. Open the door," Consort Yao commanded coldly.
At her signal, two maids stepped forward and pushed the door open.
Lo and behold, inside was an attending maid tangled with a man. A piercing scream split the air as they scrambled to cover themselves.
"Why is it you?!" Linglong cried out in shock.