A while ago…
"Miss Xu, please go in. I'll wait for you out here," the attending maid offered.
"Alright," Ruyi responded, and headed inside.
As Ruyi stepped inside, a faint, stifling smell filled the air.
Aphrodisiac.
She swiftly produced her handkerchief to cover her nose, a cold smile tugging at her lips. Trying to harm me? How laughable?
A half-naked man lounged on the bed. The moment he saw her, his gaze turned lustful. He licked his lips and rose, staggering towards her.
"How beautiful," he chuckled. "Come—let me take good care of you."
You're courting death
Ruyi kicked him without hesitation, her kick sent him crashing back onto the bed, but he wasn't angry, instead he laughed hysterically.
Ignoring him, Ruyi lifted the burning aphrodisiac candle and headed for the door. There, she paused, cleared her throat, and called out in a manly voice.
"Hey—she passed out."
In an instant, she slipped behind the door.
The door creaked open. The attending maid hurried in, irritation written all over her face. "Can't you even handle such a simple task—"
Before she could finish, Ruyi grabbed her wrist and thrust the candle close to her face.
"You—!"
The maid staggered back, clutching her head. "What's happening…? It's so hot… so hot!"
"This," Ruyi said coldly, releasing her, "is what you get for setting me up."
She dropped the candle on the table, her eyes filled with scorn. "Reflect on your actions!"
Without another glance, she turned and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Later…
Back at the pavilion, the man, Linglong, and the attending maid knelt before Consort Yao.
"The audacity!" Consort Yao stamped her hands on the table, burning with fury. She turned to Jing Yan. "How dare a mere maid tell such a lie?!"
"Your Highness, please calm your anger." Consort Li pleaded.
"Speak. What exactly is going on here?" Consort Yao demanded.
"Your Highness, forgive me—this servant deserves death!" the attending maid begged.
"I—I must have seen wrongly," Linglong said quickly in her defense. She turned to Ruyi. "Forgive me, Miss Xu. I made a mistake. I promise it won't happen again."
Ruyi turned away, wearing a sad look, as if she might burst into tears any moment.
"You ruined my good day—you surely have the nerve." Consort Yao's eyes flashed. "Guards! Take these two and execute them. Let them serve as a lesson to anyone who dares to play clever tricks."
Two guards stepped forward and seized them.
The man and the attending maid cried out in unison, "Your Highness, forgive us! We won't dare do it again!"
The man suddenly turned towards Linglong. "It's you!" He shouted.
Linglong froze on the spot, her body trembling as fear took over her. Still, she managed to speak. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
The guards paused, uncertain.
"You gave me money and ordered me to ruin this lady's reputation," he revealed, pointing at Ruyi.
"He's lying! Don't listen to him—I don't even know him at all!" Linglong denied sharply.
"You're saying I'm lying?" the man challenged. "You even told me your Lady would reward me if I got the job done!"
Jing Yan shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
"I didn't!" Linglong screamed.
"Yes, Your Highness, it was her!" the attending maid pointed at Linglong. "She gave me lots of silver and a jade hairpin to help frame Miss Xu. I was only following instructions; I didn't have a choice," the maid lamented.
"Is she crazy?" one of the noble ladies spoke. "How can a mere maid give that kind of instruction?"
"Indeed," another added.
Consort Yao's gaze landed on Jing Yan, but Jing Yan quickly averted her gaze.
The attending maid scrambled towards Ruyi. "Miss Xu, forgive me! I was a fool. I shouldn't have hurt you. It won't happen again." But she was met with rejection as the guards dragged her away along with the man.
"So it was you?" Consort Yao uttered, pointing at Linglong.
Linglong shook her head, fidgeting.
"Speak! Who gave you the audacity to do that?" Consort Yao questioned, stamping her palm against the table in anger.
"I…I…" Linglong stammered. "Your Highness, forgive me. I deserve to die ten times over!"
Jing Yan rose and hurried towards Consort Yao. She sank to her knees and bowed her head. "Your Highness, please have mercy. Linglong is my maid. It's all my fault; I refused to manage my household properly. I beg you, please forgive her."
"You're standing up for her?" Consort Yao asked, but there was no tint of surprise in her voice; she knew exactly what was going on.
"Someone! Seize this wench and flog her fifty times, right here!" Consort Yao ordered.
Linglong burst into tears. "I didn't do it! Please show mercy, Your Highness."
Jing Yan froze on the spot. She had always known Consort Yao to be ruthless, but she had never imagined her to go this far— all because of Ruyi.
Linglong clutched at her sleeves. "Wangfei Niángniang (Your Highness the Princess Consort)!" she cried helplessly, her voice trembling as she begged for Jing Yan's help.
"Getting off with a light punishment is a blessing for her. What she did actually warrants death," one of the noble ladies commented.
"Yes, Her Grace has already shown mercy by not executing her," another added.
"But isn't flogging her fifty times the same as sending her to her death?" Ruyi interceded, her concern carefully feigned.
"Miss Xu, you're far too kind," Consort Fei uttered. "I can't believe you're pitying someone who tried to harm you."
Jing Yan stared at Ruyi, disbelief clouding her face. She could not comprehend how Ruyi had managed to gain support—or how she could so convincingly pretend to plead for Linglong.
Ruyi's lips curved into a faint, satisfying smile as she glanced at Jing Yan—a smile that said a lot. Yet behind it was a soul who had been long lost and forgotten, a soul who had burned through the night tirelessly without rest, a soul that had been condemned and scarred beyond repair.
Linglong tugged at Jing Yan's robes pleadingly. "Wangfei Niángniang (Your Highness the Princess Consort), Save me!"
But there was nothing Jing Yan could do. Consort Yao's words were final, and to go against her would be to put herself in grave danger.
A long wooden punishment bench was brought to the pavilion. Linglong was forced to lie face down, her arms seized and pinned in place by two guards. Another stepped forward, lifting a heavy wooden baton.
The first strike landed on her buttocks, and she screamed. The second came down even harder, her cries filling the air.
Jing Yan flinched at each blow, her heart reeling as the sound of the baton reached her ears.
Ruyi stared at her, a smirk playing on her lips. Yan Yan, did you really think I was going to let you hurt me again? I hate you. I want you to lose everything. I am your downfall.
By the time it reached the twentieth stroke, Linglong coughed up blood, her body frail and pale. She could no longer cry out; all that was left was a faint, broken scream each time the baton met her flesh.
Jing Yan couldn't take it any longer. She clenched her fists and tried to speak, but before she could intercede, a voice pierced through the commotion.
"Stop!"
The guards immediately stepped back.
Sun Jun approached, anger etched across his face, his brows furrowed. The sleeve of his robes followed him as he walked. He bowed before his mother in reverence.
"Greetings, Mǔfēi (Consort Mother), he said.
He's here… Ruyi mumbled.
"Good timing," Consort Yao said coolly. Her gaze settled on Sun Jun, sharp and unyielding. "Jun'er, it seems you're incapable of managing your own household. How else could a mere maid speak such nonsense about a noble? Or is it that you wish for me to step in and manage it on your behalf?"
A heavy silence fell over the pavilion.
"Greetings, prince Jun," everyone said respectfully as they rose to their feet.
Sun Jun inclined his head in acknowledgment, and the guests resumed their seats, while the maids and guards remained standing, their heads lowered.
"Forgive me, Mother," Sun Jun pleaded. "I assure you it won't happen again. Linglong has been with us for a long time now, and Yan Yan is used to her. Please pardon her."
"Humph, really?" Consort Yao asked sarcastically. "I'll let it go this once, but if there's another time, don't blame me for being ruthless. I'm sure you'll give me an explanation for what happened today."
"Definitely, thank you, Mother." Sun Jun bowed, bending his back slightly. He glanced at Ruyi for a moment before averting his eyes.
He then signaled to the guards to take Linglong away. Helping Jing Yan to her feet, they bowed one last time before leaving the scene.
Ruyi stood up from her seat, walked to Consort Yao, and sank to her knees. She bowed deeply, her forehead touching the ground. "Thank you, Your Highness, for standing up for me."
"Quick, stand up (kuài qǐlái)," Consort Yao urged. "Don't worry. I absolutely won't let anyone bully you."
Ruyi smiled, tears gathering in her eyes. "Thank you, Your Highness," she said, rising and returning to her seat.
"Miss Xu, don't worry," Consort Li assured. "Her Grace surely has your back."
"I hope the whole situation didn't leave you shaken? One of the noble ladies asked gently. "Put your mind at ease, everything will be sorted."
Ruyi bowed, tears threatening to fall. "This humble one is truly grateful to Your Highness, the honored consorts, and the noble ladies for your fairness and protection. Your kindness will not be forgotten."
"So likeable," Consort Fei whispered to Consort Li.
"Indeed," consort Li agreed.
Ruyi's lips curved into something sinister as she calmly sipped her wine. This time, it was her turn to sit back and watch. She would rise and reclaim everything that once belonged to her—her happiness, her time, her life and most of all, her dignity.
Jing Yan, what will you do when you find out that the two people you trusted most had betrayed you? I can't wait to see you fall. All of you deserve to die!