Upon her arrival at Chengqian Palace, Wanying stepped into the courtyard with a renewed sense of purpose, her steps firmer with chin lifted high in confidence.
The bottle Consort Shu gave her felt like a hidden promise nestled against her wrist, reminding her of the power she now held. Yet, despite the plan, her mind was still unsettled.. a hunger for action danced beneath the surface, still unfulfilled. She longed for the chance to prove herself, to show Consort Xian just how indispensable she truly was.
But just as she stepped into the courtyard, her gaze fell upon an unexpected sight that instantly spoilt her mood. There, under the soft morning light, was Ru Lingyi, her figure tall and poised, commanding a small assembly of maids as though she was the newest palace mistress. Wanying subconsciously stopped in her tracks, blending into the shadows to watch unnoticed.
Lingyi's voice, soft yet firm, rang out as she directed the others with easy authority. "No, place the vases here, by the pillars. Yes Consort Xian prefers flowers to greet her as she enters. And mind the arrangement...she likes the jasmine and peonies centered, with lilies around the edges." ..Lingyi commanded freely.
The other maids bustled around, eager to follow her instructions, their faces filled with admiration. Wanying's lips curled in disdain. Only a few days in Chengqian Palace, and Lingyi was already taking liberties, imposing her preferences, positioning herself as if she belonged. The other maids, too, were laughing and conversing freely with Lingyi, hanging onto her every word as though she were someone of consequence.
This sight fanned the embers of Wanying's resentment into flames, and she felt the hatred within her deepen.
In that moment, the realization struck her like a sharp gust of wind hitting a clean surface.. it wasn't Consort Xian's neglect that wounded her the most, it was Lingyi's unwarranted rise. This girl..this mere servant with neither years of service nor proven loyalty had somehow captured Consort Xian's favor, a favor that had once belonged solely to Wanying.
Her mind circled back to all the recent instances where she had been pushed aside, forgotten in the background while Lingyi basked in Consort Xian's fleeting attention. It stung, sharper than any insult, knowing her years of faithfulness could be forgotten and wiped so swiftly. Lingyi's very presence had become a thorn in her flesh , one she could no longer ignore. No..she had to root it out, pull Lingyi from her lofty perch and restore the palace to its rightful balance. She wouldn't allow some untested child to make a mockery of her hard-earned place.
As if sensing her hidden gaze, Lingyi turned in Wanying's direction, her eyes briefly sweeping over the shadows of the courtyard. But her expression remained untroubled, unseeing. Wanying melted further into the darkness, her hand clenching at her side, and she forced herself to keep still. There was a time for confrontation, and this wasn't it.
But the flash of Lingyi's gaze which was calm, innocent, almost serene..only heightened Wanying's frustration. She cursed under her breath, bitterness curling around her words. "You think you belong here, don't you?" she muttered softly to herself. "Smiling, guiding the others like you've known the rules of this palace for longer than a heartbeat…."
Ru Lingyi, oblivious to Wanying's silent reproach, had resumed her instructions, her hands delicately arranging flower petals that had drifted loose. The way she moved, her gestures so careful and precise, sparked an idea in Wanying's mind, a thought that brought a small, twisted smile to her lips.
This "innocent" Ru Lingyi might hold Consort Xian's favor for now, but she hadn't yet tasted the bite of palace politics. Wanying doubted Lingyi even understood the weight of the position she seemed so eager to occupy. The young maid had never navigated the dangers lurking beneath the palace's serene surface..never learned to keep her allies close and her enemies closer. She didn't know how quickly favor could turn, how one's greatest asset could become one's undoing.
A small, dark thrill crept over Wanying at the thought. Lingyi might have won Consort Xian's approval through charm or luck, but such grace was fleeting in a place like Chengqian Palace. All it took was the right nudge at the right moment..a carefully crafted chance—and the fragile favor that Lingyi enjoyed could be shattered like glass.
The question was how and when to strike. She needed to be subtle, to be patient; Lingyi's fall should have to appear natural, inevitable. It was then that the plan began to form, slowly and deliberately. She would observe Lingyi, study her every weakness, wait for her to make a slight misstep and she would be there to ensure it left a lasting scar.
Satisfied, Wanying pulled herself from the shadows, ready to confront Consort Xian. She approached the grand entrance, her face carefully composed. Whatever animosity she felt for Lingyi would remain hidden; her mask of duty and loyalty would stay firmly in place.
As she entered, she saw Consort Xian reclining gracefully on a low seat in the grand hall of Chengqian Palace. Her expression was serene as she arranged a fan over her lap. Lingyi knelt nearby, tidying delicate ornaments on a tray. She looked up as Wanying approached, a faint smile touching her lips..a smile that Wanying did not care to return.
"niang naing ," Wanying greeted softly, bowing low. "I've returned from the morning tasks." She carefully kept her tone neutral, respectful, masking the jealousy that simmered just beneath.
Consort Xian regarded her with a faint smile in acknowledgement, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Ah, Wanying. You may take some rest if you need. Lingyi has been more than capable in assisting me."
The words struck Wanying like a cold slap, and she felt her composure waver, though only for a brief moment . She quickly dipped her head lower, hiding her expression. "Thank you, niang niang ..but it is my duty to serve you as well." she said.
Consort Xian nodded absently, her attention drifting back to Lingyi. "Very well then...as you wish."
The dismissal was almost casual, but to Wanying, it felt as though a final seal had been pressed over her fading role. Consort Xian's affection, the bond they had once shared, was clearly slipping through her fingers.
But as she bowed and turned to leave, a strange sense of calm settled over her. There was no need for further confirmation or need to worry ...her path was now set. Wanying knew what she had to do.
As she got to the corridors beyond the chamber, she paused, taking a steadying breath. Her fingers drifted to her sleeve, brushing the cool surface of the small green bottle hidden within. The subtle poison was there, ready when she needed it, but there was no rush. She would wait, watching Lingyi with all the patience she had honed over the years. And when the time was right, she would use everything she'd learned in her years at Chengqian Palace to reclaim her place and to remind everyone, especially Lingyi, just who held the true power .
With a final, determined glance back at the chamber, Wanying's lips curved into a faint smile, more bitter than sweet. "I have been patient, obedient, loyal. Now it was time to add cunning to the list, After all...." she thought,..." as the morning sun rose higher, even flowers need pruning when they grow out of place".
And then, she walked away, the courtyard once again teemed with the laughter of the other maids, their voices echoing behind her. She imagined how that laughter would sound silenced, and it gave her a grim satisfaction.