Ru Lingyi had settled into her new duties with a grace that surprised even herself. Chengqian Palace, which had once felt so foreign, now held an air of familiarity, even warmth. Days had passed since Wanying's departure, and with each passing moment, Lingyi filled the void, managing tasks, overseeing the maids, and ensuring Consort Xian's needs were met. Her life, which had once seemed utterly bizarre after waking up in the body of a servant in ancient China, now felt like her own. She had started to embrace the rhythm of the palace life, each day blending into the next, punctuated by the duties she performed for her mistress.
This morning, she set out to retrieve Consort Xian's clothing from the Imperial Embroidery Department. The delicate embroidery, the elegant silks—they were all aspects of her new life that Lingyi had come to appreciate. The intricacy of the designs, the rich colors woven into each fabric, were things she would never have encountered in her previous life.
"Was this how clothing were made then?..or is it now?"..She asked and wondered if this life she lived would be called her past or her future. She knows not wether her formal world still existed...or was it completely wiped away with her. She waved the idea and decided to watch everything unfold.
She admired the artistry, the beauty that surrounded her in every corner of the Forbidden City. And today, her heart was light, as if her spirits had finally lifted to match the sunlit beauty around her.
Carrying the wrapped package of Consort Xian's clothes in her arms, she walked back toward Chengqian Palace, her steps leisurely as she took in the view. She glanced at the pavilions, the intricate carvings on the wooden beams, the gardens spilling over with blossoming flowers. The Forbidden City was like a painting come to life, and today, she allowed herself to savor it.
But just as she was reveling in this moment, a strange sensation prickled at the back of her neck. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw two figures moving behind her. Lingyi's heart quickened, but she kept her face neutral, maybe there were just palace guards taking same route with her. So she thought to herself. But they didn't stop following her as she turned back , quickening her steps ever so slightly.
The footsteps behind her did the same, growing louder, closer. The once-beautiful path now felt like a trap, and she realized with a chill that no one else was nearby. She glanced around, searching for a servant or another maid, anyone who might bear witness, but the path remained empty as though no other soul was left in the forbidden city.
She picked up her pace, her hands clenching around the package in her arms. She fought to keep her breathing steady, but panic clawed its way up her throat as the men drew nearer. She dared a quick glance behind her and both were guards indeed, dressed in standard palace uniforms, but their faces were set with an ominous determination.
Lingyi broke into a run, her heart pounding as she darted down the winding path. The men matched her pace, footsteps thundering as they chased her, closing the distance with alarming speed. She ducked around a corner, but before she could go any further, a pair of hands grabbed her shoulders, yanking her back.
The package slipped from her arms, forgotten as she struggled for her life against the iron grip that held her. "Let me go!" she shouted, twisting and turning, but their hold tightened, and a rough hand clamped over her mouth, stifling her cries. She thrashed against them, her mind racing with panic. They didn't speak, their expressions set and cold as they dragged her into an isolated corner, hidden from the main paths of the palace.
Her heart raced wildly. She couldn't understand what was happening. Why were they targeting her , a simple maid? Her mind scrambled for answers even as her body fought against their hold. She felt herself being pressed against the wall, their hands holding her in place. One of the guards unsheathed a dagger, the blade gleaming ominously in the dim light.
"No…" she whispered, the sound muffled against the hand over her mouth. Her heart sank, and for a moment, she felt the cold grip of fear tighten around her chest.
But then, as if by some stroke of fate, a shadow appeared just behind the guards. Before she could fully register what was happening, the figure stepped forward, moving with a swiftness and precision that left her captors momentarily stunned.
With one powerful strike, the man landed a blow on the guard holding her, sending him stumbling back. The second guard turned, aiming his blade, but the newcomer was quicker. He ducked, dodging the attack with ease, then struck out, disarming the man in a matter of seconds.
The guards, realizing they were outmatched, scrambled to their feet, casting one last look at Lingyi and her rescuer before turning to themselves and fleeing. Lingyi remained against the wall, her chest heaving, her legs weak. Her rescuer watched the guards disappear around the corner, ensuring they were truly gone before turning back to her.
Lingyi gasped, her gaze finally landing on the face of the man who had saved her. He looked familiar, a face from the depths of her memory. His dark eyes studied her, sharp and assessing, as though he too recognized her, though he seemed unsure from where.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice deep and steady.
Lingyi shook her head, though her heart was still pounding in her chest. "No… I'm fine," she managed to say, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Thank you… I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't intervened."
The man's expression softened slightly, though he still looked at her with a strange intensity. "These aren't times to be wandering the palace alone," he said. His gaze fell on the package of clothes she'd dropped, and he bent to retrieve it, dusting off the fabric before handing it back to her.
Lingyi accepted the package, her hands trembling slightly as she took it from him. "I… I wasn't wandering. I was on my way back to Chengqian Palace."
His eyes widened, just a fraction. "Chengqian Palace," he repeated, almost to himself. "Consort Xian's maid, are you?"
Lingyi nodded, and he seemed to regard her with a newfound curiosity, though he kept his expression carefully neutral.
She studied him, taking in his features with a growing sense of familiarity. He had the look of someone from her past, perhaps from before her arrival in Chengqian Palace, but the memory eluded her, like a dream she couldn't quite grasp.
"Forgive me," she said hesitantly, "but have we met before?"
A hint of a smile tugged at his lips, though he gave a slight shake of his head. "Perhaps we have, in another life?," he replied with a laughter escaping his lips. "Or perhaps it's just the threads of fate crossing in unexpected ways."
Lingyi's curiosity deepened, but before she could press further, he straightened, his expression returning to its guarded state. "Stay vigilant," he advised. "Not everyone in this palace is as they seem."
Lingyi nodded, feeling the weight of his words settle within her. She looked at him one last time, her heart filled with gratitude and questions, then she remembered it.
"I remember you" lingyi said immediately like she would forget if she didn't spit it out then.
The man turned to her in curiosity.
"You were the man from the shadows, when I was punished by Concubine Jia"..lingyi added.
The man tilted his head slightly, taking thorough glance at her, then his eyes lit..."ahh!..it's you". Lingyi smiled in response.
"How is your wish to becoming a concubine? It doesn't seem like you are a concubine yet"..He jested .
Lingyi laughed, waving her hand to dismiss the joke.
"Oh stop, I was just bantering in anger that day. " She paused. .."concubine? I don't wish to become one "
"Oh?...Why say that" the man asked ,
"I want—.."lingyi stopped as if she remembered something. "I've said too much, who are you?" She asked glancing at his regal outfit and bearing.
He laughed, "I will leave that for you to find out yourself" ...he replied as he turned , taking same route that be had come from to leave.
Lingyi watched him go, his figure growing smaller until he was swallowed by the palace grounds. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before she began her own journey back to Chengqian Palace, her mind buzzing with thoughts. The palace, which had once felt so vast and beautiful, now seemed darker, its corridors and gardens filled with secrets she hadn't anticipated.