After escorting Consort Xian into her chamber,Ru Lingyi walked back into her own quarters. Her footsteps were measured, her face calm and composed as ever, because her mind was a storm of thoughts. She closed the door gently behind her, as though to keep out the chaos she could feel brewing within the palace walls.
Once inside, she let out a slow breath, as she sat the edge of her bed, her slender hands rested on her jaw as she stared ahead at nothing in particular. Her expression, usually so controlled, was now covered with worry. The atmosphere in Chengqian Palace had shifted, and not in a way that boded well for lingyi.
The alliance between Consort Xian and Hua Pin had been easy to read, even without overhearing any word. The way they spoke, the subtle changes in Consort Xian's tone—it was clear that her mistress's focus had shifted to matters far beyond the day-to-day politics of the harem. Lingyi knew her place. She was a loyal servant, trusted by her mistress to handle her affairs discreetly. But loyalty in this place often came with no reward, and the tides of palace politics were ruthless.
She leaned forward, her fingers pressing against her temples. " Just when I thought I could breathe...that I can figure out life here and why I was sent here and even now to get out . Just when I thought life here was getting in line." A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she reminded herself that life in the Forbidden City, was full of surprises.
Her mind wandered to the events of the day. A part of her felt she should trust Consort Xian's instincts, as she always had. But another part, a growing part, warned her that her safety and welfare were no longer guaranteed but now in her own hands .
She had seen it happen before—to Wanying, to countless others who had been discarded or caught in the crossfire of greater ambitions. Lingyi's survival thus far had only been luck—and neither vigilance nor a careful avoidance of unnecessary attention. But now, it seemed the stakes were rising, and she feared being swept up in the coming storm.
Her hands clenched tightly on her lap. She needed a way out. A plan B. A path to secure her future before the unknown swallowed her whole.
And that was when Prince Lan came to her mind.
The memory of his words stirred something within her. He had promised to approach Consort Xian and declare his intentions, to make her his. At the time, she had been torn, hesitant to betray her mistress by even entertaining the thought of leaving. But now? Now it seemed everyone in the palace was looking out for their own interests. Perhaps it was time she did the same.
Lingyi rose from her bed and walked to the ornate window, pushing it open to let the cool breeze wash over her. She stared out at the sprawling palace grounds, their beauty masking the dangers lurking beneath.
The thought of leaving Chengqian Palace felt like betrayal. Consort Xian had always treated her kindly, and Lingyi had served her with unwavering loyalty. She knew that if she left, it would leave a void—one that would not be easily filled. But in the Forbidden City, loyalty alone was never enough.
Her thoughts turned to Prince Lan. He was everything she could want—a man of status, kindness, and charm. But more than that, he represented a life beyond the harem, beyond the endless scheming and uncertainty. Could she trust him? Could she truly believe that he would come through on his promise?
Lingyi sighed and leaned against the windowsill, her heart heavy with indecision.
"Am I a traitor to even consider this? ". she thought bitterly. "No...I am just trying to survive, like everyone else, after all...when it boils down to make decisions, no one would care of my best interest."
She closed her eyes, allowing her memories to drift back to the night he had held her in his arms. His words had been so sincere, his touch so gentle. She had felt safe, cherished, for the first time in years. But that moment of peace felt like a distant dream now, overshadowed by the reality of the palace.
"Lingyi, I will make my intentions clear to your mistress," he had said, his voice steady with conviction.
"Really?" she had asked, her heart pounding.
"Yes," he had replied, pulling her closer and placing a soft kiss on her forehead.
The memory made her chest ache. She wanted to believe him, but doubt gnawed at her. What if he changed his mind? What if his promise was just another illusion, like so many others in this place.
Lingyi shoke her head as if shaking of dusts and straightened, her resolve hardening. If there was one thing she had learned in the palace, it was that hesitation could be deadly. If she waited too long, the chance to secure her future might slip through her fingers.
She walked back inside her quarters and over to her small mirror, her reflection staring back at her with a mixture of fear and determination. "It's not betrayal," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. "It's survival."
Lingyi clenched her fists. She couldn't afford to waste any more time. Prince Lan's proposal wasn't just a promise—it was an opportunity. An escape. She had to act quickly before the tide turned against her completely.
Her loyalty to Consort Xian was unshaken, but even the most loyal servant could not serve if they were no longer standing. And with the growing tension between her mistress, Hua Pin, and the rest of the harem, Lingyi knew that danger was lurking closer than ever.
"If I stay, I could be dragged into something I cannot control. If I leave, I might finally have a life of my own." She said to her self.
She sat down at her desk, her fingers trembling slightly as she reached for a brush and paper. She began writing a short note, a simple message to Prince Lan requesting a secret meeting. The words came hesitantly at first, but soon they flowed with a sense of urgency.
When she finished, she sealed the note carefully and called for a trusted servant. "Take this to Prince Lan," she instructed, her voice steady despite the storm in her chest. "Ensure it reaches him directly. Speak of it to no one else."
As the servant departed, Lingyi sank back into her bed, her eyes closing briefly. She had taken the first step, but the path ahead was still uncertain. Would Prince Lan keep his word? Would Consort Xian discover her plans?
For now, all she could do was wait—and hope.
The palace was a place of endless plots and shifting alliances, where even the smallest misstep could lead to ruin. But for the first time, Lingyi felt a flicker of hope that perhaps, just perhaps, she could carve out a future for herself beyond its gilded walls.
She looked out the window again, the evening sky now darkening as the first stars began to appear. Somewhere out there, Prince Lan was waiting. And with him, perhaps, was the freedom she so desperately sought.