"Yan Yan, you're amazing!" Li Mei jumped and clapped with delight as Jing Yan effortlessly read the lips of the storyteller, who was telling tales from a distance.
"Of course! (nà dāngrán la) Jing Yan replied, lifting her chin with pride.
The memory flashed through Ruyi's mind, before pulling her back into the present.
She reached for Sun Jun's hands and slowly moved them away from her face. "You're not afraid your wife might see you?" she asked, glancing towards Jing Yan's way.
"Where was it written that I couldn't take concubines if I wanted to?" he raised his voice. "She should be lucky I haven't taken any all these years because she bore me a son. Otherwise…" He let the word hang in the air. "Either way, I'm not afraid," he spelt it out slowly.
Jing Yan clenched her jaw, a clear sign of her suppressed anger. She wished she could tear through them like a storm and unleash her wrath. With a scoff, she turned and strode away.
As soon as she was out of sight, Ruyi stepped back. "I have matters to attend to, Your Highness, I'll like to take my leave now." With that, she bowed and walked away.
"Your Highness, I don't understand. You could have any woman you wanted. Why her?" Ao Min pointed out. "I heard she and Prince Jingxuan are quite close. You're not afraid…"
"You don't understand," Sun Jun cut him off. "King Father and Queen Mother both favour her. Don't you think she'll become a valuable asset to me?"
"Oh, that's it? I get it now," Ao Min said, nodding.
Sun Jun smiled as he watched her walk away. "Her eyes remind me of someone," he uttered to Ao Min, who looked confused. But instead of dwelling on the matter, he let it go. "Let's go, he announced, leading the way while Ao Min followed behind.
Jing Yan sat before her dressing mirror. She removed her hairpins and let her hair fall down. Suddenly, she knocked everything off the table, screaming in anger.
Linglong rushed into the room, concern lined on her face. "Wangfei Niángniang (Your Highness the Princess Consort), what's wrong?" Linglong asked, gathering the items and placing them back in position.
"Linglong, am I not good-looking? Or do you think I've gained weight after having Sun Hao?" Jing Yan asked, staring at herself in the mirror.
"No, Wangfei Niángniang (Your Highness the Princess Consort) you look just fine to me. Is it because of what happened earlier today?" Linglong questioned.
"He promised me he'll never take another wife, nor would he love anyone else. But seeing him run after that jinx—it really breaks my heart," Jing Yan lamented.
"Wangfei Niángniang (Your Highness the Princess Consort), please don't overthink it. I'm sure they were just having a conversation," Linglong reassured her.
"Perhaps," Jing Yan replied, her voice laced with doubt and bitterness. "Help me get ready for bed."
"Yes, Wangfei Niángniang," Linglong replied, offering a respectful bow as she began to help her undress.
---
At Ruyi's request, Emperor Hong released Sun Jingxuan. In return, she was tasked with keeping Sun Jingxuan and Shen Chun in check, ensuring they caused no further trouble.
"I underestimated you," Sun Jingxuan said to Ruyi as they sat down in his courtyard, having tea.
Ruyi smiled, setting down her cup. "I told you I could get you out. Can you consider my request now?" She asked.
He raised his cup to his mouth and took a sip of his tea. "I have a condition."
"Spill it," she responded, staring at him, trying to read his mind.
"Why are you targeting them?" he asked.
Ruyi smiled before answering. "Revenge," She declared.
"Revenge?" he repeated. "Why?" he pressed further.
"I had a friend, and her life was never her own. She was denied choices, robbed of the chance to live freely. No excuses—just rules. She was imprisoned, weighed down by invisible chains, her spirit caged and manipulated. She was once a vibrant, kind, and brilliant girl, but she was ultimately betrayed, hurt, and destroyed by those she gave everything to." Tears threatened to fall, but she held them back. "If you were in her shoes, what would you do?"
"So you'd throw away your life for a friend who is gone? Is it really worth it?" he asked.
"Yes, absolutely. For her, I would do anything."
"You have no idea how ruthless Consort Yao can be. (Fù Wáng) King Father favors her. Do you really think he'll punish her for you?"
Ruyi scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Punish? Do you think I want her punished? I want them to suffer every ounce of the pain they put me through!" Her voice rose with intensity.
Sun Jingxuan was taken aback. "You?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"My friend," she quickly corrected, her voice softening. "Sorry, I'm a bit overwhelmed."
"You're not afraid of death? You could lose your life in the long run. You're not afraid of what Minister Xu and Lady Ling would go through if they lost their only daughter?" he asked, his eyes searching her eyes.
"I'm not afraid of death. But if I'm going to die, I'll be taking them all with me. My parents…" She paused. "I need you to protect them. I'll get rid of anyone who stands in your way—I promise."
He looked at her. The determination in her eyes made him question if she were the young Miss rumored to be weak and frail. "Who's this friend of yours that you're willing to risk everything for? Is it Lady Mei?" he asked.
She looked up at him in surprise. "You… how did you know? Do you know her?"
He took a long swing of his tea before responding. "Yes, it's a pity Sun Jun led her to her death."
"What do you mean?" she asked in curiously.
"Nothing. I never knew her, but I surely heard good things about her."
A hint of disappointment crossed her face instantly, and she offered him a subtle smile.
But, at least, she was able to secure Sun Jingxuan. He was a very important piece on her chessboard—one she couldn't afford to lose.
---
Jing Yan had grown restless since the last encounter. A quiet fear gnawed at her as she stared blankly at the embroidered handkerchief she had made for Sun Jun. He no longer seemed to care; the love and affection he once showered her with had faded into something cold and distant. He now found excuses to avoid even the smallest touches. Whenever she got clingy, he would pull away without hesitation; whenever she tried to please him, he would feel rather disgusted by it. She was beginning to lose it—her mind, her life, and everything she had worked so hard to build.
"Wangfei Niángnian, Your Highness, Your Highness!" Linglong called repeatedly, pulling her out of her trance.
"What is the issue?" Linglong asked.
"Nothing," Jing Yan lied, brushing off the question. "Where's the stuff I asked you to prepare?"
"It's right here," Linglong answered, producing a scented sachet used for keeping the skin, hair, and clothing smelling nice and sweet.
"Let's go." Jing Yan rose to her feet, letting the handkerchief slip from her fingers and fall to the ground without a sound.
They walked towards Consort Yao's chambers. When they arrived, Zhun Momo stepped forward to announce their presence. A moment later, Consort Yao's calm voice called from within, granting them permission to enter.
The scent of sandalwood drifted through the room as Jing Yan and Linglong made their way in, followed closely by Zhun Momo.
Consort Yao sat calmly on a raised seat, her posture elegant, her gaze unreadable. Even after bearing children and carrying the weight of palace responsibilities, she remained impossibly youthful—her beauty refined, her presence commanding.
Jing Yan immediately put on her best smile. She lowered her eyes, folded her hands neatly, and dropped to her knees in a respectful motion. Linglong promptly followed suit.
"Yan'er greets Your Grace.
May your blessings endure forever."
The words were sweet out of her mouth; they sounded almost tender, and anyone would have thought Consort Yao had a particular fondness for her.
A thin, unwelcoming smile touched Consort Yao's lips.
"Rise."
The chill in her tone made it clear she saw straight through the act.
Jing Yan stood, still smiling, her hands folded with a poised elegance—as if she hadn't heard the coldness at all.
"Why are you here?" Consort Yao's voice was sharp and straightforward.
"I haven't seen you in a while. I missed you, so I decided to come see you," Jing Yan answered.
"Humph. How many years has it been? And now you suddenly miss me? How laughable?"
Jing Yan ignored her words and proceeded with producing the gift she had brought along.
"Your Grace, look what I got you."
She retrieved the scented satchet from Linglong—a delicate silk teardrop, embroidered with tiny lotus petals. The fragrance of osmanthus and white jasmine slipped gently through the layers of the silk, the scent gentle and soothing, the kind that leaves a lingering smell even after the person was gone.
Consort Yao smiled, then gestured to Zhun Momo to accept the gift.
"Can you now tell me why you're here?" Consort Yao asked with a stern look.
Jing Yan took her seat before responding. "It's been a while since we chatted or had tea together."
"Zhun Momo, tea." Consort Yao ordered with an air of authority, and Zhun Momo clapped her hands in response. Two servants entered the room, each holding a small tray with a jug and a cup. They poured tea for each of them and retreated.
Jing Yan was the first to sip her tea. Consort Yao stared at her with a look of disapproval before raising her own cup to her lips.
Jing Yan broke the silence with a practiced innocence. "Your Grace, I've heard minister Xu's daughter is surprisingly talented. I suppose I agree—her dance the other day was rather impressive. Don't you agree with me?"