Chapter 54: Farewell Party
Instead of going back to Han Shuying’s quarters, Ru Yi was led back to her room. All the maids in the courtyard had stared with curiosity in their gaze but none of them approached her.
Each of them spoke words she couldn’t decipher under their breath.
Han Shuying had told her to go back to work until the pass was ready. Ru Yi didn’t mind, she was yet to figure out how to earn a living outside the palace.
"Ru Yi!"
She recognized that voice.
Lang Ying jumped into Ru Yi’s embrace, almost knocking the both of them down. "I knew you were innocent!"
Ru Yi froze for half of a second before putting her arms around Lang Ying. "Thank you for believing in me."
There was a huge grin on Lang Ying’s face when she pulled away. "Where did you after? I was looking for you! I thought for a moment that they wouldn’t let you go." Her face fell. "It’s sad what happened to the princesses though, I can’t imagine getting exiled and having my title stripped from me.
There was that subtle pang in Ru Yi’s chest. "I’m sure they will be fine."
Lang Ying frowned. "I don’t know, they’re not the most liked around here. Where would they even go? I mean all their life has been in the palace, they’ve only ever known how to be princesses."
Ru Yi looked away. She wasn’t about to let guilt eat her up.
If the roles had been reversed, the triplets would sacrifice her without feeling any real remorse. But she was not like them, and couldn’t really turn off her feelings.
"Come, let’s go. I cleaned your room for you," she pulled Ru Yi with her. "Bai He said to come and see her when you’re all settled in."
Ru Yi’s nose scrunched up in confusion. "What did I do this time?"
Lang Ying flicked the tip of Ru Yi’s nose. "Don’t worry, she’s not about to punish you. I know you might not like her, but Bai He was the only other person who believed you didn’t kill Princess Lin Yuexin."
Ru Yi certainly hadn’t been expecting that. "Why? She seemed to think I was seducing the crown prince. It would make sense to her that I killed his intended bride so we could be together."
Lang Ying shrugged. "Looks like she’s sensible at the end of the day."
They both entered the little space that served as Ru Yi’s room. Her thin mattress was still on the floor, and what little belonging she had was arranged on the other side of the room.
"Try and rest, we’ll see Bai He later." Lang Ying wiggled her brows, "Then we can have a little treat later at night at our usual spot."
Ru Yi didn’t know where that was but she nodded.
Lang Ying left after that, finally giving Ru Yi the much needed silence she wanted.
A sigh escaped her lips when she laid on the thin mattress. She didn’t want to act spoiled but days of lying down in Yexue’s soft bed made this one completely unbearable.
She shifted, but no matter the angle she turned, she couldn’t get comfortable.
Usually she was able to fall asleep really fast, even more whenever she felt the bed dip briefly before Yexu’s hand would come around her waist.
Ru Yi turned with her back to the mattress.
Why did she keep thinking about her?
It wasn’t until darkness fell that Lang Ying came back, scolding Ru Yi when she saw the bags under her eyes. She hadn’t been able to sleep a wink.
"I guess you got comfortable sleeping on the cell floor," Lang Ying joked, then frowned when she saw Ru Yi wasn’t as amused.
"I’m sorry, it’s definitely too early to joke about it."
There was a small crowd of maids gathered outside Bai He’s room when they got there. The head maid immediately dismissed them when she saw Lang Ying.
Ru Yi took a conscious step forward, the last time the woman had summoned her—she’d given her a good beating.
"Come." Bai He’s voice was calm but it carried authority all the same.
Ru Yi went closer.
"The Empress sent word that you won’t be working with us anymore," Bai He said, the expression on her face not betraying a single thought in her head.
"Yes." She didn’t think the Empress would move that fast.
Bai He nodded, "I wasn’t informed on time but I’ll try to fix a farewell celebration for you tonight. You might not have been the brightest girl I’ve worked with, but your heart is in the right place.
Oh.
Oh—
This was the last thing Ru Yi had expected from the headmaid. Not in a million years did she think she’ll hear a single positive from her where she was concerned.
Lang Ying nudged Ru Yi who had frozen.
"I..." she stuttered at first, "I don’t know what to say. Thank you."
Bai He nodded. "It’s nothing. You’re free to invite whoever you’re comfortable with, the Empress already gave me a royal pass we can all use tonight."
Ru Yi’s eyes started to blur. "We can all go out?"
"We can’t have anything too expensive. I’m paying out of my pocket for that one. You can go get changed and—"
Bai He’s words were cut off when Ru Yi threw her arms around her. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Bai He was stiff, as if Ru Yi touch burned. But she didn’t make any move to push her away. Instead she patted her back, hand stiff as if unsure of what she was doing.
She would never admit it...but...Bai He was happy Ru Yi was safe.
Ru Yi was all smiles when she pulled away. "This made me so happy!" She looked at Lang Ying who was even more excited. "We’ll go change quickly, even though I’m not so sure anyone else would want to join us."
Bai He nodded in understanding. "Very well, run along girls."
Lang Ying took Ru Yi’s hand as they walked back to their rooms, face stretched in a big smile. Just yesterday it felt like the whole world was crashing around them.
But now—Life had so many endless possibilities, and Ru Yi prayed all of them would keep the joy she felt in that moment.
