Chapter 55: Night Market
Some of the maids had joined the small group after they heard Lang Ying squealing about how she was happy to finally set foot outside the palace gates.
Most of the girls, if not all, had never left the palace since joining. Naturally they all came to Ru Yi, asking in a tiny pretentious voice if they could tag along.
"Of course!" Ru Yi had replied with very visible enthusiasm. She’d never had friends or people to hang out with even in her original world.
She imagined this to be the equivalent of a girls night out. It wasn’t until she noticed how quiet Lang Ying had become that her spirits started to dampen.
"What’s wrong?" she asked, her hand touching Lang Ying’s shoulder to get her attention. "Did anything happen?"
"Why are you letting them come with us? They’re going to ruin the fun." She pouted and turned her head away. "Besides just until hours ago they’d called you all manner of names and thought you deserved to be executed."
"But I wasn’t." Ru Yi tugged on the sleeve of Lang Ying’s robe. "Don’t worry about them, okay? Let’s just have fun and forget everything that’s been happening."
Lang Ying wasn’t buying it. "I’m sure they’ll go back to gossip about you. They’re all two-faced. Acting like they cared when you were imprisoned."
"Lang Yinggggg, can you forget about them? The night will be ruined if you let them get into your head like that."
"Okay..." Lang Ying finally said, her face still in a frown. "But I’m knocking their teeth off if they make even the smallest offensive comment about you."
Ru Yi beamed.
"Why are you smiling like you’re already drunk?"
Ru Yi answered by pulling her into a hug. "Thank you for being a good friend to me, Lang Ying."
That melted Lang Ying’s heart. "Thank you for being alive. I don’t think I could’ve gone on without you."
The two girls stayed in each other’s embrace, experiencing the power of true friendship. It was almost midnight when they went to meet Bai He, after they’d all finished their chores.
Bai He addressed the small group. "Listen girls, remember to stick together no matter what. Anyone that strays from the group will be severely punished when we get back." She looked at each of them, driving her point across.
"You better not think of running away either. Anyone who doesn’t come back with us...I’ll leave the rest to your imagination."
Most of them shuddered.
No one planned to run, because while they craved freedom—they only liked the concept of it. Life behind the palace walls was all they knew.
The sound of heavy footsteps had everyone turning.
Ru Yi frowned when saw Han Shuying walking towards the head maid. She gestured for Bai He to come closer before dropping into her palm. It seemed like they were copper coins.
Han Shuying’s gaze drifted through the group before stopping on Ru Yi. She tilted her head to the side, then left without a word.
The maids were whispering amongst themselves as they stole glances at Ru Yi.
Lang Ying bumped Ru Yi’s shoulder. "What was that?"
Ru Yi blinked in confusion. "What was what?"
"Han Shuying...I swear she was looking at you just now," Lang Ying said. "That’s not a good sign, are you in trouble again? Please tell me you’re not going back to the cell. I warned you to stay away from her, she’s bad news."
Ru Yi couldn’t help the laughter that poured out of her. "Can you calm down for a second? I’m not in trouble."
She saw the concern on Lang Ying’s face.
"I promise you, I did nothing wrong. If anything, Han Shuying was the one that helped me back in that cell."
Lang Ying was in disbelief. "You must have her mistaken for someone else. Do you know the only one worse than the wolves is Han Shuying herself?"
Ru Yi bit the corner of her lip. "She’s not entirely bad. I mean, I understand why people will see her that way...but underneath that cold exterior she’s actually a nice person."
Lang Ying scoffed. "Han Shuying and ’nice’ have no business being in the same sentence. But whatever, as long as you have nothing to do with her."
Ru Yi gulped and Lang Ying narrowed her eyes at her.
"Right?"
Ru Yi nodded, turning away before her face would give out her lie. "Don’t worry there’s nothing between us."
Except—there literally was.
Han Shuying was in charge of Ru Yi’s departure. She also couldn’t stop being grateful that Han Shuying had brought her food the night before she was supposed to be executed.
Bai walked over to the duo. "Han Shuying gave me coins for our little celebration." Then she pinned her gaze on Ru Yi. "She said to make sure you get everything you want."
"She said that?" Ru Yi looked in the direction Han Shuying had gone. "Why?"
Bai He’s lips flattened into a thin disapproving line. "Like I would know. Let’s go."
Together their little group started the walk to the palace gates. The others chatted amongst themselves while Ru Yi stuck to Lang Ying.
It wasn’t until one of the maids walked up to Ru Yi. "I know we don’t really talk and this might be a bit awkward but..." she looked at her group briefly. "I wanted to apologize on their behalf for all the bad things they said to you. It might not mean anything but we’re truly sorry."
Ru Yi gave her an assuring smile, happy that they’d bothered with an apology. "It’s really fine, let’s all have fun tonight."
The girl nodded but didn’t go back to her friends. "How did you get them to let you leave the palace? Is it because you were wrongly accused or did the crown prince grant you a pass?"
"How about you learn to mind your own business?" Lang Ying was enraged. She already knew the other maids would be nosy. "You should be grateful Ru Yi let you all tag along. I never would’ve allowed that."
The girl raised her hands in mock surrender before backing away. "I was just curious."
"I told you they’d definitely do something to ruin the night."
Ru Yi only gave her a smile. "You’re so easy to rile up. I’ve told you to pay them no mind and enjoy the night."
"Or maybe you’re just so forgiving."
How could she not? Han Shuying had taken care of her in her own little way, and even given her money to spend. That made a little flower bloom in her chest without any prior notice.
