Chapter 56: I wish you happiness
The little group right outside the palace gates consisted of Bai He, and after her was Ru Yi and Lang Ying. At the rear of the formation were the five maids that had tagged along.
"Remember, don’t stray from the group," the head maid reminded them as they made their way into the village.
They all marveled at the lanterns that lit up the paths and the uniformed noise from the night market. That was their first stop.
Voices overlapped, laughter spilling around them without restraint. For the first time they didn’t have to follow orders or abide by any rules.
Even the troublesome maids were staring in awe, trying to take in everything in their line of sight all at once.
"Stop staring like you’ve never seen people before," Lang Ying teased the girls, even though she was more excited herself.
"Considering we only ever see your face, I’d say this is a good improvement," one of the girls fired back.
Ru Yi laughed and dragged Lang Ying along. "Behave. Stop bothering them."
Lang Ying huffed but said nothing.
There were stalls lined up on either side of them—steaming pots, woven fabrics, trinkets that caught the light from the lanterns.
Bai He saw something flash in the distance, a form appearing just between two stalls. She turned to the girls. "How about you go check out a few things on your own. But I want you all back here by midnight."
They all nodded in excitement.
Bai He pulled Ru Yi back when the others left. She dropped the copper coins into her palm. "I trust you can take care of yourself and the others?"
Ru Yi nodded eagerly and watched the head maid leave.
"Don’t you think that’s odd?"
"What?" Ru Yi was preoccupied with the coins in her hand. There were lots of them, held together by a small string.
"Bai He would never let us wander off by ourselves," Lang Ying mused, looking at Bai He’s back as she walked away. "Something feels odd."
"Or maybe you’re just overthinking it. She probably has old friends she wants to catch up with. An opportunity like this does not present itself everyday."
Lang Ying was a little worried.
Ru Yi saw her solemn expression and dangled the coins in front of her. "Come on, we have all this money to spend."
That raised Lang Ying’s mood. "We can’t spend all of it though. You have to save some of it. There’s no telling when next you’ll get this lucky."
Ru Yi grabbed Lang Ying’s hand and they slopped into the current of the crowd, laughter following them like something new discovered.
For a while, Ru Yi forgot herself.
She forgot the cold floor of the cell...Yexue’s arms around her, and the cold piercing anxiety that came from knowing she could’ve died.
She touched everything.
Silk laid out on a vendor’s table. Smooth, unfamiliar fruit. A string of beads she bought on a wing because she thought they’d look even cooler around Han Shuying’s wrist.
"Try this," Lang Ying said, pressing a skewer into her hand.
Ru Yi hesitated. "What is it?"
"Food," Lang Ying replied dryly. "Eat it."
Ru Yi took a careful bite—then another, quicker this time. A mix of warmth and spice exploded on her tongue. Her eyes widened as she finished the entire thing.
Lang Ying laughed. "You look like you’ve just discovered life."
The others found them soon enough, their earlier restraint dissolving into something bright and contained. Ru Yi in all her excitement bought them all skewers.
Another carried sweets she insisted on sharing, whether anyone wanted them or not.
They moved together through the village like a small, fleeting storm. Played random games they barely understood, and laughed at things that made no sense.
"Is anyone up for a little wine?" Ru Yi asked, jiggling the remaining coins in her palm. "Come on, it’s not yet midnight."
"Won’t we get into trouble?" a girl who had added a pink ribbon to her hair asked.
"Come on, this is the only night we can all be this free," Lang Ying urged, and watched them all nod in agreement.
They found a small tavern and huddled into the low benches there. Ru Yi bought a jug and they all shared.
"I wish we could do this all the time," the girl sitting in front of Ru Yi said. "I can’t believe you’re this..."
"Cool?" Ru Yi urged, already feeling all the tension in her bones loosen. "You’re welcome."
"Let’s play another game," Lang Ying suggested and they all groaned, turning her down.
By the time the second jug was emptied, the girls could barely keep themselves sitting upright. That was the state Bai He found them in.
"I told you all to be responsible," she scolded them before gesturing for them to stand up. "It’s time to go back. Get up, all of you."
There were strings of protest as the girls filed out of the tavern. Still...it didn’t dampen their spirits. They talked at the top of their voices as they tried to tell Bai He all the activities they had done without her.
From the distance it looked like it was a mother taking her children back to bed. It was warm. And it was everything Ru Yi had ever wanted.
"I wish we could do this all the time," Lang Yang said. "But I’m really grateful I got to experience this with you."
"Me too," Ru Yi said, suddenly feeling emotional. "This is probably not the right time but..." she played with her fingers. "I’ll be leaving the palace soon, never to return."
Lang Ying noticed her hesitation and offered a smile. "I already made peace that we’ll be separated after your first attempt to leave. While it makes me sad that I might never see you again, I also want you to do whatever makes you happy."
There was a sob trapped in Ru Yi’s throat. "I will. I hope that you’re happy too."
While holding the events of the night close to their hearts, they each went to their rooms. Ru Yi pushed open the door, ready to sleep—when she saw someone sitting on her bed.
