Xu Huai turned to look at Ruyi and let out a soft laugh; she was standing behind him, her hands swinging back and forth and staring blankly into the sky. Her innocent look made Xu Huai smile even more. "As long as she's happy and healthy, that's all that matters."
Despite Ruyi's mischievousness, she enjoyed playing around with her personal maid, Xiao Lan. Xiao Lan was only a year older than Ruyi, but the bond they shared was that of siblings. They would often sneak into the kitchen to try pastries or run around, hiding from the strict head maid, who reprimanded them for either laughing too loudly or frequently turning the house upside down.
One afternoon, Ruyi shouted while running down the hallway, "Xiao Lan, catch me if you can!" Xiao Lan ran after her, laughing, and tripped over her skirt. "Miss Ruyi, please slow down," Xiao Lan yelled.
They were both breathless by the time they got back to Lady Ling. Lady Ling sighed. "Look at you," she remarked. "You're both worse than kids." But her voice was filled with love and satisfaction, not anger.
Li Mei's new life as Ruyi was something she never wants to let go of. She was determined to be free and live life in a way she hadn't been able to, and also treasure the love of her new family.
When the house was quiet that night, she retired to her dressing mirror when a tiny wooden chest hidden in a corner of Ruyi's room caught her eye.
She approached it out of curiosity and carefully raised the lid. After years of care, its surface was smooth and neat.
There were a number of sentimental items within: carefully folded pieces of embroidered silk that showed a child's attempts at flowers and animal prints, a beautiful jade comb that glinted even in the dark, and a stack of old scrolls bound with a ribbon.
With delicate care, Ruyi loosened the ribbon and unrolled one of the scrolls. The writing on it was even, the strokes made with effort; one look at it shows the writer had poured all his heart into it. Ruyi could tell it was the work of a child, and as she read, her heart grew heavy.
"I couldn't finish my lesson today. Mother said it was fine, but I saw the sadness in her eyes. I want to be better for her and Father, but my body won't let me."
Ruyi reached for another scroll, and it revealed a painting, although the ink smudged, but she could make out the figures. It was a painting of a family: a man and a woman standing with a small girl that appeared to be in a wheelchair, smiling. The figures were labeled "Father," "Mother," and "Me." She traced the brush strokes with trembling fingers.
She could feel the love Ruyi had for her parents and how happy she wanted to make them.
Lastly, she opened an old book with a faded cover. Within, the words were written with a tidy but unsteady handwriting. She got glimpses of Ruyi's life as she read her desires, goals, and optimism that she would one day recover. While reading, a section touched her deeply: "Like other children, I wish I could go out and play, run to Mother and Father, and one day, when I'm older, make them longevity noodles like they've always made for me. But it's not my fault for being born weak, even if I don't recover, it's alright. As long as I have Mother and Father."
Ruyi held the book close to her chest as she sobbed quietly; she wasn't the only one whom life had treated unfairly. Why didn't life give Ruyi a second chance, too? She felt as though she stole Ruyi's life, and no matter how much she told herself it was alright, she couldn't shake off the feeling that her life was fake and always belonged to someone else. It felt as though she could feel the pain Ruyi had gone through, the days she was unhappy, and the days she felt lonely and abandoned by the entire universe. "I'm sorry," she whispered. A gentle breeze blew through the room as though the real Ruyi was watching.
"Ruyi, you must have been gentle and kind," she uttered in an affectionate tone. "I can see why your parents loved and cherished you so much. Don't worry, I'll take care of them. I will try as much as possible to be the daughter they deserve, even though I am not you. I promise."
She returned everything back to its position and closed the chest, then stood up and faced the window where the moon was high in the sky and her teary face illuminated by its light. "Thank you," she muttered as if addressing the sky. "For giving me a second chance, I won't waste it."
The Xu manor, where the fence was tall and the garden expansive, was situated a distance from the town's busy street, where merchants brought their commodities for sales and where competition among the city's finest and biggest restaurants became the hot topic for the villagers.
Ruyi sat in her chambers, drumming her fingers against the table in thought. Life had been quiet since she was well again; maybe too quiet. Even though she was finally recovered, she was still confined within the walls of the manor.
Ruyi looked at Xiao Lan and grinned as she brushed her hair gently while humming a soft melody.
"Xiao Lan," Ruyi called with a sweet tone.
"Yes, Miss?" Xiao Lan answered but still focused on her work.
"Let's go to town," Ruyi said cautiously.
Xiao Lan immediately stopped what she was doing. "Town?" she asked again. She set the brush down and looked at Ruyi. "You must be kidding me, Miss Ruyi. Master would never permit such."
Ruyi sighed and leaned back against the chair.
"That's why we won't tell him."
"What?" Xiao Lan's eyes widened. "Miss Ruyi, are you out of your mind? If your father finds out…"
"He won't, don't worry," Ruyi interrupted with a confident smile. "As long as you don't tell him."
Xiao Lan panicked even more. "I can't! You've never left the estate before; what if something bad happens? What am I supposed to do? Moreover…moreover, we would be recognized immediately."
Ruyi laughed at Xiao Lan's words. "You are silly," she teased. "Who would recognize us?" She glanced around, ensuring there was no one around before continuing. "Did you forget? No one knows what I look like—except from a few people my father hired." And besides, she added with a mischievous grin, "We'll disguise ourselves."
Xiao Lan frowned. "Disguise?"
Ruyi stood up, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "We'll dress ourselves as men."
Xiao Lan gasped. "Miss Ruyi, that's—"
"Incredible?" Ruyi finished it for her. "I know," she said, grinning.
Xiao Lan shook her head. "No! That's reckless. I'm surprised you're even bringing this up."
"Xiao Lan, I'm begging you, help me just this once, okay?" Ruyi begged. "Ever wished you could get a close look at the town? Taste the freshly baked goods? Observe the street entertainers and listen to the storytellers?"
Xiao Lan, though tempted, still argued. "It's risky."
Ruyi placed her hands on her shoulder. "You only live life once, my good sister." Even though she had been given a second chance at life, who could she tell? Who would believe her? "I promise you, we'll go just once, and that'll be the end."
"Xiao Lan, curious and excited, finally let out a resigned sigh. "Alright, but just know if we get caught, I'm not going to shield you."
"Don't worry, we won't," Ruyi assured her.
And so they got to work.
An hour later, two young men stood before the mirror.
Xiao Lan stared at her reflection in awe. Ruyi had wrapped her chest and changed into men's robes, tying their hair into a simple bun under a straw hat.
"I look ridiculous," Xiao Lan muttered, adjusting her hat.
"You look handsome; all the women in Beijing will certainly drool over you," Ruyi teased and chuckled.
"I doubt it," Mr. Xu. Xiao Lan said, and they both burst into laughter.
They sneaked out through the servant quarters and slipped past the rear gate while the guards were distracted.
As soon as their feet touched the road beyond the estate, Ruyi grinned. "Come on," she whispered, grabbing Xiao Lan's hand.
They ran into town, giggling and laughing.
The air was filled with the smell of freshly baked buns, roasted chestnuts, and spiced meats as the town buzzed with lively energy.
Shopkeepers called out to buyers to check out their goods and convince them to make a purchase, while the buyers inspected the goods. The product's quality captivated some, but others were doubtful and proceeded to the next vendor. An old man sat by the side of the road, narrating a story to the curious audience, while the children ran after one another through the crowds. A merchant called out to them, advertising some hand made beads and earrings, but they showed no interest.
Ruyi took a deep breath and faced Xiao Lan. "This is incredible."
Xiao Lan, on the other hand, looked anxious and unsettled. She grabbed Ruyi's sleeves. "Miss Ruyi, let's go back; we shouldn't be here."
Ruyi ignored her and dashed towards a stall where clay dolls and pottery animals were made. "Wow!" she exclaimed. She moved on and stopped at a stall selling candied hawthorn berries. Handing over a few coins, she took a bite, savoring the sweet and filling taste. "Delicious!"
She held out one to Xiao Lan. "You must try this."
"Miss—" Xiao Lan called.