By the time Ruyi and Xiao Lan returned, Lady Ling was already home.
Ruyi and Xiao Lan had snuck in through the back door. "That was close," Ruyi said and chucked. "Miss Ruyi, we can't do this again. If Master catches us, we'll be in big trouble," Xiao Lan stated, but before Ruyi could respond, a voice came from outside.
"Ruyi?"
It was Lady Ling calling from outside.
"It's Mother!" Ruyi said in panic. "What do we do?" she asked Xiao Lan as she stared down at her disguised self.
"Quick, hide!" Xiao Lan suggested.
"No, Mother will know. Quick, help me undress," Ruyi said and quickly removed the straw hat, letting her hair down. But just as she was about to remove her robes, the door creaked open.
She quickly got into her bed with the help of Xiao Lan, who then pulled the bed cover over her just in time.
"What's wrong?" Lady Ling asked as she stood in the middle of the room, worry etched on her face.
"Mother," Ruyi called faintly, her voice subtle.
Lady Ling sat by her bed and touched her face.
"Don't scare me like this, Ruyi, what's really wrong with you? Do you feel sick anywhere? Do I need to send for the physician?"
"No, Mother, I'm fine, I'm just tired," Ruyi answered.
"Xiao Lan, help me get Ruyi's tonic so…" Lady Ling stopped mid-sentence and looked at Xiao Lan, eyeing her outfit intently.
"What's this?" She inquired.
"I…I…" Xiao Lan stammered.
"Mother," Ruyi called. "It was me. I was bored and asked Xiao Lan to act a play for me."
"Yes, yes," Xiao Lan backed her.
"Alright," Lady Ling said. "Enough play, get some rest," Lady Ling said and attempted to tuck her in properly, but Ruyi immediately gripped the bed cover tightly.
"What's wrong?" Lady Ling asked.
"Nothing," Ruyi replied and smiled awkwardly.
Lady Ling raised a brow, then stood up. "Alright, I'll take my leave now," Lady Ling declared.
Ruyi nodded and smiled.
Rather than leaving the room, Lady Ling ripped the bed cover from Ruyi's body, revealing her outfit.
"You!" Lady Ling muttered, pointing at Ruyi, who offered a wide smile.
"We're done for," Xiao Lan murmured.
Moments later, both Ruyi and Xiao Lan were kneeling before Lady Ling.
"Mother, I'm sorry," Ruyi apologized, but Lady Ling ignored her. Ruyi moved closer to her and held her by the sleeve playfully. "Mother, I'm really sorry. I promise, I won't do it again," she pleaded.
"How can you ladies go out dressed as men?" Lady Ling inquired in awe.
"Madam, it was me. I was the one who took her," Xiao Lan said softly.
"No, Mother, It was me; I was the one who wanted to go and I asked for Xiao Lan's help. Don't be mad, alright?"
How could you do this to me? Lady Ling asked rhetorically. "What if something had happened, how would I go on?"
"Mother!" Ruyi said with a meek voice. "I was wrong, I know I was indeed wrong. I just wanted to see the outside world, you know I haven't had the opportunity to do that, so I just wanted to take a look." She gave a puppy-dog look and pouted, as if begging for a treat.
Lady Ling looked at her and sighed. "Alright, I'll let it go. But you must promise me never to do it again."
"Yes, I swear," Ruyi declared, putting up four fingers. "I'll never do it again. It's a promise."
"Yes, Madam, it won't happen again," Xiao Lan supported.
Lady Ling looked at her daughter with a frown, but she wasn't mad; instead, her face broke into a smile. "Alright, stand up, I forgive you."
"Really?" Ruyi asked, then jumped into Lady Ling's arms.
"Thank you, Mother," she said softly.
Lady Ling embraced her in return. "You still know how to thank me," she teased, then her eyes darted towards Xiao Lan, who remained on her knees.
"What's the matter? You want a hug too?" Lady Ling playfully chided her.
Xiao Lan burst into tears, her sobs quiet.
"I'm sorry, Madam, it was my mistake. I shouldn't have let her out," she apologized.
"Alright, that's enough, I'm not mad anymore," Lady Ling stated. "It's Alright, stand up."
Xiao Lan got up and wiped her face. "Thank you, Madam."
"Thank you, Mother. But… Ruyi trailed off, please don't tell father about it," Ruyi said pleadingly.
Lady Ling hesitated, considering her options. "Very well, since you already promised me, I won't tell him."
"Thank you, Mother, you're the best," Ruyi said happily.
"You mustn't break your promise," Lady Ling reminded her.
Ruyi's face hardened immediately.
"What? Don't tell me you're still thinking of sneaking out? What a great daughter I've got," Lady Ling said sarcastically.
"No, No, I won't break it. Don't worry, Mother," Ruyi assured her.
Deep down, she knew her promise was only a shield to her mother's worries. She still had a lot of adventure to do and so many rules to break, yet the thought of breaking her promise to her mother only
---
The palace was a flurry of activity as palace maids and servants worked diligently, making preparations for the grand celebration. Long, deep red and gold banners hung from the high beams, swaying softly in the gentle breeze. Tables were thoroughly arranged in an order with porcelain dishes neatly placed on them, and Jade chopsticks meticulously positioned just beside them. Sitting also on the tables are jade jars of plum wine (Meijiu).
The aroma of the Imperial chefs's masterpiece filled the air as they hurried in and out of the kitchen, making sure every dish was flawless for the grand celebration. The sound of bubbling, sizzling, and cutting could be heard from within.
In the sewing department, expert tailors and embroiderers work assiduously, their fingers creating the perfect couture for both the Emperor and Imperial Noble Consort. Since the clothes were to be delivered soon, they worked with accuracy and made sure not to leave any detail.
The Five-clawed dragons, representing the Emperor's authority, were embroidered on his robe. The masterpiece, made from Royal gold threads, each stitch well-defined, was made with patience and precision. For the Imperial Noble Consort, layers of exquisite silk were put together for her, with golden Phoenixes adorning every piece, representing her grace, virtue, and femininity. There were debates on what threads to use, what pearls should be used for the hairpins, and what shape they should be. For months, they had been working tirelessly to make the day come through, and errors would not be condoned.
While the palace was booming with the preparation for the majestic event, another type of conversation ensued in the Xu household. Xu Huai sat in the study, in his hands was a scroll that bore the Emperor's seal.
He summoned Ruyi.
"Father," Ruyi called slowly and bowed to greet her father as she arrived.
"You're here," Xu Huai said, looking at his daughter.
"What is he thinking? Wait, don't tell me this is about me and Xiao Lan, I'm done for, Ruyi thought. What should I do? Does he look angry? I can't tell. Her thoughts continued. Forget it, I'll just apologize and admit my mistake. "Father," her voice was as soft as a whisper. "I'm sorry," she said.
"What's wrong?" Xu Huai asked.
Ruyi's eyes shot open, and she stared blankly at her father. "Did I get it wrong?" she thought aloud.
"His Majesty has extended an invitation to our entire family, and he hopes we attend the ceremony; more importantly, he has requested your presence specifically."
Ruyi's heart jumped. "Me?"
Xu Huai nodded and dropped the scroll on the mini table beside him. "He has been aware of your condition and has long wanted to meet you."
The mention of the Emperor or the royal palace filled Ruyi's heart with fear, and her thoughts raced. "Is fate trying to play games with me? Why? Why is this happening? I just wanted to live a normal life, free from the pain and agony I had gone through. I had thought that this life—this new identity—was a fresh start but it seems life wouldn't just let me be."
"Ruyi? Ruyi? Ruyi?" Xu Huai called, his voice echoing, snapping her out of her reverie.
"Yes, Father?" she answered abruptly, fear evident in her eyes.
"What's the matter? Are you okay?" Xu Huai asked, worry lingering in his voice.
"I'm okay," Ruyi responded, smiling faintly.
Why would the Emperor want her to attend the ceremony? She couldn't help but wonder. She felt sick to her stomach at the thought of stepping into the Imperial palace once again, at the thought of standing before the very people who had condemned her.
But there was only one way to find out.
She had to go.