Battle of Palaces

The feast went on perfectly, as everyone was caught up in the spirit of celebration, but the same feast was far from perfect for Ru Lingyi. As she stood behind Consort Xian, her mind a whirlpool of thoughts, one amongst many, was the best way to approach her said target—Prince Lan. She scanned every corner of the hall, weighed all her possibilities of meeting him tonight, but everything seemed to go against her wish. Yet another spoiler of her plan was the direction with which the feast proceeded. Lingyi had anticipated the moment when everyone would stand up and mingle with one another but that never happened, the assembly remained seated and only exchanged glances, toasting wine to each other from their seats. Like who does that?.."I need to act fast....because it is either now or never ". Lingyi said to herself. But what was it she needed to do?, walk up straight to him?, before everyone?.

She took several glances at Prince Lan, hoping for their eyes to meet but it seemed as though he was avoiding making eye contact with her. This alone, worsened her problem the more. Lingyi thought of breaking all ties without having any word of explanation with Prince Lan but then again, the benefit of having him reminded her of the dangerous wind coming. "I have more to benefit than loose in this"... lingyi pondered, subconsciously twisting her fingers against each other . "But what if all these were a lie, and I'm the one picturing what was never there?" She asked herself. "No, He came by himself to chengqian Palace, making his intentions pure..so it's not a lie"...she answered, reassuring the slightest doubt that almost sprang up. "But what then is the reason behind this awkward situation?....well, there's only one way to find out". Lingyi concluded.

Consort Xian along with other mistresses were deep into the night that she didn't even take into record when Lingyi excused herself, walking out of the hall. Back in her world, she had watched these movies where desperate ladies like her do desperate things in situations like this, and she concluded that it was either she does something crazy or continues living with the uncleared doubts. And clearly, the latter does not sit well with her.

Outside of Yanxi hall, Maids trooped in and out in succession. Each, bearing either food, wine or cleared plates. Lingyi watched them walk out in files as directed by a Momo in charge of making sure everything went smoothly. "I must get into one of those files before Consort Xian notices my absence" she said to herself, waiting for the perfect time to make her move. Just then, the next group of maids walked out, lingyi turning towards their direction anxiously. As she leaned against the wall, she watched and waited patiently for the last of them to step out and just as she saw her foot crossing over the hall's door, she jerked away from the wall abruptly, walking towards the approaching file of maids as serious minded as ever, but upon getting to the last maid—her intended target, lingyi quickly increased her pace, brushing her own shoulder against the poor maid's, causing her to fall over to the side and sprained her ankle.

"Oh...Mei mei!!" Lingyi immediately called pretentiously out as though she cared, bending low to help her inflicted target.

The maid groaned in pain but dared not vent off her anger upon seeing that Lingyi was of a higher station. "It's alright, I must quickly get back to work" the maid replied, forcing a smile as she tried standing back up admist her sprained ankle. "Are you muddled or something?!, this is not a time for meaningless chit chats!" The Momo in charge had seen them.

"She tripped over Momo "..lingyi replied immediately.

"And you want me to kowtow before you stand back up?"...the Momo replied furiously, glaring at the maid .

"I am sor-"

"She cannot use her feet anymore Momo, it is sprained "... lingyi quickly interrupted suppressing the maid as to not stand back up.

"And if you can't use your legs, what am I supposed to do?!"...The Momo questioned, staring deeply into the fragile maid's soul with eyes filled with flames .

"Momo, I will replace her next round..let her rest"...Lingyi interrupted again.

"And you.....are who?"..the Momo asked, frustrated at Lingyi's unsolicited intervention.

"I am from Chengch- Changchun palace Momo" Lingyi replied , studying the reaction that would come from her lie.

The momo scanned her from head to toe like a security scanning machine..and gestured for lingyi to follow her..

"Follow me...and for you" she turned to the maid still on the floor, who was either baffled by what just happened or unable to understand. "Make sure you go back to your quarters and recuperate.. there's no room for lazy butterflies here"...the Momo stormed away and lingyi followed leaving behind the bewildered maid.

Back then at Yanxi Hall, Consort Shu had seen Lingyi leave and noticed that Xian was totally unaware of her absence, she thought of what might be amiss but then decided to let it slide...not until her eyes caught a rare sight.

There, amongst the maids, was lingyi bearing wine to serve the imperial royal family. Consort Shu paused mid motion while sipping her tea, gazed in again to be sure she was seeing right. "Cai, isn't that Ru Lingyi?".. Consort Shu whispered, leaning backwards towards Cai who had stationed herself behind her mistress like other handmaids.

Cai scanned the room and there she was—lingyi serving wine to a minister. "Niang naing..she is really the one. But-"

"What is she doing there?..." Shu took the words out of Cai

"I don't kn-".. Cai tried replying but was still surprised as her gaze was fixated on lingyi..

"Wasn't she with her mistress before now and isn't she supposed to be close enough behind Xian Fei?" Consort Shu asked, turning her gaze to Consort Xian who looked totally oblivious of all that was happening.

Until an audible gasp came from the tables opposite. It was Prince Lan and a certain maid whose face, Consort Xian didn't quite place nor take interest in. The maid had spilled wine over Prince Lan garment, leading to the commotion.

Consort Shu and Cai, exchanged knowing glances, and looked at other Mistresses who for some strange reasons happen to only recognise prince Lan and not the maid that had spoilt his ensemble.

"Niang Niang ...seems like no one notices that the maid is Lingyi ..not even Xian Fei"...Cai said leaning forward.

"You are right" Shu nodded. Staring into the exchange between Lingyi and Prince Lan in an attempt to decipher what was really going on.

Over the side of the hall where the imperial family sat, the sudden commotion had boiled down and everyone returned to their normal engagement. Prince Lan brushed off some unseen remnants of the spilled tea as he wanted to resume his seat when Lingyi volunteered to help him change. He paused for a while, taking a look at her.."you sound familiar, have we met before?" Prince Lan asked, trying to see lingyi's face properly under the low light that didn't illuminate the area enough.

The question took Lingyi with surprise or better say, ....shock. she thought all these while , prince Lan was aware of her impersonation as a palace maid but now, it seems he has no idea whatsoever.

After much hesitation, she replied.."Your highness is a royal and I am but a low life...our paths must not have crossed, even by chance."

Prince Lan scuffed .."well, lead the way if you insist on helping me change"..

"Yes your Highness"... Lingyi replied, bowing low with her face to the ground as she turned, leading prince Lan out of the Yanxi hall.