NCCnovel Chapter 163 Leaving Yikun Palace
Chapter 163 Leaving Yikun Palace
Ling Yunche said: "Princess, the Queen has been suffering from a cough for several months."
Jinse turned her cold eyes to the side, stained with the light of a flowing pearl. She slightly raised her crescent-shaped eyebrows, and her cool lips extended a beautiful and graceful ray. She smiled lightly and said, "Since the Queen is so ill, why don't you invite an imperial physician to come and see her? How can you, a bunch of servants, take care of your master?"
Yikun Palace had long been deposed as a cold palace, viewed as unlucky by everyone. Apart from the guards, no one was willing to visit. Ruyi, while still Empress, held only a nominal title. Ling Yunche had sought Zhao Jiuxiao's help, but the Imperial Hospital hadn't received a directive and dared not act on its own. Ling Yunche, desperate, had to ask Zhao Jiuxiao to bring in some cough suppressant herbs from outside the palace. However, Ruyi's illness was serious and showed no signs of improvement.
"Ahem... Ling Yunche..."
"Who are you talking to? Ahem..." Not seeing Ling Yunche and Rong Pei bringing medicine into the room, Ruyi had no choice but to get out of bed and go out to check. Her steps were staggering, as if every step was on nothingness, and she would fall into the endless abyss at any time.
She stumbled, finally reaching the door and holding onto the threshold. The moment she saw Jinse, her hands dropped limply, her fingertips touching the cold wooden door. The chill shot straight through her heart, making her shudder. Through Jinse, Ruyi seemed to see a younger Langya, and she knew Langya also wanted to see her embarrass herself, to laugh at her.
Ruyi was no longer young. She looked old and frail even though she wasn't even forty. The only thing that remained unchanged was her fondness for wearing armor. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and said, "Why are you here? Are you here to see me make a fool of myself?"
Seeing Ruyi suffering from illness and leading a miserable life, Jinse didn't feel much pleasure in her heart. She was even a little disappointed. She really didn't expect that Ruyi would fall down before she could do anything.
Jinse turned to Rong Pei and said, "Rong Pei, are you willing to leave Yikun Palace and find another way out?"
Hearing this, Rong Pei looked up suddenly.
All these years had passed, and she had been waiting for a chance to escape. Ruyi had once helped her at the entrance to the palace, and she had served Ruyi for years as a servant, even having a leg crippled. She had long since repaid Ruyi's kindness. Now, with the chance to leave the gloomy Yikun Palace, she was more than happy to do so. She nodded quickly and said, "As long as the princess is willing to help me, I will be grateful."
"Rong Pei." Ling Yunche called her anxiously.
Ruyi also said coldly, "Rong Pei is my personal companion. Princess, you want to take Rong Pei away without my consent. Don't you think too highly of me, your legitimate mother?"
If Rong Pei left, only Ruyi and Ling Yunche would be left in the Yikun Palace. Ruyi was a daughter of a wealthy family, so naturally she needed to have maids to serve her. Ling Yunche was a eunuch, so it would be inconvenient for him to serve her. If Hongli found out in the future, she would have a hard time explaining herself.
Jinse: "Why is the Queen so agitated? I'm only seeking Rong Pei's opinion. I don't intend to forcibly take her away from you. Don't you, the Queen, have the right to decide whether I stay or go?"
Then Jinse looked at Rong Pei again and said, "Rong Pei, are you willing to continue to stay in Yikun Palace and serve the Queen?"
Rong Pei's body froze, and she raised her eyes to look at Ruyi, her clear eyes met her ink-black eyes. Ruyi's eyes were shining, looking at her pitifully. Rong Pei's heart hardened, and she turned her face away. She didn't want to stay in this hellish place, Yikun Palace, for a moment. Now that Jinse was willing to help her, why should she stay here and suffer? Rong Pei kowtowed to Jinse and said firmly: "I am willing to leave Yikun Palace, please grant my wish, Princess."
Seeing Rong Pei was determined to leave, Ling Yunche became anxious. Once Rong Pei left, Ruyi would really be left without anyone to serve her. Although he could take care of Ruyi, there was a difference between men and women after all, and it was not as convenient as having a personal maid. Moreover, he was still Rong Pei's nominal husband, so how could a couple separate?
As a last resort, Ling Yunche played the emotional card with Rong Pei.
But his words backfired and made Rong Pei disgusted.
Rong Pei was born in the Lower Three Banners. Her family was poor and she was sent to the palace by her family to make a living. However, because she did not have a good family background and money, she could only live a life of humiliation. She finally got a chance to leave the laundry department, but because she had no money to bribe, she could only watch the opportunity slip away. She went to seek justice, but lost a leg with the help of Ruyi. Now she thinks there is nothing wrong with staying in the laundry department. At least she is free and does not have to be beaten and scolded every day. Although it is very tiring, Rong Pei did not complain. Now Jinse has given her another chance to leave. Why should she stay in the dark Yikun Palace?
To exact revenge on Ruyi, Hongli, disregarding the lives of others, betrothed Rong Pei to Ling Yunche without even consulting her. Without a marriage contract, or even a proper wedding, Rong Pei had become Ling Yunche's wife. Even more ridiculous, she knew Ling Yunche didn't love her; they were practically strangers. Rong Pei also knew Ling Yunche had feelings for Ruyi, and even though he knew Ruyi loathed him, he remained by her side without hesitation. However, Rong Pei had long seen through Ruyi's character. Anyone who was with her would become unhappy. Hailan, who once followed her lead, Yongqi, who was obedient and sensible, Ling Yunche, who always protected her, even brought this bad luck upon her own son, Yongqi. Rong Pei blamed no one, only herself for her blindness in following Ruyi, ultimately leaving her disabled and confined.
During her confinement, Ruyi had been known to beat and scold her. All the dirty work in Yikun Palace fell solely on Rong Pei, and Ruyi spent her days either in a daze or angry at her and Ling Yunche, even though they had done nothing wrong. If Rong Pei hadn't fought back that day, she'd probably be reduced to a pile of bones by now.
Now that she finally met Jinse and she wanted to help her, she was determined to leave Yiku Palace no matter what. Whoever wanted to be the Queen's maid could do so, but she would not serve her.
Witnessing Ruyi's miserable plight, Jinse finally let out the anger she had in her heart. She didn't really want to help Rongpei, but she felt that since Ruyi was under house arrest, there was no need for a maid to serve her. What she hadn't expected was that Rongpei would have such a strong complaint against Ruyi.
With the help of Nanny Yun, Jinse left Yikun Palace. Seeing this, Rong Pei hurriedly stood up and followed Jinse.
Seeing Rong Pei so determined, Ling Yunche became anxious and hurriedly called her.
"Rong Pei, if you leave, who will take care of the Queen?"
Rong Pei paused, she never thought that at this time, Ling Yunche was still only considering Ruyi's future.