The Changchun Palace team travels back in time to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

Seeing that Jinzhong was about to leave, Shuangxi said, "This servant will see Eunuch Jinzhong off." Then she slipped out.

Only Xiao Lingzi, Ruyi, and Hailan remained in the hall.

Xiao Lingzi slowly raised his eyes, his numb tone tinged with a hint of pleading: "Consort Xian, please don't be sad for me. As long as this can protect Your Highness, I am willing to do it. I also beg Your Highness not to make things difficult for me..."

Ruyi could no longer hear what he was saying; her lips trembled, and two lines of tears silently streamed down her face.

Hailan felt a pain in her heart that was even greater than the physical pain.

She had known her master for many years, and she never imagined that there was someone else who could make her master weep like this.

Outside, Jinzhong bid farewell to Shuangxi and whispered, "Eunuch Qin found out some things from Lord Lang."

Shuangxi understood, pulled Jinzhong to a secluded spot, took off his shoes, and pulled out a silver note from under the insole.

Jinzhong took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to him. The paper had a few lines of writing on it and a drawing of a cross that was longer at the top and shorter at the bottom, with a snake coiled at the top.

Jinzhong turned out and walked onto the palace road, with Xiaoxiangzi following closely behind.

After turning a corner, Jinzhong ran into someone he never expected—Li Yu.

Li Yu led a group of older palace maids over.

After all, they were master and disciple, and they were out in public, so they still had to be polite. Jinzhong stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Master, may you be well!"

He then pulled Xiao Xiangzi to pay his respects.

Over the years, Li Yu had become increasingly calm and composed in the Yuanmingyuan Garden. In this situation, he could no longer maintain the airs of a master, so he quickly helped him up and said, "I dare not."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Jinzhong casually asked, "Master, what official business brings you back this time?"

Li Yu said, "Recently, the palace has changed its staff, and there is a shortage of manpower everywhere. This new batch of people was transferred from the Yuanmingyuan. They are all palace maids who had no one to rely on after leaving the palace and continued to serve in the palace. We are about to lead them to the Imperial Household Department."

Jinzhong glanced at the palace maids. Most of them were meek and obedient, but one of them had a long face, a fierce expression, and a cold and indifferent look. When she saw Jinzhong looking at her, she glared at him resentfully.

Jinzhong didn't take offense and turned to Li Yu with a smile, saying, "Then I won't bother you any longer, Master. When I have some free time, I'll invite Jinbao to prepare a feast for you."

He didn't take the matter to heart until a few days later, news came from the Imperial Household Department that Consort Xian had seen Zhao Quancai of the Imperial Household Department arguing with a palace maid on the palace road. Consort Xian, who happened to be passing by, witnessed this and said that Zhao Quancai was being domineering and ordered him to go to the Imperial Household Department to receive fifty strokes of the cane, thus ending his job there. However, Zhao Quancai proved to be stubborn and immediately sought out Qin Li, using Consort Xian's excessive punishment as a pretext to bring the matter before the Empress.

The Empress followed the clues and found out that this palace maid and several other palace maids had no money to give him, so they were assigned to the Cold Palace. The palace maid felt resentful and made a scene. Zhao Quancai also admitted that he had taken money. Fearing that the palace maid would make a big fuss and expose his taking money, he lost his temper and beat the palace maid.

The Empress then sentenced Zhao Quancai to ten strokes of the cane, demoted him two ranks, and fined him for a year for accepting bribes and arbitrarily beating palace maids. She ordered him to return all the money owed to the palace maids, reassign them to new jobs, and had Yingluo supervise the entire process. She also instructed that if any eunuchs were found to retaliate or demand the money back from the palace maids, they would be severely punished. Yingluo also reprimanded several people in the Imperial Household Department who were buying and selling jobs outside the six palaces, telling them to behave themselves.

Consort Xian originally had no authority to manage palace affairs. Upon discovering such injustice, instead of reporting it to the Empress for handling, she overstepped her bounds and acted recklessly. She was punished with a three-month salary deduction and made to copy the palace rules one hundred times.

Qin Li stroked his snuff bottle, complaining, "Tell me what kind of mess this is! This business, passed down from Emperor Kangxi, has been ruined by that hothead!"

Jinzhong comforted him, saying, "A good outcome is all that matters. Zhao Quancai is quite shrewd. The bigger this matter gets, the more attention will be focused on him. Taking money from a few palace maids isn't a major crime. He took the blame and didn't implicate anyone else. Even if the Empress wants to investigate further, it will only go as far as him. You eunuchs, aunts, and those powerful families of the Bannermen are all safe now. Will they still shortchange Zhao Quancai on his benefits?"

Qin Li chuckled, "That's right, that's right." Then he added disdainfully, "It's that hothead, Rong Pei, who doesn't know what's good for him. He stirred things up and then went to fawn over Xian."

Jinzhong suddenly remembered something and asked, "Is it a palace maid with a long face who never gives anyone a kind look, as if everyone owes her five hundred strings of cash?"

Qin Li said, "You know her too? This person is really... has a terrible temper and is stubborn, and is also blind. Her Majesty the Empress has asked her several times, but she still insists on following Consort Xian. Isn't she just not aware of the situation in the palace? What's even more ridiculous is that she said something like, 'It doesn't matter if I suffer a loss, but I can't let my poor sisters suffer as well,' but what about now? She herself has become a concubine's maid, but I haven't seen her help others!"

Jinzhong asked in surprise, "No, she really went? Xianyi's current rank already has two eunuchs, can she use another palace maid?"

Qin Li waved his hand: "Eunuch Jinzhong, don't you know...?" He then pointed upwards: "The Emperor and Consort Xian are childhood sweethearts, so he's always a bit soft-hearted. As for Rong Pei, once she's with Consort Xian, she becomes the head maid."

Jinzhong was truly astonished: "A lowly palace maid, who just arrived, has become the head maid? What about Hailan?"

Qin Li whispered, "Given that guy's personality, Hailan's voice is hoarse and she's crippled. If we don't make room for her soon, won't she become a nuisance?"

Hailan struggled to carry a bucket of hot water into the hall. She had just put the water down and hadn't even straightened up when Rong Pei urged, "Master's eyes are swollen from crying. Why don't you fetch more hot water for her to apply as a compress? And Xiao Lingzi, Master specifically instructed that hot water be fetched for him to apply medicine. Hurry up!"

Hailan already felt that Rongpei was neither humble nor arrogant, but capable and decisive. She also came from a poor family and had a clean background. What was even more rare was that she was loyal to Ruyi and had a strong personality. Therefore, although Rongpei was appointed as the head maid by Ruyi as soon as she arrived, while Hailan herself was reduced to a lowly maid, she had no complaints and immediately went back to fetch water.

In an effort to hurry, she carried a bucket of water in each hand, but her fingers were weak due to severed tendons. Before she even reached the palace gate, the two buckets of water spilled out, soaking her completely.

Rong Pei strode out and slapped Hai Lan across the face.

Hailan was slapped and fell into the puddle. It was late autumn, and the water quickly cooled down. She shivered and made a hoarse sound.

Shuangxi said lazily, "That's enough, Aunt Rongpei. I just cleaned the floor."

Rong Pei glared at Shuang Xi and was about to slap her too, but Shuang Xi was fat and strong, and was a shaman by trade. He was extremely agile and nimbly dodged the attack, then slapped Rong Pei across the face with his backhand.

His languid expression vanished, and he said fiercely, "I don't care how you treat others, but if you dare to mess with me in the future, it won't just be this slap."

Having suffered a loss, Rong Pei turned around, picked up Hai Lan, and slapped her again.

Ruyi ignored the commotion outside, quietly cleaning the Buddha statue with her red and swollen eyes from crying. Ling Yunche stood behind her without saying a word.

She felt sorry for Ling Yunche's plight, and knowing that he had just recovered from his serious injuries, she gave him the bottle of medicine that Jinzhong had brought. But perhaps Ling Yunche hadn't fully recovered from his injuries, because he remained hunched over from then on, never straightening his back again.

Ruyi thought that Ling Yunche was like a tree growing beside her, its branches lush and verdant. He sheltered her from the wind and rain, providing temporary refuge. But now, this tree had suffered greatly in protecting her, leaving her exposed to the vastness of the world, subjected to the scorching sun, the biting wind and snow, and the biting cold rain. (This part is quoted from the original text.)

Fortunately, she still has Rong Pei.

At night, Rong Pei served Ruyi a simple meal, applied a warm towel to her face, and then applied a mixture of finely ground Poria cocos, Angelica dahurica, almond, horse mace, white plum pulp, and mica mixed with pearl powder to moisturize her swollen eye area. Only then did she take out green plum powder to moisturize her face.

Although the Emperor specifically instructed that the best perfumes and powders be provided to Cuiyun Pavilion, and told Ruyi to ask the Imperial Household Department for anything she needed, Ruyi considered herself superior. Moreover, the Imperial Household Department had long since figured out that the Emperor did not actually favor her, and because of Rongpei's incident, they held a grudge against her. All supplies were delayed as much as possible, and the materials they provided were superficially fine but of slightly inferior quality. A dark red nightgown faded after being washed a few times, but Ruyi said, "This faded red is delicate but not gaudy, it is beautiful."

Rong Pei recounted what had happened that day, but Ruyi only said that Shuangxi used to be Consort Huixian's person, and she didn't trust him. She treated him like a piece of furniture and told Rong Pei to ignore him.

Finally, Ruyi praised, "Rongpei, you are a capable person who can take charge. With you being able to let go, I can have less to worry about."

Rong Pei said, "When I was humiliated, it was Your Highness who saved me. Therefore, apart from Your Highness, I will not listen to or acknowledge anyone else." (Dialogue quoted from the original play)

Ruyi responded with a smile.

Time flew by, and soon it was time for Yongqi to leave the palace.

During this month, Yongqi was ill and could not sleep well. Every time he woke up, he would cry for his mother, Rongyin. She would take time to visit him during the day and put a protective talisman on him. According to Yuanyi, the Seraphim was weakening rapidly and might instinctively go to Yongqi. However, because of its decline, it was no longer possible to detect or break through its protective measures.

Yingluo also sewed a sachet for Yongqi and filled it with dried jasmine flowers.

Rongyin loved cultivating jasmine and always carried the scent of jasmine on her body. This sachet, which emitted the fragrance of jasmine, not only had a calming effect but also resembled the scent on Rongyin's body. When Yongqi wore the sachet, he indeed slept more soundly at night.

Yongqi is going to the Jiangnan Imperial Palace. Granny Meijia, who took good care of Yongqi when he was in the Xiefang Palace, has now volunteered to go with him.

Physician Zhao was originally the most senior physician in the Imperial Medical Academy after Qi Ru, but ever since he revealed the properties of the medicine to Yi Huan and was reprimanded by the emperor, he knew that the emperor no longer trusted him, so he volunteered to go to Jiangnan to take care of Yong Qi.

Rongyin agreed, giving the two generous rewards and arranging for a group of palace maids and eunuchs. She also instructed Yongqi to take good care of himself and not forget to write back.

Yongqi nodded and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty."

Rongyin was initially worried that he would ask about Hailan, but Yongqi never mentioned his birth mother until he left.

But just before leaving, he suddenly asked, "Empress Mother, why do you treat Yongqi so well?"

Rongyin looked at him with some doubt, and after a moment said, "As the head of the six palaces, the Empress Dowager should take care of all the imperial heirs."

Yongqi nodded, then solemnly bowed to Rongyin: "Empress Mother, I am weak. If it weren't for your care, I'm afraid I would have died long ago. If I grow up, I will definitely be filial to you."

Rongyin sensed an ominous undertone in his words, which were not words a child his age should have uttered. She was alarmed, wondering if he had already noticed something, but she didn't know how to ask. She could only say, "Don't overthink it. As long as you are safe and healthy, that is the greatest filial piety."

Yongqi bowed again before entering the cabin.

The boat to Jiangnan was very smooth, and Yongqi had a good sleep on board.

Perhaps it was the fresh air and rhythmic sound of the river that calmed him, or perhaps it was the jasmine scent of the sachet that soothed him; he slept soundly, undisturbed by nightmares.

He fell ill at the Mulan Hunting Grounds, and his condition did not improve after returning to the palace; he was also plagued by nightmares.

In his dream, a pale, terrifying thing with six wings and hundreds of constantly moving eyes kept whispering in his ear, spewing fire and speaking broken, obscure words.

The eyes beneath the wings are all Mother's eyes.

The voice that the monster made was also my mother's voice.

He knew that the monster was his mother.

At first glance, his mother's words sounded like irregular shrieks and howls, but to him they were clear and distinct words.

"You must always be mindful of your duty as a subject towards Consort Xian and her future children."

"Your Lady Xian and I are like sisters. How can I leave her all alone, isolated and helpless! Yet my good son is so biased and heartless!" (Dialogue quoted from the original play, slightly adapted)

"You were born into my womb thanks to your Lady Xian! To clear your Lady Xian's name, I risked taking some poisonous medicine while pregnant with you; otherwise, you would never exist! I only regret that the Empress was too vigilant and couldn't take that opportunity to bring her down! You must always remember Lady Xian's kindness, avoid causing trouble, be obedient, and especially not side with the Empress! Only then can your mother and you enjoy lasting happiness!"

He felt as if struck by lightning, and exclaimed, "Mother, you took poison while you were pregnant with me? Could it be that the weakness I was born with is..."

The monster let out a howl, and flames landed beside Yongqi.

He covered his ears, but the voice relentlessly penetrated his mind: "Yongqi, people always have to find ways to survive. Your mother has always felt sorry for you. But you mustn't harbor any suspicions. Even if you must suspect your mother, you must never suspect your Consort Xian! Remember this well!" (Dialogue quoted from the old version of the novel)

His little head was about to burst with all sorts of thoughts and emotions. He wanted to tell himself that none of this was real, but his mother's voice was so real, and all the strange things that usually happened to him came together in his dream.

Her illness, her father's indifference, the Empress Dowager's hesitant words, the palace servants' evasiveness when mentioning the name "Hailan," the difference between her mother and that Consort Xian, the Empress Dowager's pitying gaze, and her repeated attempts to stop her from going to see her mother...

He rarely cried because he was too weak; if he cried, he would feel dizzy and even faint. But now, he couldn't help but shed tears and asked through sobs, "Mother, isn't your son the person you love the most?"

Hundreds of eyes gazed intently at him: "The people your mother cherishes most are Ulanara Ruyi and Aisin Gioro Yongqi. But I must tell you clearly that I have spent more time, longer, and closer with your Consort Xian. The trust between us is unshakeable." (Quoted from the old novel)

Yongqi woke up crying. He really didn't know what to do. He didn't dare to say that his mother was a monster, and he didn't dare to ask anyone about these past events—if these things were brought up again, his father would definitely be angered and severely punish his mother.

He could only call out to the elders he recognized: "Empress Mother, Empress Mother!"

The eunuchs and maids attending to him were so frightened that they quickly made a shushing gesture: "Fifth Prince, Her Majesty the Empress manages the six palaces and is busy with countless affairs every day. She probably won't have time to come see you! If you shout like this, you might not get enough blood and you'll get dizzy!"

When the Dowager Consort arrived, she shook her head and sighed. Yongqi pretended to be asleep, and as soon as they left, he secretly slipped out of bed. He overheard them whispering and discussing, "After all, the Empress and her son were both harmed by the Fifth Prince's birth mother. The fact that she treats Yongqi this way is already virtuous. How can we ask for more? Besides, if these words reach the Emperor, he will probably think he is weak and meddlesome and will dislike him even more."

“But Yongqi is so pitiful... Why don’t we send someone to Changchun Palace to inquire? It’s a small matter, even if the Empress doesn’t come, the Emperor won’t know about it.”

His mother took some time to come over, sat by the bed and gently hummed a lullaby he had never heard before, until he closed his eyes, then patted his head and left.

He had only pretended to be asleep because he was embarrassed to keep his mother away for too long, but as he pretended, he actually fell asleep. In his dream, he heard a few sounds that seemed to be the clinking of blades, followed by a sharp whistle, but it was too distant and too faint to wake him up.

Just like it is now.