Story of Consort Xi

Chapter 8: Consort Yi

Head Eunuch Li De Quan personally escorted Ling Ruo back to Zhong Cui Palace. Even from afar, Ling Ruo saw Qiu Ci standing at the entrance of the Palace. Upon spotting Ling Ruo, Qiu Ci quickly went forward: "Where have you been? I was so worried for you when you didn't return before night fall."

Feeling touched, Ling Ruo held Qiu Ci's hands: "I was feeling bored and decide to take a stroll. I'm sorry for making you worry."

"It's fine, as long as you are safe." Qiu Ci heaved a sigh of relief. Only then, she spotted the old eunuch behind Ling Ruo. Surprised, she uttered: "You are...?"

Head Eunuch Li De Quan took a step forward and bowed: "Your humble servant Li De Quan sends his greetings to my lady."

Li De Quan?! Qiu Ci was overwhelmed when she heard the name. Isn't he the Emperor's personal eunuch, and the Head Eunuch of the entire Imperial Palace? Why would he appear here, and together with Ling Ruo?

"If my ladies do not have any further instructions, your humble servant shall return to serve His Majesty." With that, Li De Quan gave another bow and left.

Ling Ruo held no secrets against Qiu Ci, and hence told her of the events that unfolded earlier while on their way back inside. After listening to Ling Ruo, Qiu Ci smiled: "I didn't expect that you would meet His Majesty even before the Imperial Selection. Moreover, it seemed that His Majesty favours you, or he would not have gifted you the jade vertical flute. If the other candidates find out, they would be so envious and jealous of you!"

Looking down at the flute, Ling Ruo did not feel joyous as the others would. Instead, she felt slightly conflicted: "I don't know if this is good or bad."

Brushing away the snow on Ling Ruo's shoulders, Qiu Ci asked gently: "Are you still thinking about Rong Yuan?" Seeing that Ling Ruo did not answer, Qiu Ci sighed: "Ruo er, even if you miss him, there is nothing else you can do. Ever since you made the decision to choose this path, the two of you is fated to be separated forever. What you should focus on now is to firmly secure His Majesty's favour. Only His Majesty can help you achieve your aim to restore the honour and position of the Niohuru clan. Only His Majesty has the power to solve your problems."

Ling Ruo replied quietly: "I understand. But I can't seem to let go fully yet, maybe time can heal everything."

"Yes. But you must not let anyone know of your previous relationship with Rong Yuan. If not, you will be thrown into a storm of complication and trouble." Qiu Ci warned.

Ling Ruo nodded. Looking up into the dark skies, she said: "I will remember, my future lies in the Imperial Palace, I will always keep that in mind." This sentence was meant for herself as much as it was for Qiu Ci.

Two days later... The skies started clearing, and the weather showed signs of becoming warmer. Yong He Palace, one of the six palaces situated at the east of the Imperial Palace, allocated to Concubine Yi during the sixteenth year under Emperor Kang Xi's rule over twenty years ago. Now known as Consort Yi, the lady who is near her forties still possess the appearance of a someone in her earlier thirties due to good skin care.