Story of Consort Xi

Chapter 13: Lady Li

After a few days of rest, Ling Ruo had recovered most of her strength. Taking advantage of the sunny day, Ling Ruo instructed Mo Yu to bring her out for a walk.

Time flies, its already the 22nd of December. It'll be Lunar New Year in over ten days' time. Every year, I celebrate Lunar New Year together with my entire family. But I will be alone this time round. I wonder how my parents are... If they have heard of my fate, they must be in anguish...

Deep in her thoughts, Ling Ruo did not notice the two beautiful ladies in front of her. She only realised after Mo Yu gently tugged onto her sleeve. The lady dressed in pink spoke sarcastically: "I've heard that there's a new Escort recently, who is the daughter of an Imperial Official. I still thought that she would be highly cultured and steeped in propriety. But in reality, she is just a wild girl without manners, who does not even greet after meeting Fujin. I wonder how she was brought up."

Hearing that, Ling Ruo's eyes flashed coldly. Turning to Mo Yu, Ling Ruo asked: "Is she the Fujin?"

Mo Yu smiled and whispered: "Miss, you have thought too highly of her. She does indeed dream of being a Fujin, but she is merely an Escort like yourself. She is Ye Xiu, and is one of the more favoured Escorts." Pointing to the lady dressed in crimson at the side, Ye Xiu continued: "She is one of the Ce'fujin Lady Li Yue Ru."

"You are the new escort?" Lady Li smiled, revealing her glistening white teeth.

"Yes." Ling Ruo bowed and replied. "Ling Ruo sends her greetings to my lady Li Fujin." According to the rules, only the Di'fujin can be addressed as Fujin. The Ce'fujin and Shu'fujin must be addressed with their surname before the term "Fujin" to differentiate the difference in status between the primary wife and the concubines.

After that, Ling Ruo turned towards Ye Xiu and curtsied. In response, Ye Xiu turned away rudely without returning the curtsy.

"I heard that your father is a Lower Four ranking Official, your status is not low. Why did the Imperial Palace gift you to the Fourth Prince only as an Escort? That must have been an unfair treatment to you."

The seemingly gentle words pierced right at Ling Ruo's wounded heart. However, Ling Ruo composed herself quickly and answered: "In response to Ce'Fujin, Ling Ruo comes from an ordinary background. It is my blessing and fortune to serve the Fourth Prince, and I am very grateful for the arrangement."

"Escort Ling is not only beautiful, but also speaks very well too." Ce'fujin Li Yue Ru smiled.

Escort Ye Xiu interrupted: "That is only provided if her heart and mouth is one. I'm afraid some people tend to say one thing and mean another. Ce'fujin, do not be deceived by those words." Ye Xiu did not like the looks of Ling Ruo, and hence took the opportunity to bring Ling Ruo down.

Ling Ruo merely smiled and remained silent. However, Mo Yu could not stop herself from rebutting: "My mistress is not this type of person. Escort Ye, you have wronged a good person."

Seeing that Mo Yu dared to talk back, Ye Xiu's face turned black in anger: "When did the servants in the Residence become so impolite? How dare you interrupt my conversation with Ce'fujin?" Turning to stare at Ling Ruo, Ye Xiu continued: "The servant follows the mistress, the mistress is indeed a bad role model."

Mo Yu initially was prepared to apologise. Hearing the attack on Ling Ruo again, Mo Yu flared up again: "Your humble servant did not forget the rules and etiquette, but merely stating the facts."

"How dare you talk back! I am going to tear your mouth off!" Having been rebutted once again by a servant, Escort Ye Xiu was unable to swallow her anger. Disregarding the presence of Ce'fujin Li Yue Ru, Ye Xiu raised her hand to slap Mo Yu.

"Please calm your anger." Ling Ruo quickly pulled Mo Yu behind herself, preventing Mo Yu from being physically punished. "Mo Yu is my servant. If Mo Yu has accidentally offended you in some way, I apologise to you on her behalf. I hope you can forgive her this once for my sake."

"For your sake? Who are you to request something from me!" Ye Xiu pushed Ling Ruo away and raised her hand again to strike Mo Yu. "Today, I will help you to educate your servant, move away!"

"Please hold off!" Ling Ruo quickly grabbed onto Ye Xiu's hand. "If you insist in the punishment, then you may punish me instead."

Ever since Ling Ruo entered the Fourth Prince Residence, Mo Yu had been the one who took care of her. If not for Mo Yu, Ling Ruo may not even be alive. In Ling Ruo's heart, Mo Yu became a loyal and close friend, and she would not allow Mo Yu to be bullied by Ye Xiu.

"You!" Despite her rage, Ye Xiu did not dare to slap Ling Ruo. Although she was arrogant, Ye Xiu was not stupid. Both Ling Ruo and herself holds the same rank as an Escort. If Ling Ruo made use of the situation and complained to Di'fujin or even the Fourth Prince, Ye Xiu would be in deep trouble.

"Alright, both of you stop the ruckus." Ce'fujin Li Yue Ru finally spoke up. "I did not know that Escort Ling is so kind-hearted, even towards the servants."

Unsure the actual meaning behind those words, Ling Ruo was still deciding on an appropriate response when she heard Ce'fujin Li Yue Ru continue: "It is good to be kind to everyone. But there has to be a limit. If you are too indulgent, you will spoil the rules and order in the Fourth Prince's Residence. This would not be a good thing for both of you, do you understand?"

"I have understood Ce'fujin's lesson. I will definitely educate and train her properly." Ling Ruo bowed deeply, while Mo Yu kneeled down to admit her wrong.

Ce'fujin Li Yue Ru nodded her head and said to Mo Yu: "Since you have already admitted to your mistakes, I will lighten your punishment. Kneel here for 2 hours. Remember that you will not be easily let off if you commit the same mistake again."

"Yes, your humble servant accepts the punishment." Mo Yu answered.

"Then I shall trouble Escort Ling to oversee the punishment." Nodding towards Escort Ye Xiu, Ce'fujin Li Yue Ru said: "Let's go."

"Yes." Escort Ye Xiu answered respectfully. When Ye Xiu walked past Ling Ruo, she gave Ling Ruo a mean stare. Ling Ruo understood that today's conflict did not come to an end, instead, this was merely the beginning.