Ru Yi snuck back into the servant’s quarters after leaving Princess Lin Yuexin’s residence with a promise to spy on the empress.

At least she no longer had to worry about the possibility of a child. That alone lifted half the weight on her shoulders.

The entire courtyard was silent when she walked in, it had to be almost midnight. She’d have to find Lang Ying in the morning.

Ru Yi entered the small room that apparently belonged to her. She was about to lie down when someone grabbed her from behind.

She let out a scream, a hand immediately slamming down on her mouth to muffle the sound.

"Thought you could escape punishment?" It was Bai He, the head maid. "I was wondering when you’d finally come back. I was prepared to wait the entire night."

She removed her hand from Ru Yi’s mouth. "Were you sneaking around with the crown prince? It doesn’t matter, he won’t save you this time."

Bai He pushed her to the ground.

Ru Yi bit back another scream when her knees scraped against the hard floor. Blinding pain shot up her legs, tears clouding her sight.

"I wasn’t with the crown prince. It wasn’t my intention—"

Bai He dragged Ru Yi up by the neck of her robe. "And what’s this you’re wearing?" she mocked. "You’re coming with me."

Ru Yi could barely keep her weight up as she followed the head maid to the courtyard. They stopped at the centre of the courtyard where a bamboo rod was already lying on the ground.

Unease fluttered in Ru Yi’s chest, she already had an idea of the punishment that awaited her.

Ru Yi was forced to her knees, her hands clenched tightly in front of her. There was no use begging, she’d take whatever pain was forced on her.

"You understand what you did wrong," Bai He said from above her.

"Yes," Ru Yi muttered, shutting her eyes tightly as if they could shield her from what was coming.

The first strike came without warning, the sound striking through the silence. Her body jerked, a sob catching in her throat.

But she wouldn’t cry.

Couldn’t—

Another strike followed, then another.

Ru Yi stopped counting after the third, letting the loud ringing in her ears drown out the agony in her voice as she cried.

Somewhere in the distance she could make out voices, she must’ve woken the other maids. No doubt they were pointing fingers, judging her.

By the time Bai He was done, Ru Yi couldn’t feel her back. Her arms trembled as she struggled to stand.

"I hope you’ve learnt your lesson," Bai He hissed before storming off.

There was a dull ache that spread through Ru Yi, like something inside her had been shaken loose.

She tried to steady her breathing but her meridians, already fractured, recoiled from the strain. It was difficult to breathe.

But somehow she made it to her bed, passing out before her head hit the thin covers.

-

-

Lang Ying woke Ru Yi up the next morning. She’d rushed over when she heard the maids talking about the punishment.

"Ru Yi," she shook her carefully. "Why did you come back?"

Ru Yi’s voice was broken when she spoke, her entire body sore. It was a miracle she hadn’t passed on.

"I got caught," she replied, coughing.

"Why didn’t you come to me?" Lang Ying asked, worried about her friend. "Can you sit? I brought steamed buns from the kitchen. I needed to make sure you were alright before going to find some medicine."

"There’s no need—" Ru Yi’s stomach growled. She couldn’t even remember the last time she had a proper meal.

"Can you not be stubborn?" Lang Ying handed her the buns. "I’ll go see if I can get some medicine from the royal physician. He’s always generous when he’s in a good mood."

"I’m not worth the trouble," Ru Yi grumbled in between bites. "I’ll feel better after eating and getting some rest."

Except another maid joined them in the little room. "Ru Yi, the head maid is asking for you. We’re all gathering in the courtyard."

"What does Bai He want again?" Lang Ying mumbled under her breath. "Do you think you can stand up?" she asked Ru Yi who nodded in response.

Lang Ying turned to the maid. "We’ll be right behind you."

She waited until Ru Yi was done eating before helping her up.

Bai He was in the courtyard, other maids were standing before her. She was giving them instructions on the task they were to carry out.

Ru Yi and Lan Ying joined them.

They were all going to the Empress’s residence to unload gifts that had been sent in preparation for the wedding between Princess Lin Yuexin and the Crown Prince Zhao Chan.

Good.

This was the perfect opportunity for Ru Yi to snoop around. She was also afraid the princess would cast her aside if she didn’t come up with any information soon enough.

There were horse carts outside the Empress’s residence when they got there.

Everywhere was crowded with movement, other servants carrying silk wrapped trays balanced carefully with their arms.

Ru Yi joined them, carrying a box from one of the carts. She bit back a groan when the weight of it made pain shoot up her spine.

She turned around to make sure no one was looking before slipping in through a side passage. It was a narrow hallway with red pillars, lantern light, and a few maids.

Ru Yi lowered her head, only stopping when she reached a screened antechamber. She could hear voices coming from inside the room.

She looked down the hallway to make sure no one else was there before stepping closer to the screen.

"Make sure you serve the Emperor yourself, leave no room for mistakes." It was Empress Shen Lihua.

"Yes, your majesty," a small voice replied.

"Make sure the tea is only in his cup, prepare it carefully."

There was the sound of movement before Ru Yi caught the faintest smell of the tea in question. It was sweet first at first, then—

Something was wrong.

The smell turned dry, almost metallic at the back of Ru Yi’s throat. Her brows furrowed as realization dawned on her.

Ru Yi immediately ducked when she heard the maid coming out. She waited until the girl was down the hallway before following.

If her intuition was correct then the Empress was trying to poison the Emperor. But why?

In the book it was the three wolves of the Eastern Palace that killed the emperor, and that was long after Ru Yi was killed by Princess Lin Yuexin.

It felt like she was in a completely different story from the one she read.

But first— she had to confirm the tea the maid was currently going to give the Emperor. If she could get her hands on it, then Princess Lin Yuexin would take care of the rest.

The maid turned down another hallway.

Ru Yi waited for a minute before following, only to suddenly crash into the maid who had abruptly stopped.

The maid looked at her with a scowl. "Why are you following me?"