Jinwei joins hands in rebirth: villains can also eat at the table

Chapter 223 Looking back

Only in this way can Ling Yunche be helped back to the imperial presence.

She always remembered Ling Yunche's efforts and sacrifices. She couldn't let his efforts go to waste, and she would do everything she could to get him back to where he belonged.

Ruyi's tightly clenched hands gradually loosened. After thinking it over again and again, she finally chose to compromise.

She replied with a long sigh.

"Go back and tell the emperor that I will prepare a good family banquet."

Ruyi's voice was cold and firm, echoing in the silent palace. She raised her chin slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of helplessness and stubbornness.

She herself may not care, but she can't just watch everyone around her fall into the quagmire because of her.

Ruyi took on this task very reluctantly.

The emperor's behavior disappointed her terribly. His indifference and ruthlessness, like a sharp blade, deeply hurt her heart.

Although the trace of the palm strike that day has disappeared.

But the pain in my heart is still clear.

Even if the emperor offered her this way out, she would not forgive him easily.

Jinzhong nodded and retreated quietly, leaving Ruyi alone staring at the windowsill in a daze.

If she could have stayed quietly in this Yiku Palace, in this somewhat deserted world, guarding her own thoughts and memories.

However, when she heard that Ling Yunche suffered for her in the cold palace, Ruyi's heart was instantly tightened, as if an invisible hand was tightly grasping her heart.

Ruyi only felt a panic in her heart, and the panic feeling was like a surging tide, constantly hitting her heart.

Ling Yunche's figure kept appearing in her mind, imagining the suffering he had endured in the cold palace. She couldn't imagine the difficult situation that the once high-spirited imperial guard was in now in that cold and damp place.

She wanted to... wanted to see with her own eyes what he looked like now.

This strong desire was like a burning flame, burning brighter and brighter in her heart.

She wanted to see with her own eyes whether Ling Yunche was okay, whether he still retained his perseverance and courage. She wanted to thank him in person for everything he had done for her.

Ruyi knew her movements were restricted, but she couldn't suppress her inner urge. She secretly plotted, searching for an opportunity to see Ling Yunche. Even just a glimpse from afar would give her some peace of mind.

Mao Qian was always snobbish, caring only about profit and status. If she knew that he had been demoted back to serving as a guard in the cold palace for helping her, she would probably not give up.

She doesn't care about other people's feelings and only thinks about herself.

Ling Yunche didn't get along well in the palace, and he was afraid that he would be ridiculed by her when he returned home.

Ever since she became queen, Ling Yunche has been doing his best to help her.

The fire that happened in Mulan Paddock that year still makes people feel scared when they think about it.

The blazing flames seemed to devour everything. In that life-or-death moment, if he hadn't risked his life to save her, she would have perished in the flames.

The two of them could have held their own and lived well in this palace.

Later, she became pregnant, a time filled with anticipation and joy. She gave birth to several children, and she thought her life would usher in new hope and peace.

However, the peaceful days did not last long, as fate once again showed its cruel side. Jingsi died young, his little life like a fragile flower, withering before it could bloom, bringing a heavy blow to Ruyi.

Yongjing was weak, which made Ruyi worried all the time. Every weak cry of his was like a needle piercing her heart.

With Li Yu also in trouble, Ruyi felt even more isolated and helpless in the palace. If Ling Yunche hadn't persuaded her many times over the past few years, she would have collapsed long ago.

He accompanied her through one difficulty after another. In those difficult days, Ling Yunche became Ruyi's most solid support.

Without his constant encouragement, it would have been difficult for me to hold on.

Ruyi knew very well that she owed Ling Yunche so much, and she would never forget this kindness.

The more Ruyi thought about it, the more panicked she became, and her heart was beating wildly.

The feeling of panic was like a surging tide, crashing into her heart wave after wave. Ling Yunche's figure kept appearing in her mind, and worry and concern were like fine silk threads, tightly wrapped around her.

Ruyi thought for a moment and called the person waiting at the door in. "Zhu Yun, I want to go out and relax. Will you accompany me? I heard that the crabapple blossoms on the east side of the Imperial Garden are in bloom. I want to go and see them."

The little girl who was wiping things nearby responded happily.

"Okay, I'll go with you right away. But Aunt Yurong just went to the kitchen. Should I send someone to inform her?"

Zhu Yun is only thirteen years old this year. Not long after she entered the palace, she was sent to serve in Yiku Palace. This is the most powerful master in the six palaces. Following her means a bright future.

She has been here for almost half a year, and the master has finally left.

Zhu Yue just waited to stay in Yiku Palace and serve well, and when she turned 25, she would ask the Queen to let her leave the palace and get married.

Zhu Yue is simple-minded and has the mentality of a complete child. The Yikun Palace is now leaking air everywhere like a colander.

After observing her for many days, Ruyi finally trusted her. Zhu Yue simply waited patiently in the Yikun Palace, cherishing a small hope in her heart. She often thought that when she turned twenty-five, she would ask the Empress to let her leave the palace and marry.

The days in the deep palace were both a test and a long wait for her. She longed for the day when she could escape the constraints of the red walls and yellow tiles and pursue her own ordinary life.

The Yikun Palace is full of spies and full of dangers. In this complex environment, Ruyi has to carefully observe everyone around her. After many days of observation, Ruyi only dares to trust Zhu Yun.

This little girl had just entered the palace and there was no calculation in her eyes. She must have come to the Yiku Palace by accident.

Yurong is an old lady in the palace and was sent by the emperor. This makes Ruyi always suspicious and distrustful of her.

Ruyi shook her head, a slight movement that betrayed her inner resolve. She replied calmly, "It's alright. We're just going to the Imperial Gardens for a stroll. It won't take long. There are too many people and it's too noisy. I just want some quiet time..."

Her voice was cold and calm, as if she was talking about something very ordinary.

Zhu Yue was very confused

Be quiet?

The master has been staying in the Yikun Palace for half a year. Isn’t it quiet enough?

Forget it, big shots always have their own ideas, so she just does as they say.

Zhu Yue nodded obediently, looking like a docile little deer. She carefully helped Ruyi to her feet, her movements gentle and cautious, as if she were protecting a precious treasure.

This was the first time she stepped out of the gate of Yiku Palace since that incident, and Ruyi's eyes revealed complex emotions.

She raised her head slightly and looked in the direction of the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The towering palace looked solemn and majestic under the sunlight.

Ruyi's gaze lingered there for a long time, her mind a thousand thoughts. She sighed imperceptibly, the sound like falling petals, soft and helpless.

The scenery before my eyes kept changing. No matter how rich and prosperous one was, one was just trapped in this world. No matter how the seasons changed, whenever I looked up, I would see the same vermilion palace walls.

Ruyi felt inexplicably tired.

Back then, she had been with the emperor wholeheartedly, filled with love and longing. At that time, she only had the emperor in her eyes and was willing to give everything for him.

She was willing to spend her whole life in this small palace. She had believed that her friendship with the emperor could stand the test of time.

However, as time goes by and the world changes, the beauty of the past is gradually eroded by the cruelty of reality.

Countless fights, suspicions, and betrayals have wounded her heart time and time again. Now, her once ardent heart is exhausted.

She hated the endless suspicion and hated herself even more.

Not only her, but the emperor is the ruler of the world, carrying countless responsibilities and expectations. He is no longer the young and infatuated emperor he once was.

In the past, his eyes were full of love and tenderness, and he took good care of her, making her feel endless warmth. At that time, he would be moved by her every smile and frown, and would be concerned about her joys and sorrows.

However, over the years, he has changed.

He became suspicious, cold and ruthless, no longer the young man who had won her heart.

During these long years, he was swayed by the desire for power and influenced by the struggles in the palace. He began to weigh the pros and cons and began to be suspicious of those around him.

Even his wife, who was with him day and night, became suspicious.

He no longer trusted her as unconditionally as before, nor did he love her as wholeheartedly as before.

Even if Ruyi is unwilling to admit it, it cannot change the fact that the emperor has changed his mind.