TFSRITA Chapter 23

Their thoughts were in turmoil, but the person at the center of it all didn’t care—she was already used to it.

Ji Yecheng’s attitude was simple: once he had done what needed to be done, he could tolerate a little resistance. It had happened a few times before, and he didn’t see it as a serious offense.

Consort De knelt weakly on the ground, watching the emperor go out of his way to appease someone else. She was burning with jealousy. Unwilling to be cast aside, she turned her pleading gaze to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager, simmering with her jealousy, met Consort De’s eyes and hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Your Majesty, just as the noble consort said, it’s likely that Consort De was also unaware. After all, as a sheltered young lady from a noble family, how could she have the audacity to harm anyone? If something happens to Consort De, I fear Lord Yuan would be devastated.”

There was no evidence to prove Consort De had personally acted.

Yan Qing’s eyes flickered with a trace of disappointment, but she remained silent.

Ji Yecheng, thinking of the court’s matters, gave an almost imperceptible nod. “As for the others, execute them.”

Though he didn’t manage most things, being emperor meant no one could disrespect him. If chaos erupted at court, it would only cause more trouble. Besides, this incident didn’t directly concern him. Had this woman not been useful, he wouldn’t have bothered coming at all.

His voice was deep and casual, yet those seven simple words determined the fates of a dozen people.

In the hall, Consort De’s eyes immediately brightened, as if she had been granted a reprieve, but the other kneeling servants were shaking with terror, their teeth chattering as they pleaded, “Your Majesty, we are innocent!”

“Your Majesty, we were forced into this! Please have mercy—”

Before they could finish, Jiang Wende efficiently had his men gag them.

In no more than two-quarters of an hour, the whole matter had been laid out clearly by Jiang Wende.

The issue had nothing to do with Yan Qing, but the implicated servants, like Qing He, were connected to Consort De. Whether or not Consort De knew of it depended on interpretation.

After those involved were taken away, the room fell into silence. While the Empress Dowager and the gathered consorts anxiously waited for what would happen next, Yan Qing suddenly stood up. “Empress Dowager, since everything’s settled, I’ll be taking my leave.”

“Go ahead,” the Empress Dowager replied, eager for her to leave, waving her off quickly.

Yan Qing nodded and turned to leave.

“Your Maj—” The Empress Dowager was about to speak to Ji Yecheng when she caught his gaze. The cold disdain in his eyes was unmistakable.

That simple, indifferent look left her breathless. She could only watch as Ji Yecheng stood up and, unlike Yan Qing, didn’t even offer a farewell. He followed right after her.

The consorts, like sunflowers tracking the sun, turned their heads from left to right, watching the two leave until they were out of sight. Only then did they reluctantly look away.

With the emperor and noble consort gone, Consort De finally felt relief. The oppressive weight bearing down on her vanished, and she exhaled slowly. Turning toward the Empress Dowager, she was about to offer some words of comfort when she saw the Empress Dowager’s icy gaze fixed on the doorway, brimming with murderous intent.

Consort De’s words caught in her throat, and a chill ran through her body.

Why did the Empress Dowager have such a strong desire for revenge?

Time flew, and before she knew it, Yan Qing had been in the imperial harem for a month.

She decided to take a day off, on the first day of the month. After spending more than 20 days practicing martial arts and building her foundation, she was thoroughly exhausted.

When Yan Qing said she wanted to rest, Zhu Yin immediately agreed, and her response was far more relaxed compared to the strict training sessions before.

Yan Qing found this quite odd.

Zhu Yin explained, “When we used to train for a month, we’d also get two days off.”

Yan Qing was speechless.

For once, she allowed herself to sleep in.

The servants assigned to attend to her had been sent by Ji Yecheng himself. They were incredibly obedient, having been thoroughly trained by the emperor’s strict ways.

So, even though it was the first day of the month—a day when everyone in the palace had to greet the Empress Dowager—since their mistress had ordered them not to wake her early, not a single one of them dared disturb her.

At the hour of Mao, when the palace usually woke to life, its quiet routines set in motion, the consorts began preparing themselves for the day, donning their best to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

Yet the atmosphere around Lingyun Palace remained serene and silent.

Inside the bedchamber, enclosed by curtains that made it hard to tell whether it was day or night, there was a specially placed cabinet filled with ice to cool the room.

A young woman, delicate and sweet-looking, slept peacefully in the bed. Her cheeks were rosy, and there was a faint red mark on one side of her face, slowly fading. Her small nose twitched with each breath, and her lips were pursed shut as she slept soundlessly. The thin blanket draped over her belly had been slightly pushed aside, revealing her delicate wrists and ankles.

Despite her recent martial arts training, which had toned her muscles, she still appeared slim, with a soft layer of flesh giving her a gentle, fragile look. She had been careful about sun exposure, and as her skin renewed itself, it had only become fairer.

Yan Qing woke up when her body clock nudged her awake.

Checking the time, she saw it was still early.

She shut her eyes again, forcing herself back to sleep.

The next time she awoke, the sun was high in the sky.

This time, her hunger had stirred her.

Yan Qing cleared her throat and, sure enough, the sound of approaching servants could be heard.

The new nannies, Wan Nanny and Qian Nanny approached. One drew back the curtains while the other asked gently, “Your Highness, would you like to get up?”

“Yes,” Yan Qing nodded lightly.

At once, a group of maids entered to assist her.

Yan Qing had grown accustomed to this treatment and closed her eyes again, still a bit drowsy.

Once fully dressed, a bright-eyed young lady emerged. Today, she had no plans to leave the palace and intended to spend the day lazily. Hence, her outfit was reminiscent of what she used to wear in her family home, albeit with slightly more luxurious touches.

Stepping out of her bedchamber, she saw Qingshan waiting by the door. “Your Highness, breakfast is ready.”

Yan Qing headed to breakfast.

No sooner had she finished her meal than Qian Nanny hesitantly spoke up, “Your Highness…”