TFSRITA Chapter 40

The imperial physicians had been watching closely and immediately came forward to examine her condition.

The elderly physician lifted her eyelids to check, carefully took her pulse, and finally relaxed with relief. “Your Majesty, the consort has passed the critical stage. She’ll recover as long as she’s tended to with care.”

Ji Yecheng didn’t react much, as though everything had gone according to plan. His expression remained solemn as he gazed at the woman, still weak and barely breathing. In a calm voice, he said, “If anything is needed, take it from my treasury.”

“Understood,” the physician replied, even more in awe of the situation.

Surviving such a crisis surely signaled future blessings. The consort not only avoided death, but she also captured the emperor’s attention. Her future was bound to be one of great fortune.

Meanwhile, Song Yu respectfully bowed in gratitude, saying, “Thank you, esteemed sirs, for your efforts.”

Despite his disheveled appearance from his rushed arrival, the young man still radiated an extraordinary grace. His white robes made him appear almost ethereal, and his handsome features shone even under the circumstances. The physicians returned his bow, appreciating his politeness and demeanor.

One of them thought to himself: Daring to vie with the emperor for a woman? Now that’s a real man! No surprise—coming from a family of military officials, even their refined sons are formidable.

However, Ji Yecheng, having noticed Song Yu’s gestures, grew displeased. Now that Yan Qing was stable, Ji Yecheng had no desire to see him anymore. Without hesitation, he commanded, “For trespassing in the harem, take him to the dungeon!”

“Yes!” came the response.

Song Yu, being escorted away, thought bitterly: “If it weren’t for my upbringing, I’d be cursing right now!”

Yan Qing had fully regained consciousness, but her vocal cords were damaged, and her voice had become utterly unbearable to hear.

She found this hard to accept, but the injury was permanent. Even if her body healed, her voice would never return to normal.

Hearing this grim verdict, Yan Qing nearly lost control and considered ending her life once again.

What’s the point of going through all this suffering if I can’t even die properly?

But what infuriated her even more was that the emperor, Ji Yecheng, had taken it upon himself to stay in Lingyun Palace with her.

She was bewildered. Why, of all the places in the palace, does this man insist on staying here, where I am?

The consort’s bed was large enough to fit four or five people comfortably, so although they shared a bed, they didn’t touch. Still, the situation deeply unsettled her. After all, this was the very man who had nearly killed her.

When facing death, Yan Qing had been truly frightened.

She had already died once in her previous life. Death, though brief, was agonizingly painful in that single moment. That intense suffering had scarred her deeply, so when she was near death again, the terror returned full force.

She had prayed for him to end it quickly—not just to complete her mission but to escape the torment.

At that moment, it felt as if the entire world was slipping away, with all the oxygen drained from her body. Only the pain remained, deeply etched into her mind.

Yan Qing let out a long, shaky breath, closing her eyes.

At least the mission changed, that’s something to be relieved about.

Just then, she heard light footsteps approaching. The man’s low, displeased voice reached her: “Are you that unwilling to see me?”

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she opened her eyes again, turning her head to quietly observe him.

Dying once had changed her significantly.

In her past life, death had come in an instant. In this life, it crept upon her slowly, and deliberately, and it was this man who caused it.

Thinking of that, Yan Qing’s heart tightened in pain.

She had developed an instinctive fear of him.

He’s a lunatic!

It was like something out of an old tragic romance novel where the villainous male lead slowly falls in love with the heroine after abusing her. Yan Qing suddenly felt like she had become one of those heroines, like in those stories where a special agent transmigrates into an ancient world and suffers torment before finally finding love.

Ugh!

Such a thing would never happen. After what Ji Yecheng had done to her, love was out of the question. She would get her revenge.

Since she couldn’t move her body, she could only glare at him with fierce eyes.

Both of her arms had been broken by Ji Yecheng earlier and were now bandaged with splints. The physicians had said that her arms would never fully heal; she wouldn’t be able to carry anything heavy for the rest of her life.

The girl had become noticeably thinner. In just a few days, her once soft, rounded chin had sharpened, and although her delicate features were still beautiful, her appearance now evoked a sense of pity. Her lips were colorless, her face pale beyond measure, and the only striking contrast was the deep black of her eyes.

Because of her frailness, her eyes appeared even larger, bright, and intense.

When she looked at him like that, Ji Yecheng felt a pang in his chest, and all of his irritation vanished.

He was the one who had reduced her to this state.

Feeling a growing sense of guilt, he gazed at her fragile form, remorse swirling in his heart, only intensifying as he remembered how vibrant she used to be.

His eyes darkened, and in a low voice, he said, “Mama Qian said you haven’t had any water for a long time. Here, have some water.”

Ji Yecheng’s tone softened, an unusual hint of gentleness creeping in as if trying to appease her.

Jiang Wende, who was nearby, was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped. But by now, he had grown used to these surprises. It seemed the emperor would never be able to be harsh with the consort again.

Yan Qing averted her gaze indifferently, ignoring him.

Though the man before her was stunningly handsome, his calm face framed by those captivating eyes, she remained unmoved.

Ji Yecheng, having never experienced her warmth, remained composed. He took the teacup from Jiang Wende and carefully approached the bedside, offering the water to her lips.