TFSRITA Chapter 28

Yan Qing had finally learned some martial arts and could now exchange a few moves with Zhu Yin. Her progress was impressive; at least now, none of the eunuchs in the palace could defeat her. She had even tested her skills against the eunuchs who guarded the inner palace. Although she wasn’t as strong, she could hold her own for a while without losing, though perhaps they were going easy on her—after all, she was a concubine.

Still, she did show talent. According to Zhu Yin, for someone her age to learn so quickly was a sign of exceptional aptitude. If she had started training as a child, she might have surpassed Zhu Yin by now.

Hearing this made Yan Qing feel elated and more confident.

After a few encounters with Ji Yecheng, she hadn’t dared to confront him directly again. These past three months had been the hottest of the year, and Ji Yecheng rarely appeared.

He was indulgent by nature and wasn’t inclined to go out under the blazing sun.

As a result, she had only seen him three times in the past three months. Each time he appeared, he made a show of his affection for her. Even though Yan Qing hadn’t deliberately inquired, she could sense from the other concubines’ gossip that she had earned the reputation of a “witch concubine.”

As autumn began to cool the air, Yan Qing calmed herself. Mammy Qian came over to help her wipe off sweat, and Mammy Wan said, “Your Highness, the Emperor has decreed that you must attend the palace selection three days from now.”

The palace selection involved choosing women from across the country—anyone from commoners to the daughters of high-ranking officials could be sent into the palace. Of course, participation was voluntary and not forced.

Because of the large number of candidates, the selection process stretched over several months.

The first two rounds had just been completed a few days ago. Those who had been rejected returned home, while those selected would have their final audience with the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and high-ranking concubines during the palace selection to determine the final candidates and their ranks.

“I understand,” Yan Qing nodded.

She agreed and promptly forgot about it, knowing that palace attendants would remind her when the time came. Being in a position of power had its perks—there was no need to worry about trivial matters, as someone would always remind her when necessary.

That evening, Zhu Yin delivered a letter.

It was from Chancellor Yan.

The letter revealed that Yan Ying had already been sent to the palace. Since there was nothing Yan Qing could do to help before, they hadn’t informed her. But with the palace selection approaching, and knowing the concubine would certainly attend, they had arranged for Yan Ying to remain in the palace, ensuring she would have someone to support her in the future.

Yan Qing was stunned as if struck by lightning. She counted the days on her fingers, feeling that something was off with the timing.

“How could the selection be happening now?” In her memory, Yan Ying hadn’t participated in the selection. She didn’t want to become a concubine, and at the time, Chancellor Yan only had one young daughter, whom he planned to marry off to one of his students. He hadn’t intended for her to participate.

But now she had?

Wait—there had been a mention of a palace maiden in the original story. It was this very palace maiden that had made the Chancellor think of his daughter, and to prevent her from participating, he had waited two months before bringing her back…

The most crucial part was that Yan Ying had already returned to the Yan family, which meant she had met Song Yu. So… had their romantic feelings already begun to develop?

In the book’s plot, Yan Ying saves Song Yu, and during their journey back to Chang’an, they spend a lot of time together. Yan Ying fell in love with Song Yu, but Song Yu’s heart was still occupied with his “white moonlight” and he ignored her, though he was grateful for her saving his life. After Yan Ying returned to Chang’an, she became active among the aristocracy as the Chancellor’s daughter but was often bullied.

Song Yu helped her a few times, and through these interactions, he began to realize how different she was from others. He fell for her but was too stubborn to admit it, thinking he still loved his white moonlight. Only when the image of the white moonlight shattered, time after time, did his attention completely shift to Yan Ying.

It was only when Yan Ying became weary and no longer wanted a man who harbored feelings for Yan Qing that he decided to give up on Yan Qing. Sensing this change, Yan Qing immediately turned to darkness.

In her first mission, trapped in the palace, Yan Qing had initially thought of dying early, becoming an eternal “white moonlight.” Yan Ying, as someone from the future, had very pure views on love. She would never continue pursuing someone whose heart belonged to another, especially a dead person she could never surpass. With Yan Ying’s pride, she would never have continued.

But now the storyline had shifted ahead of schedule, and the male and female leads had already met… With her current reputation as the “witch concubine” of the Great Qian, if she were to die, Song Yu would probably slowly let go of her, especially since Emperor Ji Yecheng had already tied their fates together and tarnished her reputation. In both the original story and her memories, Song Yu was a man of honor—he certainly wouldn’t continue loving such a woman.

So now, had her goal shifted from seeking death to seeking survival?

Yan Qing gritted her teeth, on the verge of tears. It seemed that everything she had done was for nothing.

Fortunately, her father, the Chancellor, had provided a good option. If Yan Ying really entered the palace and was separated from Song Yu, then when she died, it might provoke Song Yu, and her mission would be complete.

Having calculated everything, Yan Qing could only pray that the Emperor would take one look at Yan Ying’s beauty. According to the letter, Yan Ying had grown quite beautiful now, so entering the palace shouldn’t be difficult.

Meanwhile, in the Palace of Maidens, Yan Ying sat staring at her hands in a daze.

To ensure she wasn’t selected, she had made two preparations, though the latter would also hurt her reputation. Yet her hesitation had already brought things to this point.

Fortunately, she had prepared a medicine that would cause red spots on her body. She would use it the day before the final selection, and it should do the trick.

While she was lost in thought, a girl beside her nudged her and asked curiously, “Aren’t you the concubine’s sister? Why hasn’t she come to see you?”

Yan Ying’s eyes flickered. She lowered her head and whispered, “I’m an illegitimate daughter; she’s the legitimate one. Of course, she wouldn’t come see me.”

The girl immediately thought she understood the situation. Indeed, there seemed to be a natural enmity between legitimate and illegitimate children. Still, she pouted and said, “At least she should keep up appearances. Look at the two girls from the Jiang family—the Empress Dowager even sent mammas to look after them.”

Yan Ying shook her head, looking timid. “She’s a noble concubine now, and the Emperor favors her. Don’t say anything more; if word gets out…”

The girl sympathetically patted her on the shoulder. Having such a legitimate sister must have made her life difficult before.