TFSRITA Chapter 33

At a glance, something was wrong.

The sound of a scream came through, and the original owner’s memory was deeply etched and painful; it matched exactly—this was Yan Zhen’s voice.

Drowning?

But Song Yu had only just arrived there!

Yan Qing called out, “Zhu Yin!”

With the command given, there was no need for Yan Qing to explain further. Zhu Yin had already leapt into action, moving so swiftly it was as if she’d arrived in the blink of an eye. Seeing the man and woman in the water, Zhu Yin’s eyes flickered, and she casually nudged a few of the maidens into the water as well.

Then, she first pulled Yan Zhen out and freed the trapped Song Yu.

Song Yu could swim; he had been hindered by Yan Zhen earlier and couldn’t move due to his large official robes. Once freed, he immediately emerged from the water and scrambled onto the shore.

With Zhu Yin there, there was no need for her to rescue anyone.

Several maidens were rescued, and the scene descended into chaos.

However, apart from Yan Zhen, everyone else had pale faces. The consequences of falling into the water with a man…

After calling for Zhu Yin, Yan Qing got up and went over.

Seeing the Empress Dowager move, Consort Xian and Consort De followed, puzzled at how the Empress Dowager was so unusually diligent.

Yan Qing ran swiftly with her long skirt held up. Normally, the chilling gaze from behind would make her skin crawl, but she couldn’t afford to care right now.

Ji Yecheng slowly sat up from the couch. The lazy demeanor was gone, replaced by a cold, stern gaze ahead.

He should have anticipated this.

This was also what he wanted to see.

Song Yu was deeply affectionate. The more Yan Qing showed her love and pain, the harder it would be for him to let go, and he would suffer in the same way.

Yet, why did his heart feel so unsettled?

Ji Yecheng looked at his hand. Just moments ago, he had wanted to intervene when Yan Qing went over.

“Your Majesty, should we go over and take a look?”

The Empress Dowager asked cautiously. There were no outsiders present, and her admiration for him was unmistakable.

The Empress Dowager had been groomed as a future Empress from a young age. The Jiang family was very strict with her, and she had never been in contact with any men other than the late Emperor, a middle-aged man over a decade older than her.

Back then, Ji Yecheng was just a young boy, strikingly handsome. She thought he was charming and hoped that if she were to assist the emperor, it would be someone like him. But as time passed, the young boy grew into such an outstanding young man, and the Empress Dowager became infatuated.

She wanted to go too. However, what Song Yu had said earlier made her uneasy.

But Ji Yecheng refused, frowning and getting up to say to Jiang Wende, “Let the Empress Dowager handle this matter herself. I’m tired.”

Having said that, he left quickly, his actions indifferent.

What was there to do here?

Was it to watch these two exchange glances?

He felt a knot in his throat and had to leave swiftly.

With his words, the Empress Dowager dared not go either. Since the palace upheaval, she had come to understand what kind of man he was. If she were not so compliant and did not trouble him, she might have been dead long ago.

Therefore, when he said not to go, the Empress Dowager tightened her heart but did not move. Her eyes, shaded by dark makeup, looked somewhat cold.

“Your Majesty!”

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

The voices of the maidens greeting one after another sounded.

Yan Qing, who had received Jiang Wende’s message, glanced around. The maidens who had fallen into the water were now wrapped up, covered completely. However, the autumn water was still cold, and their faces were all pale from the chill.

The only one looking a bit better was Yan Zhen. She appeared somewhat frustrated and regretful, with her head lowered and not daring to look up.

It was all her fault for doing something so foolish. Unfortunately, her foolish actions led others to follow suit. Had these people not been there, she might have lost her status as a maiden and even married Song Yu. But now, everything was uncertain.

Upon noticing Yan Qing’s arrival, Yan Zhen shivered.

This woman, whom she had always looked down upon as a white lotus, appeared to be a refined young lady on the surface, but she was involved with Song Yu and had the Emperor’s undivided attention. After the throne was secured, she was brought into the harem, and news of her favored status spread.

How could such a woman be worthy of Song Yu?

The original owner was foolish, having met Song Yu a few times but never remembering his face. This led to her not recognizing him the first time, and only later did she realize that this was the person her white lotus half-sister liked.

This made her want him even more.

But since arriving in Chang’an, she had lost contact with him, so when she saw him looking dazed earlier, Yan Zhen acted foolishly.

But now that Yan Qing was coming over, would she realize her intentions?

Would she take the opportunity to do something?

…

Her worries were not entirely unfounded. However, Yan Qing remained rational, especially since there was a man with a cautious yet deeply affectionate gaze watching her.

She did not love Song Yu, but she could not ruin the original owner’s good image in his eyes. Otherwise, how would he let go of the original owner?

Yan Qing scanned the area, noting that everyone was kneeling, including Song Yu, and nodded in satisfaction. She said coldly, “Listen up, no one is to speak of today’s events. Granny Qian, make sure to record the names of everyone present. If any information leaks, everyone will receive twenty lashes, without exception!”

Her voice, once weak and gentle, now carried a tone of firmness and ruthlessness.

The sixteen-year-old girl’s face was strikingly beautiful. As her gaze swept over the crowd with icy eyes, even those who kept their heads down could feel the palpable intensity. Everyone quickly nodded and responded, “Yes!”

Yan Qing threatened softly, “Even if you go home, His Majesty can still deal with this matter. So it’s best if everyone keeps this secret.”

“Yes! We know nothing!”

“We know nothing!”

“…”