TFSRITA Chapter 36

Song Chuan didn’t want to speak, but the news brought by Ziyun was so shocking that it was hard to hide his astonishment.

The shock was evident on his face.

Song Yu, who had been calmly reading a book, instinctively looked at Song Chuan when he heard the news, causing the book in his hands to tremble.

Noticing Song Yu’s change in expression, he furrowed his brows and asked, “What’s going on?”

Song Chuan hesitated for a moment and said, “It’s related to Miss Yan. Master should see her. I’ll sneak her in shortly.”

Song Chuan’s overly eager attitude made Song Yu uneasy, and his heartbeat became irregular. He nodded, “Alright.”

Upon hearing this, Song Chuan immediately ran out.

He didn’t want this situation either; like everyone else in the Song family, he wished that Song Yu would stop interacting with the Yan family. However, the situation was exceptional now.

…

Song Chuan quickly brought Ziyun in.

When Ziyun arrived, she was cautious and concealed, fearing detection, and had even changed her clothes.

Seeing the somewhat familiar buildings, she couldn’t help but reflect on the changes. If only Miss Yan hadn’t entered the palace, she might have already been married to Master Song and perhaps even had a child by now…

She kept imagining this, but thinking about the reality made her eyes redden with sorrow.

Her poor, unfortunate Miss!

She didn’t know how she was being mistreated in the palace!

Song Chuan noticed her distress and quickened his pace.

When he opened the door, Ziyun saw Song Yu sitting on the edge of the bed, dressed in a white robe, looking pale. The orange sunset streamed through the window, casting a surreal glow on him as if he were about to ascend to immortality.

The moment Song Yu saw her, he gave a slight, polite smile, his demeanor gentle and refined. “Miss Ziyun.”

Ziyun blushed, lowered her head, and greeted him, “Master Song.”

“Did Miss Ziyun come to see me regarding… Qing’er?” he paused and, with a hint of hesitation, used his habitual term of address.

Ziyun immediately came to her senses, nodded, and knelt on the floor, “Please, Master Song, save my young lady! She is suffering so much that she can barely continue living!”

Song Yu was startled, and the teacup he had just lifted fell to the ground. He coughed from the shock, “What?! Cough, cough… What did you say…?”

Song Chuan quickly helped him and poured more tea, and after Song Yu drank it, he felt somewhat better. He then glanced at Ziyun with frustration before stepping back.

Ziyun, frightened, lowered her voice and said, “Master, you’re still unwell?”

“It’s nothing,” Song Yu slowly shook his head. His lips, now moistened, looked slightly improved as if he were returning to the living world.

Ziyun pursed her lips, composed herself, and tearfully said, “Master, my young lady is living with a death wish! From the very first day in the palace, she started offending the Emperor, and on several occasions, she was almost executed. Once, the Emperor even strangled her, and if he hadn’t released her in time, she might have died… Wuwu…”

Listening to this, Song Yu was deeply shaken. He instinctively covered his aching heart, his brows furrowing deeply. His once slightly flushed face turned pale instantly as he hoarsely asked, “What happened? Explain clearly!”

Song Yu’s voice, commanding and intense, startled Ziyun, causing her to tremble and speak quickly, “Miss is desperate. She sent me out because she was afraid of implicating me. Wuwu… Master, please save her! She cares so much about you, that’s why she doesn’t want to marry anyone else…”

Song Yu’s body swayed, almost falling from the bed, but was supported by Song Chuan.

The shock was too great; Song Yu, still unwell, fainted from the overwhelming news.

“Master!” Song Chuan exclaimed, quickly laying him back on the bed.

“What should we do? Master Song has fainted!” Ziyun was also stunned, and the room fell into chaos.

At this moment, Song Yu woke up again, having fainted only briefly. Due to his concern, he regained consciousness and weakly said, “Thank you, Miss Ziyun, for informing me. Song Chuan, take Miss Ziyun back.”

The young man before her was very weak, and Ziyun should have left immediately. However, thinking of her mistress, she couldn’t help but call out one last time as she left, “Miss is always thinking of you. Please don’t let her down!”

After saying this, Ziyun ran out, not waiting for a response.

Song Chuan followed her out to see her off.

The room was left with only Song Yu.

He breathed heavily, lying on the bed, his throat making a hoarse, rasping sound. His pale lips moved, and two words appeared in the air:

“Impossible!”

Author’s Note:

Regarding the events outside the palace, Yan Qing was unaware. She had no power or influence and could do nothing but passively wait for things to unfold before her eyes.

Her existence was merely an element to spur Song Yu’s rise.

According to the epilogue of the novel, Song Yu became a benevolent ruler, founding a new prosperous dynasty. With the influence of the heroine’s modern ideas, he achieved true gender equality, and even the era saw significant technological advancements, making great strides forward.

Reflecting on the novel, Yan Qing pondered what to do next. There was no future for her and Song Yu, but Yan Zhen still had her eyes on him. She needed to find a way to marry Yan Zhen off.

But that seemed unlikely.

What should she do? Yan Qing thought with a distressed expression, feeling extremely powerless in her current situation.

After the selection, the palace had gained several dozen new concubines. However, due to their lower status, most were beautiful women. Only a few from slightly stronger backgrounds were granted the title of “Xiu Yi” and lived in more remote palace quarters. Most of them shared a palace with several others, leaving the main hall vacant.