TFSRITA Chapter 37

They rarely appeared near Lingyun Palace, so it made no difference to Yan Qing.

Yan Qing didn’t pay them much attention and focused on thinking about Yan Zhen’s situation. However, before she could come to any conclusion, another tricky matter arose.

After the hot summer passed, Ji Yecheng finally ventured out again.

But his first stop was Yan Qing’s place.

After all, the Empress was his favored concubine.

Upon hearing that the Emperor was heading to Lingyun Palace, the women in the palace who had caught wind of this news broke some of their porcelain and cursed Yan Qing bitterly.

“Achoo!” Yan Qing sneezed, her nose reddening.

“Is this a sign that I’m not welcome?” A slightly displeased voice echoed in Lingyun Palace.

Hearing the voice, Yan Qing immediately looked up to see Ji Yecheng entering the palace, hands clasped behind his back, moving slowly. His thin lips were pressed tightly together, and his brows were furrowed in clear displeasure.

Who had upset him this time?

Yan Qing muttered to herself, but in reality, she was quite pleased. Just the day before, she had asked Song Yu a question, confirming that Song Yu had not yet developed any feelings for Yan Zhen. Moreover, having seen him once, if she were to die now, Song Yu would surely feel immense guilt.

Therefore, Yan Qing responded immediately, “You’re not welcome, so please leave, Your Majesty.”

Ji Yecheng’s expression grew colder, and he quickened his pace towards Yan Qing, towering over her with a dark, angry face. His voice, coming through clenched teeth, said, “Woman, if you don’t welcome me, who do you wish to welcome? Song Yu?” Ji Yecheng vowed that if she dared to say so, he would ensure she didn’t live through the day!

What troubled him even more was Yan Qing’s playful smile. She had a somewhat coy expression that momentarily stunned Ji Yecheng. He then heard her melodious voice say, “Of course, I like him. Haven’t you always…”

Before she could finish her sentence, Ji Yecheng moved to grab her by the throat, intending to stop the unpleasant sound from continuing.

As soon as he made his move, Yan Qing instinctively fell silent, then reached out to block him, countering with a hand gesture to strike back.

Did she think all her training in martial arts was in vain?

Ji Yecheng’s expression hardened, and he stepped back, bringing his other hand into play. Despite several of his moves being blocked, Yan Qing pretended to be outmatched and collapsed into his arms.

Suddenly, the warmth and softness of his embrace caused Ji Yecheng to freeze. In the next moment, Yan Qing’s fist drove directly into his face.

A muffled “thud” echoed as her fist struck him around the eyes.

Ji Yecheng felt a sharp pain in his eyes. What had started as an amused action turned fierce. Without hesitation, he gripped her neck tighter, breaking her bones with a snap.

“Ugh!” Yan Qing grunted in pain and instinctively kicked at him.

“Hiss—” Suddenly kicked twice, Ji Yecheng frowned, brushed aside her attacks, and aimed directly at her vital points.

In just a few breaths, Yan Qing was defeated, her neck gripped tightly in his hand.

Ji Yecheng exerted force, rendering Yan Qing completely silent. She struggled weakly in his grasp, her breaths coming in faint, ragged gasps.

Still, Ji Yecheng was infuriated, his eyes cold and glaring at the woman before him. His face turned pale, and her previously resisting limbs hung limply, almost out of breath. He coldly snorted, increasing his grip, and listened to her rasping, “kekekek…” noises as she neared death.

“Do you fear nothing?” Ji Yecheng’s voice was low and grim.

At this moment, the tall, strong man stood in the hall, his powerful arm holding the woman’s neck. The woman, seemingly on the brink of death, had a gray, defeated look in her eyes, her feet a foot off the ground, her arms hanging lifelessly.

Almost there.

She was about to die.

Yan Qing felt intense discomfort. Perhaps, when facing death, one truly experiences a sense of detachment. She could feel her life force ebbing away, her body feeling disconnected from herself, and her mind becoming muddled.

Yet the pain was still sharply clear, especially the pain in her neck as if his hand were going to snap it off.

It hurt a lot, but Yan Qing was also anticipating it.

Soon, she would be truly dead.

At least before dying this time, she had managed to hit Ji Yecheng back, so it wasn’t as if she had completely lost face!

Feeling the last of her life force slipping away, Yan Qing slowly closed her eyes.

Author’s Note: The cover is officially confirmed. Does it still reflect my usual style? Hands-on-hips, laughing out-loud jpg.

 

Ji Yecheng looked at her with a cold demeanor, but inwardly, he felt surprisingly unsettled, without any sense of satisfaction, even feeling a bit stifled.

Initially, he came to Lingyun Palace just to intimidate her and alleviate his sense of imbalance, especially after learning that this damned woman had dared to spend so much time alone with Song Yu!

But now…

She was dying. This woman who had repeatedly provoked him was about to die.

He should only feel satisfaction.

But he didn’t! Ji Yecheng didn’t understand why he suddenly felt an urge to save her.

As Yan Qing’s eyes were about to close completely, the last glimmer of light in them began to fade.

Ji Yecheng stared at her, feeling an emptiness in his heart.

Should he let go?

He was hesitating when a sound of wind slicing through the air reached his ears. Sharp killing intent accompanied by a sharp weapon came from Zhi Yin, one of Yan Qing’s palace maids.

Ji Yecheng instinctively felt his hand burning and, with a sudden effort, threw the person he was holding away.

Zhi Yin had been outside, guarding. After practicing martial arts, during the rest period, Yan Qing preferred to be alone, not wanting any maids nearby, fearing that she might accidentally let slip her intentions.

Normally, Ji Yecheng would start arguing with the Empress soon after entering, but Zhi Yin had waited outside for a while and, seeing no signs of dispute, sensed something was wrong.