TFSRITA Chapter 39

A few young eunuchs shook their heads, equally confused.

Ahead, Song Yu said nothing, pushing forward with all his might.

His eyes slowly turned red as tears welled up, only to be flung away by the wind as he rushed forward, leaving his face untouched.

How could she be close to death?

But if it weren’t true, based on his understanding of the emperor, there’s no way he would summon him to the palace.

Song Yu didn’t even consider the possibility of a conspiracy — that they might want an excuse to get rid of the Song family, which had grown too influential. But at this moment, none of that mattered. Even if it were true, he had to see her.

Qing’er!

Wait!

If Qing’er dies, then he will follow her.

At least his parents had more than one child.

He had already let Qing’er down once. He couldn’t let her walk the path to the underworld alone.

…

Holding a token in hand, Song Yu rushed directly to the inner palace.

Since it was the emperor’s token, no one dared to stop him. He arrived quickly at Lingyun Palace.

As soon as he entered, the palace was eerily silent.

The passing maids and eunuchs all wore solemn expressions.

There wasn’t a single sound of laughter.

Song Yu’s heart grew heavier, and when he entered the bedchamber and saw the figure lying on the bed, his legs nearly gave out, almost causing him to collapse.

The bedchamber remained exactly as it had when Jiang Wende had left.

A group of imperial doctors knelt there, and Yan Qing lay motionless on the bed, her life uncertain. Her exposed skin was covered with needles. At the head of the bed stood Ji Yecheng, staring blankly at her.

Sensing Song Yu’s arrival, Ji Yecheng swiftly moved.

Grabbing the unprepared Song Yu, he pulled him to the bedside, his voice cold and harsh: “Yan Qing, listen to me! If you die, Song Yu will be buried with you! My word is law!”

Song Yu’s mind was still foggy. Already suffering from the cold, the sudden blast of cold wind outside made the warmth of the room overwhelming. Before he could even collect his thoughts, he was greeted with this situation.

Yet, after the confusion passed, an overwhelming sadness surged within him.

From Ji Yecheng’s tone, it was clear that he knew about his relationship with Yan Qing.

Hoarsely, Song Yu spoke, “Your Majesty, if Qing’er passes, could I take her back with me? She would hate staying in the palace.”

Ji Yecheng’s face darkened. “She’s not dead yet! She won’t die!”

How could this woman possibly die?

And even if she did, she would still belong to him!

Ji Yecheng added, “Even if she does die, it won’t be your Song family who buries her! Didn’t she hate the palace? If she dies, I’ll bury her right here in Lingyun Palace. In life or death, she will be with me!”

Song Yu choked on his words in anger, unwilling to argue any further. He carefully reached out to touch the small hand resting on the blanket.

But even her hand was full of silver needles. Song Yu didn’t dare to move her, only hovering his hand gently over hers.

This painful scene did not escape Ji Yecheng’s eyes. Given the circumstances, he restrained himself before finally saying, “Woman, are you planning not to wake up? Do you think I won’t act? If you die, the Song family, the Yan family, and even that loyal maid of yours who tried to assassinate me will all be dead too! Especially Song Yu—I’ll grind his bones to dust!”

Struggling to regain some consciousness, Yan Qing heard his voice and the content of what he said, almost exploding with rage.

Ji Yecheng, you damned emperor!

Yan Qing was so furious that she almost cried.

No, she was already crying.

Tears uncontrollably slid down the corners of her eyes.

Damn it, he brought Song Yu here.

Is he trying to send me over the edge?

If Song Yu dies with her, what meaning would her death have?

Yan Qing didn’t know the outcome, but she couldn’t bear to drag down the person the original owner had loved.

No, she didn’t want to involve anyone. When Zhu Yin came here, she had even asked her specifically, ensuring that Zhu Yin could escape on her own if something went wrong before she felt reassured.

Ji Yecheng had been watching her closely, and when he saw the tear roll down, he instinctively reached out to touch it.

It was cold, surprisingly devoid of warmth.

He lightly licked the tear on his finger. It tasted slightly bitter and a little salty.

Not tasty.

He didn’t like it.

But Ji Yecheng was pleased, leaning in slightly, he whispered into her ear, “I know you can hear me. Since you can, stop struggling. Without my permission, you won’t be able to die!”

Song Yu looked at him, his expression complicated.

He hadn’t expected this man to fall in love with Qing’er as well.

His chest tightened, and he turned his gaze away, staring blankly at her slender hand. Just yesterday, she had been so beautiful and full of life.

The atmosphere in the chamber was heavy. No one dared to speak, merely watching Yan Qing in silence.

Yan Qing remained unconscious.

Her brain had been deprived of oxygen for too long.

But in the next second, she abruptly regained full awareness as a voice echoed in her mind: [Detected uncontrollable factors. Mission: Die by Ji Yecheng’s hand, has completely failed. New mission initiated: Assist the emperor and usher in a golden age.]

Yan Qing: “!!!” She was so furious that she snapped fully awake. Her throat ached, even more painfully than before, as if it was about to be destroyed.

Her lips twitched, and her face turned even paler, almost translucent.

But despite this, her breathing deepened.

Damn it, how did things suddenly change like this?

She was truly about to die from anger!

To change the mission at the last moment? In her current pathetic state, what use could she be? It was like exchanging currency only to find out that they only accepted local bills!

…

Both Ji Yecheng and Song Yu noticed the shift immediately and were overjoyed. Ji Yecheng shouted, “Imperial doctor!”