TFSRITA Chapter 50

“What kindness? What sisterly bond? It was nothing but a false mask.”

At this moment, Yan Yin was filled with extreme hatred for Yan Qing. She then turned her final hope toward Prime Minister Yan, pleading, “Father, save me! I didn’t know anything, Father…”

Prime Minister Yan acted as if he didn’t hear her, ignoring her cries.

With her last hope shattered, Yan Yin’s eyes filled with overwhelming hatred!

Song Yu, who had been paying close attention to the scene, slowly tightened his grip on his wine cup. The slightest hint of doubt he had disappeared, and his gaze toward Yan Yin became utterly cold.

Thank goodness Qing’er didn’t plead for her. She’s not worth it!

The Mid-Autumn banquet ended not long after.

Chang Ya and the young lady from the Li family didn’t survive their punishment of fifty lashes. They passed away that same night.

Because of their actions, neither the Chang nor the Li family could hold a grand funeral. They had no choice but to bury them quietly.

Yan Yin, however, was much stronger. She was beaten with twenty lashes, which wasn’t too severe. After just two days of resting at home, she could walk normally.

Everyone praised her for her strong constitution.

But Yan Qing knew it was the effect of her “golden finger.”

Listening to the report that Zhu Yin had brought, Yan Qing treated it like a casual story and quickly dismissed it.

After this incident, given Song Yu’s intelligence, he should be able to see Yan Yin’s true nature. That meant the original mission was more or less complete. After all, with the difference in status between Song Yu and Yan Yin, unless Song Yu took the initiative, it would be impossible for Yan Yin to marry him.

Now, if Song Yu were to meet Yan Yin again, he would certainly be suspicious.

This task no longer required much attention. The real challenge ahead was figuring out how to help Song Yu successfully stage a rebellion, and how she could assist him afterward.

Yan Qing rubbed her temples in frustration, her small face scrunching up.

Seeing this, Mama Qian quickly approached and gently massaged her, speaking softly, “My lady, would you like to rest for a while?”

Yan Qing shook her head.

Zhu Yin thought for a moment and suggested, “Perhaps you should go for a walk?”

Go outside?

Just as Yan Qing was about to refuse, she paused and rasped, “I want to leave the palace.”

After saying this, she immediately closed her mouth. Her throat hadn’t fully recovered, and speaking caused some discomfort.

Mama Qian was shocked. It had always been extremely difficult for concubines to leave the palace once they entered. This request to leave the palace… She knew how troublesome her lady could be. Was this going to lead to another argument with His Majesty?

Zhu Yin, however, remained calm and nodded. “That can be arranged.”

Leaving the palace might be a good idea. Though the palace appeared luxurious, living in it made one realize that it was nothing more than a gilded cage, trapping its inhabitants inside.

As soon as Yan Qing decided to leave, she got up and headed toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

…

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

A storyteller was narrating a lively tale called The Overbearing Young Master and His Charming Maid.

No one knew who had written it, but the domineering young master in the story bore a striking resemblance to Ji Yuchen in some ways. The maid’s reckless behavior also reminded him of Yan Qing. Amused by the similarities, he had ordered someone to narrate the story.

Reading a book? Impossible—too hard on the eyes and the hands.

Listening to the story, Ji Yuchen was reclining comfortably on a chair covered with soft animal fur. A eunuch gently rocked the chair, while another eunuch continuously offered him food.

Had it not been so unappetizing, he might have asked them to feed him directly.

When Yan Qing arrived, she saw this scene and frowned.

This was why the system had warned her against assisting this emperor. How could someone like him ever become a good ruler? Forget about it.

“Her Grace, the Noble Consort, has arrived!” Because Ji Yuchen had instructed them beforehand, the eunuch at the door announced her presence instead of coming in to report.

Ji Yuchen’s hand froze in midair as he was about to grab some fruit. He turned his head to see a woman walking toward him with quick, unladylike strides, forcing the old wet nurse beside her to hurry along in small steps just to keep up.

Why so fast?

He hadn’t even had time to prepare.

For a brief moment, Ji Yuchen panicked, but quickly composed himself, forcing calm back into his expression. He then coldly commanded, “Stop the story. Enough.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” The storyteller immediately stopped speaking and stood there quietly.

Finding the man annoying, Ji Yuchen waved him away. “Get out.”

Jiang Wende quickly led the storyteller out and dismissed the rest of the eunuchs as well.

In no time, only Ji Yuchen and Yan Qing’s attendants were left in the main hall.

Ji Yuchen cleared his throat, then, feeling that he still lacked authority, spoke more coldly, “Why didn’t you wait outside to be summoned?”

Yan Qing ignored his remark, her expression blank. With her hoarse voice, she stated flatly, “I want to leave the palace.”

Ji Yuchen responded, “Impossible!”

Yan Qing wanted to leave the palace. Though the palace seemed vast, it was, in reality, no more than the size of a hand. Living here for so long, surrounded by concubines constantly scheming in petty palace intrigues, she had lost all interest.

However, she hadn’t expected Ji Yuchen to react so strongly when she voiced her request.

For a moment, she was stunned, but soon realized what was going on. She clarified, “I want to stay at the Prime Minister’s residence for a couple of days.”

Ji Yuchen, with a sudden burst of strength, leaped off the rocking chair. His body was agile, and in just a few strides, he was standing before her. His sharp, hawk-like eyes, once subtly alluring, now held only cold scrutiny. His voice, laced with murderous intent, warned, “You can’t escape.”

Yan Qing furrowed her brow and took a step back, putting some distance between them. Only then did she feel less oppressed by his chilling presence. She rasped, “I know. I just want to leave the palace. Give me the token.”

Ji Yuchen’s brow furrowed even deeper, his aura radiating extreme impatience. But for some reason, something seemed to be holding him back from fully unleashing his temper. He replied in a low voice, “No.”