TFSRITA Chapter 53

When having fun, Yan Qing always felt like someone was watching her. Yet when she looked around, nothing was there.

Feeling a chill, she couldn’t help but cling to Zhu Yin, afraid to leave her side.

…

Jiang Wende looked anxious outside the Yan family wall, glancing around nervously as he murmured, “Please, don’t let anyone find out.”

Was the Emperor of a great nation sneaking out of the palace with the imperial concubine? He was secretly here, acting like a voyeur, squatting in someone’s backyard to spy on the concubine. Unbelievable.

As if hearing Jiang Wende’s muttering, Ji Yecheng jumped down from the wall, his expression serious as he said, “I’m worried she might do something.”

Like climbing the wall, for instance.

Once out of the palace, she was essentially in the same place as Song Yu. What if they ran into each other?

But today seemed fine; she was just at home, behaving herself.

Moreover, she looked much better than before. When she played with her half-sister, the smile on her face was something Ji Yecheng had never seen before. He furrowed his brow slightly, feeling a mix of disappointment and hope. Would there come a day when she would show him such a smile?

And their… child?

“Your Majesty, it’s time to go back,” Jiang Wende cautiously reminded him, noticing that he was standing still at the wall corner.

Ji Yecheng quickly composed himself, restoring his usual cold demeanor. He stepped out first, walked to the alley entrance, got into the carriage, and disappeared into the streets of Chang’an.

…

Having left the suffocating palace, Yan Qing slept in the original owner’s room, feeling exceptionally comfortable. She slept soundly through the night and woke up refreshed and in a good mood.

The next morning, Ziyun arrived early to wait on Yan Qing as she washed up.

When she got up, Ziyun cried again, so much that she couldn’t work.

“My lady, how have you become so thin!” Ziyun sobbed on the ground, soon soaking her handkerchief.

Yan Qing couldn’t help but laugh and gently patted her head to comfort her.

After injuring her hand, it was still not fully healed, so she couldn’t make any sudden movements.

As they had breakfast, Zhu Yin casually asked, “Your Highness, I heard there will be a gathering of poets at the Shuyue Society today. Would you like to go?”

Mamma Qian furrowed her brows but eventually didn’t refuse.

It was hard for the princess to come out; she should enjoy herself. Although the Emperor allowed her to stay out of the palace for two days, it was likely she would return to the harem in no more than five days.

Yan Qing glanced at Mamma Qian and nodded naturally, “Okay.”

However, when they left, Yan Qing instructed both Mamas to stay at home while she, Zhu Yin, and two other young maidservants went out.

The Prime Minister was also concerned and had sent several guards to follow her, creating quite a large entourage as they left.

The Shuyue Society was a teahouse known for its top-quality teas and famous pastries. Scholars and gentlemen from Da Qian loved to enjoy tea here, and over time, it began hosting monthly poetry competitions.

It wasn’t a large event; it was a casual affair where people at the teahouse exchanged verses, often with prizes. It was a social space for literary friends.

Yan Qing arrived quite late. The teahouse was bustling, but due to a reservation, a private room was still available.

As she appeared at the entrance of the Shuyue Society, the lively atmosphere within suddenly fell silent.

To avoid trouble, Yan Qing wore a veil, but even with the lower half of her face obscured, her delicate and captivating eyes and slender figure were enough to turn heads.

As she stepped further inside, a long line of servants followed her, leaving everyone in awe.

“Which young lady is this? She carries such presence!”

“She doesn’t seem ordinary; look at those guards behind her, all robust and serious. They have martial training.”

“How can you tell?”

“Ha, I have friends who practice martial arts; I can recognize it.”

The patrons inside the teahouse whispered among themselves, and the discussions in the other private rooms were similar.

“Can anyone recognize which young lady this is?”

“I don’t think I’ve seen her before.”

“She seems somewhat familiar…”

Only one private room fell silent.

Song Chuan sighed deeply as he looked at his young master and said, “Young master, since we’re here, we might as well go in.”

Yesterday, the concubine’s close maid, Zhu Yin, had quietly come to the Song residence, delivering a note with the name of the Shuyue Society and signed simply: Yan.

Which Yan could that be?

Song Chuan had initially not wanted his young master to go, but this morning, his young master dressed in his outer clothes and silently stepped out.

He had been cooped up at home for quite some time, worrying his parents. Seeing him willing to go out, they happily handed him silver notes, afraid he wouldn’t have enough to spend.

But what would he need them for?

As soon as the young master stepped out, he headed straight to the Shuyue Society. Watching it unfold, Song Chuan could only sigh deeply.

The Yan family young lady had yet to arrive, so they waited. After draining a pot of tea, Song Chuan grew impatient as more people filled the teahouse. Yet, his young master remained calm, sitting steadily.

His hand, holding the teacup, trembled only slightly.

By now, the sun was high in the sky. Suddenly, the noise downstairs quieted, and Song Chuan immediately peered through the window, spotting the Yan family young lady arriving with her entourage.

Before he could speak, as if sensing each other, the young master also stood up to look.

Their window wasn’t large, only allowing them to glimpse a bit of the entrance, but judging by the commotion, it seemed the Yan family’s young lady was headed to the second floor.

Then, his young master remained seated, not moving, gazing intently at the tea in his cup, torn in thought.