TFSRITA Chapter 83

Unlike the Spring Festival, this event was only attended by civil and military officials, along with the palace concubines. It was held in the Jinluan Hall, a rare opportunity for the concubines to enter.

A few days prior, the palace had started to decorate with lanterns and festive ornaments. Today was the emperor’s birthday, and the entire palace seemed to be enveloped in a joyful celebration.

Early in the morning, Yan Qing was awakened from her warm bed, feeling irritated and reluctant to attend. However, as soon as she expressed her desire not to go, a large group of people both inside and outside the palace knelt in fear, repeatedly bowing their heads and pleading for mercy.

With no other choice, Yan Qing reluctantly got up with a sullen expression and began to get dressed.

Just after she finished grooming, she heard a commotion outside, followed by an announcement as Ji Yechen entered the room.

He was adorned with a rare touch of red; a golden-red belt shimmered on his black dragon robe. His handsome, mischievous eyes showed a hint of joy and expectation. Upon seeing Yan Qing, he smiled and said, “Consort, today is my birthday.”

“I know,” she replied. Noting that he always referred to himself as “孤” (I), she lifted her chin and addressed herself as “本宫” (this palace).

Those nearby occasionally caught her using this term, finding it somewhat amusing. The position of consort was granted by the emperor, yet she referred to herself as such before him, which was quite comical.

Yan Qing paid no mind to it. After acknowledging him with those four words, she frowned in annoyance and said, “Don’t block the doorway.”

Ji Yechen frowned in displeasure and asked, “Where is my birthday gift?”

“None,” Yan Qing replied firmly, effectively silencing Qian Mamai, who had wanted to speak up.

Qian Mamai opened her mouth, but upon seeing the emperor’s dark expression, she dared not continue.

They had reminded the consort previously, but as soon as she heard it was the emperor’s birthday, she became indifferent and did not mention preparing any gifts, simply ignoring it. They had privately thought of several items, but faced with the ruler of a nation, they always felt inadequate.

They initially hoped the consort would take action herself, but as the time drew near, they realized they had to present something, even if it was less than ideal.

Unfortunately, the consort never gave her a chance to speak.

Ji Yechen’s face turned ashen with anger at her response, glaring at her and saying, “Woman, you’ve become too presumptuous lately! Don’t think that just because I favor you, you can…”

Recently, Yan Qing had been quite arrogant. Ever since he offended her on New Year’s Eve, she had not given him a pleasant look. It was even worse than before; she would throw things at him over the slightest displeasure. Instead of just throwing them, she aimed them specifically at him.

Many eunuchs and maidservants were spared; she only targeted him. Now, his forehead, face, and other parts of his body bore many scars from her assaults.

In the past, there was always some leftover ointment, but now he ran out every time, forcing him to use ordinary remedies to manage the situation.

He had truly given her the audacity, and now, with both old grudges and new resentments piling up, he could hardly believe she wouldn’t even prepare a birthday gift for him. This was too outrageous!

Ji Yechen wanted to say something fierce, but found himself at a loss; whether to hit or to kill, he could do neither, leaving him momentarily speechless.

Yan Qing scoffed at him. Once he fell silent, she said, “Want to kill me? Go ahead, but get out of my way. If you’re not going to kill me, then don’t block my path.”

Ji Yechen, furious, grabbed her arms to push her away and then quickly locked her arms behind her back.

“Let go!” Yan Qing shouted, immediately kicking at him.

Having suffered several times already, Ji Yechen was instinctively defensive, using his knee to block her attack. He spun around behind her and looked at her delicate neck exposed to him, smirking coldly, “In that case, I’ll take my birthday gift!”

A sense of crisis surged in Yan Qing’s heart as she felt a chill at her neck, quickly bending down to kick backward.

“Ugh!” Ji Yechen was unexpectedly kicked in a sensitive spot, causing his face to turn pale and cold sweat to break out.

Fortunately, he was facing away from her, so she couldn’t exert enough force; otherwise, he might have been seriously injured.

Anger boiled within Ji Yechen as he gripped her slender waist without hesitation.

“Ah!” Yan Qing screamed in pain; he bit down hard as if he was about to tear off a piece of flesh. She squirmed desperately to escape, but he held her tighter.

As if sensing something, Yan Qing gasped but dared not move any further.

Ji Yechen’s dark eyes were filled with fierce intent, and he showed no mercy, already tasting blood.

However, he had no intention of actually biting off a piece of flesh. Once he felt it was enough, he released her.

As he pulled away slightly, he saw the bloody bite mark on her soft neck, shocking him.

Tears welled up in Yan Qing’s eyes from the pain, and as he let go, the pain subsided a little. With a choked voice, she gritted her teeth and said, “Ji Yechen, I will make you pay for this!”

Ji Yechen felt pain too, but he endured it. After biting her, the anger that had built up inside him vanished, especially as he gazed at the still-bleeding bite mark. It gave him a strange sense of satisfaction as if he had marked what belonged to him.

His quick change in expression was startling. Hearing Yan Qing’s words, which seemed like she could kill him at any moment, he wasn’t even angry. Supporting her, he said in a deep voice, “Alright, take a rest first. Someone, bring the golden ointment.”

Jiang Wende quickly brought over a small bottle of golden ointment that had just been delivered.

The tiny bottle didn’t hold much, and Ji Yechen was about to apply it to her.

However, Yan Qing, regaining her composure, coldly took the bottle from him, saying, “I’ll do it myself.”

She wouldn’t be unkind to herself; applying this would help alleviate the pain quickly.

Ji Yechen obediently handed her the item, his other hand behind his back, a pleased smile on his lips, looking at her with an unnervingly twisted expression.

Yan Qing felt goosebumps rise all over her skin. She turned to glare at him, only to find him looking as if he had no idea how outrageous his previous actions had been.

With a dark expression, Yan Qing applied the ointment, which felt cool against her skin and made her shiver.