TFSRITA Chapter 93

“Oh,” Yan Qing snapped out of her thoughts, quickly putting down the food and picking up other items from her bowl, while her mind drifted again.

Sitting across from her, Ji Yechen furrowed his brow, his whole demeanor exuding a low, tense pressure that made the surrounding palace servants tremble with fear.

It had been like this for several days now.

The Empress had been absent-minded for quite some time, appearing confused in everything she did. The servants had to be extra careful with her, but no matter what they did, they couldn’t seem to capture her attention.

Ji Yechen, who had been watching everything silently, grew increasingly upset. His face became darker each day, and his mood more irritable. In just a short period, three batches of palace attendants had been replaced at Tai Chi Hall. All of them had made only the slightest mistake—some even had done nothing wrong—but whenever Ji Yechen was in a bad mood, he would fire them or punish them severely.

Clenching his teeth, Ji Yechen carefully placed a delicate piece of fish in her bowl, trying to keep his voice low. “Eat this.”

Yan Qing seemed oblivious to the world around her, her face still as beautiful and delicate as ever, but her eyes, which had once been full of life, now seemed dull and vacant.

Even though she heard Ji Yechen’s voice, she still obediently picked up the fish and placed it in her bowl.

Ji Yechen’s expression softened slightly, but a pang of sadness grew in his heart.

For Song Yu, she had changed like this.

He missed the proud, rebellious woman she once was.

Now, she was so obedient—though it was because of him—that it made Ji Yechen feel uncomfortable and restless.

But he had shouted at her before. Yet, when his face turned pale from rage, gasping for breath, all she did was glance at him coldly before turning away, either ignoring him or lying on the bed with her eyes closed. She genuinely didn’t care.

Ji Yechen didn’t know what else to do, so he tried to find small moments of amusement, like feeding her at mealtime.

At least she still listened to him.

…

After dinner, Yan Qing quickly washed up and was about to go to bed.

Lately, she had been so tired, perhaps from thinking too much, and would quickly fall asleep whenever she laid down. She just needed to rest nonstop.

However, when she reached the entrance of the bedroom, she was stopped.

Ji Yechen grabbed her shoulder and shook her gently, his voice full of helplessness. “Wake up! You’ve already slept for six hours, from last night to this morning!”

Yan Qing became even more dizzy from the shaking and tried to break free. However, Ji Yechen’s grip was strong, and she couldn’t escape.

Ji Yechen didn’t let go. Seeing her struggle, he started pulling her outside. “Let’s go, I’ll take you out of the palace!”

Don’t you like leaving the palace? Fine, I’ll let you see Song Yu!

Ji Yechen felt like this was his most generous gesture.

Yet, as he spoke, his teeth clenched, unwilling to show it.

Yan Qing, however, suddenly looked up, her eyes bright. “Can I leave the palace?”

Ji Yechen was about to nod when she added, “But we won’t come back?”

He smirked cruelly. “Do you think that’s possible? What I say always counts!”

Even if she had to die, she’d die beside him!

Yan Qing’s eyes dimmed again as she tried to push him away. “I need to rest.”

“No!” Ji Yechen growled lowly.

Just as he finished speaking, a sharp “slap!” rang out, and he stood frozen, his face burning. In disbelief, he reached up to touch it, only to find it was already hot to the touch.

Yan Qing saw him release her and continued walking ahead.

She had to force him to do something.

Ji Yechen wasn’t as angry as she expected, but instead, he wondered—had this woman finally come alive?

A surge of joy rose within him, and he clenched his teeth before moving forward to block her again. With his eyes narrowed, he looked at her like a defeated lion and growled, “Try it again!”

Yan Qing stared at him in disbelief. Was he crazy?

Ji Yechen didn’t blink, staring at her with those beautiful peach-shaped eyes, as though expecting her to do it again.

Yan Qing, expressionless, sidestepped him. This person must have gone insane.

…

Reluctant to fight, Ji Yechen’s eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment. He gritted his teeth, then hoisted her up in his arms. “Since you won’t leave the palace, then come ride with me!”

“Let go!” Yan Qing kicked her legs desperately and hammered her fists against his back.

When Ji Yechen was kicked in the stomach, he grunted and quickly used one hand to lock her legs in place.

“Ugh!” Yan Qing struggled, but by the time she regained her senses, she was already outside Lingyun Palace. The eunuchs and palace maids around them were so shocked they almost forgot to greet them. It was obvious that something wasn’t right with how the two of them were acting.

Yan Qing’s face turned bright red. Looking at Ji Yechen’s slim waist so close to her, she instinctively hugged him, leaned in, and opened her mouth, biting down hard.

Ji Yechen’s body stiffened instantly, his eyes filled with rage. Gritting his teeth, he hissed, “Let go!”

“Mm!” Yan Qing shook her head and bit even harder.

Ji Yechen couldn’t hold it anymore, the pain was too much. He suddenly turned his head and bit back.

“Ji Yechen, you pervert!” Yan Qing yelled, releasing her grip and struggling with all her strength, as if trying to fight him to the death.

Ji Yechen felt a little guilty and, in a fit of anger, quickly said, “Fine, fine, we won’t go!” He hurriedly picked her up and turned back toward the palace.

The palace eunuchs and maids who had witnessed the entire thing stood frozen. “!!” Oh my god, what just happened between the Emperor and the Empress?!

The rumors about the Emperor and the Empress spread throughout the palace the next day, as Ji Yechen didn’t have time to stop them.

Later, Yan Qing found out about it. She was speechless.

She grabbed Ji Yechen’s face, making him go to court with the bloody marks from her slap, under the curious and peculiar gazes of everyone.