TFSRITA Chapter 6

Jiang Wende didn’t need to be told in detail. With a simple gesture toward the palace maid, two young eunuchs stepped forward and dragged her away, her face ashen. To prevent her from making any noise, they covered her mouth. Their actions were swift and practiced as if they had done this many times before.

Of course, while Ji Yecheng was ruthless, he didn’t kill without reason—only when someone made a mistake. Given his good looks and status as the most powerful person in the country, it was no surprise that many people tried to win his favor.

After the maid was taken away, a new maid came in, eyes lowered, trembling as she stood there, her gaze fixed only on the teacup in his hand.

Yan Qing realized that Ji Yecheng planned to dine here, so she hurriedly ate faster. Stuffing two buns into her mouth, she quickly finished and got up. “Your Majesty, please enjoy your meal. I’ll be leaving now.”

She turned to leave. Ziyun almost collapsed to her knees in shock, her face filled with dismay. Why had her mistress suddenly become so rebellious? Even if she didn’t want to marry the emperor, she shouldn’t express it so blatantly.

Ignoring Ziyun’s thoughts, Yan Qing was determined to leave.

“Stop!” Ji Yecheng’s cold voice commanded.

Yan Qing pretended not to hear, but in front of her, several palace servants were already kneeling. One young eunuch, voice trembling, said, “Your Highness, please stay!”

The others followed suit quickly, “Your Highness, please stay!”

Her path blocked, Yan Qing turned back, glaring at Ji Yecheng. She saw him, now having finished his quick meal, elegantly eating a bun he had just picked up.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a rule that no one else would be punished? So why was he using the lives of innocent people to threaten her?

She had been deceived by the novel!

Noticing her gaze, Ji Yecheng raised an eyebrow, his wickedly handsome eyes filled with mockery. He chuckled softly and said, “Weren’t you leaving? Go ahead.”

His voice, low and malicious, sent shivers down her spine.

At his words, the palace servants trembled even more. Yan Qing could see the sweat dripping from the forehead of the closest eunuch, hitting the floor with a soft sound as he lowered his head even further.

It was obvious—this was a threat. If she leaves, these eunuchs and maids will die.

Frustration welled up inside her, and for a moment, she was tempted to walk out. But she couldn’t ignore the fact that their lives were at stake. After a long hesitation, she reluctantly returned to the table, grabbed a bun, and bit into it angrily.

After all, she hadn’t eaten enough earlier.

“Why are you seeking death?” Ji Yecheng asked slowly, his handsome features slightly furrowed as he looked at her with curiosity.

Was Song Yu worth it?

Was he so important that even after becoming an imperial consort, she still dared to act this way?

As he finished one bun and reached for the last one on the plate, Yan Qing, with quick reflexes, grabbed it first and took a bite. “I don’t know,” she replied.

Jiang Wende, who had been watching the entire scene, felt a chill down his spine. The recent events had left a large part of his robes soaked in cold sweat, but he was also deeply impressed.

As expected, the prime minister’s daughter was truly the emperor’s beloved. No one else would dare to act so boldly toward him.

Yet, seizing food from the emperor’s mouth—Jiang Wende couldn’t help but worry for Yan Qing. She was likely in deep trouble. Stepping forward cautiously, he whispered, “Your Majesty, shall I send for another plate?”

He cast a careful glance at the consort, hoping she would appreciate his gesture and help him in the future if he ever found himself in trouble.

Yan Qing found his gaze confusing, but she could sense that the chubby eunuch seemed to mean well.

She gave him a brief look before turning her gaze back to Ji Yecheng, challenging him.

So, you won’t let me leave, right? Then don’t expect to eat in peace!

Ji Yecheng hesitated for a moment, his hand pausing in midair as he noticed she had snatched the food. His eyes darkened as he looked at her.

Yet, the woman before him showed no fear, staring back at him even more fiercely.

Her beautiful, delicate face was flushed, her cheeks slightly round, her eyes large and clear. Despite her angry glare, there was something about her expression that was almost… amusing?

Ji Yecheng felt as if he were losing his mind.

To his own surprise, he smiled slightly. The irritation he had felt earlier dissipated, and he casually picked up a pastry, saying in a calm tone, “No need.”

Jiang Wende’s heart sank as he kept his head down, filled with sympathy. The emperor was about to lose his temper.

But then Ji Yecheng spoke again, “Spread the word: the consort is very fond of these meat buns. Reward her with more.”

A dumbfounded Jiang Wende replied, “…Yes.”

Yan Qing hadn’t expected Ji Yecheng to be so… tolerant.

Not only did he not care about her rudeness, but he even seemed to be showing her some kind of favor.

She was stunned for a long time, only snapping back to reality after Ji Yecheng left and Ziyun started crying.

“Miss, what happened to you?”

“Miss, why were you so bold all of a sudden? You scared me to death. I thought we were all going to be killed by the emperor.”

“Boohoo…”

With no one else in the side hall, Ziyun collapsed onto Yan Qing’s lap, clutching her legs and sobbing quietly. Her tears weren’t loud, just a soft, trembling cry, as if she had been utterly terrified.

Yan Qing sympathetically patted her on the head. If Ziyun continued to follow her, she might end up even more frightened in the future.

The original Yan Qing had trusted Ziyun, especially since the emperor’s sudden decree had caught the Prime Minister’s household off guard, leaving them no time to prepare. That was why she had only brought this one close maid into the palace.

Yan Qing and Ziyun had grown up together and were as close as sisters. In the original story, Ziyun had died alongside Yan Qing. Ji Yecheng hadn’t punished her, simply ignoring her existence. A small, insignificant figure like her wasn’t worth the emperor’s notice. The Prime Minister had intended to take her back home.