Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Female Lead is Too Arrogant - Chapter 13

After calling Zhu Yin, Yan Qing rushed over.

Seeing the noble consort move, Consort Xian and Consort De followed, puzzled by her unusual eagerness.

Lifting her long skirt, Yan Qing hurried forward. A chilling gaze bored into her back, which would typically make her scalp tingle, but she couldn’t care less now.

Ji Yechen slowly rose from the couch, his laziness replaced by a cold, piercing gaze.

He should have expected this.

It was what he wanted to see.

Song Yu was deeply emotional. The more Yan Qing showed affection and pain for him, the harder it would be for him to let go, and he would suffer as well.

But why did his heart feel so unsettled?

Ji Yechen looked at his hand. He had wanted to stop her when she ran past him.

“Your Majesty, should we go over and take a look?” the Empress Dowager asked cautiously. Without outsiders present, her love-struck gaze was evident.

The Empress Dowager had been groomed from a young age to be an empress. The Jiang family was very strict with her, never allowing her to interact with any men. Her first encounter with a man was with the late emperor, a middle-aged man over ten years her senior.

Back then, Ji Yechen had been a handsome young boy. She thought he looked good and wished she could assist an emperor like him. As time passed, the young boy grew into an exceptional youth, and the Empress Dowager fell for him.

She also felt uneasy about what Song Yu had said earlier.

However, Ji Yechen refused, his brows furrowed. He told Jiang Wende, “Let the noble consort handle this. I’m tired.”

Without hesitation, he left quickly, showing no reluctance.

Why stay?

To watch these two exchange affectionate glances?

He felt as if a fishbone was stuck in his throat and quickly left.

With his decision, the Empress Dowager didn’t dare to go either. She had understood the kind of man he was since the palace coup. If she hadn’t been submissive and stayed out of his way, she would have been dead long ago.

Since he decided not to go, Empress Dowager Jiang’s heart tightened, but she remained still. Her eyes, darkened with heavy makeup, appeared cold.

—

“Noble Consort!”

“Greetings, Your Highness!”

The voices of the young ladies-in-waiting echoed as they greeted Yan Qing.

Receiving Jiang Wende’s message, Yan Qing scanned the scene. The young ladies who had fallen into the water were now wrapped in blankets, shivering with pale faces from the cold autumn water.

The only one slightly better off was Yan Yin. Her brows furrowed with regret and embarrassment, she kept her head down.

Blaming herself for her foolish impulse, Yan Yin knew that if she had acted alone, she might have lost her status as a candidate and even married Song Yu. But now, with the involvement of others, everything was uncertain.

When she sensed Yan Qing approaching, Yan Yin trembled.

This woman, whom she had always looked down upon as a deceitful lady, appeared as a refined young mistress, yet she ensnared Song Yu while captivating the emperor. Once his rule was secure, he brought her into the harem and lavished her with affection.

How could such a woman deserve Song Yu?

The original host had been foolish, meeting Song Yu several times without remembering his face. When she first encountered him, she didn’t recognize him. It wasn’t until Song Yu regained consciousness that she realized he was the one her deceitful elder sister fancied.

This realization only made her more determined to have him.

But since entering Chang’an, she had had no contact with him, so she acted impulsively during their encounter.

Now that Yan Qing was here, would she see through her intentions?

Would she take this opportunity to do something?

…

Her worries weren’t entirely unfounded. However, Yan Qing regained her composure, especially with a man looking at her with cautious yet deep affection.

She didn’t love Song Yu, but she couldn’t tarnish the original host’s beautiful image in his heart. What if he moved on from the original host?

Yan Qing surveyed the area, satisfied to see everyone kneeling, including Song Yu. She nodded and said, “Listen, today’s incident must remain a secret. Senior Maid Qian, record the names of everyone present. If word gets out, all will receive twenty lashes without exception!”

Her firm, decisive voice carried an air of authority, lacking its usual softness.

The sixteen-year-old girl’s face was breathtakingly beautiful. As she cast a cold glance over everyone, her piercing gaze was palpable, even with their heads bowed. They quickly nodded. “Yes!”

Yan Qing threatened quietly, “Even if you return home, His Majesty can still punish you. It’s best to keep this matter buried.”

“Yes! We know nothing!”

“We know nothing!”

“…”

One person finished speaking, and the others quickly followed suit.

The status of the Noble Consort and Yan Qing’s imposing presence made these inexperienced young girls tremble with fear.

Song Yu listened in silence from start to finish, his expression growing more complex.

The scheming within the palace had indeed changed this once timid and weak girl. Judging by her current demeanor, life in the harem must have been very difficult for her, leading to such a transformation.

If she had been living well, how could a girl who was once so gentle and kind, unwilling to even punish a servant, speak like this?

Song Yu bit his inner lip, trying to calm himself.

However, his heart couldn’t settle, constantly thinking about the rumors he’d heard about Yan Qing in the past few months.

Indeed, she had become a target for everyone, known to be the most favored. How could she possibly continue to be the same as she was in her boudoir days?

Qing’er~~

His heart ached as if cut by a knife, filled with regret. If only he hadn’t thought to establish his career before starting a family.

He had just wanted to make a name for himself first and then marry her with all the glory, so everyone would envy her for marrying him.

He wanted to pamper his beloved until she became the most envied woman.

But it seemed he had made a mistake. Because of this delay, everything had changed, and the difference in their statuses had grown so vast!

Song Yu gasped softly, his heartache almost making it impossible to breathe.

But at this moment, the nervous young women around didn’t hear his soft gasp. Only Zhu Yin, standing beside Yan Qing, glanced at him unexpectedly, her expression complex as she lowered her gaze.

…

Yan Qing looked at the person who had fallen into the water and happened to meet Yan Yin’s gaze.

As expected of the female lead, her beauty was truly exceptional. Her small, delicate face was exquisite and attractive. Even with her hair wet and cheeks still glistening with water, it didn’t detract from her looks. Instead, she appeared even more like a lotus emerging from the water, pure and elegant.

“Elder Sister~~~” A timid voice sounded, as if Yan Qing had done something terrible to her in the past.

Yan Qing smiled gently, like a kind elder sister. “Although today’s incident was an accident, you all can no longer remain as candidates. Consider yourselves disqualified. When the selection ends, you will leave with the other disqualified candidates.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!” The girls nodded hurriedly.

Although the saying “the law doesn’t punish the masses” was somewhat biased, it was true in this case. Zhu Yin’s intervention had led to several girls falling into the water. Given that the fathers of these girls held considerable positions in the court, the matter had to be dealt with delicately.

If one of them married Song Yu, the others would naturally have to marry as well. But with the Song family already so prominent, who would dare agree to such a union?

So, it was best to act as if the incident never happened.

The candidates resumed their activities, the girls who had fallen into the water were sent to rest, and the others continued with the selection. Yan Qing looked back at Consort De and Consort Xian, seeing them following her closely, and asked curiously, “Why are you following me?”

Consort De ground her teeth. It was because their ranks were lower; since Yan Qing had moved, how could they sit still?

Consort Xian, who had a better temperament, smiled and said, “Your Highness, shall we return now?”

“Go ahead.”

Yan Qing waved her hand impatiently.

Consort De, still wanting to say something, was stopped by Consort Xian. The two walked away, leaving only Yan Qing’s servants and Song Yu by the lotus pond.

Soaked to the bone, Song Yu didn’t appear embarrassed at all. He remained kneeling on one knee, head lowered, his expression unreadable.

When everyone had left, Yan Qing dismissed Senior Maid Qian and the others, leaving only Zhu Yin. She then said, “Follow me.”

Song Yu obediently followed, trailing a few steps behind her. Only then did he raise his head, gazing at her back with a look of sorrow. His once proud features now devoid of their former spirit.

He dared not look directly at her, fearing to see resentment in her eyes.

And fearing he might not be able to control himself, which would harm her.

They walked to a spot behind a rock garden, where it blocked others’ view. Yan Qing closed her eyes and said softly, “Don’t you have anything to say?”

“…I’m sorry.” Song Yu replied slowly, his voice hoarse and suppressed as if trying to hide everything. But after speaking, he couldn’t help but look at the person before him, his gaze filled with evident affection.

Yan Qing pursed her lips and slowly shook her head. “You have nothing to apologize for. It was just fate playing tricks on us.”

This “fate” was Ji Yechen, that bastard! He had separated a pair of lovers. If she ever got the chance, she would surely beat him up!

Her soft voice seemed to regain its former liveliness and gentleness, making Song Yu’s heart ache even more.

For a moment, he was speechless.

Seeing this, Yan Qing took the initiative to ask, “What’s the situation between you and Yan Yin?”

She just wanted to confirm that Yan Yin had already started to pursue him. This novel featured a female lead who chased the male lead, and the enthusiastic transmigrated girl had made this reserved man feel the warmth of passion for the first time.

Song Yu was slightly stunned, his eyes showing confusion, as if he didn’t understand why she asked that. He replied honestly, “She saved me once, that’s all.”

After speaking, Song Yu recalled the incident of falling into the water.

At that time, he was distracted, but he still remembered that Yan Yin had thrown herself towards him. The direction she fell… thinking of this, Song Yu’s expression turned serious, his gaze more cautious.

Yan Qing didn’t notice this. She didn’t dare look at this man too closely. Song Yu was much taller than her, about the same height as Ji Yechen. She only reached their shoulders. Song Yu was much thinner than Ji Yechen, and although his slightly oversized official robe exuded nobility, it still made him seem somewhat ethereal.

His looks were also quite outstanding—fair and refined, with slightly furrowed brows full of worries. Just one glance at him made Yan Qing’s heart ache, so she had to force herself to look away. After hearing his answer, she felt a bit more at ease and instinctively said, “Song Yu, she likes you, but I don’t want you to like her!”

Song Yu’s throat tightened, and he nodded instinctively. However, after nodding, an overwhelming sense of bitterness washed over him, as if countless tiny needles were piercing his heart.

For a moment, both of them were silent.

Yan Qing wanted to leave but couldn’t move her feet. She just stared at his wet hem.

Finally, Zhu Yin approached, saying, “Your Highness, it’s time to go back.”

Yan Qing snapped back to reality and let Zhu Yin assist her back to the selection area.

Behind her, Song Yu watched her departing figure. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.

He felt useless.

The pledge he had prepared was rejected.

But the millions of common people behind this matter forced him to continue.

Song Yu took a deep breath and turned to leave.

As he walked from the Imperial Garden to the front court, he occasionally encountered some eunuchs who looked at him with surprise. “Oh, why does this young master look so downcast?”

“Could it be that His Majesty punished him?”

As soon as he said that, another eunuch reminded him, “Are you stupid? He is the eldest son of Prince Gong. If it weren’t for His Majesty’s suppression, he would already be the heir of Prince Gong. How could His Majesty punish him? Prince Gong holds military power!”

“So powerful!” The young eunuch exclaimed, forgetting to close his mouth.

Song Yu, having walked a bit further away, heard the commotion behind him clearly. A mocking smile appeared on his thin lips as he slowly placed his right hand over his heart, pressing down hard. It seemed to hurt a little less now, and he murmured to himself, “Powerful or not, I’m still powerless!”

For the first time, he felt a surge of anger towards imperial power.