Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Female Lead is Too Arrogant - Chapter 20

A deep, cold, and domineering voice echoed in her ears.

Yan Qing’s heart raced, but she quickly regained her composure after a brief moment of shock. She stepped back, covered her burning ear, and then… lifted her foot to kick the person in front of her.

“Bang!” The soft sound of the kick landing on flesh caught Ji Yechen off guard, forcing him to take two steps back. His bloodshot eyes glared at the clueless woman in front of him.

Yan Qing frowned, her cheeks flushed, but she fiercely said, “Get out!”

Since he wasn’t letting her out of the palace, there was nothing to discuss!

Standing so close, Yan Qing felt completely uncomfortable, almost intimidated by him just now.

Had she been in her teens, Yan Qing might have fallen for a man like him, even ignoring what he had done before. But now, she only felt sarcasm, stubbornness, and brutality. He had his good side, but his bad side was more prominent. She couldn’t love a man like this.

Ji Yechen almost laughed in anger, his face becoming more twisted. However, he just clutched the spot where he had been kicked, angrily flicked his sleeves, and left without saying anything else.

Once he made a decision, there was no need to speak further. At least he would prove to everyone, including her, that he was serious!

Ji Yechen came here quickly and left just as fast, staying only for a short time.

Jiang Wende didn’t follow him inside but noticed something was wrong when the emperor came out shortly after entering. Moreover, there was a palm-sized footprint on his chest. Jiang Wende’s heart skipped a beat, seeing the emperor’s gloomy face, and he didn’t dare to speak.

It was only after walking for a long time that Ji Yechen said in a low voice, “Summon Fu Rong and Master Lin.”

“Yes.” Jiang Wende quickly nodded.

His heart pounded with a sense of urgency, feeling that something big was about to happen.

Others might not know, but Jiang Wende, who had been serving closely these past few days, knew quite a bit. Master Lin seemed to be just Ji Yechen’s martial arts teacher, and though not well-known within the imperial guards, the guards were entirely under Ji Yechen’s control, with Master Lin contributing significantly.

However, Master Lin didn’t like the limelight, so his role was downplayed.

As for Fu Rong, though he seemed to be just a scribe, his role was more significant than it appeared. Otherwise, with Ji Yechen’s lack of management over the past year since he ascended the throne, how could the court and even the regions remain so stable?

Jiang Wende pondered over the court affairs of the day and had a guess in his heart.

The emperor was really going to take serious action.

Many might have forgotten the events that transpired when the emperor first ascended the throne over a year ago, lost in their current happiness. But Jiang Wende, who was then just an ordinary minor eunuch, could never forget.

Almost daily, people inside and outside the palace were dragged out for beatings.

Ji Yechen didn’t choose to kill them directly; instead, he had them beaten. During that time, the palace was filled with ghostly wails, and many died from the pain. Ji Yechen never showed mercy to traitors!

*****

As expected, when Master Lin and Fu Rong arrived at the Taiji Palace, they stayed inside for half an hour before leaving and heading to different places.

Subsequently, the imperial guards moved out stealthily.

Chang’an was a bustling city.

The streets and alleys, teahouses, and taverns were filled with people.

Great Qian was a relatively free place for expression because the emperor didn’t meddle much, making the officials even more cautious, supervising each other, and thus the common people lived quite well.

When life was good, people liked to gossip.

Currently, the topic of most discussions was naturally the Noble Consort.

In an open-air teahouse, many people sat down to rest for a while.

Then they began discussing the current hot topics.

“I heard that during the morning court session a few days ago, the ministers advised the emperor to depose the Noble Consort, but they incurred his wrath!”

“Indeed, a beauty can bring disaster!”

“This Noble Consort is really something. The emperor went to such lengths for her.”

“And the ministers, one by one, knelt in the Throne Room. Several of the older ministers ruined their knees.”

“I heard many fainted.”

Most listeners were bewildered, except for one person who, posing as an ordinary guest, subtly leaked some information.

Just as the conversation was getting interesting, several men who looked like soldiers appeared and apprehended that person, saying sternly, “Slandering and spreading rumors, you will be detained according to the law.”

“No, I didn’t…” The person’s face turned pale with fear, trying to defend himself.

The black-faced soldiers immediately looked at the others and said, “Then are you the ones spreading rumors?”

In a moment of crisis, everyone instinctively protected themselves and pointed at the person, saying, “No, no, we know nothing. It’s all him!!!”

“Soldiers, we know nothing. We were just listening!”

The soldiers exchanged glances and said, “Since you were not involved, we’ll just detain him at the Supreme Court for investigation. The interrogation time will be announced later. You all can attend then.”

“Absolutely!” Everyone nodded immediately, cooperating eagerly.

“I’m being wronged! This is unfair!” The person shouted and struggled when he realized the severity of the situation, but the soldiers holding him were strong, and he couldn’t break free. He was taken away.

Before that, none of those chatting with him dared to intervene.

In the end, he was taken to the Supreme Court, legs trembling.

Such situations occurred in many places in Chang’an.

The rumors had only started spreading for a few days, and it was the perfect time to intensify them. Many people were still spreading the rumors, and anyone caught speaking out was arrested. This quickly made the common people keep their mouths shut.

However, everyone was dissatisfied.

The nobles, with their high positions and power, scared the people into silence. But everyone believed that the rumors were true, thinking the Noble Consort really was a troublemaker causing chaos in the court.

In private, the discussions became even more intense.

…

In this era, civil cases were generally handled by the local prefects, while criminal cases were handled by the Supreme Court. Once a case was sent to the Supreme Court, unless someone had connections, the public could not attend the trials. The common people always held a sense of fear and reverence for these places.

This time, however, the Supreme Court openly announced that everyone was welcome to watch the trial.

They would conduct the trial openly for all to see.

So, on the first day of the trial, everyone who knew about it went to watch.

Considering the large crowd, the trial was held at the execution ground, and everyone was informed in advance that if the accused were innocent, they would be released immediately. If guilty, they would be executed on the spot!

The accused included the man who had been speaking so confidently at the teahouse that day.

Zheng Zheng, the Supreme Court Minister, was a solitary official with many capable subordinates. He often offended the sons of officials, making many ministers with such children hate him, but they couldn’t help but admire his integrity.

Using him to handle this case was really overqualified.

However, the emperor’s orders had to be obeyed.

The Supreme Court Minister sat at the highest position, surrounded by some officials who were very aggressive about the Noble Consort’s matter. But today, they were only here to listen and could not speak. If they did, they would receive ten strokes of the cane.

This made the officials present very unhappy.

Jiang Wende, as one of the emperor’s enforcers, held the imperial edict and stood there, watching everyone carefully. If anyone violated the rules, he would immediately instruct a group of eunuchs to administer the beatings.

“Summon Zhang Tian to the trial!” The Supreme Court Minister nodded, and a loud-voiced young man called out, followed by a sneaky-looking man being dragged out.

Another young man in official robes read out the charges: “The accused, Zhang Tian, on the second day of the eleventh month of the first year of Mingchen…”

“Do you confess?” the young man finally asked.

He listed all the charges in detail, presenting all the evidence and witnesses in front of everyone, leaving no room for denial.

Zhang Tian’s face turned ashen, and he shivered in fear, not daring to resist. He nodded obediently, “I confess.”

The Supreme Court Minister asked, “Considering your previous actions, which have no connection to the palace, who instructed you to fabricate these rumors?”

Zhang Tian replied, “I don’t know. A rich man gave me silver and told me to spread these rumors in the market.”

“What did that person look like?” The Supreme Court Minister said, “Describe him to an artist here, and we’ll have his portrait made. Consider this your chance to atone for your crimes.”

“Yes!” Zhang Tian, bewildered, nodded directly, as he didn’t know much about the person who hired him.

Then the next accused was brought up.

One by one, from early morning to midday, the Supreme Court Minister didn’t stop. During this time, he also interrogated the person caught at the teahouse, who also confessed to being instructed by someone.

Among the many accused, there were also those who were simply gossiping without being instructed. These people were given ten strokes of the cane, and those with more severe offenses received twenty strokes, and were then released on the spot.

By the end of the day, over thirty people had been interrogated, with fifteen identified as being instructed by others.

The watching crowd suddenly realized.

“So someone is trying to frame the Noble Consort?”

“Indeed! I heard the palace is very complicated!”

“It seems the Noble Consort wasn’t the one causing trouble. She almost got labeled as a wicked consort. Poor Noble Consort.”

“I know this person. I believed what he said back then. Fortunately, I didn’t spread the rumors myself.”

“What a sin…”

However, it wasn’t over yet.

As the sun set and the interrogations finished, the Supreme Court Minister said, “Do you all remember that I mentioned having the portraits of the instigators made?”

“We remember!” the crowd answered loudly.

The Supreme Court Minister glanced at the aggressive officials.

Except for the lunch break, these officials had been indignant at first, but now they were red-faced and nervous, unsure of what was coming next.

The Supreme Court Minister waved his hand, and several artists appeared, each holding two portraits. As they stood in a row facing the crowd, a loud murmur arose.

“They’re all the same?”

“How is this possible!”

“So just two people instructed so many others to do bad things?”

“My goodness!”

“Who are the real culprits?!”

The ministers, who had been sitting motionless, furrowed their brows, a sense of unease spreading from deep within. Could it really be just palace intrigue, and they were being used as scapegoats?

…

The Supreme Court Minister clapped his hands again.

A group of soldiers appeared, dragging two people.

The two men were dressed like the people in the portraits. Although they had worn hats to hide their faces, their body shapes and certain distinctive features had been noted.

When these two appeared, the crowd widened their eyes in shock: “This one has a scar on his neck. Look, it’s just like in the portrait!”

“This can’t be fabricated; the scar is clearly from many years ago.”

“And this one, his physique matches the drawing.”

“Right, they both have fair skin and no beards, which was a common feature.”

The Supreme Court Minister asked, “Will you speak up, or should I have someone speak for you?”

The place was vast, making it difficult for his voice to carry. For such matters, the Supreme Court Minister usually had someone else announce.

The two men avoided eye contact, pursing their lips in silence.

Seeing this, the Supreme Court Minister gave a signal to a subordinate, who then loudly announced, “The man on the left was originally named Xu San. As a child, he was sold to the Jiang family and renamed Jiang San…”

“Impossible!” a middle-aged official couldn’t help but shout. “How could the Empress Dowager be involved in this?”

Jiang Wende’s eyes lit up as he pointed at the official, “Beat him!”

Finally, someone broke the rules!

The emperor had clearly stated that none of them were allowed to speak. Anyone who did would be caned!

The middle-aged official’s courage deflated like a punctured balloon, glaring at Jiang Wende with a pale face, “Eunuch!”

Jiang Wende sneered, “Hit him hard!”

“Yes!” several eunuchs responded in unison.

They dragged the official down the steps to the area where the accused had been judged, made him lie on a bench, and beat him with sticks. How dare he insult them as eunuchs and not receive a severe beating?

“Ah! Just you wait, I… Ouch!”

The other officials, seeing the middle-aged man’s misery, immediately kept their mouths shut.

The Supreme Court Minister sneered and had them continue.

Holding the imperial edict, Jiang Wende then ordered the arrest of all involved with the Jiang family. The two main propagators were beheaded on the spot, causing the onlookers to turn pale, realizing that spreading rumors could lead to execution.

However, some insightful people nodded in understanding, “It’s a warning to others. This concerns the Noble Consort, who might become the Empress. Slandering her is like slandering the emperor.”

Others boldly stated, “Serves them right for doing bad things! I don’t do bad things, so I’m not afraid!”

While some murmured and others agreed, the case was concluded by nightfall. The crowd, though reluctant to leave, went home with a deeper understanding of the law.

…

The Supreme Court’s actions were swift and decisive. Once the criminals were identified, they gathered all evidence and witnesses, leaving the accused with no room for defense during the trial, forcing them to confess.

With the case closed, the Jiang family was completely implicated. To avoid implicating the Empress Dowager, the Jiang family’s ties were severed.

But whether the Empress Dowager was truly involved remained unknown.

Everyone, however, had their suspicions: the Empress Dowager held the Phoenix Seal, and just before this incident, the emperor was contemplating elevating the Noble Consort to Empress. The truth of the matter was unclear, and it all depended on the emperor.

As for the emperor…

Ji Yechen directly ordered that all involved in the Jiang family be executed, and the rest reduced to commoners, with all their property confiscated.

In other words, the family was ransacked.

Upon raiding their estate, it was discovered that the Jiang family’s wealth accumulated over the years was immense. Not only did they own properties in prime locations, but their home was also filled with countless treasures. This, even after returning much due to a disaster relief effort.

One could only imagine what the Jiang family had done before.

The court, upon this discovery, quickly changed its stance. Some apologized to Prime Minister Yan, while others pledged their loyalty to the emperor. Consequently, Yan Qing’s reputation was restored.

Of course, that’s a story for another time.

…

Since Ji Yechen had left Lingyun Palace in anger, he hadn’t returned, much to Yan Qing’s delight.

Her hand, thanks to various top-grade ointments, had healed quite well, allowing her to secretly start writing.

She wrote about various impressive policies and events from her past life, both ancient and modern.

For example, various reforms, methods for dealing with corrupt officials, the legendary espionage network under Emperor Yongzheng, and much more.

She couldn’t document the entire five-thousand-year history in detail, so she recorded what she remembered, both from her country and others.

Yan Qing’s brush writing speed wasn’t great, and her hand couldn’t endure for long, so she kept her writings concise.

There was so much to document that Yan Qing’s mind was constantly occupied with these thoughts, leaving her little time to pay attention to the changes in this world.

In her view, according to the original book, Ji Yechen didn’t like managing state affairs. Although he had methods, they were too rigid, and he lacked military power, making it difficult for him to control the court. This was why Song Yu could seize the throne without bloodshed later on.

The result would be one of two things: forcibly suppressing the ministers, deepening their resentment and paving the way for Song Yu’s rebellion, or abandoning her and compromising.

But Ji Yechen was too proud to admit defeat. Unless he voluntarily gave up, which was unlikely, the result would inevitably be the former.

Yan Qing needed to add fuel to the fire, forcing the ministers to become even more disgruntled. Suppressing them once would lead to accumulated resentment, and the second time would certainly succeed in expelling her from the palace!

However, she feared that if she overdid it, not even her prime minister father could protect her, and she wouldn’t be able to complete her mission of assisting the emperor. To prevent this, she wrote down as much potentially useful information as possible, hoping that Song Yu could decipher it.

By the time she finished writing down the little she remembered, a long time had passed.

Yan Qing noticed that the palace seemed unusually calm inside and out.

“Your Highness, the thing is…” Zhu Yin, who had been following her orders not to disturb her, hadn’t mentioned anything that happened in the front or back palace. Now, seeing Yan Qing asking, she wanted to explain everything clearly.

But just as she began to speak, a sharp voice interrupted her, “Yan Qing! I was wrong! Please spare me! Spare my family…”

Yan Qing looked in confusion in the direction of the voice. She was in her sleeping quarters and couldn’t see outside, but it seemed to be coming from the outer hall, so she said, “Let’s go take a look.”

Zhu Yin quietly closed her mouth.

…

The noise came from the outer hall of Lingyun Palace. Normally quiet, it was now noisy, with several palace maids and senior maids gathered around the woman in the middle, trying to persuade her gently: “Your Highness, let’s go back!”

“Empress Dowager, please calm down!”

…

When Yan Qing came out, she immediately saw the woman kneeling in the center of the hall, disheveled and surrounded by people. It was the Empress Dowager Jiang, who was once so high and mighty.

Her face was haggard; her once delicate cheeks were now pale and sunken, and her lips were cracked. She looked as if she had aged ten years overnight.

Everyone’s eyes were on her, trying to help her up. After all, she was the Empress Dowager, and even if she was down and out for a moment, they didn’t dare to watch her suffer so miserably.

However, Empress Dowager Jiang’s emotions were unstable. Her eyes were red and swollen, and anyone who tried to help her was pushed away as she shouted fiercely, “Go away! Go away!”

Seeing the palace people retreat in fear, she cried out again in a sorrowful voice, “Yan Qing, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have opposed you. Please spare me…”

Yan Qing hesitated for a moment but still walked quickly towards her.

Empress Dowager Jiang’s eyes lit up and she immediately stood up, staggering towards Yan Qing. Just as she reached her, she fell to the ground again, clutching Yan Qing’s leg, and begged, “Please spare me, spare the Jiang family. It’s all my fault. I’m sorry…”

Yan Qing was shocked by the sudden turn of events. How did things change so quickly?

In the original story, she remembered that the Empress Dowager lived well until Song Yu ascended the throne and was only sent to a temple to pray. How did she end up like this so soon? Could it be that Song Yu had already attacked?

Zhu Yin hurriedly continued, “The Jiang family spread rumors about you in Chang’an. The Emperor found out and seized their properties. All of them were demoted to commoners, and those who committed crimes were executed. The Empress Dowager must be unable to accept this.”

After all, having flourished for nearly a century, everything was gone overnight. Who could bear it?

Emperor Ji had always been very strong-handed. Seeing that the Empress Dowager only sought Yan Qing’s help, she understood the situation almost immediately, but she was somewhat distraught. She had hoped to ride this momentum and add fuel to the fire, but now the momentum was gone.

She was stunned for a while.

The pain in her leg woke her up.

Seeing her unresponsive, the Empress Dowager was about to be dragged away by the palace people. She clutched Yan Qing’s leg more tightly and pleaded, “I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I’ll give you the Phoenix Seal, just spare me!”

Yan Qing frowned slightly, confused, “This matter concerns the Jiang family from start to finish. It shouldn’t involve you. Isn’t it good for you to stay quietly as the Empress Dowager?”

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Jiang’s face contorted even more, glaring at her, “The Emperor has already ordered me to pray! Do you know what it means to pray? To become a nun! To eat vegetarian! To cut my hair! I am the Empress Dowager of Great Qian…”

Yan Qing: “…”

This development wasn’t right. Shouldn’t this be something Song Yu should do?

She looked down, meeting the bloodshot eyes of Empress Dowager Jiang.

Just as a glimmer of hope appeared in the Empress Dowager’s eyes, Yan Qing said, “Take the Empress Dowager back to her quarters to rest. I’m not feeling well either and need to rest. No one is to disturb me!”

“Yes!” Upon hearing this, the palace people who were very attentive to Yan Qing immediately acted with more force.

“Yan Qing, you heartless woman!” Seeing that she was being completely ignored, the Empress Dowager broke down, being dragged away while still shouting, “Don’t think you’ll get away with this. Today it’s me, tomorrow it will be you. Do you really think being Empress is easy? You’ll regret this. The Emperor won’t always favor you, never…”

The palace people in Lingyun Palace didn’t have the skill to gag her while dragging her away, so her pitiful voice echoed until they were outside the hall.

Senior Maid Qian’s face was very grim, and she said in a low voice, “Your Highness, don’t worry. The Emperor isn’t like that. Up until now, I’ve only seen the Emperor care about you. You will always be favored.”

“Uh… thank you.” Yan Qing didn’t really want such favor. She didn’t hate Ji Yecheng. After all, what he did to her back then was because she had provoked him herself, but expecting him to fall in love with her just because of a little favor was impossible. She wouldn’t be overwhelmed by his special treatment.

Yan Qing forced a smile, which quickly faded as she turned and said flatly, “Back to the sleeping quarters. I’ll rest first. Senior Maid Qian, you don’t need to serve me. Let Zhu Yin handle it alone.”

Senior Maid Qian nodded and stopped following her, watching her leave.

****

Once Zhu Yin ensured there was no one else in the sleeping quarters, Yan Qing took out a key she had kept in her pouch and opened the right drawer of a small desk in her room.

She took out the things she had been working on these days.

The pages were glued together with special glue and couldn’t be opened easily unless torn apart. Yan Qing had no intention of letting Zhu Yin see them. She said seriously, “Zhu Yin, I have a very important task for you!”

Seeing her serious expression, Zhu Yin immediately knelt and said, “I will do it even if it costs my life.”

“This is my most important thing. If one day I die, give this to Song Yu. If I don’t die, it won’t need to appear.” Yan Qing took a deep breath and handed the item over.

Zhu Yin was a bit surprised but, being someone of few words and more actions, silently took it, saying, “Rest assured, Your Highness. I will complete the task.”

The booklet was about the size of a palm and not very thick, probably just a dozen pages. Zhu Yin placed it close to her chest without any hesitation.

Just then, a noise came from outside.

Zhu Yin immediately stood up to help Yan Qing change clothes.

“Creek!”

The door to the sleeping quarters was pushed open, and Ji Yecheng appeared at the door, his breathing slightly hurried, with two parts panic on his stern, handsome face. His tall figure brought a sense of pressure the moment he appeared.

Yan Qing’s breath tightened, feeling guilty after doing something bad.

Ji Yecheng instinctively sensed something was wrong. His cold gaze swept over her face for two seconds, then he saw her wide-open eyes, her slightly chubby cheeks puffed up, making her delicate face look even more adorable: “What are you staring at? I want to sleep. Get out!”

Yan Qing had actually wanted to say “Get out!” but as a civilized person, she rarely used such words. Even though she wanted to retaliate with Ji Yecheng’s previous words, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.

But Ji Yecheng didn’t react much, his thin lips pressing slightly. He focused on her face and eyes, then looked at her body and asked in a low voice, “You just said you weren’t feeling well. I brought the Imperial Physician.”

Yan Qing’s eyes widened in surprise, not out of anger but out of shock: “Did you take the wrong medicine? You care about me so much?”

One sentence immediately darkened Ji Yecheng’s face, and he said coldly, “I said before, as long as I’m alive, you won’t die! Naturally, I need to check on you.” Then he turned and called out, “Imperial Physician, come and check her.”

He stepped forward two steps, making room at the door.

An elderly Imperial Physician with white hair, looking quite familiar, came in, bowed, and said, “Your Highness, let me check you?”

Yan Qing wanted to get angry. This was ridiculous. It was just a casual excuse, and he actually called the Imperial Physician. But facing such an elderly physician, she couldn’t say anything, so she reluctantly extended her wrist.

The Imperial Physician was highly skilled and only needed to take her pulse.

After a while, he said, “Her Highness is in good health. The Emperor need not worry.”

“Hmm.” Ji Yecheng responded faintly.

The Imperial Physician left.

Yan Qing immediately snorted coldly, “Hurry up and leave. Don’t disturb my rest!”

Ji Yecheng’s face darkened even more, but he still held back his anger, gritting his teeth and saying, “You just keep on acting spoiled because I’m indulging you!”

Yan Qing instead smiled smugly, raising her chin and saying, “If you’re unhappy, you can send me out of the palace!”

Out of the palace, again out of the palace.

Ji Yecheng felt like her light words were like a knife stabbing into his heart. Her disdainful tone didn’t hurt as much as this.

He suppressed the sour feeling in his heart and sneered, “Do you really think Song Yu will wait for you forever? He’s already left Chang’an. I heard he’s gone to Mobei, where there’s chaos. He might die in battle tomorrow.”

Yan Qing was actually delighted. It’s good he left. Song Yu wouldn’t die; he would only become stronger and survive.

Of course, Yan Qing didn’t say this. She looked at Ji Yecheng with disdain, taunting, “No problem. If it’s not Song Yu, there will be others. I’m so beautiful. Do you think no one will like me?”

This was real confidence. Yan Qing’s current body was exactly like her original one, only with more delicate skin, thanks to the years of pampering by Prime Minister Yan.

But the features were all hers, so she confidently said these words.

Ji Yecheng’s eyes turned sharp, filled with murderous intent. He stepped closer, his voice dangerous, “Who dares to touch you? I’ll tear him to pieces!”

Yan Qing hadn’t sensed the danger yet. Instead, she felt uneasy because of his approach. She lifted her foot, aiming at his chest to stop him, “Don’t come closer! Get out!”

“Aren’t you going to rest? I’ll rest with you.” Ji Yecheng had originally planned to leave, but hearing her words, he decided he couldn’t leave. This woman was too audacious and arrogant; he couldn’t really let her run wild.

Yan Qing’s expression grew serious, and just as she was about to become vigilant, her leg was grabbed and pulled to the side. Then another hand came over, restraining both her hands, and before she could react, her waist belt… loosened.

“Ji Yecheng!” Yan Qing was furious, using her strength.

However, this time Ji Yecheng was prepared. With a light touch of his fingers, Yan Qing’s face turned pale, and the strength in her legs vanished. She was about to collapse, but he caught her in his arms.

“Get out!” This time, the curse came out instinctively.

Ji Yecheng’s cold and stern eyes softened. As he walked, the loose strands of hair on his forehead fell on her face. His voice wasn’t as cold, “I said, you are mine!”

Yan Qing was helpless to resist. Filled with hatred, she saw his arm by her head and bit down on it with all her strength.

Ji Yecheng grunted, pain making his eyes twitch. Then he tensed his muscles, forcing her teeth to release!

It was really like a spring releasing.

Yan Qing’s teeth ached, followed by a sore nose, and finally, her eyes watered, and she cried.

Suddenly, Zhu Yin, who had been standing still, moved.

Yan Qing, facing her, saw her movement and hurriedly shouted, “Don’t come over, leave!”

Zhu Yin must not be harmed. She was crucial for completing her tasks!

Zhu Yin paused, reluctantly looking at them before turning and leaving.

Ji Yecheng curled one corner of his lips, a hint of amusement in his voice, “You’re smart.”

If that maid had moved, he wouldn’t have spared her. As an emperor, how could he not have people to protect him?

Luckily, Yan Qing had stopped her.

Ji Yecheng looked at the bed, his brows raising slightly, thinking: This woman isn’t so brainless after all. She is indeed worthy of being his woman!