Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Female Lead is Too Arrogant - Chapter 25

Yan Qing clutched her injured shoulder, still in shock, and dazed in Ji Yechen’s arms.

Ji Yechen was furious, almost exploding with rage. He issued one order after another, mobilizing the entire Imperial Guard camp. He repeated only one phrase, “All involved, not one should escape! Execute them!”

Half an hour ago, Yan Qing screamed, and Ji Yechen rushed over in a panic. He saw a man in black wielding a soft sword, with killing intent, attacking her.

Ji Yechen arrived a moment too late; the sword still struck.

Fortunately, Yan Qing had learned a bit of self-defense and avoided the most fatal blow. Ji Yechen then pushed the attacker away.

The assassin wasn’t alone. Zhu Yin held off two attackers by herself, while another managed to strike successfully. However, he fell short and missed his mark.

The news of the assassination attempt on the Noble Consort spread quickly, alarming the entire palace. The patrolling Imperial Guards came and subdued the three attackers. Ji Yechen carried Yan Qing to the Lingyun Palace.

The imperial physician arrived immediately to treat her wound.

Although her shoulder was only grazed, the sword was poisoned. Half of Yan Qing’s body was already paralyzed. It was evident the three were determined to kill her.

Fortunately, the imperial physician was skilled. While he couldn’t neutralize the poison completely in one go, he managed to control its spread promptly.

However, her body remained stiff.

Ji Yechen held her tightly, seemingly more shaken than she was. Yan Qing could even feel that the person holding her seemed to be trembling.

…

Ji Yechen was indeed trembling.

In his mind, he kept replaying the dangerous scene from earlier.

If Yan Qing hadn’t quickly turned aside at that moment, the sword would have pierced her heart.

If her heart had been pierced, not even Hua Tuo reincarnated could save her, especially with the poisoned blade!

Just thinking about that outcome, Ji Yechen remembered what he had done to her in the past. Watching her vibrant life fade away in his hands, her pupils dilating—this scene seemed to overlap with today’s incident. His heart ached, not with the dull pain of her rejection, but like being stabbed repeatedly and still bleeding.

“Ah—” He breathed heavily, like a dying man grasping for his last breath, hugging her tightly, finding solace in her warmth.

Yan Qing blinked, wanting to say, “Let go.”

However, half her body was paralyzed, and she couldn’t speak. She had no choice but to let him hold her.

Jiang Wende watched them sit like that, feeling tired just by looking. After a while, he softly suggested, “Your Majesty, perhaps you should rest?”

But before he could finish his sentence, a pair of cold eyes glared at him.

Jiang Wende froze, not daring to speak further.

Ji Yechen lowered his gaze again, staring at the person in his arms, motionless, as if she had turned to stone, wanting to keep her forever in his sight and heart.

Yan Qing felt repulsed but couldn’t speak. She could only convey her feelings with her eyes. At this moment, she rolled her eyes, barely managing to look at Senior Maid Qian and blinked.

Senior Maid Qian had been with her long enough to understand her, hesitantly saying, “Your Majesty, the Noble Consort is uncomfortable like this. How about returning to the bedchamber?”

Ji Yechen finally reacted, his eyes moved slightly as he looked at Yan Qing. She was suspended in his arms, clearly uncomfortable.

He nodded.

Senior Maid Qian sighed in relief, immediately preparing the charcoal fire and warming the bed. She suggested, “The Noble Consort values cleanliness. Shall I help her wash up first?”

Ji Yechen shook his head.

Yan Qing was so angry she rolled her eyes. She had been scared into a cold sweat today. If she didn’t wash up, she would feel uncomfortable sleeping later.

Unexpectedly, Ji Yechen said, “I will do it myself!”

Yan Qing: “!!!”

She started to struggle with her only functional arm and leg.

In her struggle, she hurt her wound again. Cold sweat broke out, but she dared not stop. Damn it, if he really bathed her, she would die of embarrassment!

Senior Maid Qian was also shocked but kept silent. What shocked her was: No concubine had ever been bathed by the emperor before.

Ji Yechen held her down, carefully protecting her injured shoulder. His bloodshot eyes glared as he hoarsely said, “I won’t let you out of my sight.”

Yan Qing gnashed her teeth, wanting to bite him.

But she couldn’t move. Lying on his shoulder, half her body hanging, her stomach pressed uncomfortably, her eyes almost bloodshot.

If he dared to bathe her, once she recovered, she would definitely castrate him!

Yan Qing was truly furious, panicked, and deeply resentful.

But Ji Yechen was resolute, ignoring her protests, cold-faced, and carried her to the bath. He began to undress her.

Seeing she couldn’t stop him, Yan Qing closed her eyes, feeling utterly defeated and wronged.

Too miserable.

Just wait. This time it wouldn’t be just a beating!

By her ear, Ji Yechen hoarsely said, “Don’t worry, I won’t touch you.”

Yan Qing sneered silently, unable to make a sound. Her face paralyzed, but her eyes were full of anger, speaking volumes of her emotions.

But it didn’t matter anymore.

He had to keep an eye on her.

As the warm water flowed, Yan Qing’s body turned red like a boiled shrimp.

******

Over the next month, Yan Qing was in a long detoxification process. The poison in her body couldn’t be neutralized directly and required gradual treatment. The imperial physician could only temporarily halt the spread of the poison with a universal formula and then began various studies.

The poison wasn’t complicated, but since it was used on Yan Qing, they were exceptionally cautious.

During the detoxification period, Yan Qing also heard Senior Maid Qian bringing news from the outside.

The assassination attempt on her was orchestrated by Yuan Xiu’s father. Yuan Xiu seemed straightforward but was actually very clever. She wanted to eliminate Yan Qing completely and made two plans.

One was to cooperate with Xu Jin. After being discovered, she immediately sold Xu Jin out and activated the second plan, which was the assassination.

She willingly sacrificed Xu Jin, knowing that after Xu Jin was exposed, Ji Yechen and Yan Qing’s vigilance would decrease. At this moment, arranging an assassination would have a much higher success rate.

However, they underestimated Zhu Yin’s combat prowess and didn’t know Yan Qing had some self-defense skills, avoiding a fatal blow, which led Ji Yechen to arrive and help.

This incident enraged Ji Yechen. Xu Jin, Yuan Xiu, and all involved were executed, their families wiped out. This caused a significant stir in the court and beyond.

Among those executed was the Minister of Revenue, Lord Ran.

Because her body was still recovering and she couldn’t speak, Yan Qing had to rely on liquid food. When she heard this news, she had no reaction.

She was a bit shaken, a bit scared, and her feelings were complicated.

But this was the reality of the era. It was said that the emperor’s wrath could result in a million corpses. Ji Yechen’s rage over this matter led to the execution and exile of hundreds, which was considered lenient.

Yan Qing tried to put it out of her mind.

She needed to heal properly. She had a peculiar sense of unease, a sense of foreboding, but didn’t know why.

However, when she fully recovered, she would understand.

The recovery took a month and a half, during which many things happened.

Song Yu returned to the capital. The news of the engagement between Song family’s second young master and Yan family’s second young lady spread throughout Chang’an. Meanwhile, there was unrest in the north, and Emperor Ji forced a general to take a military order in the court to eradicate the northern threat.

It meant there would be a war, and while the Song family was preparing for a wedding, Emperor Ji, understanding the loyalty of the Song family, didn’t want anything to happen to them during this joyous time. Therefore, the Tiger Talisman was handed over, and the Song family lost their greatest asset.

After recovering, Yan Qing entered the Taiji Hall’s study and looked at the memorials about these matters, confused for a long time.

How did things escalate so suddenly?

How did the Song family lose the Tiger Talisman?

Yan Qing tried to reassure herself that the Tiger Talisman wasn’t the only standard. A general on the battlefield might not always follow the emperor’s orders.

If Song Yu could truly earn the soldiers’ respect, losing the Tiger Talisman wouldn’t matter.

Sensing something was wrong, Ji Yechen suddenly approached her from behind, his cold breath brushing against her earlobe. His deep voice carried a hint of mockery, “Feeling something is off?”

Yan Qing abruptly turned around, throwing the memorial at his face.

With old wounds still healing and new ones added, the sharp corner of the memorial cut across his face, leaving a noticeable gash, and blood quickly followed.

Yan Qing’s eyes were cold, glaring at him, “What did you do?”

The familiar hoarse voice sounded, and a flash of joy passed through Ji Yechen’s eyes. This was the first time she spoke to him since being poisoned a month and a half ago.

For the past month, she had refused to speak to him. Even after regaining the ability to talk, she ignored him. When she could resist him, she would throw him out of the Lingyun Palace. The worst incident had Ji Yechen bedridden for two days.

That day, the Lingyun Palace lost four or five chairs.

To avoid another beating, the carpenters made the chairs so heavy that Yan Qing couldn’t lift them anymore, thus preventing her from using them as weapons. However, Ji Yechen still received many lashes from her whip.

Ji Yechen laughed lightly, wiping the blood off his face. He casually sat down, his long legs stretched out. With a hint of amusement in his eyes, he said, “I merely had a word with Prince Gong.”

Yan Qing didn’t believe it could be that simple.

Leaning back in the chair, Ji Yechen allowed Jiang Wende to apply medicine to his wound. He continued, as if discussing a trivial matter, “Actually, that old man’s worry is unnecessary. The Song family is more loyal than most. If they wanted the throne, it wouldn’t have reached the old man. He is the only one who thinks the throne is a good thing.”

Yan Qing waited for him to continue, but he fell silent again.

Feeling increasingly impatient, she frowned, her displeasure evident. After a couple of seconds, seeing him with his eyes closed as if he were asleep, her anger surged like oil on a hot pan, sizzling and crackling.

Ji Yechen was doing it on purpose. She knew he wanted her to beg or say something nice.

It was laughable. If he didn’t care, how had the Song family survived for so long?

Ji Yechen, cold and childish, thought he would make her see that under his control, that man would amount to nothing!

The old man feared the Song family but had to rely on them to protect the nation. Ji Yechen, on the other hand, didn’t need them. If he wanted to eliminate the Song family, there were countless ways to do it, and any excuse could make the people turn against them.

Yan Qing watched coldly, knowing he hoped she would plead or say something favorable.

But was Yan Qing that easy to compromise?

Forget the task; now Song Yu might not even become the emperor. Her mission seemed unachievable. Yan Qing, fuming at his smug face, stood up and walked out without a word.

“Where are you going?” Ji Yechen jumped up, alarmed by the sudden move, and immediately followed her.

Ignoring him, Yan Qing walked briskly.

No servant dared to stop her.

Normally, Ji Yechen wouldn’t react so strongly to her leaving, but her behavior unsettled him. He hurried after her, his instinct telling him something was wrong.

In the study, Fu Rong, who had been trying to make himself invisible, finally sighed in relief as the two troublemakers left.

Every time he witnessed their confrontations, Fu Rong felt his life was tough.

Yet, he couldn’t help but be fascinated.

Ji Yechen defied his expectations of an emperor. A ruler known for cruelty and ruthlessness, yet frequently beaten by a mere consort, without any retaliation, even surrendering his power—this was most shocking.

Fu Rong believed that if the ministers knew about their dynamic, despite Yan Qing’s rising prestige, many would still try to kill her.

But Fu Rong was also curious about how far Ji Yechen would tolerate Yan Qing.

Even though afraid, Fu Rong persisted in coming each day to learn more about their relationship.

With the study empty, Fu Rong focused on his tasks. Once done, he left.

Meanwhile, something major was happening in another palace.

****

Yan Qing wanted to leave the palace to inquire personally.

She guessed that Song Yu’s rebellion was exposed when General Jia Heng submitted a report. Everything that followed was premeditated.

Prime Minister Yan had written to her during her illness, mentioning the engagement between Yan Yin and Song Yu’s younger brother, Song Zhuo.

But he only explained that Yan Yin had run away once and was brought back by the Song family, leading to the engagement proposal. This was typical for Yan Yin, a transmigrator with a halo, blessed with beauty and a golden finger, the spirit spring. It was no surprise Song Yu’s brother fancied her.

Prime Minister Yan kept his explanation simple and logical, making Yan Qing believe it was a coincidence that brought Song Yu back at this time.

However, Yan Qing now suspected this was part of Ji Yechen’s plan. If so, Ji Yechen was terrifying.

Unclear about the specifics, she needed to verify the situation personally. If Song Yu had no chance of becoming emperor, she would need to find a new target.

The thought made her uneasy.

The Great Qian had only emperor in the central plains, with only some nomadic tribes and hidden minorities. These groups rarely appeared due to different lifestyles, and despite the emperor’s flaws, the nation was stable. Therefore, no immediate rebellion seemed likely.

If Song Yu couldn’t be emperor, she would need a new candidate.

Fortunately, her task didn’t specify Song Yu as the only option.

With a determined expression, Yan Qing changed clothes in her chambers.

Ji Yechen waited outside.

When the door opened, and he saw her attire, his face darkened, “Where are you going?”

She wasn’t wearing palace clothes but the plain outfit she had worn the last time she left the palace. Remembering the chaos from that outing, Ji Yechen’s mind raced.

Yan Qing, ready to leave, looked slightly better but spoke coldly, “Can’t you see? I’m leaving the palace.”

“I forbid it!” Ji Yechen gritted his teeth.

Blocking the doorway, his tall frame barred her exit. Yan Qing tried to kick him, “Move!”

“No!” Ji Yechen, knowing she intended to see Song Yu, was even more resolute. He had endured her kicks before and could endure them now. He stood firm, his face darkening further.

After kicking for a while, Yan Qing’s leg grew sore. Realizing he wouldn’t budge, she bit her lip and stepped back.

Sensing something wrong, Ji Yechen was about to advance when Yan Qing suddenly drew a dagger from her sleeve. The gleaming silver blade instantly pressed against her neck. She lifted her chin, making sure Ji Yechen saw clearly, and coldly commanded, “Move!”

“Go ahead, try to harm me!” Ji Yechen’s eyes widened in fury. He couldn’t believe she would threaten her own life for Song Yu.

Ji Yechen knew she was serious.

For Song Yu, she was willing to go to such lengths?

The dagger, evidently sharp, had already severed a strand of her hair. Just a bit further, and it would cut her neck.

In this era, a stab or poison wasn’t as deadly as a slit throat.

Ji Yechen dared not provoke her further, fearing she would make a fatal move.

Yan Qing’s eyes were cold, showing no reaction to his distress. “Move! If I have to repeat myself, I will act.”

Grinding his teeth in frustration, Ji Yechen hesitated but stepped aside.

Satisfied, Yan Qing kept an eye on him as she walked out.

Just as she passed him, Ji Yechen moved.

Yan Qing, expecting it, shifted the dagger to her abdomen, planning to stab herself.

But Ji Yechen grabbed the dagger barehanded. Instead of stabbing her, the blade cut into him.

The sound of flesh being sliced was clear. Yan Qing froze, stunned by the sight, forgetting her plan entirely.

“You’re insane!” she yelled, horrified. He didn’t need to hurt himself!

Warm blood soaked her hand. Yan Qing instinctively let go, stepping back.

Ji Yechen, pale and sweating from the pain, held the dagger in his wound. His voice was hoarse, “Satisfied? Want to continue?”

Yan Qing stumbled back, her throat tight. She couldn’t speak, her lips moving soundlessly. Her clear eyes were wide with fear, “You really are mad!”

She often joked he was crazy, but Ji Yechen was usually a normal person with a unique mindset. She had never seen him self-harm like this, beyond the passive beatings he endured from her.

Now, her hands and feet were cold, heart pounding, her mind blank from shock.

Ji Yechen, suppressing his pain, smiled grimly. “Yes, I’m mad. You’re mine. You’re not going anywhere! I have the Tiger Talisman; no one will oppose me. I will make you my empress…”

“Ugh—” Yan Qing, biting her lip, pushed him away.

She didn’t love Ji Yechen. Seeing him even more deranged, her first reaction was rejection.

After pushing him, she ran, shouting to the kneeling servants, “Get the imperial physician, now!”

“Yes.” Several servants scrambled away, Yan Qing quickly wiped her hands and ran.

She still had the token from her last exit, which she forgot to return. It was convenient now. With so many servants, Ji Yechen would be fine.

On the ground, Ji Yechen watched in disbelief as she ran away.

Blood flowed freely from his abdomen, feeling like his life was slipping away.

As Ji Yechen lay on the floor, the pain intensified, his heart aching terribly. Tears blurred his vision.

Only when the tears fell did Ji Yechen realize he was crying.

“Your Majesty!” Jiang Wende arrived with the imperial physician, seeing the emperor in a pool of blood. He cried out, eyes red, kneeling.

The physician was momentarily stunned before treating the wound.

Exhausted, Ji Yechen closed his eyes. The memory of choking her and watching her lose consciousness haunted him.

Was this… karma?

No!

Ji Yechen’s eyes snapped open, glaring at the physician, “Heal me. I must leave the palace! Hurry!”

To see Song Yu? Never!

Once I’m out, I’ll kill that man!