Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Female Lead is Too Arrogant - Chapter 3

Yan Qing didn’t expect Ji Yecheng to be so… lenient.

Not only did he ignore her offense, but he also showed a gesture of favor.

She was stunned for a while, only coming to her senses when Zi Yun started crying.

“Your Grace, what’s wrong with you?”

“Your Grace, why have you become so bold suddenly? You scared me to death. I thought we were all going to be killed by His Majesty.”

“Your Grace…”

With no one else in the side hall, Zi Yun sat down by Yan Qing’s legs, hugging her and crying even harder. She wasn’t wailing, just sobbing quietly as if she’d been terribly frightened.

Yan Qing sympathetically patted her head. If Zi Yun continued to follow her, she might get even more scared in the future.

The original owner trusted her, likely because the emperor’s sudden decree left no time for other preparations. The Prime Minister’s residence only managed to send one personal maid into the palace with her.

The original owner and Zi Yun grew up together, almost like sisters. In the original story, Zi Yun died with the original owner. The emperor didn’t punish her, even ignoring her. Such a small person wasn’t worth the emperor’s attention. The prime minister had planned to take her back home.

However, that foolish child had directly smashed her head against a pillar in Lingyun Hall, dying instantly. Everyone else thought she was a loyal servant, but both Yan Qing and the original owner felt it wasn’t worth it.

Today, Emperor Ji let her experience a different personality from what was described in the book. He was a living person whose actions could change due to various situations, not just a character made of paper.

Yan Qing said, “Zi Yun, I will send you back to the Prime Minister’s residence.”

“Huh?” Zi Yun’s crying stopped abruptly, and she looked at her with tearful, bewildered eyes. “Your Grace, what are you saying?”

Yan Qing rubbed her head again. With the same appearance and similar demeanor as the original owner, she was much more determined. She said softly, “I seek death, and I might anger Emperor Ji. If you return to the Prime Minister’s residence, you won’t be implicated.”

Zi Yun’s tears fell again, full of grievance. “Your Grace, you have had a hard life, but you don’t have to seek death. With the Prime Minister here, His Majesty won’t dare mistreat you!”

Yan Qing shook her head slowly, her expression serious and resolute. “I have made up my mind. Don’t argue. Since I won’t be by my father’s side, I’ll need you to take care of him.”

“No!” Zi Yun wiped her tears. “I disagree. Your Grace, if you drive me away, I will die here!”

Yan Qing felt a headache for a moment and thought of giving up.

But that thought was quickly dismissed. Keeping Zi Yun by her side would inevitably involve her. In her plan, she didn’t need someone too close.

Yan Qing’s expression turned firm again, and she said coldly, “Are you threatening me?”

Zi Yun hurriedly shook her head. “No, no! Your Grace, I don’t want to be separated from you. If you die, I want to die with you!”

Yan Qing softened her tone and patted her hand. “But I don’t want you to die. I want you to help take care of my father. If I can’t fulfill my filial duties as his daughter, even if I die and go to hell, I fear I’ll be punished. Zi Yun, can you bear to see me uneasy even after death?”

Zi Yun, who was a simple-minded and loyal person, thought of her mistress’s grave words and became even more flustered. The thought of her mistress being uneasy after death made her face pale. She began to waver. “Your Grace, but can’t you… can’t you just not die?”

Yan Qing’s expression became solemn, her gaze distant, her delicate face looking desolate. “Zi Yun, you are still young and don’t understand. If I can’t be with the one I love, living is torture for me.”

Zi Yun felt a pang in her heart, making it hard to breathe. Her poor mistress had sent a letter to her lover, who was a county magistrate, just two days before entering the palace. Now, she was in such a state.

She cried uncontrollably and finally agreed, bowing three times earnestly before Yan Qing, swearing, “Your Grace, rest assured, I will take good care of the Prime Minister!”

Yan Qing was startled by her solemnity and quickly waved her hand. “It doesn’t have to be your whole life. When you are of age, if you find someone suitable, you can get married. Just remember to look after my father from time to time.”

Zi Yun was even more touched. Her mistress was so kind-hearted. Although she didn’t respond, she made up her mind.

***

Although she planned to send Zi Yun away, it wasn’t something that could be done immediately. After all, this was the imperial palace, and it required the Prime Minister’s intervention.

After leaving the side hall, Yan Qing wrote a letter in the original owner’s handwriting, found a young eunuch, and tried to have the letter sent out. But before she could finish speaking, Zi Yun hesitated and said, “Your Grace, actually… actually, we can’t leave…”

“What do you mean?”

“The Emperor has ordered people to guard here. Without his orders, no one can come in or go out.” Zi Yun said quickly, cautiously watching Yan Qing. She knew her mistress loathed this place and even sought death. She was afraid that hearing this would agitate her further.

Indeed, Yan Qing was agitated. Her face darkened, and she stormed out.

As soon as she stepped out of the hall, she saw several strong eunuchs guarding the entrance. Unlike other eunuchs, these were trained in martial arts, looking fierce and holding swords. When they saw Yan Qing, they all moved to block her path, bowing and saying in unison, “Your Grace, please stay.”

These measures were in place to prevent concubines from having affairs with guards. The safety of the harem was managed by the eunuchs, and no regular men, except the Emperor, were allowed in.

“Move aside!” Yan Qing demanded angrily.

“Your Grace, please stay!” The kneeling eunuchs echoed loudly, causing Zi Yun to tremble.

“Your Grace,” Zi Yun said with a shaky voice, “maybe we should go back?”

Yan Qing was about to agree, given that the eunuchs were armed. But just as she moved, she stopped. Why should she compromise? She was determined to court death.

These men followed Ji Yecheng’s orders. If they killed her, it would achieve the same goal.

Her eyes flashed with determination, and she subtly smirked. She bypassed the kneeling eunuchs and ran out.

“Your Grace…” The eunuchs quickly got up to stop her.

Yan Qing grabbed the sword from the waist of the nearest eunuch and held it to her neck, shouting, “Do you dare?”

The eunuchs stopped immediately, their faces pale. The eunuch whose sword was taken knelt in frustration. “Your Grace, please forgive us! It was His Majesty’s order…”

“His Majesty forbids me from leaving this hall?” Yan Qing demanded sharply.

“Yes!” The eunuch kowtowed again. “It was my fault. The sword is dangerous. Please, Your Grace, put it down.”

Yan Qing continued to hold the sword to her neck, gripping the hilt tightly. “I want to leave. If you stop me, I will die right here!”

“Your Grace, please reconsider!” Everyone shouted, including Zi Yun, who was so frightened by the sudden turn of events that she knelt on the ground, trembling.

Yan Qing snorted coldly. “No reconsideration. Move aside!”

The eunuchs exchanged glances, then stepped back reluctantly.

Yan Qing, still wary, commanded, “Go to that small room over there and stay inside. Don’t come out unless I order it.”

“…Yes.” The eunuchs finally gave up.

Seeing the eunuchs obediently enter the small room and close the door, Yan Qing let out a sigh of relief. Threatening them like that had made her heart race, her fear of death making her terrified at the prospect.

“Your Grace!” Zi Yun, seeing that the situation had stabilized, rushed over and quickly took the sword from Yan Qing’s hands, throwing it to the ground.

The sword clattered loudly on the ground, the sound echoing and making her head throb. She didn’t forget to hug the young woman before her. “Your Grace, you scared me to death!”

“It’s alright now.” Yan Qing smiled, seeing Zi Yun still trembling. After some thought, she pushed her away and addressed the other frightened maids still kneeling. “Someone, take Zi Yun inside to rest.”

“Your Grace, I want to stay with you…” Zi Yun started to protest, but seeing Yan Qing’s stern expression, she fell silent.

Even though she was close to her mistress, there was still a master-servant distinction. When Yan Qing was serious, Zi Yun didn’t dare to disobey.

“Yes.” Two quick-witted maids scrambled to their feet and helped Zi Yun inside.

At the entrance, there remained two first-class maids, several second-class maids, and a few clean-cut eunuchs.

In the palace, even eunuchs weren’t selected for their looks alone. Yan Qing glanced around, feeling somewhat reassured by their appearances. Calming her racing heart, she said calmly, “Let’s go. Show me around.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” The others stood up and followed her closely.

One older eunuch summoned the courage to step forward and softly explained the palace layout. “Your Grace, this way leads to the front court, very close to His Majesty’s Taiji Palace. Aside from your palace, no other is this close to His Majesty’s quarters. To the left is Consort Xian’s palace, and further in…”

Yan Qing nodded indifferently, not really paying attention.

She was currently the highest authority in the palace next to the Emperor. As for the Empress Dowager, she was the former emperor’s wife and had little affection for Ji Yecheng, having only a single princess. She mostly stayed in the Empress Dowager’s palace and rarely made an appearance.

With her hands behind her back, Yan Qing walked leisurely, her posture graceful and upright, different from the typical noblewoman. Yet her demeanor, combined with her looks and figure, made her stand out even more.

The eunuch named Qing Shan, responsible for the explanations, secretly admired and puzzled over his mistress. They said the prime minister was a civil official, and his eldest daughter naturally had outstanding beauty. But her bold demeanor and earlier antics seemed excessive. Was it because the prime minister spoiled her too much?

Regardless, this was his future mistress. With the prime minister’s backing, she wouldn’t fall out of favor anytime soon. Her looks explained why the Emperor, who had stayed away from women since ascending the throne over a year ago, treated her differently.

Qing Shan lowered his head, explaining the palace details more meticulously.

****

Yan Qing walked by a small river, brought in from outside the palace, with special filters ensuring its cleanliness.

Crossing the bridge, Yan Qing’s attention was drawn to a garden ahead, so she headed there, missing the pavilion hidden among the trees.

In the pavilion, a young man lay lazily on a rocking chair, dressed in black with gold embroidery, indicating his high status. Next to him, Jiang Wende attentively fanned him. Although summer had not fully arrived, it was still quite hot, especially with the multiple layers of traditional clothing.

The man held a fruit platter with chilled purple grapes, each like a purple crystal.

As he ate one, a eunuch would catch the peel he spat out.

The level of comfort he enjoyed would surely outrage the officials if they saw it, but Ji Yecheng did everything so naturally that none of the attendants found it odd.

In another corner, a minister was diligently reviewing memorials. Suddenly, the young minister said, “Your Majesty, Official Xu from the Hanlin Academy has submitted a memorial accusing you of indulging in luxury and neglecting state affairs…”

“Find an empty position in a remote area and send him there,” Ji Yecheng replied calmly.

The minister hesitated. “Your Majesty, there are already many vacant positions in the capital.”

Ji Yecheng seemed unconcerned, casually enjoying the comfortable surroundings. “Wait for now. There’s an imperial examination today, so there will be new candidates soon.”

The minister sighed in sympathy and continued to follow Ji Yecheng’s instructions.

Fu Rong, the minister responsible for reviewing the memorials, had initially been nervous about his task, but he had grown calm over time. He knew that as long as he behaved, he would be fine. Ji Yecheng had likely chosen him because he was a scholar with no ties to powerful families, making him a safe choice.

Fu Rong was content with his role, even if it meant being a lone minister. He found it quite enjoyable.

The pavilion was silent until some noise from outside caught Ji Yecheng’s attention. Squinting, he saw a few figures, including a woman in a crimson palace dress. With his sharp eyesight, he recognized Yan Qing immediately.

He frowned. “I thought I ordered someone to guard Lingyun Palace.”

His slightly deep voice was like a bomb, startling Jiang Wende. He quickly looked up and, seeing Yan Qing, knelt down to apologize. “Your Majesty, forgive me. Just now, Eunuch Xiao reported that the Noble Consort threatened to harm herself if they didn’t let her out, so they had no choice but to confine themselves. You ordered not to be disturbed, so I didn’t dare interrupt your leisure.”

“Interesting!” Ji Yecheng raised an eyebrow at the news, extending his hand.

A young eunuch immediately understood, using a damp towel to wipe the emperor’s hand, then drying it with a clean cloth to ensure his slender, fair hand was spotless before carefully letting go.

Ji Yecheng hummed softly, lazily getting up and waving his wide sleeve. “Let’s go, let’s see what’s happening ahead.”

Jiang Wende wiped the sweat from his forehead and responded, “Yes! Everyone, make way for the emperor.”

Immediately, the emperor’s entourage moved grandly. Everyone in the palace instinctively stepped aside, not daring to offend.

When Ji Yecheng arrived, the commotion was quite noticeable, and Yan Qing naturally knew, especially since someone had informed her.

However, she paid no attention, engrossed in admiring the blooming peonies.

The peonies were vibrant and majestic, the most favored flowers in the palace. At that moment, she was admiring a striking red peony. It was so large that even her hand couldn’t cover it completely.

Delighted by the sight, Yan Qing ignored the noise caused by Ji Yecheng’s arrival and reached out to pick the flower.

Qing Shan hurriedly reminded her, “Your Grace, you’re not allowed to pick flowers in the imperial garden…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Yan Qing had already plucked the peony, her beautiful face lighting up with a fearless smile. Her voice was lively, “So beautiful, go get a vase for me.”

Qing Shan turned pale, hesitating, because… the emperor had already arrived.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.” The palace servants knelt to greet him. As expected, the Noble Consort stood still, not even glancing at the emperor, her boldness causing hearts to race.

Qing Shan realized he might have underestimated the situation. This mistress… could be in serious trouble.

Admiring the peony in her hand, Yan Qing noticed the servants’ inaction but didn’t mind. She turned to pick more flowers. After all, such beautiful blooms deserved to be enjoyed at leisure… if she survived.

“How dare you, Noble Consort!” Ji Yecheng’s voice was cold.

Yan Qing responded with a mocking smile. In front of him, she picked another peony, combining it with the first. She flicked the remaining dew from the petals and smiled beautifully, appreciating the flowers for a moment before moving to pick another.

Suddenly, the man in the black robe took two steps forward, his large hand reaching out to grab her neck. His voice was icy, “Woman, are you testing my patience?”