Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Female Lead is Too Arrogant - Chapter 48

The front courtyard of the First Prince’s mansion was filled with people gathered to watch a dispute between a few young masters.

When Yan Qing arrived, Ji Jiaxun was in the middle of a confrontation with a smug-looking boy. Each had several companions supporting them, while the rest of the crowd seemed to be there just for the spectacle.

The boy facing Ji Jiaxun sneered disdainfully, “Are you too afraid to make a decision on your own? Are you being controlled by a woman?”

“Don’t you dare speak nonsense!” Shi Yibin glared at the boy, ready to charge forward.

However, Ji Jiaxun and Qi Haolin held him back, with Zhang Zhong also looking grim.

The only one who seemed relatively calm was Ji Jiaxun.

He maintained a composed expression, holding onto Shi Yibin with one hand and keeping the other behind his back. “What do you mean controlled by a woman? It’s called having a good relationship with my wife. Naturally, I discuss things with her. You wouldn’t understand since you don’t have a wife.”

“Ha!” Laughter erupted from the surrounding crowd, not out of mockery, but with a hint of helplessness and goodwill.

Everyone’s expressions seemed to say: When did this little bully become so sensible?

The boy facing Ji Jiaxun was momentarily stunned, his face turning red with anger due to the surrounding laughter. “What do you mean by that?”

Ji Jiaxun shrugged, “Exactly what I said.”

“You…” The boy was about to continue, but Yan Qing interrupted him loudly, “Your Highness, what are you trying to do? Competing with my husband?”

Shi Yibin and the others made way for Yan Qing, allowing her to pass through the crowd and stand beside Ji Jiaxun.

The boy was the Emperor’s nephew, Xu Chengbo, whose father was a prince without real power. Despite this, his royal status allowed him to look down on most other young men.

Xu Chengbo and Ji Jiaxun were old rivals, often fighting and causing trouble. From what Yan Qing heard, Xu Chengbo usually ended up punished.

Ji Jiaxun had shared many amusing stories with her about Xu Chengbo, portraying him as quite unlucky and pitiful.

So Yan Qing wasn’t surprised by Xu Chengbo’s animosity towards Ji Jiaxun. But today, she had to protect her man.

Yan Qing’s appearance attracted even more attention.

Xu Chengbo sneered upon seeing her, “Fine, since you’re both here, let’s start.”

Ji Jiaxun coughed lightly and nervously tugged at Yan Qing’s sleeve.

Xu Chengbo looked at them strangely, thinking: Is Ji Jiaxun really that scared? Shouldn’t he at least pretend to be a man in front of others?

But Ji Jiaxun indeed seemed scared. He ignored Xu Chengbo, speaking timidly to Yan Qing, “Qing Qing, I didn’t start this. He came to me. It’s not my fault…”

Everyone else: “???”

Were they seeing things? Was this really the arrogant young lord who used to act like he ruled the world? How did he suddenly become so meek?

They rubbed their eyes, but there was the same sturdy young man, looking at Yan Qing with tender eyes, full of love and attention.

The girls among the spectators understood what was happening, feeling a bit envious. They hadn’t expected that the man they once looked down on would become so gentle after marriage.

One girl murmured, “Yan Qing is really lucky.”

Her companion nodded in agreement, “Indeed.”

They remembered how their father had considered marrying them to the Princess and Marquis of Pingwu family, but they had stubbornly refused. Now, they felt a pang of regret.

Yan Qing, unaware of their thoughts, was touched by Ji Jiaxun’s support. She gently asked, “What are you competing in?”

“Pitch-pot. I’m quite good at it, but he’s been practicing a lot lately,” Ji Jiaxun replied proudly, then added with some disappointment, “I’ve been busy with martial arts and haven’t had time to practice. He wants to bet that if I lose, his men will join my father’s troops. If I win, he gives me a manor in the suburbs.”

Yan Qing blinked and asked, “Are you confident?”

“Not really,” Ji Jiaxun shook his head.

Yan Qing thought for a moment and suggested, “How about changing the bet?”

“Sister-in-law, we can’t. They’ve been wanting this for a while. If we don’t agree, they’ll say my brother is afraid of losing,” Shi Yibin interjected.

Yan Qing looked at Ji Jiaxun, who nodded reluctantly. She sighed, “Alright, just stay calm. It’s not a big deal.”

“Okay,” Ji Jiaxun replied, looking like a dejected puppy, his spirit visibly dampened.

Yan Qing smiled, squeezed his hand, and whispered in his ear, “You’re the best. I believe in you.” Seeing him instantly perk up, she gently pushed him forward.

Xu Chengbo snorted, eagerly preparing himself, “Let’s start!”

“Bring it on!” Ji Jiaxun, now full of energy, charged forward.

He glanced back at Yan Qing, who was still watching him with a gentle smile, and he couldn’t help but grin.

Yan Qing nodded encouragingly and stood by, thinking about what to do if Ji Jiaxun lost.

Just then, she heard a familiar low voice, “Meet me at Drunken Immortal Pavilion tomorrow?”

Yan Qing’s breath hitched. She glanced around, but everyone was focused on the competition. She nodded slightly.

The Fourth Prince moved past her, unnoticed by the others.

Yan Qing realized that she might not need to worry about Ji Jiaxun losing. If she mentioned it to Marquis of Pingwu, he would likely understand. After all, the First Prince’s incident had already happened, and the Fourth Prince’s situation was coming up. Marquis of Pingwu should trust her by now.

She turned her attention back to the competition.

Each competitor had three arrows and took turns. The pitch-pot, a narrow-mouthed vase, was quite a distance away. Yan Qing had never played this game before, which required good eyesight and arm strength.

She watched intently.

Sensing her gaze, Ji Jiaxun’s playful expression turned serious. He focused on the target, drawing his bow with a sharp intensity, and released.

The arrow landed inside!

The crowd murmured in admiration.

Ji Jiaxun beamed at Yan Qing, who rewarded him with a sweet smile.

Xu Chengbo scoffed, threw his arrow, and also hit the target.

The pitch-pots were moved forward, and the competition continued.

To everyone’s surprise, both hit their targets again.

The pots were moved even closer for the tie-breaker.

Yan Qing was worried they might run out of arrows when Xu Chengbo’s arrow struck the pot’s edge and fell outside.

“Ji Jiaxun won?!!”

“We won, Brother Ji!”

“Wow, Your Highness, you lost this time?”

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Some congratulated Ji Jiaxun, while others laughed and chatted about the event.

For most, it was just a friendly competition between hot-headed youths.

Ji Jiaxun was overjoyed, bouncing over to Yan Qing, “I won!”

Yan Qing ruffled his hair, “Yes, you did. Very impressive.”

Ji Jiaxun blushed slightly, eyeing her lips but held back, aware of the crowd. He turned his attention to Xu Chengbo, “Now, hand over the deed to the suburban manor.”

Xu Chengbo, looking sour, begrudgingly handed over the deed, glaring at Ji Jiaxun.

He had trained hard while Ji Jiaxun had been playing around, but still lost.

Ji Jiaxun didn’t care about Xu Chengbo’s glare. He handed the deed to Yan Qing, looking for praise.

With nothing else to do, Yan Qing took the deed and instructed Ji Jiaxun to behave. Then, she joined the other ladies back to the inner courtyard.

—

The banquet ended late, but Yan Qing still visited the Princess’s courtyard.

Ji Jiaxun followed her, and Yan Qing shared everything she had seen and thought today.

To gain the Marquis of Pingwu couple’s trust, Yan Qing had been inactive for two months. Now, she began to take action, hoping not to raise suspicion.

She spoke carefully, sharing her thoughts and considerations.

Ji Jiaxun hadn’t expected his wife to discuss this with his parents. His handsome face looked puzzled, “Qing Qing, how did you know all this?”

Yan Qing smiled patiently, “Think a bit more, and you’ll understand.”

Marquis of Pingwu smacked his son’s head, “Idiot!”

The Princess remained calm but attentive.

Ji Jiaxun, nursing his head, moved closer to Yan Qing.

Marquis of Pingwu softened his tone, “You make good points. But why do you think the Fourth Prince is the right choice?”

Yan Qing smiled wryly, “Because there’s no one else suitable.”

“Why not consider the Third Prince?” Marquis of Pingwu asked, curious.

Yan Qing explained, “The current stability of Great Yan requires a guardian emperor. The Third Prince is too ruthless, even committing city massacres. If he becomes emperor, offending him would have dire consequences. He also holds some military power. If the emperor makes him the heir, his power will grow, making Marquis of Pingwu a target. Today’s incident might even be orchestrated by the emperor.”

After all, who else could command the son of a prince?

Marquis of Pingwu, though straightforward, understood quickly when someone explained things. He nodded, “Let’s meet him first.”

This meant he agreed.

Yan Qing calmly nodded, feeling assured now that they had discussed it. She excused herself.

Ji Jiaxun quickly followed, still grumbling, “Qing Qing, why didn’t you tell me directly? I didn’t know anything. It’s a good thing I won today, sigh…”

Yan Qing squinted at him, “Are you complaining?”

Ji Jiaxun’s back stiffened, shaking his head frantically, “No, no! Just saying!”

“Good boy.” Yan Qing patted his head, smiling. “Want to go shopping with me tomorrow?”

“Sure!” Ji Jiaxun instantly forgot his earlier frustration, smiling like a fool.

—

The next morning, after breakfast, they leisurely strolled through the streets, accompanied by their servants, without taking a carriage.

They bought and tasted various snacks, Yan Qing feeding Ji Jiaxun most of them.

Ji Jiaxun, eager to avoid waste, ate everything offered and kept pointing out more things, “Qing Qing, want to try this?”

“This is good too. I’ve had it before.”

Yan Qing nodded and bought whatever he pointed at.

They enjoyed their time together while they could.

Many vendors offered their goods for free, recognizing Ji Jiaxun, who accepted them with familiarity.

Seeing this, Yan Qing didn’t stop them and joined in the enjoyment.

Their display of affection surprised many who recognized them.

Most recognized Ji Jiaxun, known throughout the capital, and thus recognized Yan Qing by association.

They overheard some conversations.

“Indeed, marrying a virtuous wife is a blessing. Look at the Prime Minister’s daughter. She must have been well-taught. Now the young lord is so well-behaved.”

“Right, see how different he is now?”

“He looks stronger, too.”

“Exactly! Even his demeanor has changed! The Prime Minister sure knows how to raise children.”

Yan Qing laughed, thinking the Fourth Prince was right. Times really had changed.

Ji Jiaxun whispered, “Qing Qing, they’re all praising you.”

“They’re praising you too.” Yan Qing smiled, holding his hand.

This silly boy was a rarity in this male-dominated society. Being so obedient to his wife, and now even accustomed to it, without any complaints. Yan Qing truly felt they were praising him. Without his cooperation, no matter how capable Yan Qing was, he would have resented her, and there wouldn’t be such a harmonious scene.

“They’re praising us both!” Ji Jiaxun grinned, squeezing her hand tighter.

In public, they couldn’t do much more, so Ji Jiaxun settled for holding hands and feeding his wife.

Having a wife was wonderful.

Shi Yibin and two others happened to pass by and paused, hesitating whether to approach. Qi Haolin pulled them back, “Let’s not disturb them.”

The other two understood and quietly detoured, whispering, “Brother Ji has changed so much. Didn’t he once say he didn’t want to marry that woman and couldn’t stand being with her?”

“Tsk tsk…”

Yan Qing and Ji Jiaxun didn’t notice them. After a while, they passed by Drunken Immortal Pavilion. Yan Qing suggested, “Shall we go in and rest for a bit?”

“Sure.” Ji Jiaxun obediently nodded.

They went upstairs and chose a private room.

Inside, they found the Fourth Prince drinking tea. Seeing them, he stood up, “Please, have a seat.”