Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Female Lead is Too Arrogant - Chapter 5

Those who dared to serve Ji Yecheng in the palace were not naive saints; on the contrary, each one had considerable cunning.

Take Consort Xian, for example. Her family background was quite ordinary, but she had managed to attain her current position through her own shrewdness. At least, Empress Dowager Jiang had treated her very well, and it was she who had helped her secure her rank. Watching many women fawn over Ji Yecheng and meet their demise, she had long since learned to stay quietly in her place, waiting for the emperor’s favor.

Even though… so far, no woman had actually been touched.

At this time, the palace was relatively calm, with everyone resigned to their fate.

But this balance was disrupted recently when the Prime Minister’s daughter was married into the palace as a Noble Consort with the same ceremony as the Empress. Compared to the women who had entered the palace in a simple sedan chair, Yan Qing had already amassed all their ire.

Yesterday was the wedding, and this morning, they were supposed to pay their respects and meet the Prime Minister’s daughter. However, when they arrived at Lingyun Palace, dressed meticulously and accompanied by servants, they were stopped by the eunuchs guarding the entrance. The emperor had decreed that no one was allowed to enter or leave Lingyun Palace.

This was clearly the emperor protecting her!

The other concubines ground their teeth in jealousy, but they could only return to their quarters in defeat.

Who would have thought that in less than an hour, the person in question would come out herself?

And cause such a huge commotion in front of the emperor!

It’s truly a blessing to have a good father.

Consort Xian felt a mix of envy, jealousy, and pity for a while, but then she looked down on the Noble Consort, thinking that having a good father made her less of a threat.

Meanwhile, in Consort De’s Yonghe Palace.

Consort De, who came from a decent background, had been sent to Ji Yecheng’s residence by her insightful father when he was still a prince. This proved to be the right move, as she was promoted from a concubine to a consort and recently to a Consort De, elevating her family’s status in the process.

In the palace, Consort De had no real rivals. Consort Xian, with her less prestigious background, was not a threat.

However, just as she was feeling triumphant, Yan Qing entered the palace.

Like most in the palace, she was highly vigilant, especially after Ji Yecheng began protecting Yan Qing.

Before, Ji Yecheng had planned to bring Yan Qing into the palace as a beauty, likely as a smokescreen to appease the ministers. After Yan Qing left Lingyun Palace this morning, Consort De pondered how to eliminate her during the emperor’s decree.

Now, it seemed Yan Qing was foolish. Despite such favor, she didn’t cherish it at all. Consort De decided to help her along.

Consort De smiled gracefully, glancing at the kneeling palace maid. She waved her hand, “Continue watching. Report any news promptly and be smart about it.”

“Yes.” The maid nodded diligently. As she left, her face was revealed to be that of Hong Tao, a second-class maid from Yan Qing’s palace.

Back at Lingyun Palace

There was a chorus of wails as Yan Qing returned with her neck bruised and swollen. The entire palace staff knelt in fear.

The ones qualified to accompany her out were mainly first and second-class maids. The rest had to stay in the palace, waiting for orders.

Seeing their mistress in such a state, they all knelt, about to cry from fear.

Zi Yun was already crying.

Yan Qing comforted her briefly, but unable to speak, Zi Yun kept crying until she noticed her mistress’s stern expression. She fell silent, though her fear and unease were still evident.

At this moment, Qing Shan came to report, “Your Grace, His Majesty has ordered the eunuchs guarding the palace to leave.”

Yan Qing was pleased. The restrictions had been lifted. Now, the schemes for faking pregnancies or vying for favor could come her way. Once framed successfully, Ji Yecheng would surely have her killed.

Unfortunately, it seemed no one in the harem was currently pregnant. Otherwise, she could have taken advantage of it.

After a while, Yan Qing ordered a meal. Feeling hungry, Zi Yun immediately ran out to arrange it.

A little later, a palace maid came in, “Your Grace, His Majesty has sent peonies. Where would you like them placed?”

Peonies?

Yan Qing’s eyes widened as she remembered the initial reason for the commotion. She looked at her hand, still stained with some green sap, recalling that the emperor had taken the peonies.

She got up, and the maids immediately helped her straighten her dress.

Once ready, Yan Qing stepped outside.

In the main hall, several eunuchs each held a pot of blooming peonies, in deep colors, pinks, and even pink and white. The sight lifted her spirits a little. She quietly instructed where to place the peonies.

Lingyun Palace fell silent as everyone remained quiet due to their mistress’s injury. Meanwhile, other parts of the palace were buzzing with a mix of joy over Yan Qing angering the emperor and fury at the arrival of the peonies.

Peonies were the national flower of the Great Qian Dynasty. The Empress’s robes were adorned with peonies. What did it mean for the emperor to send them to Yan Qing?

It was impossible not to speculate, especially since she had just angered him. Was he apologizing?

An emperor, apologizing to a concubine?

People wanted to laugh but couldn’t.

Consort De glanced at the sky. “Prepare for an early morning visit to pay respects to… Noble Consort Yan.”

“Yes.” Her personal maid, Qing He, nodded.

On the other side, after lunch, Yan Qing wrote a few words, and Zi Yun was bewildered. “Your Grace, do you mean… you want to practice martial arts?”

Yan Qing nodded seriously.

Although her current body in this time-travel didn’t need to do much besides seeking death, learning new skills would be beneficial for future travels. Besides, she also needed to pick up the embroidery skills of her original self.

However, practicing martial arts would be useful if Ji Yecheng tried to kill her again but failed, or if the other consorts dared to bully her. She could be killed by Ji Yecheng, but she would not be bullied by anyone!

Zi Yun didn’t agree with her thoughts, but her mistress was different since coming to the palace, and she dared not say anything, especially since she was about to leave.

Ji Yecheng had lifted the ban, and the letter Yan Qing wrote to her father was sent out.

It reached her father that same afternoon.

Yan Qing’s father, Prime Minister Yan, was a kind father but only to Yan Qing.

Early in his career, when Yan Qing’s father  first gained prominence, Yan Qing’s mother was timid. Suddenly arriving in the bustling capital of Chang’an, surrounded by high officials and noble people, Yan Qing’s father  was being suppressed for refusing a marriage proposal from a marquis’s daughter. As his wife, Yan Qing’s mother, who was the main reason for the refusal, was even more suppressed.

No matter what she did, people mocked her for being from a small place, for her uncouth behavior, and for holding back the Prime Minister. Despite being a top scholar, Yan Qing’s father  had been stuck in the Hanlin Academy for three years without a promotion, while the third-place scholar from the same year had already reached the fifth rank, far surpassing him.

That third-place scholar had married the marquis’s younger daughter, while Yan Qing’s father  had refused the older one. Yan Qing’s mother, feeling guilty and out of place among the noble ladies of Chang’an, soon succumbed to depression.

After Yan Qing’s mother died, Yan Qing’s father , overwhelmed by his political struggles, suddenly realized his mistakes. He vowed to rise in rank and ensure his daughter would not be looked down upon like his wife.

Yan Qing’s father  was inherently intelligent, capable of achieving the top scholar title. Over the next decade, he diligently worked his way up, aligning himself with the then-Prime Minister, gradually ascending in rank. After a few years of notable achievements, he was appointed as Minister and, a few years later, after the old Prime Minister’s sudden death, he became the Prime Minister.

Just as he was about to enjoy the prestige of having many suitors for his daughter, the former emperor passed away, and no one dared to discuss marriage. Although the current emperor didn’t mind, people were still cautious.

A year later, numerous suitors indeed came to propose marriage. Unfortunately, Yan Qing’s preferred suitor was still a county magistrate, and feeling his daughter was still young, Yan Qing’s father  did not rush her marriage.

But this delay led to the emperor’s decree, and he regretted his earlier hesitation.

In fact, Prince Gong’s family had also proposed marriage, but he had refused.

This was typical: when the man’s family proposes, it is customary for the woman’s family to refuse the first time and accept the second. Especially since his daughter was still young.

Therefore, upon hearing that his daughter, who had been in the palace for just a few days, had sent a letter, the Prime Minister, despite the previous day’s festivities, was instantly energized. He rubbed his eyes and carefully opened the letter.

But after reading it, he was puzzled.

The handwriting was indeed his daughter’s, but the request seemed out of character.

Due to his early neglect, his daughter had been timid, much like her mother. Fortunately, he had realized this in time and hired a governess to correct this, making her a more composed young lady. Yet, now she wanted to learn martial arts?

The Prime Minister’s first thought was that his daughter was being bullied.

But it was the emperor’s harem, and the Prime Minister couldn’t interfere, especially since the emperor detested any attempts to influence his actions, often leading to demotions or exile. His daughter still needed his support, so the Prime Minister didn’t want to cause trouble.

After pondering for a while, he concluded that since the letter was allowed to be sent out, the emperor must have permitted it. He thought for a moment and then called, “Someone, bring Zhu Yin here.”

“Yes.” His trusted aide nodded immediately.

Soon, a young woman in her twenties appeared. She was slender but not frail, dressed in tight-fitting clothes that highlighted her muscular physique. Her skin was tanned but healthy, with defined muscles on her arms, a rare sight in that era.

With thick eyebrows that gave her an air of determination, she knelt upon arrival. “Greetings, Prime Minister.”

The Prime Minister smiled with satisfaction. He had prepared Zhu Yin for his daughter’s protection. If anyone in her future husband’s family dared to bully her, Zhu Yin would step in. However, he hadn’t dared to send her into the palace, fearing it might cause trouble for his daughter.

But now, it seemed acceptable.

“You can probably guess why I’ve summoned you,” the Prime Minister said.

Zhu Yin nodded calmly. “Is it because of the young lady?”

The Prime Minister nodded. “She’s my only daughter, and I treasure her greatly. You were prepared for her protection. Are you willing to enter the palace now?”

“I will protect her with my life,” Zhu Yin replied firmly.

Her life belonged to the Prime Minister, and protecting his daughter was her duty.

The Prime Minister was even more pleased. “Tomorrow, you will enter the palace and replace Zi Yun. From now on, you serve my daughter.”

“Yes.”

After Zhu Yin left, the room fell silent again.

The Prime Minister’s eyes, usually bright with intelligence, showed a hint of melancholy. Though his daughter had been quiet and reserved, she used to care for him, unlike now, in this silence.

As a scholar who valued propriety, he had strictly controlled the concubines in his household, ensuring no one dared to appear before him unexpectedly. Now that Yan Qing was gone, he felt a profound loneliness.

However, this thought only lasted for a moment. He quickly gathered his spirits. With his daughter in the perilous harem, he needed to work even harder to protect her.

Yet, thinking of Ji Yecheng’s unpredictable and decisive nature, he felt a bit worried.

****

The Harem of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Before Zhu Yin arrived, the women of the harem had already made their moves.

Early the next morning, around five or six in the morning, Yan Qing was still in a daze when she heard the palace maids’ report: “Your Grace, Consort De, Consort Xian, and Consort Yu… have all come to pay their respects.”

It was Zi Yun speaking, her face filled with distress as she looked at her mistress, whose neck was even more bruised and shocking after a night’s rest. These people were undoubtedly here to mock her mistress. Zi Yun was angry and helpless, not knowing what to do, and she was so anxious that she broke into a sweat.

Even though the morning air was quite cool in late spring, her anxiety was evident from the sweat on her forehead.

Only now did she realize that the emperor’s decree yesterday, forbidding entry and exit from Lingyun Palace, might have been to protect her mistress.

Thinking this, her resentment towards Ji Yecheng lessened slightly.

However, the immediate issue was more pressing.

Hearing her voice, Yan Qing waved her hand nonchalantly, drawing the curtains back and continuing to sleep.

Zi Yun: “…”

She was nearly driven mad by her mistress’s stubbornness, but she dared not say a word.

In the main hall, a dozen women were chatting lively, but due to the soundproofing and the distance from the sleeping quarters to the main hall, the noise didn’t reach.

Zi Yun hesitated, taking a few steps towards the door, only to see a maid standing hesitantly at the entrance.

Seeing her, the maid’s eyes lit up.

“Zi Yun, has Your Grace woken up?” The maid looked at her as if seeing a savior. “The consorts are urging!”

Zi Yun shook her head with a distressed look. “No, she’s still sleeping. I don’t dare to disturb her.”

The maid’s face fell, whispering, “But if this gets out, people will say that our mistress is arrogant because of the emperor’s favor. That wouldn’t be good for her reputation.”

Zi Yun was about to nod in agreement but then remembered her mistress’s recent behavior. She swallowed her excuses and said dryly, “She is the Noble Consort. Does she need to fear them?”

Seeing the maid’s stunned expression, Zi Yun added seriously, “Remember, you serve the Noble Consort. There’s no need to fear anyone.”

The maid was dumbfounded. “Yes…”

She had just wanted to avoid making her mistress wait so long, thinking it would be embarrassing. Her mistress had hinted several times to come and urge Zi Yun.

Now, hearing Zi Yun’s words, she was speechless. This Noble Consort was quite bold, asserting her authority so soon after entering the palace.

…

Yan Qing wasn’t concerned about asserting authority. She simply didn’t take these people seriously.

In the original owner’s memory, these palace women had bullied her, though they feared the Prime Minister and only dared to act in secret.

With the Prime Minister’s presence, they had managed to harm her.

The original owner had been genuinely naive and timid, afraid to resist and unaware of the intricate palace politics, suffering many secret losses. But Yan Qing couldn’t care less about such things now.

She just wanted to live comfortably. After all, she was going to die eventually, so she might as well enjoy herself while she could.

So she slept until after seven, then lazed in bed for a while before finally getting up because she couldn’t sleep any longer.

Zi Yun, having waited so long, was now completely calm. She even held up several outfits and asked, “Your Grace, which one would you like to wear today?”

Yan Qing thoughtfully chose a pale yellow palace dress embroidered with vibrant red flowers, adding a touch of liveliness to its elegant design. “This one.”

Her throat still hurt when she spoke, her voice hoarse but much better than yesterday when she could barely make a sound. With some effort, she could speak clearly.

Indeed, the medicine from the Imperial Medical Bureau was miraculous.

Being able to speak meant she could confront others.

Zi Yun, hearing her voice, sighed in relief and whispered, “The imperial physician is indeed the best doctor in the land.”

Yan Qing, in a good mood, was attended to by the maids for her morning routine. One dressed her in layers, while Zi Yun did her hair, and two other maids applied her makeup.

Everything was well-organized.

When she was finally ready, breakfast was served.

Yan Qing insisted on this; she didn’t have the energy to chat with that group on an empty stomach.

After a bowl of porridge and a pancake, Yan Qing, supported by Zi Yun, slowly made her way outside.

…

The bright morning sunlight illuminated the grand hall.

Yan Qing squinted against the light and walked in.

Upon seeing the elegant figure in light yellow appear, the previously drowsy women were instantly alert, their eyes filled with challenge, only for their expressions to freeze.

No wonder the emperor treated her differently.

Royalty didn’t choose women based solely on looks but also on character and ability.

Among them were talented scholars, skilled dancers, and gifted artists. The most beautiful were simply young ladies from noble families.

Seeing the woman walking towards them, they felt an impending threat.

She was slender and graceful, her face slightly pale, but the makeup accentuated her striking features. Her lips were painted red, vibrant yet delicate, her long black hair cascading down her back, revealing her full face without any bangs, exuding a fearless confidence. Her clear, bright eyes seemed to glisten, captivating those who met her gaze.

This demeanor could make any man fall for her.

Furthermore, the faint bruises on her neck didn’t make her look defeated; instead, they added a touch of vulnerability.

A formidable opponent!

This was the first thought that flashed through the minds of the women upon seeing Yan Qing. Their expressions tightened.