Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Female Lead is Too Arrogant - Chapter 6

Yan Qing… was momentarily blinded by the light in the main hall.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Supported by someone, she took her seat at the head of the hall, looking down at the women on either side with varying expressions. Her gaze carried a hint of contemplation as she wondered which of these women had bullied the original owner.

These consorts wore smiling faces, but their eyes were filled with scrutiny and vigilance. However, their fatigue was still evident.

Waiting from around six to almost eight in the morning, though less than two hours, was exhausting for these pampered women.

Hence, they all appeared tired, and their makeup was quite smudged.

None of them had left, however.

They had no choice, as their ranks were not as high as Yan Qing’s.

As soon as Yan Qing sat down, the women immediately knelt. “Greetings to the Noble Consort…”

Their voices were melodious, even in unison, possessing the unique charm of ancient girls.

Yan Qing smiled amiably, her hoarse voice sounding like it was rubbing against sandpaper, “Rise. It must have been hard for you all to come and greet me so early.”

Some thought that the Emperor was indeed merciless. Others believed this might already be the Emperor’s way of showing leniency. But after hearing the whole sentence, their expressions turned stiff. Indeed, it was hard work. If not for her, would they have to wait so long?

Consort De, the most indignant, had never suffered such humiliation. She had been waiting so long her backside hurt. Her gaze fell on the faint bruises on Yan Qing’s neck, barely concealed by silk, and she sneered, “Your Grace, you have quite the demeanor, making us wait for almost an hour. One might think you were exhausted from serving the Emperor.”

Despite still bearing injuries from the previous day, Yan Qing dared to act arrogantly. The bruises were from the Emperor, no less!

Everyone knew the current Emperor rarely indulged in women and seldom visited the harem. He hadn’t touched any woman.

This was a reminder to Yan Qing that, like them, she had not truly been accepted by the Emperor. Acting arrogant now was premature.

Yan Qing smiled warmly, but her words were sharp, “Did I make you wait?”

Consort De was stunned, feigning a bitter smile, “You didn’t say so, but you are the Noble Consort, and we are of lower rank…”

Yan Qing interrupted her, her voice cold, “If you know your rank is lower, then keep quiet.”

“Hiss—” Someone gasped, shocked at the woman’s harsh words.

The women trembled, while Consort Xian hesitated for a moment before speaking.

Then… she was also rebuffed.

In no time, the hall was filled with the Noble Consort’s raspy voice, harshly retorting the delicate girls, making them blush and even cry.

From then on, the Noble Consort became the second most unapproachable figure in the palace.

****

“Crash, crash—” The sound of shattering porcelain echoed continuously.

In Consort De’s Yonghe Palace, the noise of breaking porcelain lasted for a quarter of an hour before stopping. Then a woman’s sharp, angry voice screamed, “Ahhhh!”

“Your Grace, please calm down!” Qing He knelt on the ground, not daring to move. Surrounding her were shards of porcelain. One wrong move could injure her knees severely.

“Calm down?” Consort De sneered. “How can I calm down? Yan Qing dares to act so brazenly, just because of the Emperor’s favor?”

Qing He kept her head down, a chill running down her spine. She didn’t dare speak, but she had to say something. Thinking quickly, she said, “Your Grace, the Noble Consort may be dominant in the harem for now, but there’s still a higher authority above her!”

Consort De’s face darkened. “You mean the Empress Dowager, who usually doesn’t interfere?”

Qing He chuckled softly, “The Empress Dowager may seem uninvolved, but how do you think Consort Xian rose to her position?”

Consort De, reminded, quickly understood.

The Emperor was generous with titles, but not to just anyone. Most were closely tied to the previous dynasty, except for Consort Xian, whose elevation was due to the Empress Dowager’s intervention, with the Emperor’s indifference.

“You’re suggesting Consort Xian?” Consort De asked.

Qing He nodded. “Your Grace, today the Noble Consort offended not just us.”

Consort De composed herself, nodded slowly, and said, “Prepare to visit Yongxiang Palace.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Indeed, upon arriving at Consort Xian’s palace, they saw several maids carrying broken porcelain shards away, indicating a recent cleanup.

Clearly, Consort Xian was not in a good mood either.

Just now, the newly arrived Noble Consort had kept the ladies waiting for nearly an hour, which was bearable. But the real humiliation was her sharp tongue, making everyone feel choked.

Consort De mentioned the lower rank, and Yan Qing seized on that point, silencing her. Consort Xian tried to mention the influence of the former Prime Minister, but Yan Qing shut her down as well. Indeed, in the previous dynasty, the Prime Minister Yan was the most powerful among civil officials, and Prince Gong, who held military power, was also highly respected. No one else could stand up to these two figures.

Especially since Prince Gong and the Prime Minister seemed to have a good relationship.

With the two highest-ranking consorts silenced, the remaining consorts could only flatter Yan Qing.

However, even those who tried to flatter her weren’t always met with a warm reception. Yan Qing still retorted sharply, making two of them cry, and even reprimanded and confined them for misconduct.

Her authority was such that unless the consorts had thick skin, they all went back to their palaces fuming.

When Consort De arrived, Consort Xian had just finished freshening up to greet her, a forced smile on her face. “Sister, you’re here. Please have a seat.”

Consort De smirked. “Let’s skip the pleasantries. I have something to discuss with you.”

Consort Xian maintained her smile. “I know. Shuang Shuang, please leave us.”

“Yes, Your Highness.” Consort Xian’s personal maid, Shuang Shuang, nodded and led everyone out of the room.

Consort Xian then said, “You’re here because of the Empress Dowager, right?”

Receiving a dignified look from Consort De, Consort Xian’s eyes briefly showed disdain, but she continued smiling. “I can talk to the Empress Dowager, but this little show of authority by the Noble Consort isn’t enough to make her act. Some matters, Sister, will require your assistance.”

Consort De frowned, instinctively looking around, but Qing He had already left. She could only ask, “What matters?”

Consort Xian replied, “The two concubines who were confined by the Noble Consort are said to be delicate and fell ill soon after entering the palace. This recent shock would surely make them even more ill, and if anything happens to them…”

****

While this discussion was taking place, Yan Qing was welcoming the martial arts teacher she had been eagerly awaiting.

Seeing Zhu Yin before her, Yan Qing was amazed. At a glance, she could tell that this woman was different from the other ladies. She tentatively reached out, “May I touch your arm?”

Zhu Yin, hearing her voice, looked puzzled but nodded.

The girl in the light yellow palace dress smiled with delight and carefully ran over, touching Zhu Yin’s arm like a curious child.

It was firm, solid, and without excess fat.

Yan Qing admired her greatly and immediately cupped her hands. “Please teach me martial arts.”

Zhu Yin was taken aback. “You want to learn martial arts?”

“Yes!” Yan Qing nodded cheerfully. “This is the imperial palace. Even if you know martial arts, it’s not very useful here due to your status. It’s better if I learn it myself.”

Zhu Yin hesitated. “Learning martial arts is very tiring.”

“No problem, I’m not afraid!” Yan Qing croaked, then began coughing.

Zi Yun, worried, brought over a cup of warm water.

Yan Qing took a sip, suppressing the itch in her throat, and looked at Zhu Yin with bright, eager eyes.

Zhu Yin felt uncomfortable under her gaze and nodded woodenly. “Alright.”

After all, she was here to teach. If the Noble Consort wanted to learn, she would teach. If she couldn’t keep up, so be it.

After arranging things with Zhu Yin, she had her led away to rest.

Turning around, she saw Zi Yun with red eyes.

Feeling a slight headache, she gently coaxed her, “Zi Yun, when you return to the Prime Minister’s residence, remember to take good care of my father. He’s getting old and has many social engagements…”

“Yes.” Zi Yun, hearing her hoarse voice, began to cry again, but the bitterness in her heart lessened.

At least her mistress still remembered her. It was only because of the palace rules that she couldn’t stay with her.

“Your Grace, please don’t speak anymore. Be careful with your throat.” Zi Yun gently helped her sit down. “Your Grace, Zi Yun will listen to your instructions and take good care of the Prime Minister.”

“Thank you.” Yan Qing said sincerely.

***

Zi Yun left.

She departed with the people who had escorted Zhu Yin over, crying the whole way.

But there was no helping it, her mistress was ruthless.

After seeing Zi Yun off, Yan Qing immediately tested Zhu Yin’s abilities. “If you had to escape from the palace, could you do it successfully?”

Zhu Yin hesitated and then said, “Under normal circumstances, if I’m careful and alone, it’s possible. But it’s impossible without alerting anyone.”

In other words, she couldn’t take any baggage with her.

Yan Qing understood. This reassurance was enough for her.

She clapped her hands. “Once my injuries heal in a couple of days, we’ll start training. For now, you can rest and make a plan for me.”

“Yes.” Zhu Yin responded stiffly.

She was assigned to live in a side hall of the sleeping quarters, previously occupied by Zi Yun.

It was quite spacious, with bookshelves, a desk, and other furniture, much like a single bedroom in modern times.

Zhu Yin was even more suitable for her than Zi Yun. She did as she was told without asking questions. Even when she saw the wounds on Yan Qing’s neck, she didn’t say anything, just followed the instruction to keep it from the Prime Minister.

Whether or not the Prime Minister would find out, Yan Qing didn’t know.

She had only heard that Ji Yecheng’s imperial guards were extremely skilled, keeping the imperial city tightly guarded. No news from the front palace or the harem could get out unless the consorts sent letters, which were also inspected by the Emperor’s people. Therefore, unless gossip was deliberately spread, no one would know.

This was Ji Yecheng’s rule. No one could interfere in his private life. Thus, aside from the consorts themselves, no one knew that Ji Yecheng had yet to favor any woman.

Even the consorts didn’t know who Ji Yecheng had actually been with in the palace.

Yan Qing was also unaware. She just assumed that this was an Emperor who wasn’t particularly fond of women. It was normal for Ji Yecheng not to touch her; he had married her simply to provoke Song Yu. More accurately, it was to retaliate against him.

—

Within a couple of days, Yan Qing’s throat had not yet healed when she heard that two of the consorts she had rebuked most severely had fallen ill.

When Yan Qing heard this news, she was quite surprised. She hadn’t realized her words could have such an effect.

However, these two women had brought it upon themselves.

The two who fell ill were Consort Yu and Consort Xie. Their family backgrounds were average, and they weren’t particularly favored, but they had been given the title of consort because they had been with Ji Yecheng for a long time.

In her past life, they had colluded with Yan Jing, and the reason for this was Ji Yecheng’s striking appearance. He wasn’t interested in women, and the only person he treated specially was Yan Qing. Despite all the mistakes Yan Qing made, Ji Yecheng allowed them, showing her unique status in his heart.

This special treatment caused dissatisfaction, leading them to scheme against her at a banquet. They used the Prime Minister’s protégé, the newly appointed top scholar Jia Heng, who admired the original Yan Qing. They got him drunk and drugged, using him to frame her. When he awoke, he was ready to take his own life to protect Yan Qing’s honor, but before he could, Ji Yecheng and others burst in and caught them.

Although the original Yan Qing didn’t intend to deal with them, considering they were pitiful in their own right, knowing they wouldn’t meet a good end when the country fell, Yan Qing thought it was only fair to seek some justice for the original owner. Despite her own mistakes, she had only ever fought back when forced, never harming anyone in the harem. It was only because she didn’t love the Emperor.

She snorted, “Serves them right.”

Just as she finished speaking, a familiar, slightly deep male voice said, “I heard the Noble Consort caused some trouble?”

Yan Qing jumped up, glaring at the eunuchs behind Ji Yecheng. “Why didn’t you announce his arrival?”

“…Your Grace, the Emperor didn’t allow it.”

Ji Yecheng leisurely sat on the couch, his handsome brows slightly furrowed. “Is your throat still not healed? What’s wrong with the imperial physicians?”

Jiang Wende hurriedly knelt to plead, “Your Majesty, the imperial physicians have been attending to her for the past two days, but Her Grace’s neck injury is quite severe…”

Ji Yecheng rubbed his nose, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes. The woman before him croaked coldly, “If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be like this! Don’t pretend to be kind!”

She was still angry. In her previous life and this one, no one had dared to lay a hand on her, but he had bullied her several times. This grudge was one she couldn’t swallow, even in death. Unfortunately, attempting assassination would implicate the entire Prime Minister’s household.

Despite her ferocity, Ji Yecheng found it hard to get angry. Glancing at her exposed neck, which was no longer swollen but still bruised, the surrounding skin was fair and translucent, making the bruises look even more shocking.

He looked at her with amusement, a playful glint in his eye, and suddenly reached out, pulling her into his cool embrace.

Caught off guard, Yan Qing fell into his arms. She tried to struggle, but he pressed down on her shoulder blades, leaving her powerless and limp in his grasp.

Ji Yecheng felt a flicker of discomfort but quickly suppressed it, saying lightly, “To make amends, I’ll personally apply the medicine for you.”

Yan Qing’s eyelid twitched, and she angrily retorted, “Get lost!”

The eunuchs and maids, who had been delighted by the Emperor and their mistress’s interaction, were so frightened by her outburst that they all knelt, their legs giving way. “Your Majesty, please forgive us!”

Ji Yecheng did not leave, but his face darkened considerably. His hand, which had just reached her neck, almost moved to strangle her. If he broke her delicate neck, no one would dare to say things he didn’t want to hear.

As Emperor, he had lowered himself to personally help her apply medicine, and she dared to refuse?

Was it only Song Yu she wouldn’t refuse?

Ji Yecheng’s twisted thoughts grew more intense.

Song Yu, always Song Yu!

He would kill him one day!

But as his hand touched her warm skin, he remembered the feeling from when he had injured her before, and his heart trembled. He didn’t press down, instead saying coldly, “What I decide to do, no one can oppose!”

He turned his head, “Bring the medicine.”

“Yes.” Jiang Wende promptly obeyed, handing over the external ointment.

Ji Yecheng glanced at it and was about to use it when he suddenly asked, “Which is better, this or Gold Jade Balm?”

Jiang Wende was taken aback. No one had considered that. He replied, “Naturally, Gold Jade Balm is better.”

Both were for treating external injuries, but Gold Jade Balm was far superior. However, it was so expensive that even the imperial physicians wouldn’t prescribe it, and few could afford it.

With a look from Ji Yecheng, Jiang Wende quickly ran off, but just as he took two steps, Yan Qing called out, “Wait, I have some of that Gold Jade Balm here.”

Yan Qing’s face darkened as she spoke, and Jiang Wende immediately stopped and directed a maid to fetch it.

She didn’t want to stay with Ji Yecheng any longer. She remembered all the grudges from their first encounter in the imperial garden on her first day in this world.

Ji Yecheng sneered, “Haven’t used it up yet?”

Yan Qing remained silent.

She moved uncomfortably, but Ji Yecheng’s hold was firm. The cold embrace gradually warmed from her presence, his subtle scent of dragon musk mixed with the scent of a grown man made her avert her eyes uncomfortably.

She pressed her lips tightly together, catching glimpses of his chin out of the corner of her eye.

He seemed to be quite clean, his attire immaculate, and even his chin was clean-shaven with just a hint of a blue shadow.

His lips were rather thin, their color a tender red, as if lightly painted with a pale pink balm, adding an element of delicate beauty to his handsome features.

Yan Qing steadied herself, not daring to look any further.

This man, despite being a villain, was strikingly handsome, a rare beauty among men, which explained why so many consorts were infatuated with him.

In just a few breaths, Yan Qing felt as if a century had passed. She couldn’t break free, especially under the intense gaze of his dark eyes, which seemed to see through her. This filled her with panic and some fleeting thoughts.

Finally, Jiang Wende presented the Gold Jade Balm.

Ji Yecheng then looked away, extending a hand to scoop a bit of the pale green ointment and applied it to Yan Qing’s neck.

“Hiss—” The Gold Jade Balm was cool, and its sudden application made Yan Qing shiver.

Ji Yecheng’s lips tightened, his expression serious as he applied the medicine. When Yan Qing tried to move, he held her even tighter.

He was a man with a strong need for control.

Yan Qing, with a blank expression, tilted her neck to let him apply the medicine.

After about a quarter of an hour, her neck was fully treated, and the small bottle of Gold Jade Balm was used up. Ji Yecheng released his hold on her.

With her strength restored, Yan Qing’s eyes flashed, and she threw a punch right at his nose.

No matter the consequences, she wanted revenge first!

“Hiss—” Ji Yecheng, caught off guard, felt sharp pain in his nose. His eyes turned cold as he grabbed her slender wrist, immobilizing her. Then, with his other hand, he quickly gripped her elbow. A faint cracking sound was heard, and Yan Qing’s face turned pale. She fell to the ground, her dislocated left arm pressed painfully, cold sweat streaming down as she gasped, the pain making her scalp tingle.

The watching palace maids and eunuchs felt a sympathetic pain in their own arms.

Ji Yecheng, face dark and nose red, watched as Jiang Wende hurriedly ran off to fetch the imperial physician. The surrounding people were so scared they wished they could bury themselves in the ground.

Ji Yecheng scanned the room, and when he saw no one dared to look at him, his expression softened a bit. He took two steps forward, crouched down, and looked at Yan Qing’s pale, pained face. He raised an eyebrow and maliciously grabbed her elbow again. “Does this feel good?”