Quick Transmigration: The Supporting Female Lead is Too Arrogant - Chapter 7

What do you mean it feels good?!

Her elbow was already injured, and being grabbed again was excruciating!

Yan Qing’s eyes turned red, but she stubbornly held back her tears, glaring at Ji Yecheng with pursed lips. Her elbow hurt so much she didn’t dare speak, afraid that if she opened her mouth, she would cry.

Ji Yecheng, seeing her like this, felt somewhat satisfied. His anger from being punched dissipated, and he patted her pale face mockingly. “Behave yourself, or I have plenty of ways to torment you.”

Yan Qing exhaled slowly, trying to suppress her anger. But she couldn’t hold back, and looking at Ji Yecheng’s face, she spat out, “Ji Yecheng, you bastard! Lunatic! If you have the guts, kill me! Stop torturing me like this—”

Before she finished, Ji Yecheng dislocated her other arm. Hearing the familiar cracking sound, he even helped massage it, his expression strangely gentle. His beautiful fingers rested on her knee, and he whispered, “Want to try how it feels to have this dislocated too?”

Yan Qing reflexively thought of the continuous pain from the two dislocations, her lips trembling, eyes finally showing a hint of fear. She murmured, “Just kill me! Why won’t you kill me!”

“I don’t want to kill you for now,” Ji Yecheng said, sitting back and leisurely picking up a cup of tea.

Want to die?

As long as he didn’t allow it, she couldn’t even die.

Yan Qing felt darkness encroaching on her vision, her body swaying as if she was being targeted by a demon.

This lunatic!

Knowing she was at a disadvantage and provoking him further would only lead to more injuries, Yan Qing closed her eyes, calming the rage inside her.

Hong Tao quickly crawled over to help her up.

Yan Qing stood with her support, glancing at the others who were still kneeling.

Ji Yecheng, for his part, didn’t pay attention to these details. When Hong Tao came over, he ignored her.

Too timid.

She rasped, “Take me back to my quarters.”

“Yes.” Hong Tao, gathering her courage, responded. She glanced at the Emperor, who was looking at his fingers and not at them, and hurried her steps.

Only after the imperial physician arrived did she emerge. A dislocation wasn’t a major issue, just painful. After setting the bone, the physician prescribed some medicine for her weak constitution.

As for Ji Yecheng, the physician found his nose only slightly swollen. Applying the Gold Jade Balm made it quickly subside.

Yan Qing’s punch had been too weak to cause significant damage.

Ji Yecheng glanced at her quarters once more before leaving Lingyun Palace without a backward glance.

It was only upon leaving Lingyun Palace that he remembered why he had come.

The Empress Dowager had sent word that the Noble Consort was too arrogant, having insulted a group of consorts on her second day in the palace and frightening two of them into illness.

The imperial harem was under Ji Yechen’s control. He was well aware of the situation involving these two concubines. Only he knew the details, so he decided to come and see Yan Qing’s reaction. Unexpectedly, upon arrival, this woman completely disturbed his state of mind, making him forget his original purpose.

Ji Yechen slightly curved his lips, lazily leaning against the sedan chair.

Twelve eunuchs carried him steadily.

Suddenly, the sedan chair stopped.

Ji Yechen slightly lifted his eyelids. Jiang Wende, cooperating, opened the curtain, revealing a young girl kneeling in the middle of the road. Behind her were several palace maids, indicating she was a concubine.

“Your Majesty, this concubine, Liu Shi, greets you,” the woman said, lifting her head to reveal her delicate features with a smile.

Jiang Wende cautiously glanced at the emperor’s reaction, seeing him close his eyes disinterestedly. He immediately shouted, “How dare you block His Majesty’s path? Drag her away!”

“Your Majesty, this concubine didn’t mean to…” Liu Shi’s face changed dramatically. This wasn’t what she had expected. She panicked, trying to explain, but she was already being dragged away. Jiang Wende’s men expertly covered her mouth and quickly removed her.

Her voice, sharp and full of panic, rang out, close enough for Ji Yechen to hear clearly. His temples throbbed with pain. The good mood from leaving the Lingyun Palace vanished, replaced by the anger from Yan Qing hitting his nose. He coldly ordered, “Thirty lashes!”

“Yes!” Jiang Wende, familiar with such commands, immediately responded and went to relay the order.

The woman, hearing this, was terrified and struggled desperately, her eyes wide with fear. It was impossible! The emperor couldn’t be so heartless!

Seeing her unspoken disbelief, Jiang Wende kindly warned, “Stop struggling, or you’ll anger His Majesty further, and he’ll have you executed.”

The woman froze, her eyes filled with terror as she looked at Jiang Wende, not daring to move again.

Jiang Wende shook his head. Not everyone could be like the noble concubine, provoking the emperor without facing severe consequences. Even when she was punished, it was lenient.

He hurried back to the emperor’s side, closely observing the supreme ruler’s every move.

Thirty lashes were severe. A woman, after such a beating, surviving would be considered fortunate, especially after being so terrified.

She had thought encountering the emperor’s sedan chair was an opportunity. Having been in the palace for a long time without seeing him, she couldn’t resist trying her luck. But this mistake cost her dearly.

The news of this woman’s punishment spread throughout the harem by the end of the day, making everyone fearful.

The next day, she had the imperial physician attend to her.

By the third day, Liu Shi was dead.

This event shocked the entire palace, and no one dared to block the emperor’s path again. When encountering him, they tried to stay as far away as possible.

****

That night, Yan Qing, whose arm had been treated by the imperial physician, developed a high fever.

Her body was too weak. After this ordeal, she couldn’t withstand it and lay in bed, delirious, not knowing day from night, and was ill for several days.

Both arms were swollen, and she couldn’t take care of herself, needing help even to eat.

Even though the emperor sent her Gold Jade Balm, the swelling persisted for two days before subsiding.

Yan Qing felt her arms had become fragile, and she feared they might dislocate easily in the future. This thought saddened her, but at least she wouldn’t live long.

“Your Grace,” said Hong Tao, who had been promoted to a first-class maid, temporarily replacing Zi Yun. She was responsible for Yan Qing’s daily needs.

Zhu Yin, promoted to teacher, didn’t have to do anything but ensure Yan Qing’s safety and train in martial arts.

Hong Tao entered with a bowl of medicine, saying flatteringly, “Your Grace, this medicine comes from the emperor’s private store. The imperial physician was envious. He prepared this decoction himself. The emperor said if it doesn’t work, the physician will be punished.”

Yan Qing, eyes closed, smelled the bitter medicine, her face full of disgust, ignoring Hong Tao’s words.

If Ji Yechen truly cared for her, she wouldn’t be ill.

Hong Tao, puzzled by her lack of response, added, “Your Grace, the emperor treats you well. No one else in the palace gets this treatment. You shouldn’t be so stubborn.”

It was strange. The affection others sought, this noble consort repeatedly rejected, risking her life. That the emperor hadn’t killed her yet showed his favor.

To Hong Tao, the high-ranking person’s favor was enough to satisfy. Most concubines thought the same. But Yan Qing couldn’t help but be stubborn.

She never wanted the emperor’s pity.

Hong Tao wanted to say more, but Yan Qing, impatient, said hoarsely, “One more word, and you’ll be demoted to a second-class maid.”

Her voice, though hoarse, carried an oppressive weight.

Hong Tao immediately fell silent, not daring to speak again, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction.

But Yan Qing ignored her. She didn’t need to pay attention.

Beside her, Zhu Yin watched closely, strictly controlling Yan Qing’s diet.

*****

At dawn, before the sun rose and the fog dissipated, the imperial city had a hazy beauty.

However, waking at this time was far from pleasant.

Finally recovered, Yan Qing, feeling refreshed, was trying to sleep in when the noise started. Hong Tao was earnestly calling, “Your Grace, wake up.”

During her illness, Ji Yechen hadn’t visited once, knowing he was unwelcome. Yan Qing, in a better mood, realized she couldn’t just die like this and cooperated with the treatment, quickly recovering.

Yan Qing, frustrated, covered her head with the blanket and turned over.

However, Hong Tao’s voice persisted like a curse: “Your Grace, wake up.”

Suddenly, a calm and cold voice interrupted, “Your Grace, didn’t you want to practice martial arts?”

Yan Qing immediately remembered.

Yesterday, Zhu Yin had said that the plan was ready. Looking at the healing wounds on her neck and the improvement in her hoarse voice, she had agreed to start training the next day.

So, it was time for training?

Having slept in and refused the morning greeting for some time, Yan Qing immediately sat up, rubbing her warm cheeks from sleep. “I’m getting up. Prepare for washing.”

“Yes,” Hong Tao replied, pulling the curtain and calling the waiting palace maids inside.

The palace suddenly became busy.

This time, Yan Qing didn’t wear her usual elegant palace attire but instead wore practical riding clothes suitable for martial arts training. The sleeves were narrow and tight, without cumbersome outer garments. Her feet were in boots instead of embroidered shoes. Her long black hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and her fair, rosy face was without any decoration, looking as pure and beautiful as fine jade.

Once ready, Yan Qing eagerly ran out to face Zhu Yin’s rigorous training.

Horse stance.

Legs apart, bow step, back straight, arms extended and parallel, not drooping…

Several requirements, and Yan Qing’s frail body couldn’t hold out for more than a few breaths.

Zhu Yin, watching her struggle, shook her head and sighed, silently adjusting the plan to include more rest and shorter training sessions.

But surprisingly, this seemingly delicate lady persevered.

Even though she was exhausted every day, to the point of having no extra energy for thinking, she kept going.

Despite sweating profusely, she gritted her teeth and refrained from wiping it off. Every day after training, her clothes were soaked through with sweat. The next day, her muscles ached terribly, but being a noble concubine, she had many people to care for her. A single mention of pain brought the imperial physician to prescribe medicine and palace maids to massage her, alleviating her soreness.

Yan Qing found it hard to adapt, but there was no choice. She was too weak, unable even to harm Ji Yechen.

After practicing martial arts, her appearance changed noticeably. From initially weak and delicate, she now looked vibrant and graceful. Her improved complexion alone made her more pleasing to the eye.

Many people indeed favored frail beauties, even sickly ones, but a more common aesthetic was a slightly healthier look. Her bright smile, revealing white teeth and gentle, captivating eyes, her fair and rosy skin, all made her look radiant like a blooming peony, striking yet dignified.

Though only a few days had passed, and not much could change, Yan Qing’s training brought about noticeable improvement.

She felt much stronger now. If given another chance, hitting Ji Yechen’s nose wouldn’t just cause slight redness; at the very least, it would bleed.

While she was training, a palace maid reported, “Your Grace, the Empress Dowager summons you.”

Empress Dowager Jiang?

Yan Qing raised an eyebrow and stood straight, asking, “What’s the matter?”

The palace maid replied, “I heard it’s about Concubine Yu and Concubine Xie.”

Yan Qing’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that they had died?

She wasn’t sure if it was solely due to her actions. While she intended to teach them a lesson, she didn’t expect it to lead to their deaths.

The unexpected outcome made her break into a cold sweat, feeling like she might have inadvertently caused their deaths.

Hong Tao, worried, asked, “Your Grace, what should we do next?”

Yan Qing wiped the sweat from her forehead, calming herself, and said in a composed voice, “Nothing. Let’s get changed.”

Those two were the culprits who killed the original Yan Qing in her past life!

Although she felt uneasy about possibly causing their deaths, she wasn’t afraid.

However, it was puzzling. In her past life, the two of them managed to join forces and kill the original Yan Qing. How could they not handle a bit of psychological pressure now?

Moreover, during the morning greeting, although she was sharp-tongued, she didn’t insult anyone; she merely retorted from various angles.

Maybe there was more to this matter?

Yan Qing lowered her gaze, contemplating various possibilities.

“Yes,” Hong Tao nodded, efficiently leading people to help Yan Qing change clothes, though her expression was a bit strange.

She had been promoted to a first-class maid for several days, but facing her master always felt odd. Yan Qing never involved herself in palace affairs. Even when she saw a young eunuch misbehaving, she would turn a blind eye and say nothing.

Hong Tao even suspected that if someone poisoned Yan Qing, she might let it go.

This master was too indifferent, not even vying for favor. She constantly pushed it away, and even when the emperor visited occasionally, she ignored him.

Having never been treated this way, Ji Yechen didn’t mind and seemed to come just to watch her practice martial arts, sometimes even giving pointers.

Their interaction felt surreal to Hong Tao.

She doubted she was in a real palace. Where was the pampered favored concubine?

Lingyun Palace had become like a sieve, with everyone probing into its affairs.

Luckily, Zhu Yin resolved this. With her martial prowess and keen senses, she quickly identified troublemakers and straightened out the chaotic palace within a few days.

****

In the Yong’an Palace where the Empress Dowager resided.

All the concubines were gathered there, some lower-ranking ones even standing due to lack of seating.

In the grand hall, the Empress Dowager sat at the head seat. Below her on either side were Consort De and Consort Xian. Further down were several lower-ranking concubines. The sight made it clear the harem had many members.

This was Yan Qing’s first impression upon arrival.

The concubines’ first sight of her, however, was far from calm.

Despite only a few days’ absence, Yan Qing looked radiant. Even in her darker noble consorts attire, she was striking, clearly well-fed and well-rested.

Especially her face, now free of the bruises on her neck, shone with a bright, smooth complexion as if it were glowing.

For a moment, the hall fell silent, the hushed whispers ceased, and there was a few seconds of quiet.

The concubines seemed to wake from a dream, rising to greet her.

Yan Qing stood near the entrance, waiting for everyone to begin their salutations before she slowly walked in.

The hem of her long gown was held up by two eunuchs behind her. She held her head high, hands clasped over her abdomen, exuding a dignified and commanding presence.

While the concubines still awkwardly curtsied, Yan Qing reached the Empress Dowager and gracefully bowed. “Greetings to the Empress Dowager.”

Every movement was flawless.

The former empress and now Empress Dowager Jiang, only in her thirties but well-maintained to look like a woman in her twenties, examined Yan Qing with sharp eyes. She smiled, appearing kind yet pointed, and said, “Noble Consort, you carry yourself with such grandeur.”

Yan Qing accepted the compliment without flinching. “The Empress Dowager is too kind.”

When the Empress Dowager had married the late emperor, he was already in his thirties. Initially, the engagement was with her elder sister due to the powerful Jiang family’s influence. However, her sister died a year before entering the palace, and the engagement was transferred to her. Entering the palace later than planned, the political landscape had already stabilized, and the Jiang family’s influence waned. Thus, the Empress Dowager’s power was mostly in name only.

Yan Qing wasn’t afraid of the Empress Dowager. After bowing, she rose without waiting for the slow command to stand, unlike the other concubines who remained kneeling.

Yan Qing thought confidently that if the Empress Dowager tried to bully her, her father could retaliate in kind.

The Empress Dowager was well aware of this. As a woman from an influential family, she had been raised with the importance of family above all, so despite her dislike, she restrained herself. In a calm voice, she asked, “Noble Consort, do you know why I summoned you?”

Yan Qing smiled innocently. “I do not.”

The Empress Dowager was momentarily speechless and turned to Consort Xian for assistance.

Consort Xian stood and explained softly, “Noble Consort, since that day’s morning greeting, Concubine Yu and Concubine Xie have…”

She recounted the prepared story clearly and quickly, then looked at Yan Qing with a troubled and sympathetic expression, as if trying to console her.

After listening, Yan Qing nodded. “So, you think I was too harsh and my words caused their deaths?”

Consort Xian quickly denied it. “This concubine did not mean that.”

Yan Qing retorted, “If not, then why summon me?”

Consort De interjected, “Noble Consort, during the morning greeting, you were quite harsh. They returned and fell ill immediately after, so we had to call you here.”

Another concubine, beside Consort De, added, “Noble Consort, that day, after hearing your words, I was so ashamed I wanted to bash my head against a pillar.”

Consort Xian, seeing support, quickly said, “Noble Consort, your words that day were indeed harsh. While we can endure, they could not…”

Yan Qing, understanding, nodded sympathetically. “I didn’t realize you were so delicate. Everything I said was true, no fabrications. If you can’t handle the truth, perhaps those two didn’t die because of my words but committed suicide. According to the law, suicides of concubines implicate their families. I should report this to the emperor for investigation…”

Consort Xian froze, looking to the Empress Dowager for help. Yan Qing was too aggressive, and being lower in rank, Consort Xian didn’t dare argue further.

The concubine who had mentioned self-harm turned pale, her face drained of blood, and she dared not speak again.

The Empress Dowager’s face darkened as she slammed the table, startling everyone. “How could it be suicide? The imperial physician said they succumbed to illness due to excessive worry. Can you claim it had nothing to do with you?”

Yan Qing remained calm. “If the Empress Dowager insists on blaming me, I have nothing to say. However, if I fall ill after leaving Yong’an Palace, will it be connected to you? You should think about how to explain if I get sick.”

The Empress Dowager, Consort Xian, Consort De: “…”

The Empress Dowager’s face turned completely dark, and she bit her lip, seemingly wanting to throw Yan Qing out.

Since becoming the Empress, despite having no children, no one had spoken to her like this, not even the cold and stern Emperor Ji Yechen, who treated her with respect.

The concubines dared not speak, focusing on the floor, their heads bowed.

At that moment, the eunuch outside announced, “His Majesty has arrived!”

Everyone’s eyes brightened, looking towards the door for relief. Finally, someone could handle this madwoman!