The Abused Novel Heroine Became a Clingy Sweetheart [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 43.1

As the two followed the nanny further inside, taking advantage of the lack of attention, He Zhige drew a few steps closer to You Ting.

His voice dropped, carrying an inexplicable emotion: “Did Imperial Sister have a good night last night?”

You Ting let out a scoff, her tone languid and pointed: “Thanks to the Third Prince, last night was extremely good.”

The smile on He Zhige’s lips froze. He slowly clenched his fingers, his eyes deep and dark as ink.

“Who was that person!” His voice became completely cold, faintly revealing a frantic edge close to collapse.

No one was clearer than He Zhige about how potent the ‘Lovesickness Tangle’ (Xiangsi Chan) drug was.

Who, exactly, had tainted Imperial Sister before him!

The murderous intent in He Zhige’s heart reached its peak almost instantly.

If he found out who it was, he would use the most brutal methods in the world to tear that person to shreds!

“What are you talking about? I don’t understand,” You Ting changed the subject.

Her voice also cooled: “He Zhige, what exactly have you learned while you were by my side?”

He Zhige suddenly smiled.

His features were between that of a boy and a young man, stained with the increasingly deep wildness of the battlefield’s yellow sand.

“Imperial Sister hoped to teach me to be a gentleman,” He Zhige’s smile was scornful, his voice lowered a few notches, “But Imperial Sister never taught me how a gentleman… could win Imperial Sister.”

“He Zhige,” You Ting glared at him, “If you say such rebellious things again, never appear before me!”

He Zhige then pursed his lips and stopped talking, only watching her with a smile.

The nanny led the two into the inner chamber, where the Empress was leaning against the back of a chair, eyes closed, her eyebrows tightly furrowed.

Perhaps from a prolonged lack of sunlight, her complexion showed an unnatural paleness.

The changes in age, coupled with managing the affairs of the inner palace, made the Empress look much more weary and aged than her peers.

But she still wore bright makeup, attempting to conceal the traces of time in this manner.

Hearing the movement, the Empress didn’t even lift her eyes, saying lightly: “You’ve arrived.”

You Ting bowed her head to salute; He Zhige also casually nodded in acknowledgment.

His movement was informal, not standard, revealing a perfunctory air.

A flash of displeasure quickly crossed the Empress’s eyes, but she pretended not to notice.

Times were different now.

He Zhige held military power; sometimes even the Empress’s own son had to temporarily defer to his sharpness.

Not only could she not scold him, but she also had to put on an amiable face, smiling as she asked: “A’Zhi has just returned from battle, you should be resting well.”

The implication was to not annoy her.

He Zhige also smiled: “Hearing that Mother Empress was unwell, A’Zhi was worried day and night, and insisted on coming to see you in person.”

“Mother Empress is getting on in years; you should take care of your health most of all.”

The Empress hated being called old the most; her nails were practically digging into her palm.

Unable to unleash her anger, she turned her gaze to the silent You Ting.

“It’s been quite a few days since I’ve spent time with Shunan, hasn’t it? Shunan, stay here later and copy some scriptures for me.”

These scriptures were not easy to copy; it was one of the preferred ways for nobles in the palace to torment people.

Before You Ting could respond, He Zhige spoke up loudly: “Mother Empress, it’s me and Imperial Sister who haven’t spent quality time together for a long time. Why don’t you give this opportunity to your son instead?”

He spoke with seemingly pleasing words, but his expression was cold and dark as he looked at the Empress.

Having been seasoned in the battlefield for several years, even just a glance carried a common-man-defying ferocity.

The Empress shivered suddenly, reaching up to rub her forehead: “Forget it, forget it. You youngsters always get along better. Both of you may leave.”

After watching the two salute and leave, the Empress’s face showed her anger.

“This He Zhige, truly acting as if victory is secured, becoming more and more lawless!”

After leaving the palace gate, He Zhige naturally walked side-by-side with You Ting.

This season was often rainy.

Fine raindrops, blown into diagonal lines by the wind, landed on You Ting’s skirt hem.

He Zhige took an umbrella from the attendant behind him, holding it up to shield You Ting from the drizzle.

You Ting tried to avoid it, but he blocked her.

“The air is cool here. No matter how much Imperial Sister dislikes me, you shouldn’t hurt your own body.”

He was much taller than You Ting, and his posture while holding the umbrella looked relaxed and at ease.

Suddenly, he recalled many years ago.

He and the person beside him had walked this road countless times.

At that time, he was still a small child, and in the rain, he would tightly clutch Imperial Sister’s sleeve.

But now, every step he tried to take closer only earned him Imperial Sister’s icy gaze.

He Zhige’s throat tightened slightly.

He said softly: “Imperial Sister, I have become strong enough.”

Just like moments ago when facing the Empress, a figure who was once unreachable to them, even she could do nothing against him.

He was no longer the weak child from back then; he could now protect Imperial Sister.

“So,” He Zhige asked softly, “When will you look at me again?”

His voice dissolved into the endless rain, blurry and ethereal.

You Ting did not look at him, walking straight into the fine rain.

She said: “He Zhige.”

“Our path ends here.”

Her voice was clearly crisp, yet sharper than a dagger, lacerating He Zhige’s heart.

Long after her figure disappeared around the corner, He Zhige remained standing in place.

His fingers gripping the umbrella handle were white.

The guard softly reminded him: “Your Highness, we should leave.”

He Zhige pulled at the corner of his mouth in a desolate manner, looking at his trusted lieutenant who had followed him for many years.

His eyes were unfocused, like a confused and helpless child.

For the first time, he seemed to clearly realize—

“Imperial Sister… it seems she no longer wants me.”

…

…

Qingsu followed You Ting back to the Duan Yang Palace, silent all the way.

She secretly glanced at You Ting’s expression, sighing inwardly.

Qingsu was the maid who had followed You Ting the longest, so she basically knew the complexities between He Zhige and You Ting.

She didn’t know He Zhige harbored feelings other than sibling affection for the Princess; she only thought he was unwilling to sever their bond.

In a place like the deep palace, blood kinship was infinitely precious.

Qingsu also felt a little emotional. After thinking for a moment, she hesitantly asked: “Your Highness, do you really have to be so heartless towards the Third Prince?”

You Ting held a book, casually turning a page: “He forced me to.”

If it weren’t for what happened yesterday, You Ting might have retained a trace of sisterly affection for He Zhige.

In the deep palace, everyone schemed and fought against each other just to get a glance from the Emperor.

Life was boring and lonely.

Before Qingsu came, He Zhige was the person who spent the most time with her.

He once stood before her with an innocent expression, patting his chest and saying: “A’Zhi will grow up very tall and protect Imperial Sister from all harm forever!”

He would suddenly lose himself in thought while reading, then grin and say: “When I grow up, I will take Imperial Sister away from the Imperial Palace.”

“A’Zhi knows Imperial Sister doesn’t like the feeling of being trapped.”

But now, he had ironically become the person who most wanted to confine her.

He Zhige resorted to such unscrupulous measures, attempting to scheme against her. This bit of affection was better off discarded.

She couldn’t bear He Zhige’s kindness.

And she didn’t cherish it.

“But Your Highness,” Qingsu opened her mouth hesitantly, “The Third Prince is now powerful, and in the future, it’s even more possible…”

She looked around nervously, leaning close to You Ting’s ear to whisper: “To seize the position of Crown Prince.”

“Your Highness, you’ve reached marriageable age. Given His Majesty’s attitude towards you, he might assign you to some nobody, just to marry you off.”

Qingsu was genuinely worried for You Ting; every word was out of consideration for her.

“If you have the Third Prince as your backer, when the time comes, you won’t be so helpless.”

You Ting smiled: “I know.”

Don’t say it; Emperor Ning Jing was indeed likely to do such a thing.

The current political situation was not stable, otherwise He Zhige wouldn’t have chosen to join the military and be constantly away on campaigns.

War meant exhausting the people and resources.

No ruler wanted their era to be only remembered for conflict when spoken of by later generations.

You Ting estimated that the war with the Wujin Kingdom wouldn’t last much longer.

Emperor Ning Jing would choose to negotiate peace, and the best way for an Emperor to negotiate peace has always been through a political marriage.

As the eldest daughter, and an unfavored princess, the possibility of You Ting being sacrificed was very high.

Being in the midst of these circumstances, she naturally saw the situation more clearly than Qingsu.

However, she would rather try her own luck than pin her hopes on He Zhige.

Their bond was like that small path.

The road had reached its end.

She walked towards the Duan Yang Palace; he headed outside the palace gates—their directions were fundamentally different.

Qingsu asked: “Then, Your Highness, what do you plan to do?”

You Ting turned another page of the book in her hand.

“First, I need to have enough leverage.”

Just like He Zhige, who transformed from an unknown prince to a highly sought-after candidate for the heir apparent.

Emperor Ning Jing and the Empress, who previously ignored him, now affectionately called him “A’Zhi.”

This was precisely because he possessed formidable military power.

The military was strictly organized; You Ting couldn’t easily infiltrate.

But the Imperial Court was a different story.

“Speaking of which,” she murmured softly, “This matter is related to Song Yaozi…”

The Grand Tutor, as the head of the civil officials, had disciples throughout the court.

Song Yaozi was the Grand Tutor’s only successor. If You Ting wanted to cultivate her own influence from within, she would inevitably have to deal with Song Yaozi.

In fact, that’s how she had planned it from the very beginning.

Song Yaozi was frail but intelligent and talented.

Although it was possible for women to hold office in the current dynasty, their influence was ultimately weak, and the policy had not been in place for long, making it difficult to see a female official close to the center of power.

Song Yaozi hoped to rely on the Song family’s reputation and her own ability to promote and perfect the policy for women in office.

In the original plot, she was tricked by He Zhige, who defiled her purity. In the full view of the public, she was forced to marry him.

Later, he kept her imprisoned in the inner courtyard, under the constant pretext of her being frail.

He Zhige deceived her, promising to help fulfill her aspirations.

But in reality, he just wanted to use the Song family’s power as a stepping stone to success.

After the marriage, except for the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month when his drug-induced cravings flared up, He Zhige never set foot in Song Yaozi’s room.

Until he accidentally discovered Song Yaozi’s sharp political acumen and took her on as a strategist.

But he still did not allow Song Yaozi to leave the house easily.

Her ideals, her ambitions, were slowly worn away within the confines of the narrow red walls and green tiles.

Like a flower bud gradually withering on a branch.

The essence of this marriage originated from deception and exploitation.

He Zhige had his ‘white moonlight,’ and Song Yaozi didn’t love him at all.

A person as proud as her, how could she be content to become an exquisite yet numb stone statue in a vast courtyard?

Ultimately, she died of sorrow and melancholy in the early winter when the plum blossoms began to bloom.

After her death, the male protagonist finally arrived late.

He seemed to have just recognized her unique significance in his heart, shedding a few self-proclaimed sincere tears.

This stomach-churning plot made You Ting feel that He Zhige truly deserved to die.

Whether it was her, the ‘white moonlight,’ or the unjustly suffering Song Yaozi.

Both were forced to change the trajectory of their lives merely because of his selfishness.

Having been confined in the deep palace for so long, You Ting profoundly knew the taste of being trapped in a cage.

She still remembered the first time she saw Song Yaozi, which was also in winter.

The snow was heavy, falling thickly like willow catkins.

It coincided with a plum blossom appreciation banquet hosted by a concubine in the palace. After making an appearance, You Ting was planning to return to the Duan Yang Palace with Qingsu.

On the way back, she casually glanced and saw several red plum branches blooming beautifully in the courtyard.

Crystalline white snow piled up on the brown branches, making the buds at the tips look even more vibrant.

They were red, like tiny sparks of fire.

It was strange; normally, You Ting wouldn’t pay attention to how beautifully flowers bloomed.

But that day, she couldn’t help but stop for a long time.

Just as she was about to leave, she happened to see someone slowly approaching from a short distance away.

The color of her cloak was as dazzling as the red plums, and her complexion was as cool and serene as the white snow.

Qingsu softly reminded her: “That is Miss Song from the Grand Tutor’s residence.”

You Ting suddenly realized; so this was Song Yaozi.

Song Yaozi and her maid also noticed You Ting’s presence. After a slight pause, they curtsied.

Separated by a patch of plum trees, with light snow drifting down, her and Song Yaozi’s eyes met.

A long time later, You Ting could still remember.

The red plums on the branches were reflected in Song Yaozi’s eyes. The pupils of those eyes were very light, yet they seemed to hold tiny rising lights.

A Song Yaozi like that shouldn’t have her life ruined by He Zhige.

Therefore, You Ting’s initial plan was to find a way to connect with Song Yaozi, help her achieve her ideals, and also allow herself to escape the palace.

But now…

You Ting paused the fingers gripping the book.

The connection was established, but it was perhaps a little awkward.

She wondered how Song Yaozi was doing after returning to the manor; her strength last night seemed a bit excessive.

…

…

The Grand Tutor’s Manor.

Grand Tutor Song was upright and incorruptible all his life. Even though he held one of the highest positions in the government, his entire household maintained a simple and modest style.

If it weren’t for the plaque at the entrance, no one would associate this low-key residence with the Grand Tutor.

Song Yaozi had left the palace early.

It was common for female guests to get drunk at palace banquets and be settled in a familiar concubine’s side hall.

The Song family had wide connections, and Song Yaozi knew many people in the inner palace.

Therefore, the guards at the palace gate were not overly surprised to see her carriage depart.

After a brief inquiry, the guards chose to let her through.

It wasn’t until they passed the palace gate and entered the wide streets that Song Yaozi’s tightly clenched hands in the carriage slowly relaxed.

Her maid, Ying’er, had been secretly observing her mistress’s movements. After careful thought, she finally asked: “Miss, are you alright?”

Song Yaozi’s jaw tightened: “I’m fine.”

Ying’er then asked: “You stayed in the Princess’s room last night. Did the Princess… do anything to you?”

She was only asking this out of concern for Song Yaozi.

After all, she had heard that Princess Shun’an did not have a very good reputation and was not an easy person to deal with.

But to the guilty Song Yaozi, the words sounded like something else entirely.

She suddenly recalled the moment when Princess Shun’an leaned into her ear, her breath warm, and said: “Miss Song should keep your voice down; don’t let anyone outside hear the commotion.”

Her face instantly flushed.

Song Yaozi covered her mouth with both hands, as if afraid she might utter those… embarrassing sounds the next second.

Ying’er looked at Song Yaozi in surprise: “Miss, what’s wrong?”

Song Yaozi tried hard to calm her rapidly beating heart, “Nothing.”

She looked at Ying’er, speaking seriously: “The matter of me staying at the Duan Yang Palace due to being drunk last night must not be told to anyone.”

“Especially Grandfather.”

Ying’er nodded repeatedly, “Don’t worry, Miss, I will definitely keep my mouth shut.”

She thought to herself that she had never seen her mistress look so stern.

Perhaps it was because that Princess Shun’an’s behavior was too shocking, and her mistress didn’t want to be associated with her, which is why she acted this way.

The carriage stopped in front of the Grand Tutor’s Manor, and Song Yaozi was helped down by Ying’er.

Stepping onto solid ground at this moment, she still felt a sense of unreality.

An intermittent soreness was faintly present between her legs. She clenched her teeth in deep embarrassment, striving to appear no different from usual.

As was customary, the first thing Song Yaozi had to do upon returning from the palace was to pay respects to the Grand Tutor.