The Abused Novel Heroine Became a Clingy Sweetheart [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 48.1

Compared to the Chief Examiner, the responsibilities of the Vice Examiner were not as heavy.

The Ministry of Rites had already begun to put the construction of the examination hall on the agenda.

For the sake of fairness, officials related to the examination would be gathered together in advance, eating and living within the Gongyuan (examination compound).

You Ting and He Changsi were among them.

He Zhige and He Ting had both left the palace to open their own residences in their teens, while He Changsi had always lived in the palace, raised under the Empress’s care.

He Changsi felt quite a sense of novelty at being able to live outside the palace for a period of time.

The Empress’s control was too strong, interfering with every aspect of his life from food and clothing to daily routines, giving He Changsi no breathing room.

He had already reached the age of twenty (coming of age), yet he still had to ask the Empress for instructions on everything, regardless of its importance.

Now that he finally had a chance to leave the palace, He Changsi suddenly felt that being the Vice Examiner was actually quite good.

However, for You Ting, this was somewhat inconvenient.

On the thirtieth, she still had to find a way to go out and see Song Yaozi.

She tactfully expressed her inconvenience to Grand Secretary Chen.

Considering that You Ting was a princess and the only female Vice Examiner, it was indeed inappropriate for her to live with a group of men.

Grand Secretary Chen discussed the matter with the Ministry of Rites for a long time, and finally decided to set aside a small courtyard in the back of the Gongyuan as You Ting’s single residence.

You Ting went to see the place herself.

Since it was not yet time for the examination, the security was not very strict.

Especially for her small courtyard.

Perhaps they felt that the position of female Vice Examiner was only temporarily set up by Emperor Ningjing to silence the populace.

Therefore, most people didn’t pay much attention to it.

If she was determined to avoid the guards, it was not impossible for her to sneak out.

Grand Secretary Chen good-naturedly asked, “Your Highness, what do you think of this place as your residence?”

You Ting replied, “The environment is serene, it’s a good place.”

“I’m very satisfied, thank you, Grand Secretary and all the officials from the Ministry of Rites, for your trouble.”

Grand Secretary Chen cupped his hands: “Your Highness, there is no need to be so polite, this is simply the duty of your subjects.”

“Renovations and tidying up will still take some time, and this period is not busy,” Grand Secretary Chen said, “Your Highness can move in a few days later.”

This was exactly what You Ting wanted.

She greeted everyone and then stood up to return to the palace.

As she was leaving, she saw He Changsi still discussing something with everyone with great enthusiasm.

It was rare to see such a joyful smile on the face of her second imperial brother.

He had indeed been confined by the Empress for too long.

Thinking carefully, among the princes and princesses in the palace, there were few who were genuinely happy.

In Duan Yang Palace.

Qingsu was helping to pack the luggage for the move to the Gongyuan. Duan Yang Palace was simple, but everything was what You Ting was accustomed to using.

She collected and packed, and soon had several large boxes ready.

You Ting glanced at them and couldn’t help but smile: “Where do you need so many things?”

“Your Highness, for unforeseen needs,” Qingsu counted on her fingers, “We will have to stay there for ten days to half a month.”

“And we can’t easily go out. Every time we go out, we have to go through layers of approval, and someone must follow us.”

Qingsu shook her head, “If we are missing something we want to get back to the palace for, it will be even more troublesome.”

“That’s true,” You Ting said, “You decide.”

“While we can still move freely these two days, after you finish packing, go help me deliver a letter.”

Qingsu asked without raising her head: “Is it to be delivered to Miss Song of the Grand Tutor’s manor?”

You Ting paused: “How did you know?”

“Your Highness,” Qingsu looked up and gave her a triumphant smile, “I guessed it! Other than Miss Song, have you had contact with any other young ladies or madams?”

You Ting: “…Gossipy.”

Qingsu smiled brightly and quickly patted her mouth lightly: “It’s my fault, I’m gossipy, I deserve to be punished.”

After You Ting finished writing the letter and sealing it, Qingsu took it and went out of the palace with the palace token.

The only advantage of being in Duan Yang Palace was that leaving the palace didn’t attract as much attention and didn’t involve excessive questioning.

Qingsu had a very good relationship with the guards at the gate, always giving them some money as a reward, and had always passed through without any problems.

But this time, she was stopped.

Qingsu stared at the young guard in front of her, full of displeasure: “Why are you stopping me?”

The young guard answered expressionlessly: “The capital has been restless lately. To prevent assassins from disguising themselves as palace servants, whether entering or leaving the palace, everyone must undergo a search.”

“How dare you!” Qingsu held up the token, “I am the personal maid serving Princess Shunan, you dare to search me?”

The young guard merely glanced at the token indifferently before retracting his gaze.

He suddenly gripped the hilt of the saber at his waist and said in a cold tone: “No matter who you are, anyone who violates the order will be killed!”

The last word was emphasized, revealing an undisguised chilling intent to kill.

This terrifying aura frightened Qingsu into taking two steps back. Feeling she had lost face, she gritted her teeth: “Presumptuous! Even if I am to be searched, you should find a female official to do it!”

Her Highness had just been appointed as the female Vice Examiner. If her personal maid was searched by a guard in broad daylight right after, wouldn’t that be a slap in the Princess’s face?

The young guard took a step forward, the saber half-drawn, its blade reflecting a cold light.

Qingsu’s legs were shaking a little, but she still didn’t retreat a step, glaring intently at the young guard.

“What female official,” the young guard scoffed, his eyes disdainful, “It’s already good enough for women to be able to participate in the imperial examinations. They can’t enter this military camp!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp light flew from not far away toward the guard.

The young guard only felt a whoosh of wind. Before he could react, the hair near his ear had been sliced into two by a blade.

The cut hair was still suspended in the air. He turned his head abruptly, looking over with vigilance.

The dazzling sunlight fell on the silver-white armor, the refracted light scorching the eyes.

The young guard unconsciously narrowed his eyes. In that moment, a long spear followed and was thrust toward him.

“Clang—” The spear tip let out a clear chime.

It stopped less than half an inch away from the guard.

Just a little more, and it would pierce his throat.

This sudden change startled the young guard, making his whole body stiffen. But soon, he reacted and shouted angrily: “Who dares to use a weapon in front of the palace gate!”

The answer was a swift and decisive kick from the attendant next to the person, “Open your dog eyes and see clearly, my master is the Princess of Dingxi Commandery, the King of the Northwest’s daughter!”

The guard was kicked to the ground. The change in light and shadow suddenly made his vision much clearer.

Thus, he was able to clearly see the face of the person who had arrived.

The girl wore silver armor, her long hair tied up in a high, valiant ponytail.

She was tall and stood straight.

Her demeanor was not the gentleness common among women in the capital, but rather like a sword or saber, exuding an aura of killing.

She was beautiful, but her eyebrows and eyes were sharp, and her skin looked slightly rough due to years of campaigning.

Her gaze at the young guard was chillingly cold, and she opened her mouth to ask: “And what are you, exactly?”

The young guard was speechless, his face pale, and he stammered in reply: “Princess, please forgive me…”

He was one of the soldiers who had returned to the capital with He Zhige and had been stationed at the palace gate.

Before this, he had followed He Zhige on various campaigns.

Everyone in the military knew the fearsome reputation of the Princess of Dingxi Commandery.

The King of the Northwest’s family had been stationed at the western border for generations. The previous King of the Northwest was wounded by a hidden arrow during a battle against an enemy and fell into a coma, confined to his bed.

When the commanding general was seriously injured, the morale of the army plummeted.

The enemy seized the opportunity to pursue and consecutively breached several cities.

At that time, everyone thought the King of the Northwest’s manor was like a tiger stripped of its power, about to decline.

Even the imperial court was already considering who should replace the King of the Northwest.

In this critical moment, it was the King of the Northwest’s daughter who stepped forward.

Qi Yuan was only thirteen years old that year. She took the Tiger Tally and personally led an elite army.

She won a brilliant victory against greater numbers, recaptured a city, and drove the enemy out.

From being looked down upon by everyone to now firmly holding the position of the chief commander of the Northwest Army.

It only took Qi Yuan six years.

She had always guarded the west and had rarely returned to the capital.

But her fierce reputation had already spread across the entire country.

Aside from not killing captives, her brutality on the battlefield was not much different from He Zhige’s.

This young guard didn’t expect to be so unlucky as to run into Qi Yuan.

He wanted to say something to defend himself, but the long spear in front of him suddenly drew closer.

“The words you just spoke,” Qi Yuan looked at him as if she were looking at a dead person, “Say them again.”

“What do you mean, women can’t enter this military camp?”

Qi Yuan said coldly: “Explain yourself clearly to this Princess. If you can’t explain clearly—”

Her spear tip pressed against the guard’s throat, the unsaid threat obvious.

The people of the Northwest had a fierce and tough disposition, and Qi Yuan’s actions were even more unrestrained.

The guard felt that if he said one wrong thing, he might truly lose his life on the spot.

He swallowed hard and could only apologize repeatedly.

The attendant beside her quietly said to Qi Yuan: “Princess, this is the Imperial Palace after all, that’s enough.”

Qi Yuan was unmoved.

Just as the attendant was at a loss for what to do, he suddenly heard someone call out: “Third Prince!”

He peered over and saw the little palace maid who had been harassed earlier.

Qingsu spotted He Zhige’s carriage at a glance.

She remembered You Ting had mentioned that these new guards might be He Zhige’s subordinates.

Qingsu immediately shouted.

The person He Zhige was most familiar with in the palace, besides You Ting, was Qingsu.

He had just finished his punishment of kneeling.

Not only had the position of Vice Examiner that he was about to get flown away, but he had also been punished.

He Zhige felt it was too shameful and frustrating, and he didn’t want to leave through the main gate, so he specifically chose a secluded side gate.

Hearing Qingsu’s voice, he peered out from the carriage, and couldn’t help but be slightly stunned by the scene before him.

“What’s going on?”

Qingsu trotted over and said anxiously: “Third Highness, please go quickly and see, it would be bad if a major incident breaks out!”

He Zhige thought for a moment, lifted the carriage curtain, and stepped down.

“What happened?” He Zhige looked at the guard on the ground, and then at Qi Yuan holding the long spear.

He turned his head and asked Qingsu again.

Qingsu quickly explained the situation, and finally added indignantly: “It’s all because of this soldier, why did he stop me for no reason?”

If he hadn’t stopped her and let her leave the palace smoothly, wouldn’t all this trouble have been avoided?

He Zhige nodded, his gaze at the young guard cold: “He is indeed to blame.”

This was his man. If he caused any major commotion and people traced it back to him, Emperor Ningjing would not be lenient with him.

Having just lost the Vice Examiner position, He Zhige didn’t want any further complications at this time.

He walked forward and saluted Qi Yuan as an equal: “Princess of the Commandery.”

“This is the Princess’s first day entering the palace today, and you haven’t yet paid your respects to Father Emperor, have you?”

“This young soldier is ignorant. Don’t let him ruin the Princess’s mood or waste your time. Please go quickly to see Father Emperor.”

Qi Yuan’s gaze shifted to him.

The first King of the Northwest and the founding emperor were sworn brothers with different surnames. Although the line of the King of the Northwest was not part of the imperial clan, they still enjoyed the treatment of the imperial family.

By seniority, Qi Yuan should call He Zhige ‘Cousin Brother’.

She and He Zhige had never fought each other, but they had both heard of each other.

He Zhige was known as the God of War in the north, and the military was a place where strength spoke volumes. Qi Yuan felt a degree of sympathy for him.

She thought for a moment and retracted her long spear.

“I originally thought that people in the capital, the seat of the Son of Heaven, should be more open-minded.”

Qi Yuan said coldly: “I never thought that on my first day back in the capital, I would encounter such a thing.”

He Zhige said: “It’s just that the subordinates are ignorant. Princess, please rest assured, I will handle this matter.”

Qi Yuan

Qingsu curiously asked: “Your Highness, what did Miss Song write?”

She had been curious all the way, but did not dare to open the paper. She could only endure the suspense and rush back to Duan Yang Palace, hoping Her Highness would satisfy her curiosity.

This was the first official letter exchange between their Highness and Miss Song. She really wanted to know what was written that would make her Highness show such a strange expression.

You Ting said: “It’s nothing.”

She pretended to be nonchalant and put the paper away, asking Qingsu: “Did anything else happen on your way?”

“Oh, yes,” Qingsu suddenly remembered, “When I just left the palace, I was stopped by a guard.”

“That guard spoke some nonsense and offended the Princess of Dingxi Commandery, who was entering the palace, and he was severely reprimanded by the Princess.”

You Ting raised an eyebrow: “Princess of Dingxi Commandery, Qi Yuan?”

She waved her hand and instructed Qingsu: “Go and inquire about the matter of the Princess of Dingxi Commandery entering the palace.”

The process of gathering information was just chatting with people. Qingsu enjoyed this task and left excitedly to carry out the order.

After she left, You Ting took out the white paper she had just put away.

The paper was clean, with several lines of delicate handwriting in black ink—

“The autumn wind is clear, the autumn moon is bright. Fallen leaves gather and disperse again, the cold crows perch and are startled again. When will we meet again, I know not. At this time, on this night, it is difficult to bear the emotions.” (Note: This is a poem, “Autumn Wind Song,” by Li Bai, typically conveying a feeling of melancholy separation and longing.)

She silently recited the last two lines, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

You Ting lowered her eyes and thought, what did Song Yaozi mean by sending this poem?

On the other side, in the Grand Tutor’s manor.

“Miss, Ying’er is useless, Ying’er couldn’t catch up with Sister Qingsu’s carriage.” Ying’er said ashamed.

Song Yaozi bit her lip, and after a long time, she said: “Forget it then.”

Perhaps comforting herself, or comforting Ying’er, she murmured softly: “Her Highness is talented and intelligent, she probably won’t misunderstand anything.”

After dismissing Ying’er, Song Yaozi took out the letter and carefully unsealed it.

Inside the envelope, besides a sheet of paper, there was also a small circular box.

It faintly exuded a light orchid fragrance.

She opened the letter.

They say that handwriting reflects the person, but You Ting’s handwriting did not match her external image.

Song Yaozi practiced the elegant ‘zan hua xiao kai’ (a type of delicate regular script), while You Ting’s handwriting was much more unrestrained.

The script was flowing, the brush strokes like silver snakes dancing.

She couldn’t help but think of the owner of this letter in her mind.

Perhaps hidden beneath Princess Shunan’s beautiful exterior was indeed an unconventional soul.

That’s why she would say those daring things…

She didn’t even realize that a soft smile unconsciously crossed her eyes as she read the letter.

You Ting’s letter was simple, roughly stating that Emperor Ningjing had appointed her as the Vice Examiner.

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