The Abused Novel Heroine Became a Clingy Sweetheart [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 54

You Ting’s book fell to the floor.

She was stunned for a long time, not saying a word.

The continuous rain became a curtain of beads hanging from the eaves, like broken strings of tears.

It should have been a serene night, but You Ting only felt a chill run through her.

“Ascended to the immortals,” no matter how euphemistically put, still struck a chord of sorrow in one’s heart.

She thought in a daze, how could the person who was just talking in front of her during the day suddenly be gone?

You Ting stood up and went to put on the cloak beside her.

Qingsu asked, “Your Highness, it’s late. Are you still going out?”

“To Grand Tutor Song’s residence.”

You Ting said softly, “The Song family only has Miss Song left.”

She had to go and see.

And she should go and see.

In front of the Grand Tutor’s residence, the lights were bright.

But only sounds of lamentation and weeping filled the entire night sky.

Grand Tutor Song must have prepared for this long ago, so when he passed away, the people in the residence, although saddened, were not panicked.

The mourning hall was set up quickly. The coffin placed in the center was chosen by Grand Tutor Song himself when he was still alive.

A simple black-lacquered wooden coffin marked the final conclusion for this loyal old minister who had served diligently for decades.

The white banners in front of the mourning hall were stirred up by the mournful wind, like restless, wandering solitary souls.

The news of Grand Tutor Song’s death spread throughout the capital. Even Emperor Ningjing sent his most trusted Chief Eunuch to offer condolences.

When You Ting arrived, she immediately saw Song Yaoci in mourning clothes.

Her already pale face had completely lost its color.

She numbly offered three sticks of incense to those who came to pay respects, and then numbly returned to kneel in the corner.

Her expression was vacant, as if her mind was elsewhere.

But You Ting clearly perceived an overwhelming grief beneath Song Yaoci’s calm exterior.

She walked over and took the unfinished paper money from Song Yaoci’s hand.

Song Yaoci was unresponsive, not even looking up at her.

She just kept adding paper money to the brazier in front of her. The firelight illuminated her face, but not her lost eyes.

You Ting did not speak, quietly keeping Song Yaoci company.

Qingsu tactfully joined Ying’er, whose eyes were red, in receiving the guests who came to offer condolences at the Grand Tutor’s residence.

It wasn’t until the latter half of the night that people gradually left.

In the mourning hall, only Song Yaoci and You Ting remained.

The fire crackled, and the surroundings were so quiet that only the sound of the wind remained.

It rolled up the randomly moving white banners, as if also mourning.

The paper money in Song Yaoci’s hands was all burned, but she was completely unaware and still stretched her hand toward the brazier.

You Ting quickly pulled her hand away.

A layer of warmth covered her hand, and Song Yaoci finally came back to her senses.

“Your Highness?” She turned her head, seemingly not understanding why You Ting was there.

Suddenly, awareness returned, and Song Yaoci’s long eyelashes fluttered like fine feathers.

Even before she realized it herself, tears had already welled up in her eyes.

“Plop.”

A tear dropped onto the white mourning clothes, staining it with a water mark.

Song Yaoci looked up, and all she saw was white.

The paper lanterns were hanging properly, emitting a faint light.

Blown by the wind, the lanterns swayed, and her shadow cast on the ground also swayed.

The funeral couplets clearly fell into Song Yaoci’s eyes, and the characters on them turned into needles, one by one piercing her heart.

It was only then that she suddenly realized that Grand-father was gone.

“Grand-father, Grand-father…” Song Yaoci cried out sadly.

Just these two words came out, and her throat felt like it was blocked with cotton. Except for trembling sobs, she could hardly make any other sound.

Her crying was scattered in the air by the wind.

The person who used to wait for her with a lantern late at night, who would seriously teach her the principles in books, and who would secretly bring back her favorite pastry when attending banquets, was now resting forever in that narrow black coffin.

No one would answer her again.

You Ting sighed softly and embraced the sobbing Song Yaoci.

The fabric on her shoulder was soaked with tears, and the person in her arms kept trembling.

“Your Highness,” Song Yaoci leaned against her, her voice fragmented, “Grand-father is gone, the Song family… only has me left…”

She murmured softly, “Only me.”

Song Yaoci wasn’t unaware that this day would come, but when it truly arrived, it was still so hard to accept.

The empty house became a silent torment. Every glance she cast seemed to show her the traces Grand-father had left behind here.

Parting is always sudden, and getting used to parting is a long and silent slow torture.

That year, when she was still young and ignorant, and had just escaped death, it was Grand-father who picked her up and gave her a second home.

But now, her home seemed to have collapsed again.

Amidst the broken walls and ruins, only Song Yaoci stood alone, not knowing where to go.

“Yaoyao,” You Ting said in a low voice, “You still have me.”

She squeezed Song Yaoci’s hand, trying to convey a bit of strength to sustain her in this way.

“I will be by your side, always.”

Song Yaoci leaned on You Ting’s shoulder and started to cry out loud.

The suppressed grief was finally vented without reservation at this moment.

Her mind was blank, seemingly only focused on crying. Finally, exhausted from crying, she fell asleep leaning against You Ting.

You Ting gently adjusted her to a more comfortable position and gestured to Qingsu, who was waiting by the side.

Qingsu understood and asked Ying’er to bring a cloak to gently cover Song Yaoci.

You Ting looked at the drizzling rain outside the eaves and sighed with emotion, feeling that this night seemed especially long.

After Grand Tutor Song’s coffin was kept in the house for three days, it was time for his burial.

Every day, after You Ting finished her official duties, the first thing she did was to go to the Grand Tutor’s residence to accompany Song Yaoci.

Grand Tutor Song had students all over the world, and was a key official in the government. The number of people coming to mourn was countless.

From the imperial family and nobility down to the common people in the vicinity.

In the middle of this, He Changsi also came and kept vigil for a night.

He wanted to say something to Song Yaoci, but ultimately felt that any more words would sound pale and weak at this time, so he could only utter two words: “Accept my condolences.”

Princess Consort Dingxi also came to offer three sticks of incense, patted Song Yaoci’s shoulder, and had someone deliver several jars of wine.

“My father told me that when you encounter sad things, just get yourself drunk.”

“Drunk, you won’t be sad anymore. Maybe… you can even see the person you want to see.”

To these words of consolation, Song Yaoci merely nodded her thanks with a faint expression.

In just a few days, she had become much thinner.

She was not a talkative person to begin with, and these days she became even more reticent and quiet.

Qi Yuan looked at Song Yaoci with concern, leaned close to You Ting, and whispered, “Is Miss Song really alright? Her health is already weak. Will she…”

How could she be alright?

It was the rainy season, and the temperature was cool. Song Yaoci had been managing the Grand Tutor’s funeral day and night.

The only reason she hadn’t fainted was the sheer force of willpower.

But You Ting couldn’t stop Song Yaoci.

She knew that Song Yaoci wanted to personally send off her Grand-father and accompany him on this final journey.

You Ting sighed quietly: “I will take good care of her.”

It was as if she was speaking to Qi Yuan, and also to herself: “No matter what happens, I will be by her side.”

Qi Yuan finally glanced at the mourning hall, then sighed heavily, and said to You Ting, “Take care of yourselves. Leave the affairs of the military examination to me.”

After she left, He Zhige and He Ting arrived.

The princes had all studied at the Imperial Academy. By that count, Grand Tutor Song was also their teacher.

He Ting, rarely, put away his joking expression, wore solemn black clothes, and respectfully offered incense.

He was a little surprised to see You Ting.

Recently, He Ting had found a new target in Princess Consort Dingxi and rarely bothered You Ting anymore.

“Sister Shunan,” He Ting suddenly said, “If one day I die, will anyone be this sad for me?”

You Ting looked at him strangely: “Your Mother Consort loves you so much. If that day really comes, she will definitely be heartbroken.”

“Is that so?” He Ting’s tone was flat.

As if imagining such a scene, he suddenly grinned: “Sister Shunan is truly… she doesn’t understand my Mother Consort at all.”

“She doesn’t understand the Royal Family at all.”

After he finished speaking, he ignored You Ting’s reaction and walked straight out of the Grand Tutor’s residence.

As he was leaving, he ran into He Zhige, who was coming to offer condolences.

The two looked at each other across the hazy rain and mist, both with coldness in their eyes.

As they brushed past each other, He Ting suddenly said, “Third Imperial Brother, do you know why I only bullied you when I was little?”

He Zhige frowned, and said expressionlessly, “Because you’re sick.”

He Ting burst into uncontrollable laughter. The slanting wind mixed with fine rain fell on his face.

He said, “Third Imperial Brother, why didn’t I think you were this interesting before?”

He Zhige didn’t bother to respond and lifted his foot to walk away.

Suddenly, He Ting’s voice drifted over: “…Because at that time, I was very envious of Third Imperial Brother.”

He Zhige seemed to have heard the biggest joke in the world and stopped in his tracks, feeling it was absurd.

He looked at He Ting and said with disgust, “What nonsense are you talking about!”

At that time, He Ting was Consort Li’s only son, the Seventh Prince, a golden branch and jade leaf.

But He Zhige at that time was merely the child of a palace maid, whom anyone could step on.

Hearing He Ting’s words, He Zhige felt even more that he was being mocked.

He grabbed He Ting by the lapel and said with a chilling expression, “He Ting, don’t think I dare not kill you.”

He Ting tilted his head and smiled: “Then… give it a try.”

He left humming a tuneless little tune. Even after walking out of the Grand Tutor’s residence, he was still muttering softly: “Why is it that when Ting’er tells the truth, no one believes him?”

The attendant asked, “Your Highness, are you returning to your residence?”

He Ting thought for a moment and said, “Let’s go to the palace. Today, I suddenly really want to see Mother Consort.”

The attendant smiled and said, “Your Highness and Consort Li have such a good relationship.”

He Ting got into the carriage, lazily gave a smile, and said nothing.

Indeed, in the eyes of outsiders, Consort Li cherished her son as if he were the apple of her eye.

But when he was very young, He Ting understood that Consort Li might value him, but she valued the worth he could bring even more.

What difference was there between him and He Changsi?

Weren’t they both just pawns groomed to contend for the throne? From the moment of birth, they had already lost the right to choose for themselves.

When He Ting was little, he had a dog. Its fur was as white as snow, and it loved to follow him closely, whining softly in a spoiled manner.

Later, Consort Li locked both him and the little dog in a pitch-black room where he couldn’t see his hand in front of his face.

He cried loudly in fear, pleading pitifully with his mother outside the door.

But Consort Li merely showed a kindly smile and looked back at him through the gap in the door.

She said, “If you want to come out of the room, Ting’er, then pick up the knife on the table and kill that dog.”

He was stunned.

He then heard the woman’s gentle voice continue: “Mother Consort is doing this all for your own good. Indulging in trivial things erodes ambition. Those who wish to achieve great things cannot easily be swayed by these small distractions.”

He Ting did not do that. He stayed in the black room for three whole days, without water or food.

He was so weak he was on the verge of death.

The little dog lay beside him, mournfully licking his fingers with its tongue.

Finally, Consort Li opened the door. She stroked He Ting’s head, her tone helpless: “Ting’er, why are you so disobedient?”

The consequence of being disobedient was witnessing the little dog being chopped to death by a guard, whimpering until it breathed its last.

Its tongue hung down powerlessly, and its pair of moist eyes were still looking in the direction of its little master.

He Ting didn’t even have the strength to move. He could only watch helplessly as Consort Li had someone take a bowl of the little dog’s blood and force him to drink it.

The strong smell of blood filled his nostrils. His rationality felt disgusted and pained, yet his body instinctively and greedily drank the dog’s blood.

His soul felt as if it had been split in two.

At the end of that day, Consort Li used a handkerchief to gently and meticulously wipe all the dirt from his face.

She said, “Ting’er, you are Mother Consort’s child, and you must help Mother Consort fulfill her wish.”

He Ting had tried to escape. He went to find Emperor Ningjing.

But the Emperor merely listened impatiently to his tearful complaint, frowned, and said, “It’s just a dog. If it’s dead, it’s dead. A real man shouldn’t be whimpering like this; it’s undignified.”

He then ordered people to send him back to Consort Li’s residence for strict discipline.

Consort Li didn’t beat or scold him; she simply had the little dog’s body chopped into a pulp and forced the endlessly weeping He Ting to feed it all to the koi in the pond.

From then on, He Ting never thought of disobeying Consort Li again.

She wanted him to be obedient, and he was obedient.

She wanted him to smile more, and he smiled.

Anyway, in this palace, no one cared about his true thoughts.

He Ting started to like keeping other pets: scorpions, spiders, or venomous snakes.

He heard that such animals had cold blood and no emotions.

He Ting thought that this way, when they died, they wouldn’t look at him with those moist and pitiful eyes anymore.

Initially, he chastised He Zhige because he blocked the path Consort Li was walking on.

He Ting wanted to please his mother, so he was fierce toward him.

Later, his attention on He Zhige was because of You Ting.

Why could someone of He Zhige’s lowly status receive people’s concern?

Why, in this man-eating imperial palace, could he smile happier than himself?

He Ting couldn’t understand, so he could only bully He Zhige with increasing severity.

Every time he saw You Ting intervene for He Zhige, a distorted sense of envy arose in his heart.

Later, He Ting’s countless schemes actually had a very simple goal.

He completely hoped that You Ting would be unable to restrain herself and kill him.

Ideally, he would die in front of Consort Li.

He really wanted to see what kind of expression his mother would show when the succession tool she had meticulously cultivated died.

What a pity.

A hint of regret flashed across He Ting’s eyes.

Sister Shunan was truly too patient; she never tried to kill him, even until he left the palace.

Recalling He Zhige’s threat just now, the smile on He Ting’s lips grew wider, and his shoulders shook uncontrollably.

Did He Zhige think he was afraid of death?

No.

Quite the opposite, He Ting was immensely looking forward to the arrival of death.

After years of anticipation turning to naught, Mother Consort’s expression would definitely become… very interesting.

He Ting thought casually, when would He Zhige finally make a move?

He really wanted to die.

Inside the Grand Tutor’s Residence.

After He Zhige finished offering incense, he walked up to You Ting.

“Imperial Sister,” he called.

You Ting said coolly, “I am in a bad mood today. You had better not say anything displeasing.”

He Zhige’s smile was bitter. He paused and said, “I only want to ask Imperial Sister one question.”

His deep gaze fell into You Ting’s eyes, an emotion that couldn’t be clearly articulated surging like a tide.

“Is Imperial Sister willing,” He Zhige said word by word, “to leave with me?”

This leaving, naturally, did not refer to the Grand Tutor’s residence.

Imperial Sister was a smart person, he had always known that.

And conversations between smart people often didn’t need to be so direct.

With just a look, You Ting understood.

“Leave with you, and then what?”

Her clear, cold voice merged into the whistling wind. Rain continuously hammered the ground around them.

Beneath the heavy, dark clouds, the white banners danced wildly.

You Ting’s gaze was like a knife.

She said: “To become a rebellious subject and a traitor who won’t have a good end?”