The Abused Novel Heroine Became a Clingy Sweetheart [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 55.1

He Zhige embarrassingly pursed his lips.

“Imperial Sister, you should be clear about the current situation, only I am the best choice.”

“Is that so,” You Ting said indifferently, “But I think, this gamble, you are bound to lose.”

“You can leave. Don’t dirty the road to the Grand Tutor’s mansion.”

He Zhige lowered his gaze. When he looked up again, his eyes became sharp once more.

He looked at You Ting and said softly, “Imperial Sister will regret this.”

“I will prove to Imperial Sister that I deserve this world,” he stared into You Ting’s eyes, “And I also deserve Imperial Sister.”

After the words fell, He Zhige turned and left without lingering.

The rain still hadn’t stopped. He strode away, walking straight into the wind and rain.

You Ting watched his retreating figure.

She thought that this should be the last time she and He Zhige would meet.

That trace of sibling affection had been worn away by time until only a thin layer remained, which would vanish with a single gust of wind.

Just as she was a little lost in thought, a parasol suddenly covered her head, blocking the drizzling rain.

You Ting turned her head and met Song Yaosi’s calm gaze.

A very faint smile, fragile like a flower’s reflection in water, lifted at her lips.

“Your Highness, don’t catch a chill.”

Song Yaozi spoke softly again, “Thank you for these past few days.”

Today was the last day of the wake. Soon, someone would carry away Grand Tutor Song’s coffin and bury it on the grave mountain.

Originally, according to Grand Tutor Song’s official rank and status, a tomb should have been built separately and a grand ceremony held.

But he was incorruptible in life, disliked commotion, and was not particular about feng shui.

Before this, he had specially left instructions, stating that afterwards, he just wanted a random burial spot on Yaoshan where he could be interred.

You Ting asked, “Why Yaoshan?”

Song Yaozi looked in the direction of Yaoshan and said in a low voice, “Because it is the highest place in the entire capital. From there, one can overlook the entire capital.”

Grand Tutor Song always believed that death was like a lamp being extinguished; the soul returns to heaven and earth, leaving nothing behind.

But in the end, he still hoped that after death, he could still see the land beneath his feet—that the mountains and rivers would be safe, and the common people could live in peace and contentment.

You Ting said with emotion, “Grand Tutor Song devoted his life to the people, was upright and just, and was an official worthy of the title.”

Song Yaozi said, “Grandfather was also the best grandfather.”

She turned her eyes back and met You Ting’s gaze.

In the days since her grandfather passed away, she had been in a daze.

She felt as if her whole being was in a vast wilderness with no end in sight, where no matter which direction she looked, she could only see thick fog.

In a dilemma.

Grandfather was gone, and her home was gone. Song Yaozi thought more than once of simply letting the darkness consume her.

But at that moment, she clearly heard a voice by her ear.

The voice said, “You still have me, Yaoyao. I will always be here.”

It was… Her Highness.

Whenever Song Yaozi turned around, she would always meet You Ting’s gaze.

It seemed to be fulfilling her promise—that she would always stay by her side.

Song Yaozi raised her hand and grasped You Ting’s hand.

She brought the other’s palm up and gently placed it against her cheek.

The warmth of skin touching skin brought her back from hell to the human world once more.

The funeral procession sounded the suona, and amidst the sound of mourning, Song Yaozi whispered, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

With the last word, the tightly held breath in her chest suddenly released.

The world before her eyes spun, and she fainted from exhaustion into You Ting’s arms.

According to the laws of the court, Song Yaozi’s situation should require her to observe a period of mourning for three years at home.

However, in consideration of Grand Tutor Song’s merits, and because Song Yaozi had just entered court, Emperor Ning Jing magnanimously waived the requirement for her.

He Zhige left the capital with his subordinates, citing border warfare as the reason.

This seemed to become a signal, and those in the capital who could roughly discern the situation felt a growing sense of unease.

The emperor’s health was deteriorating, and the time he spent at court was increasingly reduced.

Most of the governmental duties were distributed among He Changsi and the other princes, He Ting.

The women’s military exam presided over by the Princess of Dingxi was held as scheduled during these days.

With the prior help of You Ting and Song Yaozi, the number of participants was surprisingly large.

After several days, the final list was selected.

Having completed the task given by Emperor Ning Jing, Qi Yuan immediately hurried back to the Northwest—that place clearly needed her to guard it more than the capital.

She took the top performers from the military exam to the Northwest military camp to train them personally, creating an all-female army that later became the famous “Phoenix Guard” in the wars.

The day Qi Yuan left, You Ting asked He Changsi, “Aren’t you going to see the Princess off?”

He Changsi shook his head, smiling as he said, “The path of the Princess and mine have always been different.”

To see her again would only cause unnecessary distress.

The rain of the capital does not fall upon the lands of the Northwest.

He Changsi had understood a long time ago that that free flame would ultimately return to its original place.

One cannot be so selfish.

To want something, yet try to achieve it by destroying it.

He Changsi smiled, the brilliant golden sunlight melting into his eyes.

He said, “Thus, it is for the best.”

Since the day she fainted, Song Yaozi had been seriously ill.

She was confined to bed for half a month.

During these days, You Ting moved directly from the Princess’s residence into the Grand Tutor’s mansion.

She even replaced Ying’er’s duties, personally attending to wiping Song Yaozi’s sweat and feeding her medicine.

The imperial court was worried about Emperor Ning Jing’s health, and no one had the leisure to notice her overstepping behavior.

Qing Su sometimes felt strange too—Her Highness seemed to be treating Miss Song a little too well…

However, this was not something she, a maid, should concern herself with.

So she never asked, and would even knowingly take Ying’er away, leaving You Ting and Song Yaozi alone.

Song Yaozi’s consciousness was often unclear, hovering between semi-sleep and semi-wakefulness.

Like a drowning person, she had no sense of security, unable to grasp anything.

She tightly furrowed her delicate brows, calling out subconscious names: “Grandfather… Your Highness…”

Her fingers were then gripped, and You Ting patiently comforted her over and over, “I am here.”

Perhaps having heard it, Song Yaozi’s brows slowly relaxed, although her eyes were still tightly closed.

On the day she fully regained consciousness, Song Yaozi slowly opened her eyes.

The light from outside the window pierced her eyelids through the thin gauze.

She uncomfortably narrowed her eyes slightly.

She moved her fingers slightly and suddenly realized something was amiss.

Song Yaozi lowered her head, looking along the direction of her hand; several fingers were held in a palm.

Warmth sprouted, seeping from the point of contact all the way into her bones and blood.

It was You Ting.

You Ting was sleeping soundly, leaning against the side of the bed. This posture must not have been comfortable, as her brows were gently furrowed subconsciously.

Song Yaozi gazed at her for a long while, and the blurry memories of this period came flooding back.

Her heart felt a mix of tenderness and softness.

She wanted to gently withdraw her hand and help You Ting onto the bed to sleep.

But just as she moved, the sleeping person immediately woke up.

You Ting opened her eyes, and the remaining sleepiness instantly vanished.

When she met Song Yaosi’s distressed gaze, she thought she was hallucinating.

“You’re awake,” You Ting looked up at her, “Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

Song Yaozi shook her head.

She asked, “Has Your Highness been taking care of me these past few days? Where is Ying’er?”

Hearing the hoarseness in her voice from not having spoken for a long time, You Ting got up and poured a cup of warm water from the table.

She handed the cup to Song Yaozi, “Moisten your throat.”

Only then did she answer Song Yaozi’s question: “I volunteered to stay and take care of you. Don’t blame that maid.”

Song Yaozi held the warm cup, looking stunned as she said, “Your Highness is of such noble status, how can you…”

A finger suddenly landed on her lips.

You Ting curved her eyes at her, “Yaoyao.”

She said, “To me, you are also an invaluable treasure, equally precious.”

Song Yaozi’s heart thumped fiercely.

“Oh, right,” You Ting said, “A few days ago, my subordinates found the antidote for the ‘Entangled Love’ poison. You were still unconscious then, and I already gave it to you.”

Those were the people she had sent out to search after the palace banquet.

Only now had news come back.

…Antidote?

Song Yaozi blinked in a daze.

If this had happened at the very beginning of the incident, she would have desperately sought this news.

But after everything had circled around to the present, a sense of melancholy arose in her heart instead.

It felt as if… her connection with Her Highness had lessened.

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