Transmigrated as the Short-Lived White Moonlight, I Ended Up Happily Ever After With the Female Lead - Chapter 26

“Beautiful Lady!” Ji Yan’an ran to the door of the woodshed, where several burly servants were blocking the way completely, making it impossible for Ji Yan’an to see inside.

“Greetings to the Eldest Miss.” The lead servant was shocked to see Ji Yan’an in such a state and quickly led the others in a simultaneous bow.

After being granted exemption from the courtesy, the lead servant, being quite perceptive, quickly gestured for the others to make way, allowing Ji Yan’an to enter and visit.

“Creak—” The heavy wooden door of the woodshed was pushed open, raising a cloud of dust. Song Yi, dressed in a blue gown, stood by the small window, composed and at ease. Even with few rays of sun entering the woodshed, she appeared ethereal and otherworldly.

Ji Yan’an froze at the doorway, waiting for Song Yi to slowly turn around. When that face reappeared before her, it felt like ages had passed. Ji Yan’an almost lost control of her tears again, but after forcing them back, she remembered the plate of pastries in her hand.

“Are you hungry? I brought you something to eat…” Ji Yan’an walked slowly toward Song Yi, whose eyes were fixed on her.

“What happened to your clothes?” Song Yi noticed not the pastries in Ji Yan’an’s hand, but her mud-stained dress.

Ji Yan’an awkwardly tried to change the subject, urging Song Yi to eat the pastries first, but Song Yi kept her mouth closed, her gaze remaining on Ji Yan’an’s clothes.

Left with no choice, Ji Yan’an reluctantly told Song Yi about sitting in the courtyard all morning.

Song Yi frowned and pulled the cloak closer around her, her eyes full of distress: “I’m really fine. You haven’t recovered from your cold yet, you mustn’t do this again.”

Ji Yan’an lowered her head, holding the plate, but occasionally glanced up, softly asking, “Are you angry?”

“No.” Song Yi first took the plate and placed it on the windowsill, then covered Ji Yan’an’s hands with her own.

The warm large hand covered Ji Yan’an’s icy small hands. Ji Yan’an hadn’t expected Song Yi to make such a gesture. She blushed slightly, avoiding Song Yi’s gaze. The two of them stood there in silence.

After an unknown amount of time, Le Yan came running in, stumbling, to call Ji Yan’an. It was only then that Ji Yan’an slapped her forehead, remembering her mission.

“I’m going to clear your name! Wait for me!” This was the second time Ji Yan’an had used that phrase. With great reluctance, she withdrew her hand from Song Yi’s grasp, her voice sounding a little anxious. Song Yi remained standing still, her gaze deepening, and she silently repeated the same words in her heart: “I’ll wait for you.”

Ji Yan’an and Song Yi’s meeting lasted only this brief time. When she rushed out of the dilapidated, dark woodshed, the sunlight hit her face, and Ji Yan’an surprisingly felt calm. She turned to look at Song Yi, who was still standing by the window. That blue gown gave her a sense of confidence.

Ji Yan’an’s walks became composed. Even though her dress was stained, she maintained the demeanor of the Ji Manor’s Eldest Miss, determined to clear Song Yi’s name step by step.

She followed Le Yan for a long while until she reappeared before Madam Ji. She had already regained the arrogance befitting the Ji Manor’s Eldest Miss, dressed in her white jacket and skirt. Under the backdrop of sunlight and her dignified demeanor, the mud on Ji Yan’an seemed to take on a strange beauty. Madam Ji was quite satisfied.

“My daughter of the Ji Manor ought to be this way!” Madam Ji, of course, knew that Ji Yan’an had been sitting dejectedly in the small courtyard. She had planned to offer a few words of guidance on this occasion but hadn’t expected Ji Yan’an’s self-healing ability to be quite strong.

Madam Ji nodded contentedly, then shifted her gaze to Ji Tong’an and the maid Pang Zhi, frowning deeply.

“Now that the culprit has been caught red-handed, Pang Zhi, what do you have to say for yourself?” The interrogation of Pang Zhi had just been underway, but she staunchly refused to admit that Ji Tong’an had instigated her.

Ji Yan’an slowly walked to Pang Zhi’s side. Pang Zhi was kneeling, and Ji Yan’an stood tall and looked down. Ji Yan’an used her slender finger to lift Pang Zhi’s chin: “I don’t think you should conceal the truth. You were the one who poisoned today, and I suspect it was you last night, too.”

Pang Zhi shook her head repeatedly in fright. Just as she was about to speak, Ji Tong’an, who was kneeling beside her, secretly tugged at her sleeve.

Pang Zhi’s face instantly changed, her eyes darting nervously from side to side, afraid to look directly at Ji Yan’an.

“It… it was Miss Song who ordered me! She said she absolutely had to poison Third Concubine to death! Last night, she did the poisoning herself. Today, right after she was locked in the woodshed, before the guards arrived, she found me and told me to put medicine in today’s lunch… and then she gave me a silver ingot. I was momentarily led astray!” Pang Zhi actually pulled a silver ingot from her pouch, tears welling up. The tears were about to fall onto Ji Yan’an’s hand, and Ji Yan’an quickly drew her hand back in distaste, her mind a blank.

How could she still not bring down Ji Tong’an? This was clearly a case of catching the culprit in the act! Ji Yan’an could hardly believe it. She rushed to Madam Ji’s side, shaking her head repeatedly, her eyes full of pleading.

Pleading with Madam Ji not to believe it, pleading with her to investigate further. But Madam Ji already looked troubled. Now that the accused herself had confessed, no amount of evidence could refute it. Even if Pang Zhi was likely lying, if this were taken to the authorities, it would only be used as testimony to convict Song Yi…

Ji Yan’an watched as Madam Ji waved her hand, signaling for someone to take Pang Zhi away and lock her up with Song Yi, and she personally helped Ji Tong’an stand up.

“Tong’an, your sister and I know what kind of person you are. I hope you don’t make things difficult for me.” Madam Ji clearly knew the truth, and her words were already a warning, but she couldn’t bring herself to lock up Ji Tong’an, nor could she persuade herself to side with Song Yi, who had no backing whatsoever.

People act based on interest. Madam Ji did not have deep affection for Song Yi, so naturally, she had little interest in pursuing the matter. At the same time, she hoped Ji Yan’an would stay as far away from Song Yi as possible.

Ji Tong’an softly agreed. Madam Ji was about to leave, but Ji Yan’an, who had been holding it in for so long, was not resigned. Her tears finally broke free. She had clearly told Song Yi to wait for her to clear her name before she left, and now what?!

“You can’t lock up Pang Zhi! I’m taking Pang Zhi with me!” Ji Yan’an shouted without regard for her image, rushing forward and pushing away all the hands holding Pang Zhi. Pang Zhi fell to the ground, looking terrified.

“Where are you going!” Madam Ji frowned, raising her voice at Ji Yan’an for the first time.

Ji Yan’an desperately pulled Pang Zhi up, haphazardly wiped her tears away, but her emotions were still out of control: “I’m going to find Grandmother!”

Upon hearing this, Madam Ji actually breathed a sigh of relief, even instructing Jin Xi to prepare the carriage and clothing.

“Perfect. The Old Madam misses you,” Madam Ji smiled kindly. She knew what Ji Yan’an was planning to do, and Ji Huai had indeed mentioned this idea to her.

It should have been a joyous occasion for all, but Ji Tong’an felt a slight panic. The handkerchief in her hand was almost torn to shreds. She knew how much the Old Madam doted on Ji Yan’an, and taking Pang Zhi with her would only increase the variables in her plan!

Ji Yan’an left in a hurry, stuffing a few items of clothing and long skirts, taking Pang Zhi, and quickly boarding the carriage. Ji Tong’an stood by the door to see her off, her eyes gradually becoming venomous.

She watched Ji Yan’an leave and immediately turned back toward the manor, but instead of going to her own courtyard, she… turned toward the woodshed.

“Third Miss.” The few servants seemed less enthusiastic when they saw Ji Tong’an approaching. They perfunctorily bent their bodies in a quick bow as a form of greeting. Ji Tong’an didn’t mind. When they blocked her from entering the woodshed, she spoke lazily: “I am here on the Eldest Miss’s orders to visit Miss Song. Can’t you see I’m supposed to be here?”

Although the servants were puzzled, the name Ji Yan’an was simply too effective. They had no choice but to slowly step aside, allowing Ji Tong’an to enter.

The wooden door opened again. This time, Song Yi did not turn her head. She had heard Ji Tong’an’s voice just moments ago and did not even want to look at her now.

“Song Yi… why are you still alive?” Ji Tong’an, as expected, had come to cause trouble. She forcefully closed the woodshed door, clutching a hairpin in her hand.

“So what if Ji Yan’an goes back home to bring the Old Madam out? As long as I kill you now, and judging by the timing, the mountain bandits outside the city have already started moving. What if Ji Yan’an never returns? Who will blame me? Hmm? Do you think ‘suicide out of guilt’ sounds good?”

Ji Tong’an was verging on madness. She chuckled sinisterly, advancing toward Song Yi step by step. The hairpin in her hand was the green jade hairpin she had specifically found in Song Yi’s side room today. She had long harbored the intention of killing Song Yi.

“Tell me, what right do you have to be so good-looking? What right do you have to be with Ji Yan’an? And what right do you have to replace me in the palace? Do you deserve it! You’re just a harbinger of doom! The harbinger who cursed her entire family to death! Hahaha…”

Ji Tong’an lowered her voice but grew increasingly unrestrained. This was her true self, nurtured by countless dark thoughts under the label of being a concubine’s daughter since childhood.

Song Yi still didn’t turn around. She let out a series of cold sneers. The narcotic powder in her sleeve was ready.

“Because I am the legitimate Eldest Miss of the Song family. The Song family may have fallen, but I am still the legitimate Eldest Miss.” Every word Song Yi spoke struck at Ji Tong’an’s vulnerability. Her anger flared, and the hairpin instantly plunged into Song Yi’s left shoulder.

Song Yi groaned, her face turning pale instantly, and faint blue veins appeared on her forehead. Even so, her reaction was extremely fast. She quickly released the narcotic powder from her sleeve into the air. The drug took effect quickly, and Ji Tong’an fell straight to the ground. The hairpin remained fiercely embedded in Song Yi’s left shoulder, and bright red blood was already trickling down.

The walls of the woodshed were thick, and the guards outside had not heard any unusual sounds; they were still chatting casually.

“Hiss—” Song Yi wasn’t made of iron. She slowly crouched down, struggling to pull out the hemostatic powder from her sleeve. After pulling out the hairpin, she endured the pain to sprinkle the powder on the wound with her right hand.

Ji Yan’an had gone back home to find the Old Madam for her? Song Yi wasn’t thinking about how to treat her wound; her only concern was Ji Yan’an.

Approaching the New Year, those desperate outlaws, disregarding that they were right under the Emperor’s nose, would risk everything to raid and loot on the outskirts of the city. How could Madam Ji allow Ji Yan’an to go? Song Yi was initially confused, but then she realized that a mistress of the house like Madam Ji would likely not be proactively informed about the bandits.

“No! Ji Yan’an is in danger!” Looking at the sky, winter days were short. After lunch, the sun was already setting. Ji Yan’an had just set off; by the time she reached the section of the road where the bandits might ambush, it would definitely be dark.

Song Yi ignored the wound on her back and continued to use the remaining powder packet to incapacitate the few guards. Leaving a note in the woodshed, she climbed over the wall and ran out, enduring the intense pain as she raced toward the outskirts of the city.

“I hope I can make it in time.” Song Yi, whose face was usually composed and cold, felt a surge of panic for the first time.