Transmigrated as the Short-Lived White Moonlight, I Ended Up Happily Ever After With the Female Lead - Chapter 36

“What is the meaning of this, Old Madam?” Governor Chang had never expected that his simple visit to help his daughter try to get close to the Old Madam would escalate to this situation.

The Old Madam snorted, ordering a few maidservants to hold Chang Yunjie down on the floor, while Governor Chang’s knees were forced toward Ji Yan’an.

“Song Yi is a very important person to me, not someone like you can touch. I advise you, next time if you aren’t clear about things, don’t throw your little Miss tantrums around.” Ji Yan’an knelt down, using the teacup in her hand to lift Chang Yunjie’s chin. Her apricot eyes narrowed slightly; she was genuinely angry.

Chang Yunjie felt threatened, especially seeing the murderous intent in Ji Yan’an’s eyes. She no longer dared to talk back, nodding and apologizing desperately, tears streaming down her face.

Governor Chang clenched his fists, pulled Chang Yunjie’s hand, and started walking towards the door. Ji Yan’an felt a little uneasy—what if he used his official position to cause trouble for the Old Madam? Although the Ji family was powerful, it couldn’t completely defy the reality of the Emperor being far away.

Just then, the Old Madam stood in place and spoke coldly to the father and daughter, “This old woman will be returning to the capital in a few days. I wish the Governor well.”

These words stopped Governor Chang in his tracks. The Old Madam returning to the capital meant returning to the Ji family. If she mentioned this incident even a little to Ji Yongning, he could forget about any hope of promotion for the rest of his life.

Trembling, he turned around and bowed respectfully to the Old Madam, “Thank you for your concern, Old Madam.”

The world worked this way: with absolute power, even if you were furious and couldn’t bear it, you still had to endure.

After watching Governor Chang and his daughter leave, Ji Yan’an burst into tears, “Grandmother…”

But before Ji Yan’an’s tears could fall, the Old Madam, looking as if she had already seen through her, poked her little head. “Oh? So close to Miss Song that you’d even deceive your grandmother?”

Ji Yan’an rubbed her head, wrapping one arm around Song Yi and the other around the Old Madam, her face beaming with a smile. “Song Yi is important, and Grandmother is important too. Yan’an is the happiest person in the world.”

The Old Madam was successfully coaxed into a cheerful mood. Standing aside, Song Yi also felt a warmth in her heart and actively took Ji Yan’an’s hand. “Don’t get angry on my behalf again. Although the Ji family is powerful, a prominent tree catches the wind.”

Song Yi said this softly into Ji Yan’an’s ear. The Old Madam simply stood there, directing the maidservants to clean up the mess, not saying a word.

Ji Yan’an’s eyes were glistening with tears, but she still smiled. “Hehehe, I know you don’t want me to suffer injustice, and I don’t want you to suffer the slightest bit of injustice either. Regardless of whether we are best friends, I hope you can live a life of freedom and spontaneity, unconstrained by these things.”

When Ji Yan’an read the book, she felt that someone like Song Yi shouldn’t be constrained by such matters. She wasn’t originally a vengeful person, but those dirty little people in the Ji family forced her, step by step, to become the ruthless Song Yi who wouldn’t hesitate to kill.

“I hope there is always light in your heart,” Ji Yan’an softly added this sentence.

Upon hearing this, Song Yi’s eyes flickered, and the words that filled her heart and mouth were stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken.

“Ouch…” After a long while, Ji Yan’an cried out in pain. Only then did Song Yi realize her grip was too strong, causing Ji Yan’an’s tender little hand to turn slightly red.

“I… I’m sorry.” Song Yi subconsciously moved to release her hand, but Ji Yan’an unexpectedly held on tighter.

“It hurts, but I don’t want to stop holding hands!” Ji Yan’an glared at Song Yi, criticizing her for being insensitive, and then, quite smugly, held Song Yi’s hand in front of the Old Madam.

Ji Yan’an didn’t think there was anything wrong with these actions, but Song Yi’s face flushed crimson all the way to her ears, feeling inexplicably hot despite the cold wind.

“Alright, don’t just stand here. I’ve read Yongning’s letter from home. I’ll return to the capital with you another day and set all the matters straight, one by one.” The Old Madam walked back with a lazy expression, but her words made Ji Yan’an feel very secure; it made her journey to Songzhou, despite the fright, worthwhile.

“Songzhou has nothing else, but the scenery is top-notch. The sun is nice today, so you should go out and have some fun,” the Old Madam said to Ji Yan’an and the others before entering the room, knowing that Ji Yan’an was bored being confined to the manor every day.

“Go out and play!?” Ji Yan’an’s eyes lit up. She had wanted to look around ever since she arrived here. She wanted to see the peaceful and prosperous world described by the author, and she wanted to observe the diverse lives of people. Anything was better than being cooped up in the manor thinking about that little scheming character, Ji Tong’an.

After preparing the silver, Le Yan followed behind, carrying a cloak and a hand warmer. Ji Yan’an led Song Yi by the hand, chattering all the way about where they should go later.

“I heard that the mountains and waters of Songzhou are both exceptional. There’s no need to struggle over where to go,” Song Yi said calmly, looking ahead, feeling Ji Yan’an’s warmth on her hand.

Ji Yan’an pouted. She had specially dressed up before leaving today. Why wouldn’t Song Yi compliment her!

“Song Yi, look, look, do you think there’s anything different about me?” Ji Yan’an deliberately shook her head in front of Song Yi. She had newly pinned the pearl hairpin the Old Madam gave her. The pearl hairpin was very noticeable in her long hair, and the dangling tassels swayed, making her look bright and lively.

Song Yi needed only one glance to know what Ji Yan’an meant, but she deliberately didn’t indulge Ji Yan’an. She turned her head, continuing to watch the small vendors enthusiastically hawking their goods outside the gate. “Well, I just think the local customs here are simple and unadorned, very suitable for the Old Madam to recuperate.”

Such a clumsy attempt to change the subject made Ji Yan’an stomp her foot in frustration. The hairpin shook slightly, nearly slipping off. Song Yi smiled, gently steadying the hairpin for her, once again touching Ji Yan’an’s soft long hair.

“I see it. It’s beautiful.” Song Yi’s pleasant, clear voice, like a cold spring, entered Ji Yan’an’s ear. The warm breath fanning her neck made the sensitive Ji Yan’an shrink her neck back.

“Why didn’t you just say so earlier!” Ji Yan’an no longer dared to look into Song Yi’s eyes, starting to focus her gaze on the vigorously shouting small vendors, even feeling a little grateful for their presence in diffusing her embarrassment.

The group stepped out into the alley, where the noise of bargaining rose and fell. Ji Yan’an and Song Yi’s hands remained clasped, even tighter than before.

“Since our great beauty says the mountains and waters of Songzhou are all beautiful, then we must enjoy both the mountains and the water. We’ll ride a small boat and go to the temple on the mountain to pray for blessings… It’s much more interesting than being stuck in the Ji manor!”

Song Yi nodded without question. Close by were residences and manors, but looking into the distance, there were continuous large mountains. Mist seemed to be winding around the peaks, looking just like an immortal realm.

Ji Yan’an wanted to ride a small boat on the lake, so the group walked towards the lakeside. Songzhou’s lake was crystal clear, without excessive filth, and fish played in the water. This lively and joyous scene made Ji Yan’an incredibly happy.

“Look at this scene, do you like it?” Ji Yan’an tried to spark conversation, encouraging Song Yi to follow her gaze towards the bottom of the lake.

“Very good,” Song Yi genuinely sighed in admiration.

Again, she spoke only two-word phrases. Ji Yan’an looked at Song Yi with frustration for a moment, but didn’t press her. She sighed and stood still, watching a small boat glide towards them. Supported by Le Yan, she carefully stepped onto the boat. As soon as she was on board, Ji Yan’an let go of Le Yan’s hand and went to wait for Song Yi, but there was water on the boat. Before she could steady herself, Ji Yan’an started to fall backward. In a flash of lightning, Song Yi darted forward with instantaneous speed, catching Ji Yan’an steadily. Ji Yan’an lay in Song Yi’s arms with her eyes closed, her little hands clenched tightly into fists.

There was no cold sensation as she had imagined. She opened her eyes to see that beautiful face again—it was Song Yi, who had saved her so many times.

“Still so careless?” Song Yi hugged Ji Yan’an helplessly and walked into the boat cabin. The water shimmered, and the sunlight refracted onto Song Yi’s face, coating it with a layer of gold.

“I said I wouldn’t let you face danger again. Did I keep my word?” Seeing Ji Yan’an silent, Song Yi added with a smile.

Since falling into the water at the Ji manor, Ji Yan’an had actually been very afraid of water. Her decision to ride the boat this time was just because she didn’t want to leave any regrets, yet she almost had an intimate encounter with the lake water again.

Her hands were no longer clenched tightly into fists; instead, she gripped Song Yi’s clothes, burying her head into Song Yi’s chest, her eyes full of fear. “I never want to… go near the lake water again.”

Song Yi didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. They held each other for a long time. She felt the heartbeat of the person in her arms and gently rubbed Ji Yan’an’s head. “Alright, don’t be afraid. If you like the water, go and enjoy yourself. No matter what, I’ll always be behind you to catch you.”

This made Ji Yan’an freeze. She lifted her head from Song Yi’s embrace. The fear and panic in her eyes faded significantly, replaced by deep gratitude. She continued to lean against Song Yi, but she was no longer afraid. She felt very touched, very happy, and… very blissful.

After a while, Ji Yan’an looked at the ripples spreading outside. The lake was wide, and the small boat was close to the surface, offering a thrilling experience that Ji Yan’an had never felt on a tall, luxurious official boat.

Whenever a breeze picked up, the water rippled more strongly, causing the small boat to rock up and down. Ji Yan’an’s hand, gripping Song Yi’s clothes, would alternately tighten and relax, as if she herself were the small boat drifting in the wind.

Ji Yan’an looked at the scenery; Song Yi looked at Ji Yan’an.

The scene was very harmonious. The boatman, weary of the boredom on the lake, saw a young gentleman waving from the shore. Assuming they were just ordinary young ladies, the boatman suggested apologetically, “Young ladies… that gentleman on the shore seems to want to ride the boat, but there aren’t enough boats. I see there are still empty seats here. Would you two mind doing him a favor?”

The boatman didn’t know Ji Yan’an’s identity, but he was very familiar with that gentleman’s identity. The gentleman was Huo Xiuyuan, the eldest son of the Huo family. The Huo family was closely associated with Governor Chang, and who would dare not give Huo Xiuyuan face?

Fortunately, Ji Yan’an understood the boatman’s difficulty and waved her hand, indicating it was fine. The boatman, seeing Ji Yan’an’s quick agreement, smiled broadly, flattering them while rowing the boat to the shore.

The man on the shore was tall. He was wearing a sapphire brocade crane cloak and a sachet and jade fan tied at his waist. He had flowing long hair and clear eyes beneath his brows, presenting a completely gentle and refined demeanor. This man was Huo Xiuyuan.

The young servant beside him did not get on the boat. Huo Xiuyuan entered the cabin by himself, and with just one look, his expression changed drastically.

“Yan… Yan’an!?”