Transmigrated as the Short-Lived White Moonlight, I Ended Up Happily Ever After With the Female Lead - Chapter 46

Song Yi tried to pick up the cape and looked at Ji Yan’an with a very sincere expression: “How about I go and wash this for you?”

Saying this, she actually started to walk off to wash it. Ji Yan’an quickly put down the hairpin in her hand, ran over, and held Song Yi’s hand, looking at her with a happy smile: “No need! Le Yan brings a whole group of people to sweep and clean every day. This floor is cleaner than Ji Tong’an’s face, so the cape definitely isn’t dirty.” Just as she said this, Le Yan and the others came in carrying food boxes. Various types of porridge and buns were set on the table, along with a message from the Old Madam: “We will be setting off for the capital after breakfast. Miss, you should prepare.”

After placing the last plate of buns, Le Yan stood aside holding the empty food boxes and smiled as she watched Ji Yan’an clumsily try to put on a step-shake hairpin. Unable to hold back, she walked forward, and with a pair of deft hands, quickly and beautifully styled Ji Yan’an’s hair. A few pearl flowers adorned it, and the white jade tassels hung down steadily, just like the serene pale-yellow long dress she wore today. Song Yi’s blue dress had been drenched by the rain last night, so she had to change into one of Ji Yan’an’s dresses that was somewhat longer. That delicate pink color, however, brought a unique charm to Song Yi.

“Miss Song looks beautiful in this outfit too!” Le Yan didn’t hide her praise, but this earned her a glare from Ji Yan’an. Ji Yan’an protectively stood in front of Song Yi, trying to block Le Yan’s sight with her body, and imitated Song Yi’s cold tone: “Even if she looks good, you can’t look! Get out, out, out…”

Le Yan was still bewildered when Ji Yan’an pushed her out the door. Only when she stood outside did she realize what had just happened and why she was out there.

Ji Yan’an closed the door and sat down at the table with an unhappy expression. She picked up a large bun and stuffed it into her mouth, completely disregarding her image or manners, focusing only on eating. When she was tired of chewing, she picked up the porridge and gulped it down. She truly cast aside all pretense.

Song Yi noticed a grain of rice on the corner of Ji Yan’an’s mouth, reached out to take it off for her, and then used a handkerchief to wipe her clean, but she still didn’t understand why Ji Yan’an was upset.

Song Yi could only look for the problem within herself. After hesitating for a long time, she asked uncertainly, “Are you perhaps unhappy that I’m wearing your clothes?” In the past, Ji Yan’an hated it when she wore the same things as her, or even similar ones.

Ji Yan’an blinked her eyes, took a bun, and handed it to Song Yi. Not wanting to sulk anymore, she said directly, ” Le Yan actually said you look good! She must be peeking at you all the time!”

Song Yi was amused by this. Wasn’t this the exact same reasoning she had used before when telling Le Yan not to hug Ji Yan’an?

Breakfast was quickly finished. After rinsing her mouth, Ji Yan’an started having the maids load all her bags and packages onto the carriage. She and Song Yi went together to find the Old Madam.

The Old Madam had also just finished her breakfast, and the bowls and dishes were still on the table while some servant women were cleaning up. As soon as Ji Yan’an entered, she rushed into the Old Madam’s arms. The Old Madam, who habitually burned incense and chanted Buddhist scriptures, had a scent that was very calming. Ji Yan’an closed her eyes comfortably, feeling the Old Madam’s well-maintained hands stroking her head.

Song Yi respectfully bowed to the Old Madam. Only after being excused did she stand up. After they had exchanged greetings, the Old Madam had already had their belongings placed on the carriages and was fully prepared, only waiting to depart.

Ji Yan’an helped the Old Madam, Song Yi helped carry the Old Madam’s prayer beads, and several maids and servant women followed behind. The large group left the old residence in a grand procession. Four or five carriages were parked outside the gate: two for passengers and the others for luggage.

The residents of Songzhou who passed by would stop to look. Now that they saw the Old Madam coming out, they knew she was returning to the capital and bowed one after another: “We wish the Old Madam a smooth journey!”

Ji Yan’an was stunned by the scene. She knew the Old Madam was highly respected, but she never imagined she had so deeply won the hearts of the people, who offered their respect not out of fear of her status, but truly from the bottom of their hearts, earning her the title of Old Madam. Ji Yan’an looked at the Old Madam with admiration. The image of this elder became even more towering in her eyes.

After a while, Chang Wan also arrived with tears in her eyes.

The Old Madam smiled and got into the carriage. Her gold hairpin made a crisp sound as she slowly drew back the curtain, taking a look at the old residence. This return to the capital was too rushed, and many people couldn’t be brought along. She had only selected a few maids and servant women to accompany her, leaving the rest behind to keep the old residence clean. They all came out to send the Old Madam off, which made Ji Yan’an’s eyes well up with tears.

“Why are you crying, little Yan’an? Your grandmother will be returning to Songzhou after the New Year; I’m not used to staying in the capital,” the Old Madam said, then lowered the curtain, leaving Ji Yan’an teary-eyed alone.

Song Yi couldn’t bear to see her standing there. She stepped forward, pulled her onto their carriage, sat her down, wiped her tears for her, and instructed the coachman that they could leave. Only then did she turn to Ji Yan’an and ask, “Do you like it here?”

Ji Yan’an nodded without denying it. Her small hand pulled open the curtain, looking at the quickly retreating scenery, and her heart felt increasingly heavy.

Hearing this, Song Yi placed her hand on Ji Yan’an’s head and offered a very stiff comfort: “You’ll be back…”

Even her movements were awkward.

Ji Yan’an was amused by her. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she looked at Song Yi with renewed fighting spirit: “We are returning to the capital this time to seek justice for you. That Ji Tong’an should never have set her sights on you.”

Saying this, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in Ji Yan’an’s apricot-shaped eyes. For an inconsiderate person like Ji Tong’an, Song Yi shouldn’t have to worry about her.

Song Yi nodded. She hesitated about whether to tell Ji Yan’an about the Old Madam’s plan, but based on what happened yesterday, the Old Madam seemed to want to give her some experience.

Song Yi then stopped talking, picked up her book, and began reading. The Imperial Examinations were scheduled right after the New Year, and she couldn’t be careless. This was the backup plan Song Yi had created for herself. She had originally intended to complete her grand scheme before the end of the year, but she feared unforeseen complications, so she needed to have two plans ready.

The journey back to the capital was the same as before: first taking a carriage to the riverbank, then transferring to an official boat. However, this time, it had just rained, the river was swelling, and the wind was strong. The official boat traveled faster, almost at the speed of reaching the capital in a single day. After lunch, Ji Yan’an spent the entire afternoon by the side of the boat looking at the scenery. When Le Yan had made several attempts to invite her for dinner without success, Song Yi came.

“I’m not hungry…” When Ji Yan’an saw Song Yi arrive, her demeanor naturally softened, and she spoke in a small voice.

Song Yi didn’t rush her to eat. Instead, she brought two pieces of fruit, handed one to Ji Yan’an, and ate the other herself, beginning to keep Ji Yan’an company and look at the scenery.

“This…” Ji Yan’an looked at Song Yi, who wore a pink dress but had no makeup on her face, standing beside her. In front of them was the endless river, the water churning and hitting the boat, and the sound of the wind whistling past their ears. Ji Yan’an felt inexplicably happy. She didn’t ask for anything right now; it was wonderful just to have the important people by her side!

Night gradually fell, and the evening wind became much colder. Even though Ji Yan’an was dressed warmly, she couldn’t withstand it and had to retreat into the warm cabin. The Old Madam had already rested in another room. Ji Yan’an and Song Yi sat in silence but felt no urge to sleep.

“I’m a little… hungry,” Ji Yan’an scratched her head sheepishly. She regretted pretending not to be hungry earlier. The fruit had only provided a light snack, and now she was genuinely hungry.

Song Yi smiled faintly at her words, took out the dishes from the cabinet that were still letting off slight steam, and arranged them on the small table: “I told Le Yan to keep the food warm. I put it in the cabinet just now, so it’s still hot. Eat.”

Ji Yan’an felt that the woman in front of her was incredibly thoughtful, almost unreasonably so. With the appearance of a goddess and the meticulous gentleness of a wife, she was simply perfect. Just as she picked up her chopsticks to eat, she glimpsed a jar of wine in the cabinet.

Song Yi noticed that Ji Yan’an hadn’t eaten for a long time. She looked curiously in the direction of Ji Yan’an’s gaze and also spotted the jar of wine.

“Can you drink?” In Song Yi’s memory, this young lady had drunk some of the fruit wine in the palace, but would she also drink this kind of liquor?

Ji Yan’an shook her head. She hadn’t drunk a single drop of alcohol in both her lives, but this time, she wanted to try. In any case, it was already night; at worst, she would just fall asleep if she got drunk.

Song Yi saw her shake her head, but the longing light in her eyes made it hard to refuse. She fetched the jar of wine, warmed it up, and poured a small cup for Ji Yan’an, but she made no move to pour one for herself.

“No, no, no, you have to drink too.” Ji Yan’an smiled mischievously, took the jar of wine, and poured a cup for Song Yi as well. Then, she couldn’t wait to pick up her own cup and take a sip.

Hiss… Spicy!

This was Ji Yan’an’s first impression of alcohol. She quickly ate several mouthfuls of food to suppress the burning sensation. Song Yi, however, drank the entire cup in one go.

“You, you, you… aren’t you afraid of the spiciness?” Ji Yan’an widened her eyes, watching Song Yi drink the wine expressionlessly. In her heart, she called her a brave warrior, then picked up a cup herself and drank it all.

Perhaps Song Yi was getting tipsy, as she unexpectedly poured herself another cup and began to drink it slowly, savoring it like a cup of tea.

“This is excellent wine. It must be a tribute from Prefect Chang on the official boat to the Old Madam, but now we’re drinking it,” Song Yi analyzed calmly. Just as she was about to put some food on Ji Yan’an’s plate, she realized that someone was already bleary-eyed and had a flushed face.

“Yan’an?” Song Yi called her name, feeling surprised. Was this wine really that strong?

Ji Yan’an could no longer hear Song Yi calling her. She only knew that her head felt dizzy, and all she wanted to do was lie down and sleep.

Song Yi smiled at her dazed and sleepy appearance and carried her onto the bed. Ji Yan’an, however, wouldn’t be still, constantly murmuring that she wanted to eat.

But when Song Yi brought the food to Ji Yan’an’s mouth, she played dead and refused to eat.

Song Yi thought Ji Yan’an was finally going to sleep properly, so she took off her hair ornaments and changed into her inner garments, ready to go to sleep. When she turned around, she saw that Ji Yan’an had torn her clothes badly, revealing hints of her fair skin. Her face was flushed, making it seem as if Ji Yan’an was extremely shy.

“I want to change clothes too!” Ji Yan’an mumbled, about to take off her own clothes. Song Yi quickly turned her back.

Ji Yan’an slightly narrowed her apricot-shaped eyes, saw Song Yi turn around, and pouted: “I’m not ugly! You have to look at me!!”

At this point, Ji Yan’an had already taken off all her outer garments, leaving only a decorative golden-thread red dudou (bodice) hanging there, looking extremely alluring.