Transmigrated as the Short-Lived White Moonlight, I Ended Up Happily Ever After With the Female Lead - Chapter 55

“Let’s go.” Ji Yan’an decided to trust the little schemer this once. After all, her frantic and pitiful appearance made Ji Yan’an believe once more in the saying that hateful people must have something pitiable about them.

Gently pushing open the door to the woodshed, Ji Yan’an and Song Yi once again entered the room, their moods somewhat complex. They looked at the familiar surroundings, but the one standing by the window had changed to Ji Tong’an.

“Just say what you need to say here.” Song Yi stretched out her hand, preventing Ji Yan’an from walking any closer. Ji Tong’an turned around with a cold sneer, looking at Ji Yan’an with a deeply mournful gaze: “My dear Elder Sister, you were born to have everything you desired, beloved by Father and Madam, even those in the palace doted on you and indulged you. On top of that, you grew up to be beautiful, and young lords big and small in the capital would spend a fortune just to buy your itinerary… Do you know how much I hate you?”

“Mother always told me from a young age to follow your lead. You are the Ji Manor’s Eldest Miss, and I should associate with you more. She said perhaps when you gained something good, you could share a piece with me. I grew up listening to these words, becoming your most loyal little shadow. And you truly did think of me for every good thing. But… it wasn’t until I followed you into the palace that I truly understood you had always used me like a dog. Prince Liang only had eyes for you, but I was just someone even lower than a maid!!”

Ji Tong’an’s voice trembled slightly, a trace of vulnerability hidden beneath her fierce gaze: “Whenever we made a mistake together, you would eat pastries and watch me take the punishment. I once foolishly asked Mother why you didn’t have to be punished. The only answer I got was: You are the high and mighty legitimate Eldest Miss of the Ji Manor! And no matter how glamorous I became; I was still a concubine-born person. Later, I discovered that those people were also concubine-born, yet as long as they surpassed the legitimate daughter, no one dared to say a word…”

Ji Yan’an knew she was referring to Jinxi, so she raised an eyebrow and asked, “So? You wanted to push me into the lake just for your own glory?”

The original owner’s treatment of Ji Tong’an was not mentioned in the original text, but Ji Yan’an was Ji Yan’an, and the original owner was the original owner. Ji Yan’an refused to bear responsibility for things she hadn’t done and couldn’t empathize with.

Ji Tong’an vigorously wiped away her tears, her dirty face lifted in an arrogant manner: “Isn’t that right? As long as you died, I would have everything. All the affection for you would transfer to me, allowing me to continue being the Eldest Miss in your stead, wouldn’t that be great? Why did you have to live? Why did Song Yi save you!”

Saying this, Ji Tong’an took a step toward Ji Yan’an. Song Yi instantly moved, gripping Ji Tong’an’s throat: “I warn you, don’t move recklessly.”

Ji Tong’an showed no sign of resisting. Her eyes were bulging, looking exaggeratedly like she was about to explode with rage. She gasped for air wildly: “I’d rather live forever in your shadow, Ji Yan’an, and become another you! Why do you deserve to be saved!!”

The person seemed to be going crazy, but Ji Yan’an didn’t want to leave. The Ji Tong’an in the original text had indeed caused Ji Yan’an’s death, but she was still a cannon fodder character, still unable to win everyone’s affection. Thinking of this, Ji Yan’an stepped forward, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped the tears from Ji Tong’an’s eyes and the bloodstains on her face, which were unrecognizable from her original complexion.

“What good does it do you to live in my shadow? You can’t take my looks, you can’t borrow my temperament, and you certainly don’t have my bloodline. Do you think… the Empress Dowager would care about you?”

These words were like a hammer, shattering Ji Tong’an’s fantasy one by one. So what if she became Ji Yan’an’s shadow!?

Ji Tong’an was pushed to the brink of madness by these few sentences. Her hair was uncombed, puffed up like a bird’s nest, and she couldn’t stop pulling at it. Ji Yan’an watched, feeling pain on her behalf. Ultimately, the negotiation was fruitless, and Ji Yan’an decided to leave.

Seeing Ji Yan’an about to walk away, a single, muddy tear surprisingly rolled down the still-raving Ji Tong’an’s cheek: “Stinky sister… be careful when entering the palace tomorrow… What is that nasty smell? Get out quickly!”

Ji Tong’an’s attitude had taken a 180-degree turn. The three words “stinky sister” were what they used to call each other when they were little. The author had mentioned this detail when the Ji Yan’an in the original story was dying. In the original owner’s memory, Ji Tong’an was always the one who would call her “stinky sister.”

This scene had once brought tears to Ji Yan’an’s eyes, but now that she was a person in the text, Ji Yan’an didn’t know how to respond.

However, Ji Tong’an actually said that the scent of the sachet was unpleasant. Ji Yan’an snorted and dragged Song Yi out of the woodshed. Just as they stepped out, she heard Ji Tong’an’s silly laughter from inside again.

The guard watching the woodshed looked at Ji Yan’an with some concern and asked, “Miss, were you frightened?”

Ji Yan’an shook her head, still feeling a sense of dread. She was truly afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would be accidentally hurt by a lunatic like Ji Tong’an, which would be terrible.

“It’s nothing. You watch her carefully and make sure she doesn’t do anything to hurt herself,” Ji Yan’an instructed, her emotions seeming a bit low. After giving the order, she walked side-by-side with Song Yi back.

“Why did you bring me here?” Ji Yan’an still remembered this and asked Song Yi, feeling very puzzled and a little afraid.

Although she hadn’t read the entire book, the main storyline was Song Yi’s revenge. Her willingness to endure these years in the Ji Manor, tolerating the constant difficulties from Ji Tong’an and Third Madam, was all because a crucial piece of evidence was hidden in the Library Pavilion. That old fox, Ji Yongning, wouldn’t allow anyone inside, so Song Yi desperately utilized everyone she could, even leveraging Liang Jingcheng’s power. Her relationship with Liang Jingcheng was more like a partnership.

In the end, Song Yi obtained the case files, vindicated her father, and slowly rose in rank. Once she became immensely powerful, she turned the Ji Manor upside down, using a fabricated treason case to frame the Ji family… The Ji Manor, which had enjoyed decades of glory, thus fell.

The Ji Yan’an who died early… if she had still been alive, she would surely not have escaped Song Yi’s clutches.

Ji Yan’an now looked at the outwardly cold yet righteous Song Yi, unable to believe she would turn into that person. However, the plot had already changed significantly, and she didn’t know if Song Yi’s action today was to use her to get into the Library Pavilion.

Song Yi didn’t know why she was panicking. She only needed to say the words she had planned, take Ji Yan’an to the Library Pavilion, and everything should have proceeded normally. But what Song Yi subconsciously blurted out changed to: “I heard that Ji Tong’an was acting a little crazy, so I thought of coming to see. It was my fault for not telling you beforehand.”

Song Yi abandoned her original plan, simply because she was afraid the person in front of her would be disappointed in her.

Seeing the usually arrogant Song Yi willing to soften her tone and apologize to her, Ji Yan’an’s fear and unease vanished completely. She waved her hand dismissively, looking unconcerned, and continued walking while gazing at the sachet on Song Yi’s waist.

The chattering continued the entire way.

“Miss! Where did you go?” Le Yan looked delighted as she rushed to greet the two dusty returnees.

Ji Yan’an casually fabricated an excuse and couldn’t wait to dart into the room to look at her dress. The ruqun traditional Chinese dress was utterly gorgeous without losing elegance, and the colors weren’t overly mixed, making it perfectly suitable for a Ji Manor Eldest Miss entering the palace. The brocade was of the finest material, giving off a shimmering radiance when worn.

“Song Yi! Do I look good?” Ji Yan’an twirled in front of the bronze mirror. This silly, simple appearance made Song Yi couldn’t help but smile, nodding and honestly replying, “You look very beautiful.”

It was such a straightforward compliment. If it had come from someone else’s mouth, Ji Yan’an might have found it perfunctory, but coming from Song Yi’s mouth, Ji Yan’an was very happy. She knew that someone like Song Yi would definitely not compliment her if she didn’t think she looked good, and if she did, it meant she really was beautiful!

“Miss, come and see these accessories. Old Madam prepared them for you.” Le Yan looked happy, pulling Ji Yan’an over to look at the table full of accessories. The sight was dazzling, and Ji Yan’an’s eyes glazed over, thinking that if she sold them, she would definitely strike it rich!

But the composure of an Eldest Miss had to be maintained. Ji Yan’an cleared her throat, picked a simple hairpin, and put it on Song Yi. The plum blossom-style hairpin closely resembled the red plum from the day Ji Yan’an fell into the water—beautiful and simple, though unfortunately lacking a bit of color, not as lovely as the red plum.

Ji Yan’an didn’t dwell on it. At the very least, she was the one who put it on Song Yi, and that made it beautiful.

Le Yan was about to stay and help Ji Yan’an choose what to wear tomorrow, but Ji Yan’an shoved the entire jewelry box into Le Yan’s hands: “Just pick out something good for me and tell me later. Now, go outside!”

Just like that, Le Yan was forcibly chased out the door, standing outside with the glittering jewelry box in her arms, looking aggrieved.

“Chased out again?” Pang Zhi came looking for Le Yan to discuss dinner but happened to see this scene. He couldn’t help but chuckle softly and put his arm around Le Yan’s waist.

“Y-y-you… be careful! The masters are inside!” Le Yan’s face flushed crimson, and the box in her hands nearly slipped. Fortunately, there were too many precious hairpins inside, and her last shred of rationality reminded Le Yan not to drop it.

Pang Zhi lifted Le Yan into his arms, completely changing his usual timid appearance. He quickly moved to Le Yan’s small room, closed the wooden door, first took the box and placed it on the table, and then his hands began to wander…

“Pang Zhi! I thought you were a poor little thing! I didn’t expect… Hmm… Ow…” Le Yan’s voice grew urgent. Jin Xi, passing by, didn’t fail to hear, but only smiled and shook her head. The rules of the Ji Manor were almost forgotten; such behavior in broad daylight…

Jin Xi endured the pain in her body and came to Ji Yan’an’s sleeping chamber. Seeing Ji Yan’an and Song Yi seriously discussing something, she stepped forward to bow and greet them.

“Good health, Miss.”

Ji Yan’an was still deep in thought, but seeing Jin Xi, who was supposed to be resting on the couch, getting out of bed, she quickly helped her up and stopped her from bowing.

“Miss, Jin Xi heard you are going to enter the palace again tomorrow?”

Ji Yan’an sighed and nodded, only to see Jin Xi take out a blood-colored pendant from her waist. The pendant was of excellent quality, and it was clear Jin Xi cherished it.

“What does this mean?”