Transmigrated as the Short-Lived White Moonlight, I Ended Up Happily Ever After With the Female Lead - Chapter 56

“This is something your maid has kept for a long time; it’s to ensure safety,” Jinxi handed it to Ji Yan’an as if it were a treasure. Ji Yan’an was also deeply moved as she accepted it, exchanged a look with Song Yi, and sincerely offered her thanks.

“Alright, don’t worry. I’m just entering the palace this one time; it’s nothing major. It’s not like I’m going into a den of jackals and tigers,” Ji Yan’an tried hard to reassure Jinxi, but the more she spoke, the more difficult it became.

Isn’t the Imperial Palace exactly a den of jackals and tigers?

Early the next morning, Ji Yan’an was pulled out of her covers. With sleepy eyes, she sat in front of the mirror, watching Le Yan and Jinxi busily fuss around her. The jewelry that had been prepared the day before was all placed upon Ji Yan’an’s head. The naturally petite girl seemed much taller due to these accessories and her tall updo. Once the ruqun a style of ancient Chinese dress was worn, she was simply breathtakingly beautiful. Just as Ji Yan’an was admiring herself in the mirror, Song Yi arrived.

Song Yi was dressed in the indigo que-zhen-embroidered purple qushui yuehua skirt from yesterday, immediately presenting an air of nobility and elegance. Her simply coiled hair was adorned with only a single plum blossom hairpin. Her slender, graceful waist was tied with the perfumed pouch Ji Yan’an had given her yesterday. On her feet, she wore a pair of lotus-patterned silk embroidered shoes, conveying the meaning of “taking a lotus step.”

“Song Yi… you look so beautiful…” Ji Yan’an knew Song Yi would look good in the yuehua skirt, but she hadn’t expected her to look this beautiful. Her mesmerizing phoenix eyes and cool, aloof face made people want to approach yet dare not. Ji Yan’an wondered if it was her imagination, but she felt that Song Yi’s eyes now held more than just their former aloofness; there was an unusual glint, like a big bad wolf that had been disguised for years was finally about to show its claws.

Ji Yan’an didn’t know why she had such a thought. She shook her head and wanted to bury herself in Song Yi’s arms. That’s just how she was; when she met someone who made her feel safe, she would cling to them, regardless of her image.

Song Yi cleverly sidestepped, only urging Ji Yan’an to quickly change her clothes, as the carriage was already waiting outside the Ji Residence gate.

Ji Yan’an dejectedly took the light white cloak handed to her by Le Yan. It was another day without breakfast.

Song Yi stepped forward to tie the cloak for Ji Yan’an. Le Yan tactfully stepped away. Song Yi’s delicate hands worked lightly, flipping the fabric a few times until a beautiful bow appeared. Ji Yan’an happily looked down at it, then linked her arm with Song Yi’s and walked out.

Outside, the cold wind howled; there had already been a light snowfall. As the New Year approached, the weather became increasingly cold. The breath exhaled by the horses at the gate was visible in the air. The small sounds of the maids’ footsteps crunching on the thin layer of snow, though faint, were noticeable. In the silent world, one could only hear the bustle of the maids busy on their behalf, preparing hand warmers and carrying the gifts for the imperial visit. Ji Yan’an and Song Yi sat in the carriage, enjoying a moment of leisure.

Song Yi noticed that Ji Yan’an’s face was pale. Thinking she was cold, she also handed her own hand warmer to Ji Yan’an and asked with concern, “Are you cold? Just bear with it a little longer; we’ll be at the palace soon.”

Ji Yan’an burst out laughing, stuffed the hand warmer back into Song Yi’s hand, and explained, “Mother isn’t accompanying us into the palace this time, and there will be many other young ladies… I’m a little scared.”

Just as she spoke, the carriage slowly started to move. Ji Yan’an’s fear became more pronounced. Her intuition told her that something might happen today. Song Yi pulled Ji Yan’an closer. This was the first time she had actively held Ji Yan’an, and it was a subconscious move. Both of them were slightly stunned when the person was embraced in her arms.

“Don’t be afraid…” Song Yi said unnaturally. Nestled in her arms, Ji Yan’an didn’t know how to speak, only daring to gently smell the scent of the sachet on Song Yi. What was even more confusing was that smelling this scent not only failed to calm her but made her more restless. Only by moving slightly away from the sachet and smelling Song Yi’s natural fresh scent could her mind settle down.

“You woke up too early this morning. Sleep a little more,” Song Yi’s gentle and melodious voice sounded in her ear. Ji Yan’an closed her eyes in peace and drifted into a dream.

After a whole journey in a daze, when Ji Yan’an opened her eyes again, the carriage had already stopped at the side gate from before. Outside, Le Yan reached out to help Ji Yan’an alight from the carriage. This time, there wasn’t a large group of momos nursing mothers/elderly female servants and eunuchs, only one eunuch and two young maids standing there, as if the Empress Dowager was unaware of Ji Yan’an’s arrival. The sole eunuch was unfamiliar; Ji Yan’an had never seen him in the Empress Dowager’s palace, nor was he the eunuch who was going to punish her that day at the Yong’an Palace.

“Greetings to Miss Ji. All the young ladies of the noble families are about to arrive. Please hurry to the Yong’an Palace. Consort Gui is waiting.” The eunuch deliberately emphasized the words “Consort Gui.” His sharp voice was unpleasant to hear, especially with this subtly mocking way of speaking, which made Song Yi frown as soon as she stepped down from the carriage.

Ji Yan’an curled her lips, putting on a full display of the high and mighty young mistress: “This young mistress thought she was coming to attend a feast, not to be lectured. How dare a mere eunuch presume to lecture me? Where would the Ji Residence’s dignity be then…”

Ji Yan’an also heavily stressed the words “Ji Residence.” Even Liu Wanwan wouldn’t dare to confront the Ji Residence directly, let alone this minor eunuch.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the little eunuch’s face turned ashen, and he immediately knelt down to beg for forgiveness. Unexpectedly, Ji Yan’an waved her hand: “I know you were ordered by someone to speak to me this way. I can’t touch your master behind you, but you… are more than enough. Go to the Imperial Household Department yourself and receive your punishment: twenty strokes with the heavy board.”

With that, Ji Yan’an took Song Yi’s arm and walked towards the sedan chair that Liu Wanwan had specially prepared, not sparing a glance at the eunuch kneeling and begging for mercy. She gave a cold laugh and ordered the sedan to start moving.

“Angry?” Song Yi had never seen Ji Yan’an get angry over such a trivial matter, especially on a day like this. Wasn’t she scared? Why would she impulsively punish someone in the palace?

Ji Yan’an pouted and leaned against the backrest. The tassels on her head swayed constantly. The exquisite and beautiful scenery of the Imperial Palace failed to capture any of Ji Yan’an’s attention.

“More or less. I’m already a bit annoyed today, and then I get mocked by this little eunuch the moment I arrive at the Imperial Palace. If word gets out, where would my dignity as the Young Miss of the Ji Residence be placed?” Ji Yan’an sullenly rested her chin in her hand, feeling uncomfortable just thinking about the eunuch’s face.

“People in the palace are accustomed to catering to the powerful and snubbing the weak; don’t take it to heart,” Song Yi pinched Ji Yan’an’s soft cheek, comforting her with a smile.

Ji Yan’an winced from the pinch, dodged away playfully, and then looked at Song Yi with a scrutinizing gaze: “My beautiful one, you’ve gotten very bold lately, haven’t you?”

Song Yi’s mouth curved into a smile, and she slowly leaned closer to Ji Yan’an, her warm breath caressing her: “Are you unhappy that I’m comforting you?”

This is outrageous, outrageous, outrageous! Ji Yan’an’s eyes widened, looking at Song Yi, who used to blush over everything and now was acting so improperly. That air of aloofness was gone, replaced only by allure.

Seeing Song Yi about to lean closer again, Ji Yan’an quickly turned her face forward, then stammered a change of subject: “We’ve arrived at Yong’an Palace!”

Ji Yan’an had only said it casually to distract Song Yi, but the sedan chair stopped immediately in response. Ji Yan’an looked at the large plaque, which indeed bore the three characters: “Yong’an Palace.”

Seeing these three words, Ji Yan’an felt fear deep down. It wasn’t that she was afraid of Liu Wanwan, but she was afraid of those heavy boards. Even though Song Yi had taken many of the blows for her that day, it had still hurt enough for Ji Yan’an to grimace. Now, stepping into Yong’an Palace again gave Ji Yan’an a headache.

Song Yi had already alighted from the sedan chair, standing there like a gentle breeze and bright moon. Her yuehua skirt outshone all the passing palace consorts in their formal attire. Consort Shu, Consort Xian, and others continuously offered compliments before smiling and entering the Yong’an Palace.

Ji Yan’an had no choice but to get up and leave the sedan chair. The sedan was carried away by the bearers. Le Yan stood by and handed Ji Yan’an a hand warmer, then respectfully waited for Ji Yan’an to enter first. However, many people came and went, but Ji Yan’an still hadn’t gone in.

The servants carrying the gifts behind had already set them down, just waiting for their young lady to enter so they could carry them in.

“Why aren’t you going in yet?” Song Yi noticed the look of struggle on Ji Yan’an’s face and was puzzled.

Ji Yan’an sighed, wrapped her cloak tighter around herself, and then, with a look of heroic sacrifice, stepped into Yong’an Palace.

Yong’an Palace was bustling with activity. It was originally a spacious grand courtyard; the courtyard alone could accommodate a hundred people, not to mention the lavish and brightly lit main hall.

The maids’ skirts rustled slightly. They came and went without a single unnecessary word, carrying pastries into the various chambers. The moment Ji Yan’an entered the main hall, her eyes were almost blinded. The entire room was filled with glittering jewels, and the air was heavy with fragrance. There were scents of various expensive spices mixed with the aroma of pastries. Stepping in abruptly, it even felt a bit stuffy.

Ji Yan’an couldn’t help but wonder if this environment was truly suitable for a pregnant woman.

While she was still thinking, the bustling room suddenly fell silent. It was deathly quiet. All the young ladies and consorts turned their gazes to Ji Yan’an and Song Yi.

Ji Yan’an stood awkwardly at the doorway, unsure whether to stand still or move, afraid that any move she made would expose her lack of experience.

Ji Yan’an did not move, and neither did Song Yi.

“Well… the Young Miss of the Ji Residence has grown even more beautiful! Even our Consort Gui might feel inadequate, perhaps?” This voice spoke first. Ji Yan’an’s expression darkened. Wasn’t this Consort Xian, whom she had encountered at the gate? This person was definitely being deliberately provocative.

Upon someone speaking, the atmosphere became lively. Everyone except Liu Wanwan. Her expression was frozen on her face. Her mesmerizing, soul-stealing smile had vanished, and her peach blossom-like enchanting eyes gleamed with coldness.

The young ladies didn’t notice and were still enthusiastically discussing Ji Yan’an and Song Yi’s looks.

Seeing them still standing outside, Consort Xian was more welcoming than Liu Wanwan: “Come in and sit down quickly. How can guests stand at the doorway? Consort Gui, you also…”

Seeing that Consort Xian was about to speak ill of Liu Wanwan, the others quickly spoke loudly on different topics to divert Liu Wanwan’s attention. Consort Xian was smug upon seeing Liu Wanwan’s disgusted expression, shook her handkerchief, and returned to her seat.