Transmigrated as the Short-Lived White Moonlight, I Ended Up Happily Ever After With the Female Lead - Chapter 62

The words were extremely sharp. The Liu brothers never expected that events from a few years ago could be dug up. They had no preparation whatsoever and could only keep shouting that they were wronged.

The Emperor, however, was already exhausted. Song Yi saw that Ji Yan’an was about to speak again and promptly knocked her unconscious, embracing her…

“The Liu family… for committing the great crime of treason, shall all be executed immediately, and the criminal woman Liu Wanwan as well.” This was the last sentence Ji Yan’an heard before she passed out.

When Ji Yan’an opened her eyes again, she was in her small bed in the Ji Manor. Her memory stopped at her kneeling in the court to clear Song Yi and her father’s names, but she didn’t know the result.

Ji Yan’an quickly got out of bed, still only in her inner garments, and shouted towards the door: “Le Yan!”

Le Yan outside the door heard the noise and hurried in.

“Miss! You’re awake!” Le Yan’s smile blossomed like a flower as she happily approached Ji Yan’an, carrying a bowl of bird’s nest soup.

“Wait, I should call you County Princess now!” Le Yan held the bird’s nest soup out to Ji Yan’an, but her words conveyed information that left Ji Yan’an confused.

Ji Yan’an took the bowl but didn’t drink yet. Instead, she asked, “What County Princess?”

When the topic came up, Le Yan got excited. She stood up and gesticulated wildly as she told Ji Yan’an, “County Princess! Yesterday, you were incredibly authoritative in the imperial court, presenting evidence that left the Liu family speechless. But perhaps because of your previous injuries combined with a poor mood, you fainted right there on the court. It is now the second night… This morning, the Emperor bestowed the title of County Princess upon you, granting you half of Songzhou’s annual silver tax as a stipend. The imperial decree and the County Princess’s attire have been placed in the cabinet. Would you like to see them?”

Le Yan’s hands moved around, miming how large Songzhou was and how huge and magnificent the pearls on the County Princess’s headwear were.

However, Ji Yan’an wasn’t in the mood to hear about her new title. Her only concern was that the first person she saw upon waking up wasn’t Song Yi. So, where was Song Yi?

“Where is Song Yi?” Ji Yan’an rubbed her head with one hand. Sleeping for so long was indeed detrimental; had she slept for almost a whole day?

Seeing that Ji Yan’an hadn’t drunk the bird’s nest soup, Le Yan picked up the spoon and began feeding her spoonful by spoonful. Noticing Ji Yan’an’s worried expression, Le Yan eventually said, “County Princess… please don’t worry about Miss Song. Yesterday, she cleared her father’s name, proving his innocence regarding the injustice of many years. The Emperor immediately appointed Miss Song as the Minister of Rites—the position her father held when he was alive. Furthermore, because she provided most of the evidence, and with the master’s strong recommendation, Miss Song is now also in charge of the Ministry of Revenue. She is currently busy with the handover of work…”

Although Le Yan mentioned the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue, which gave Ji Yan’an a slight headache, she could at least vaguely discern that the Ministry of Revenue managed land, census records, taxes, and finances, while the Ministry of Rites oversaw ceremonies, civil service examinations, and schools. Regardless of the ministry, both seemed very powerful.

However, according to the original text, the rapidly ascending Song Yi was supposed to become Ji Yongning’s equal and then proceed to turn the entire Ji Residence upside down. Yet, for some reason, the current Song Yi was still slightly beneath the Prime Minister.

“Did I change the plot?” The spoon of bird’s nest soup was already near Ji Yan’an’s lips, but the suddenness of her question nearly made Le Yan drop the spoon.

“What are you saying, County Princess?” Le Yan quickly set the bird’s nest soup down and took out a handkerchief to wipe Ji Yan’an’s mouth. “The Emperor has now granted Minister Song a very large mansion. Miss Song moved out last night…”

Having said that, Le Yan saw that Ji Yan’an wasn’t interested in the soup and was about to leave with the bowl. Suddenly, Ji Yan’an grabbed Le Yan’s wrist, still reeling from the shock. “Are you saying… Song Yi will never live in the Ji Residence again?”

Le Yan nodded, unsure why Ji Yan’an seemed so dejected. She watched as Ji Yan’an slowly released her hand, the words ‘lost and bewildered’ virtually written all over her face. Just as Le Yan was about to exit, she heard Ji Yan’an blankly instruct, “Help me wash up and change. I need to go visit an old friend.”

Ji Yan’an heavily emphasized the phrase “old friend.” She didn’t know why, but she was very bothered by Song Yi’s swift departure from the Ji Residence and felt a strong urge to lose her temper at her.

“Alright!” Le Yan knew the location of Song Yi’s new mansion. She helped Ji Yan’an change into yesterday’s long dress and put on the same hair ornaments, making her look full of vitality again.

Ji Yan’an hadn’t eaten for a whole day. After waking up and only having a few bites of the bird’s nest soup, she rushed out of the Ji Residence. As soon as she stood in the alley, she saw the maidservants guarding the residence door kneeling and performing the full ritual bow. It took her a moment to realize that her status was no longer the same, and the etiquette of the Ji Residence’s maidservants sending her off had changed.

Getting into the carriage, Le Yan whispered a few words to the coachman, who immediately nodded and drove the carriage toward the Song Residence. The carriage was trailed by a large entourage of maidservants and pages. Ji Yan’an watched everything, still feeling a sense of unreality. She had merely slept, only to wake up to a world that was practically turned upside down. How could Ji Yan’an possibly believe it?

Le Yan sat beside Ji Yan’an, watching her County Princess’s empty eyes. Only the pearl earrings by her ears swayed back and forth. There was not the slightest trace of a smile on Ji Yan’an’s face indicating happiness about becoming a County Princess.

The ornaments on the carriage rattled against each other. This outing was certainly high-profile. The common people on the street were all discussing who it was. When their eyes spotted the pendant on the carriage that symbolized the Ji Residence, they all showed understanding.

It was the little County Princess of the Ji Residence—Ji Yan’an.

Perhaps because of the presence of the maidservants, the journey, which wasn’t actually very long, seemed incredibly drawn out. Ji Yan’an’s mind was already imagining arguing with Song Yi and being shredded by a blackened Song Yi when the carriage finally came to a stop.

Le Yan also seemed to have matured. She got out first, then extended her hand, signaling Ji Yan’an to place her hand on it. This noble and elegant way of alighting left Ji Yan’an feeling a little dazed.

“County Princess may not know this, but Sister Le Yan was trained in etiquette all day yesterday, which is why she was allowed back to be your personal maidservant,” said a small maidservant beside Le Yan, her eyes shining with admiration. Ji Yan’an finally relaxed her stern expression upon seeing this.

She stood before the Song Residence, raising her head slightly to look at the brand-new, shimmering plaque with the grand and powerful characters “Song Residence.” This sight made Ji Yan’an feel as if she were seeing the Song Residence as it might have been in its glory days when Song Mingde was still alive.

The pages in front of the gate looked imposing. The one leading them was Su Zhang. When he saw that the visitor was Ji Yan’an, he was pleasantly surprised and quickly led his subordinates to kneel before Ji Yan’an. “Your subordinate greets the County Princess!”

Ji Yan’an smiled slightly, asking them to rise quickly. Su Zhang knew the purpose of Ji Yan’an’s visit and was eagerly leading her into the mansion.

“Please enter, County Princess. My master is waiting for you.” The ‘master’ Su Zhang referred to was Song Yi.

Ji Yan’an said nothing, her expression gentle and serene, though her heart was in turmoil. Stepping into the Song Residence, she noticed that the surrounding scenery surprisingly resembled Ji Yan’an’s own courtyard, also featuring many exotic flowers and plants, and at an inconspicuous corner of a door, there was an inlaid jade decoration.

The Song Residence was not small; it could rival the Ji Residence. Moreover, it was located in a central area, close to the Imperial Palace.

After passing several empty courtyards, Ji Yan’an followed Su Zhang to the main hall. The hall doors were ajar, making it impossible to see if anyone was inside, but Su Zhang did not continue to push the door open. He simply bowed slightly and said, “The master is waiting for you inside. We will not be entering.”

With that, Su Zhang quietly pulled Le Yan away, and the other maidservants were also stopped outside the door.

Ji Yan’an nodded, saying nothing. After seeing Su Zhang leave, she gazed at the exquisite wooden door for a long time before slowly reaching out and pushing it open.

As soon as she walked in, the decor, which was strikingly similar to her own sleeping quarters, left Ji Yan’an a little stunned. Song Yi, dressed in a deep blue gown, stood with her back to the door beside a writing desk. A subtle fire in a nearby brazier added a touch of warmth.

“Song Yi…” This name had been repeated countless times in Ji Yan’an’s heart, yet the moment she spoke it, it sounded a little dry…

Song Yi turned around in response, her eyes seeming to hold a thousand lights. The usual cold demeanor vanished, her phoenix eyes curving slightly, displaying a captivating allure. Watching this Song Yi, Ji Yan’an felt a sudden palpitation.

“Yan’an?” It was still that familiar, melodious voice, like a gurgling stream. But the smile on Song Yi’s lips grew wider, revealing a small canine tooth that made Song Yi look like a big bad wolf who had been coveting a little white rabbit for a long time.

Ji Yan’an composed herself and, according to their familiar way of interacting, walked up to Song Yi and playfully scolded, “You’re in such a hurry to move out of the Ji Residence? You don’t want to see me?”

Song Yi didn’t answer immediately. Instead, one hand pulled Ji Yan’an into an embrace, and the other gently scratched Ji Yan’an’s nose. “Silly girl, I just didn’t know what identity I should use to continue living in the Ji Residence.”

Ji Yan’an, enlightened by Song Yi’s words, finally realized that as the Minister of Rites, Song Yi indeed had no reason to continue living under someone else’s roof.

What was she unhappy about just now? Ji Yan’an ignored the awkward action of being embraced by Song Yi at the moment.

It wasn’t until Song Yi’s thin lips drew closer, her warm breath so familiar, that Ji Yan’an reacted, immediately pushing her away.

“You… what are you doing!” Ji Yan’an’s faces predictably flushed red, and she retreated several steps, nearly bumping into a porcelain vase.

Song Yi looked at Ji Yan’an with an innocent expression, blinking her eyes. “It’s just that you smell so good today; I wanted to get closer for a sniff…”

Ji Yan’an looked at the Song Yi before her, sensing something different from the past. She blushed and was just about to say something when her stomach unceremoniously rumbled. If this were before, Ji Yan’an wouldn’t have cared about her stomach rumbling, but the current expressions and actions of the person in front of her made it impossible for Ji Yan’an to save face.

Hearing the sound, Song Yi’s smile froze. She frowned deeply, finally returning to the appearance Ji Yan’an was familiar with.

“You haven’t eaten? This morning, I heard Le Yan say you were still sleeping. Did you wake up and not eat?”

Song Yi’s words hit home. Ji Yan’an didn’t dare to look up, only quietly replying, “I… I had a few sips of bird’s nest soup.”

Song Yi was almost amused by Ji Yan’an’s reply. She reached out and ruffled Ji Yan’an’s hair, sighed, and called toward the door, “Serve the meal.”