TSNCWEM Chapter 22

TLs note: Merry Christmas!! Under the tree you have found 5 beautifully wrapped presents from me- ch 22, 23, 24, 25, 26

 

“Brother Yunting, be careful!”

“He Shizi, stop!”

Song Yunzhao thanked Xie Jinshu, “Thank you, Third Young Master. If it weren’t for you, I might have gotten hurt.”

Xie Jinshu quickly stepped back and waved his hand, “I only lifted a finger, Third Miss. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Xie Linlang rushed over to examine Yunzhao. Seeing that she was indeed unhurt, she said, “If you had been injured, how would I explain it to Third Master? Who would have thought that people in the capital would act so arrogantly? Even before they arrive, they send their dishes and bowls flying as a greeting.”

Song Yunzhao was amused and patted Xie Linlang’s hand, “Life is unpredictable, like a small sausage in a big sausage[mfn]Its a metaphor for unexpected combinations or situations in life[/mfn]. You’ll get used to it.”

Xie Linlang was baffled, wondering what this strange saying meant, but it sounded interesting.

At this moment, Xie Jinshu returned and said to his sister and Song Yunzhao, “I found out that the conflict today was between Helan Yue, the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, and Ji Yunting, the eldest young master of the Prime Minister’s family. The one who threw the teacup was Princess Ming’an from the Prince of Zhenbei’s household, and the one who shouted to stop was the eldest daughter of the Grand Tutor’s household.”

Xie Linlang was silent for a moment, then gritted her teeth and said, “We can’t afford to provoke any of them.”

Xie Jinshu sighed slightly, turned to look at Song Yunzhao, and said, “There’s no way we can get justice for this.”

Their family was just a merchant household, wealthy but without influence. They would avoid such powerful families, let alone provoke them.

Although Song Yunzhao’s ancestors had some reputation, by the time of her father’s generation, their family had declined. Her eldest uncle was now only an official of the fifth rank, far below the standing of these noble families.

“Third Miss, luckily you weren’t hurt. How about I escort you back?” Xie Jinshu was worried that the hot-tempered Third Miss might confront the others head-on, so he thought it best to get her away first.

After all, this was someone who even dared to duel with the Third Madam.

Song Yunzhao snapped back to reality. She had been recalling the plot of the book. When she read the book, the story started after entering the palace, so she couldn’t immediately figure out what had happened before.

After sorting through the details, she extracted a few lines from the heroine’s[mfn]to be clear, the main character in the book is Qin Xiyue[/mfn] recollections after entering the palace: If she had managed to stop the dispute between Helan Yue and Ji Yunting at Sanyuan Tower before entering the palace selection, and if Xiyue had mustered the courage to express her feelings to Ji Yunting, perhaps everything would have been different .

Recalling this part of the book, the heroine was still struggling in the palace, not yet receiving the Emperor’s exclusive favor, and had fallen from grace due to Song Qinghan’s scheming. Thus, she nostalgically reflected on the past and shared her woes with Yunzhao.

So… she was now witnessing the most regrettable and dramatic love conflict of the heroine?

How could she leave at such an exciting moment?

Song Yunzhao looked seriously at Xie Jinshu and said, “There’s no need to worry, Third Young Master. We’re just here to listen to the storytelling.”

Xie Jinshu heard that Song Yunzhao didn’t want to leave but also had no intention of confronting anyone. Feeling a bit unsure, he glanced at his sister.

Xie Linlang, not wanting to leave either, said to her brother, “Brother, don’t worry. We’re just watching.”

Xie Jinshu had no choice but to stay close, ensuring Song Yunzhao’s safety and calling in the guards who were following her to keep watch.

Song Yunzhao noticed Xie Jinshu’s actions and couldn’t help but smile. No wonder Xie Linlang managed to get what she wanted in the book- she had her family`s support.

A moment later, a sharp voice rang out, “Qin Xiyue, stop right there!”

Song Yunzhao’s eyes lit up instantly!

As soon as the words were spoken, a girl in a purple dress stormed out, her face tense. She had picturesque eyebrows, jet-black hair, fair skin, and a tear mole under her eye…

Song Yunzhao knew that this girl must be the heroine of the book because the heroine also had a tear mole.

The girl chasing after her was dressed in red like fire, with a beauty that exuded bravery. Her long eyelashes framed a pair of pitch-black eyes, now burning with fierce flames, matching her red attire perfectly.

“Helan Yun, what more do you want?”

Song Yunzhao recognized the name as Princess Ming’an, mentioned earlier by Xie Jinshu.

“Qin Xiyue, you did it on purpose today, didn’t you?”

“I just came to listen to the storytelling, not to watch the princess declare her feelings for Ji Yunting.”

“You think I don’t know your ulterior motives towards Brother Yunting…”

“Ming’an!”

“Princess, please watch your words!”

Song Yunzhao finally saw the renowned Ji Yunting, who indeed matched the book’s description: noble and aloof, with a fair complexion as smooth as jade, a graceful and tall figure, like snow under clear moonlight. Truly deserving of being the heroine’s first love.

That appearance certainly lived up to its reputation.

The man who came out with Ji Yunting wore a blue robe with cloud patterns, his black hair tied high with a gold crown, his brow firm, nose straight, but his lips were thin, giving him a cold and stern appearance.

This man was naturally Helan Yue, the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, and Helan Yun’s older brother.

“Brother, you’re still speaking up for Qin Xiyue? Are you still my brother?” Helan Yun glared at her brother, then turned to Ji Yunting, “Brother Yunting, are you also going to break my heart?”

Ji Yunting’s eyes did not look at Helan Yun but instead fell on Qin Xiyue, cold and indifferent. Song Yunzhao really couldn’t tell what he thought of the heroine.

Helan Yue also ignored his sister. Seeing Ji Yunting’s gaze, his face darkened, and he took a step forward, just blocking Ji Yunting’s line of sight.

Song Yunzhao: …

Interesting.

As expected, Helan Yun was furious. She turned to Qin Xiyue and sneered, “You’re really something, leading my brother on while also stringing along Brother Yunting. You’re trying to have it both ways, aren’t you afraid of drowning yourself? Today, in front of both of them, tell us clearly who you actually like!”

Qin Xiyue’s expression changed immediately. Looking at Helan Yun with disdain, she slightly raised her head and said, “Marriage is traditionally arranged by the matchmaker and the parents. Xiyue does not dare to make her own decisions.”

The thick sarcasm was like a slap in Helan Yun’s face.

The heroine’s sarcasm skill was off the charts, fully drawing hatred. No wonder she later regretted it in her memories. At this moment, she was only concerned with maintaining her dignity and suppressing Helan Yun’s arrogance, neglecting her feelings of love.

Such youthful impulsiveness.

Helan Yun, furious from Qin Xiyue’s sarcastic remarks, couldn’t contain her anger and forcefully pushed Qin Xiyue away.

Song Yunzhao, engrossed in watching the drama, was caught off guard as Qin Xiyue stumbled backward towards her.

“Yunzhao, watch out!”

“Third Miss, move aside!”

Song Yunzhao was exasperated. Was she really destined to be a background character doomed to get caught in the crossfire?

With so many other people there, why did it have to involve her?

She thought to herself, “My fate is mine to decide, not heaven’s. I don’t care if I’m a background character or the heroine.”

With quick reflexes, Song Yunzhao grabbed the chair beside her and placed it in front of herself, causing Qin Xiyue to land right on it.

The entire Sanyuan Tower fell silent in an instant.

There’s such a move?

Normally, wouldn’t someone extend their arms to catch a falling person?

Well, she did catch the person, but she used a chair.

How outrageous.