TSNCWEM Chapter 42.1

Song Yunzhao’s feet seemed to have a mind of their own. Before her brain could react, she had already quickly opened the door and closed it behind her.

She stood at the door with a blank expression, then took a deep breath. Post-traumatic stress syndrome was real for her.

She first took stock of the place she would be staying for the next month. Against one wall was a carved bed with light-colored bed curtains, embroidered with floral patterns. On the opposite side were a wardrobe and a dressing table, which was empty. Apart from that, there were only two chairs, a small tea table, and a washing stand with a copper basin.

Such a room was certainly not as comfortable as her house, but it had everything she needed. She was a person who could adapt to any situation, enjoying wealth and enduring hardships alike.

Fortunately, the room was very clean. On the windowsill was a three-legged copper incense burner, with thin wisps of smoke rising from it, filling the room with a pleasant aroma. Having incense was already a nice touch.

As she unpacked her bundle and arranged her belongings, she realized it only weighed about four pounds, so there wasn’t much.

Two sets of clothes took up most of the space, with the rest being various pills and powders she had prepared. She carefully stored these away. There was also a stack of silver notes, which she placed in a hidden pocket sewn into her inner clothing.

These silver notes amounted to a considerable sum, mainly the two thousand taels that Xie Linlang had given her to bring her to the capital. She had also written several storybooks, for which Linlang had reimbursed her for the drafting fees, and there was a box of gold and silver ingots for tipping. Aside from that, it was her own savings accumulated over the years. Since her monthly allowance was small and her expenses were high, she couldn’t save much just from her monthly stipend.

Most of her savings came from her Father’s support, which amounted to a couple of hundred taels over the years. For this selection, her Father, feeling guilty due to Cai Shi, had given her another thousand taels, making her quite wealthy now.

She carefully stored the silver notes, keeping the box with gold and silver ingots in the dressing table drawer. The remaining items were some jewelry, not many due to weight restrictions. She chose pieces that were attractive but lightweight and not overly flashy.

She was just here to go through the motions—not to be eliminated too early, but also not to be genuinely selected for the palace. So she had to strike the right balance.

After arranging her things, she sat on the chair to catch her breath, finally having time to ponder why she was living opposite the protagonist.

Because in the book, she was a minor character who was eliminated early on. Her main rival was not the protagonist but Song Qinghan. Therefore, after the selection, she was placed close to Song Qinghan and did not have any connection with the protagonist.

But now things had changed.

This change reminded her of the physical sensation she felt at the moment she completely severed ties with Cai Shi. Could this change be a result of that?

Breaking free from Cai Shi’s control and manipulation meant that she had deviated from her original fate, causing things to change.

Like the current situation.

With this thought, she felt the need to verify her theory.

She immediately opened the door and went to find Song Yexi.

Under the dim evening light, her figure was somewhat concealed. The palace lanterns emitted a faint glow as she hurriedly walked to Room Autumn Eighteen and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

Song Yexi’s voice came from inside the room.

“It’s me.”

The door quickly opened, and Song Yexi invited Song Yunzhao in, closing the door behind her. “Why did you come over? Did you finish arranging your things?”

Song Yunzhao nodded. “I only have a few things, nothing much to arrange.”

Song Yexi felt unexpectedly hit, as she hadn’t finished arranging her own things yet.

Seeing the bundle spread out on the bed, Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but chuckle. Song Yexi shrugged and said, “Go ahead and laugh.” She wasn’t angry and asked, “Why did you come over so quickly? Did something happen? Or did someone bully you?”

“Who would dare to bully me?” Song Yunzhao laughed. “I just wanted to ask if you know where Song Qinghan is staying?”

Song Yexi looked meaningfully toward the door opposite hers.

Song Yunzhao: …

In the book, Song Yexi didn’t participate in the selection. Instead, Song Jinxiang did, and she also stayed opposite Song Qinghan.

So it seems that events related to her might change, but other people’s storylines might not.

With this in mind, she advised Song Yexi, “Sister Yexi, be careful. Try not to be alone with Song Qinghan. If anything happens, come find me, and we can stick together.”

During the selection, Song Jinxiang’s reputation was tarnished by Song Qinghan’s schemes. After being eliminated, she returned home, and Cai Shi married her off to a poor scholar.

She couldn’t be sure whether Song Qinghan would still dare to act against Song Yexi, but it was better to be cautious.

“Of course, I wouldn’t dare to be with her,” Song Yexi snorted. She had suffered once at the Count’s residence and wasn’t stupid enough to fall for it again.

“Then I’m relieved.” Song Yunzhao stood up to leave.

Song Yexi accompanied her to the door, “I’ll come to you tomorrow morning. We still don’t know what we’ll be doing.”

Song Yunzhao knew, but she couldn’t say, otherwise, Song Yexi would be curious about how she knew, which she couldn’t explain.

Walking back, she turned a corner and noticed a shadow moving in the distance. She looked up and saw someone vaguely in the dim light, probably also out to meet someone, so she didn’t pay much attention.

As the night breeze brushed her hair, she quickened her pace towards her room. After taking a few steps, she suddenly heard someone say, “Surprised? Qin Xiyue, if you can come, why can’t I?”

Hmm?

Song Yunzhao immediately stopped in her tracks. It was Helan Yun’s voice. She hadn’t been mistaken; the fleeting figure she saw on the carriage earlier was indeed her.

This… the plot had changed again.

In the book, Helan Yun never participated in the selection. She was always entangled with Ji Yunting outside the palace, but now she was here.

“Ming’an County Princess, whether you participate in the selection or not has nothing to do with me. I just hope you know what you are doing.”

Song Yunzhao thought there was nothing wrong with Qin Xiyue’s words, but they would undoubtedly infuriate Helan Yun.

Sure enough, she heard Helan Yun’s harsh retort, “Qin Xiyue, you took what I wanted, so now it’s my turn. Just you wait.”

Then Song Yunzhao heard a loud “bang” as a door slammed shut.

The sound was so close that Song Yunzhao had a bad feeling. She craned her neck to look and her face turned dark.

Helan Yun was staying in Spring Room Twelve!

She took a deep breath, and then another. It seemed she had no choice. With her luck, she really knew how to pick a place.

In craning her neck, she revealed her presence. She heard Qin Xiyue’s delighted voice calling to her, “Miss, is that you?”

Song Yunzhao forced a smile. “Hello, Miss Qin.”

Qin Xiyue was truly surprised to see her, not expecting to meet her here. She quickly walked over and said, “I haven’t had a proper chance to thank you. May I know your name?”

Song Yunzhao really didn’t want to get too close to the protagonist, so she quickly said, “It was just a small favor, Miss Qin. No need to mention it. My name is Song Yunzhao.”

“Oh, so you’re Miss Song. Are you staying here too?”

Song Yunzhao pointed to her room.

Qin Xiyue smiled brightly, “What a coincidence! We’re actually neighbors.”

Yes, this kind of fate isn’t something just anyone can handle. It’s destiny.

Song Yunzhao felt that Qin Xiyue was being too enthusiastic towards her, and she found it a bit overwhelming. “We’ve had a busy day and you must be tired. Miss Qin, you should rest early.”

Qin Xiyue laughed at this and said, “But we still have dinner. Miss Song, you should wait until after dinner to rest.”

Reminded by Qin Xiyue, Song Yunzhao’s stomach growled with hunger. After a busy day without even having lunch, she was indeed hungry.

“Indeed, I’m a bit hungry. I’ll head back now, see you later.”

While living opposite each other, avoiding meetings would be difficult.

Qin Xiyue smiled and bid farewell to Song Yunzhao. After Song Yunzhao entered her room, Qin Xiyue’s smile gradually faded as she stared at the closed door, then turned back to her room.