TSNCWEM Chapter 23

Everyone’s eyes instantly fell on Song Yunzhao. Since her transmigration, it was the first time she had experienced so many intense gazes.

Although the looks were peculiar, she maintained a smile, remaining composed and graceful.

Nervous? That’s not even an option.

“Young lady, are you alright?” Song Yunzhao asked Qin Xiyue with concern.

According to the laws of transmigration into a supporting character’s story, the original heroine’s aura is very strong, and it is easy to get dragged into a disastrous fate.

She neither wants to compete with the heroine for the male lead, nor to fight for the heroine’s first love. There is absolutely no need to make enemies.

Qin Xiyue had never experienced such an absurd situation in her life, but although the young lady used a chair to catch her, it was still better than letting her fall to the ground and lose all her dignity.

Qin Xiyue took a deep breath and immediately stood up, bowing to Song Yunzhao. “Thank you for your righteous assistance. May I ask where you live? I must visit another day to express my gratitude.”

No need for that. She was well aware of her role as a supporting character, keeping a safe distance from the main characters to preserve her peace.

“It was just a small matter, not worth mentioning. Please don’t worry about it…”

“Who are you? State your name! Why are you meddling?” Helan Yun intended to embarrass Qin Xiyue, but someone interfered halfway through, making her even angrier, and she immediately redirected her fury.

Song Yunzhao was silent, realizing that this was indeed the fate of a supporting character, always the first to suffer in any situation.

Although she didn’t want to provoke the main characters, it didn’t mean anyone could step all over her.

Just as she was about to speak with a kind smile, she heard Xie Jinshu’s voice.

“That’s not right. If it weren’t for your actions, causing harm and pushing someone towards us, we wouldn’t have had the obligation to save them. From what you’re saying, does it mean you intend to retaliate? Under the Emperor’s rule, with clear laws and justice, it’s quite shocking to see such blatant bullying.”

Song Yunzhao had used a chair to catch the person. Helan Yun wanted to pick a fight with her, but surprisingly, Xie Jinshu, who had previously advised her not to get involved, now stepped in to take the blame.

Although he came from a merchant family, Xie Jinshu showed quite a bit of righteousness.

Xie Linlang didn’t speak, but she stood beside Song Yunzhao, ready to face the consequences with her.

Song Yunzhao felt… very complicated.

At this moment, Qin Xiyue also stepped forward to shield Song Yunzhao and angrily said to Helan Yun, “Helan Yun, why must you vent your anger on innocent people?” Then she looked at Helan Yue, “Young Master, my Qin family awaits your explanation.”

“Miss Qin, Ming’an’s words were just a joke in a fit of anger. Please don’t take it to heart,” Helan Yue glared at his sister and then quickly turned to Qin Xiyue, pleading for forgiveness.

Seeing that Qin Xiyue ignored him, Helan Yue had no choice but to turn to Song Yunzhao, forcing a smile, “Young lady, I apologize on behalf of my sister for today’s incident. She didn’t mean any harm with her careless words.”

Song Yunzhao felt disgusted by this kind of excuse—young and thoughtless, straightforward and unable to speak properly. If I didn’t mind your unintentional words, does that mean I’m not magnanimous enough?

 

Song Yunzhao looked sincerely at Helan Yue and asked, “Your words are inappropriate, young master. Your sister is of age, yet she still speaks thoughtlessly. As her elder brother, when do you think she will start speaking with intention? My family is of low status, and because we are broad-minded, we have to endure. But if your sister one day meets someone from a stronger family, how will you explain it then?”

Helan Yue turned green at her words, not knowing how to respond. Didn’t she realize he was just making polite conversation?

Qin Xiyue’s lips curved slightly. “Having to endure” — this phrase was perfect.

Even Ji Yunting, who had remained silent, looked up at Song Yunzhao, finding her words interesting despite their bluntness.

“You must be joking,” Helan Yue forced through his teeth.

“I’m always serious, never joking,” Song Yunzhao replied with a blank face.

The conversation was going nowhere. Helan Yue felt irritated, his gaze towards Song Yunzhao becoming increasingly hostile.

Xie Jinshu and Xie Linlang stepped forward, flanking Song Yunzhao protectively on either side.

Qin Xiyue also took a slight step to stand near Song Yunzhao.

 

“Brother, why are you wasting words with someone like her? Who knows where this country bumpkin came from? She might be saying these strange things just to catch your attention,” Helan Yun said angrily, her words becoming increasingly rude.

Song Yunzhao calmly faced Helan Yun’s nearly furious gaze and slowly responded, “The Buddha says that seeing a mountain is just seeing a mountain, and seeing water is just seeing water[mfn]seeing things as they are[/mfn]. Who would have thought that this young lady is always trying to attract attention? Truly, Amitabha, goodness gracious. As a young lady, one should cherish and respect oneself.”

Ji Yunting’s eyes flashed with a hint of amusement as he looked at Song Yunzhao again. Before the Helan siblings could explode with anger, he quickly spoke, “Young Master Helan, today’s incident was not this young lady’s fault. Since no one was seriously hurt, let’s leave it at that.”

Song Yunzhao’s lips twitched slightly. What a perfect mediator, but the heroine’s first love isn’t that great.

“No!” Helan Yun, enraged by Song Yunzhao, immediately stepped forward and demanded, “I must know which family you belong to today.”

Before Song Yunzhao could speak, Qin Xiyue stepped forward and pulled her behind, saying, “Helan Yun, if you insist on getting to the bottom of this, my Qin family is ready to face it. I want to see who is right and who is wrong when this matter is taken to the end.”

Qin Xiyue’s pull was quite forceful and sudden, causing Song Yunzhao to stumble a few steps. She inadvertently stepped on someone behind her who was watching the commotion. She quickly apologized, “Sorry, did I hurt you? I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s okay.”

Hmm?

The voice was quite pleasant.

Song Yunzhao looked up and met a pair of pitch-black eyes, which were partially concealed by a folding fan. Although she couldn’t see the full face, based on her experience, he definitely wasn’t unattractive.

Despite being a sucker for good looks, she could tell this person had a cold demeanor and wasn’t interested in engaging with her. Not wanting to be a nuisance, she smiled apologetically and stepped aside.

See, she was that perceptive.

In the blink of an eye, the confrontation between Helan Yun and Qin Xiyue had reached a temporary ceasefire. Helan Yun was fuming, almost jumping in anger, while Qin Xiyue maintained her goddess-like demeanor, unfazed.

Ji Yunting stood aside, seemingly uninterested in the conflict, while Helan Yue was stuck between his sister and the goddess, trying to pacify both sides.

“What do you think? Who’s right and who’s wrong?”

 

“Hmm?”

Song Yunzhao didn’t expect the cold-looking man to speak to her first. Considering he hadn’t minded her stepping on his foot, she lowered her voice and replied, “When a person is shameless and has powerful backing, they are invincible. If the courts were useful, why would we bother with right and wrong?”

The man’s lips twitched. “The courts are meant to resolve grievances and uphold justice.”

“The entrance to the yamen (government office) faces south[mfn]South is associated with the direction of the emperor`s seat and the notion of authority and power[/mfn], don’t come in if you have no money or power. Brother, you need to broaden your horizons.”

The man’s hand, holding the folding fan, trembled slightly, and his dark eyes fell on Song Yunzhao’s face.

Song Yunzhao then heard Helan Yun ordering her guards to capture the Xie siblings. Not paying attention to the man beside her, she stepped forward and loudly said, “Second Young Master Xie, report to the authorities!”

 

The man was taken aback. Didn’t she just say that the courts were useless? How quickly she contradicted herself!