Cuddling with the Cold Female Protagonist – Chapter 113

Volume 4: The Perils of the Jianghu

I’ve Finally Found You

“Why isn’t she awake yet?”

“Her Ninth Highness has been injured recently. It is unknown what she has encountered, but she has exhausted her mind and body. With matters weighing heavily on her heart, this emotional distress has left her constitution weak. This old official has prescribed her some tonics. A long rest will allow her body to recover more quickly.”

“Then when will she awaken?”

“By rights, she should have woken up by now…”

Before her consciousness had fully returned, she heard people speaking beside her.

It took Ji Qingchi a long moment to realize she was lying in the bedchamber of her youth, the place she had lived before leaving the palace to establish her own residence.

Her eyes took in the magnificent, resplendent hall. A slender figure stood before a desk, speaking to a woman dressed as an imperial physician who was kneeling on the floor.

Ji Qingchi hurriedly sat up and called out softly, “…Mother Emperor.”

Hearing her voice, the two conversing figures paused and turned to look at her in unison.

The imperial physician let out a sigh of relief. “It is good that Your Ninth Highness is awake.”

The Emperor nodded at her, then instructed the physician, “Imperial Physician Xu, you have worked hard. Go and receive your reward.”

“Yes. This old official takes her leave.”

After the imperial physician had withdrawn, the Emperor slowly paced to her side and sat on the edge of her bed. She studied Ji Qingchi’s complexion for a moment before speaking. “How do you feel?”

Ji Qingchi lowered her gaze. “…Much better. Thank you for your concern, Mother Emperor.”

Seeing her daughter constantly avoiding her gaze, the Emperor let out a soft sigh.

“Little Nine, do you hate Zhen?”

Ji Qingchi lowered her head and did not answer.

Seeing this, the Emperor slowly stood up, clasped her hands behind her back, and looked out the window. “Be it you, or the second, the third, or the seventh, you all hate Zhen in your hearts. Even if it is not hatred, there are grievances. Zhen knows all of this.”

Ji Qingchi remained silent.

“Among common folk, if a mother shows favoritism, her children will grow resentful, to say nothing of the imperial family.” The Emperor sighed again, long and deep. “But Zhen had no choice but to favor her. The fifth is indeed outstanding, and her father’s maternal family is exceptionally powerful. Zhen feared that the empire in Zhen’s hands would not be passed down to the next generation, so Zhen has always been cautious… But regardless of the reason, it is a fact that Zhen favored the fifth, and it is also a fact that Zhen has hurt you all.”

She turned around. “Little Nine, do you think that Zhen, as an emperor, has been worthy of our ancestors?”

Ji Qingchi didn’t know what kind of scheme her mother was plotting. Her Mother Emperor was only a little over forty this year; she couldn’t be getting senile, could she? To be spouting such nonsense right after her own daughter had woken up, who knew what she was up to.

She remained silent. Seeing her reaction, the Emperor’s eyes dimmed slightly. “Little Nine, Zhen has already decided. You will be the next emperor.”

There was none of the expected joy. When Ji Qingchi heard these words, her first reaction was that she was dreaming. Her second reaction was that her Mother Emperor had gone mad.

She raised her eyes slightly. “Do you know what you are saying?”

“Zhen is perfectly clear.” The Emperor’s expression was solemn, not looking like she was joking in the slightest. “In two months, Zhen will issue an edict, bestowing upon you the title of Crown Princess.”

Ji Qingchi couldn’t help but let out a self-mocking laugh. “Is Mother Emperor asking your daughter to be a target for Fifth Imperial Sister?”

“Of course not.”

Ji Qingchi spoke with resentment and pain, “Then why would Mother Emperor make your daughter the Crown Princess at this time? Over a year ago, when your daughter was being hunted by Fifth Imperial Sister, why did Mother Emperor not intervene? If your daughter hadn’t been lucky enough to be saved, she would have died in the wilderness!”

“Zhen is well aware of the fifth’s methods. At the hunting grounds back then, all the guards around you were gone. Did you think you could have escaped from Marquis Ding’an alive all by yourself?”

Ji Qingchi froze. “What does Mother Emperor mean?”

“During that hunt a year and a half ago, not only did the fifth want to kill you, but the person behind her wanted you dead even more. If Zhen had not secretly dispatched Shadow Guards to protect you, the grass on your grave would probably be a meter high by now.”

“…This is just your one-sided story, isn’t it?”

In her anger, Ji Qingchi couldn’t be bothered to act the part of a respectful imperial daughter anymore. She faced the Emperor directly and said furiously, “Am I supposed to believe you based on a few words from Your Majesty?”

“If Zhen did not trust you, why would Zhen have given you more than half of the military authority?” The Emperor was not angered by her daughter’s defiance and explained calmly, “The fifth did want you dead at the time, but Zhen had hidden guards placed around you. They would have intervened the moment your life was in danger. After you escaped, you were injured and unconscious. It was a Shadow Guard who applied medicine to your wounds, carried you to the entrance of a village to the home of a person said to be the kindest, and even left the best medicine from the palace for her to treat you with.”

Hearing this, Ji Qingchi remembered. When she was found by Ye Shui, she had wondered why her external injuries had healed so quickly. She had originally thought it was the good feng shui of the mountain manor that was nourishing her, but it turned out to be the work of the medicine.

“…Whatever Mother Emperor says.”

“Zhen knows you won’t believe it now, but Zhen must still tell you. As you sisters grew up, Zhen has only ever considered three of you as candidates for Crown Princess: you, the second, and the third. After observing all this time, the second is too unconventional and lacks a sense of responsibility, preferring leisure and play; the third has a gentle temperament but is somewhat timid. Zhen has investigated thoroughly for a long time, and only you are the most suitable to be the next emperor of the Yanxue Kingdom.”

Ji Qingchi once had a cynical nature, willing to do anything to achieve her goals. But over the past year or so, perhaps from spending too much time with that young lady from the Marquis Pingyang’s manor, she had not only retained her decisive and ruthless aura but had also cultivated a gentle and kind disposition.

When the Emperor heard from her guards that Ji Qingchi had risked her own life to lure away the assassins from Xuanji Tower while they were being pursued, her resolve had begun to waver.

To be fair, Ji Qingchi was absolutely the most suitable candidate for Crown Princess.

First, her father was of humble birth, so the only person she could rely on was her Mother Emperor. Thus, she would not build her own power base with her troops and try to usurp the throne before the Emperor died. Second, she was skilled in both literary and martial arts, was deeply devoted in love, and was adored by the common people. The Su Yi she liked was clear-headed and would not pose a threat of harem politics interfering with governance, nor were there any entanglements with factions and cliques. Third, that little lady named Su Yi truly had some skills. With the two of them working together, the entire Yanxue Kingdom would definitely reach a new level.

The more the Emperor thought about it, the more she felt that this daughter of hers was truly the most suitable person.

“Mother Emperor never considered Fifth Imperial Sister?” Ji Qingchi sneered. “How is that possible.”

“This is precisely what Zhen wants to tell you.” The Emperor turned her back to her and said solemnly, “As a sovereign, there are two most important rules. You will remember them well for Zhen.”

Before Ji Qingchi could say anything, the Emperor turned her face, her aura surging like a thunderstorm. “First, you must understand the art of checks and balances. Second, do not let others easily guess your thoughts.”

After saying this, the Emperor sighed. “Zhen knows it is not good to tell you these things as soon as you wake up, but with internal and external troubles brewing, Zhen fears there will be no more time to teach you.”

Ji Qingchi keenly sensed that the phrase “internal and external troubles” was unusual. There had to be a significant reason for her Mother Emperor’s strange behavior and for her to be waiting by her bedside.

Ji Qingchi asked tentatively, “Did something happen after your daughter left the palace?”

The Emperor gave her a deep look. “That is precisely what Zhen wants you to investigate. Zhen has calculated that it will take you about two months to complete the investigation. Once the dust has settled, Zhen will officially name you Crown Princess.”

So that’s why her Mother Emperor was acting so crazy out of the blue. It turns out she was dangling a carrot, trying to get her to work hard.

Ji Qingchi lowered her eyes. “If Mother Emperor wishes to command your daughter, you could have just said so directly. Why bother telling your daughter all this?”

The Emperor did not argue with her. Ever since losing her father and younger sister, Ji Qingchi had been distant from her Mother Emperor. Arguing with her now would be futile.

“If it were a normal day, your daughter would certainly agree to Mother Emperor’s request. But not this time.”

The Emperor understood what she wanted to say. “You wish to find that little lady from the Marquis Pingyang’s manor, don’t you?”

Ji Qingchi quickly looked up, her voice urgent. “Mother Emperor knows her whereabouts?”

“According to the news from the Shadow Guards Zhen dispatched, she is currently in the imperial palace of the Huachen Kingdom.”

“How could she… suddenly be in the Huachen Kingdom…”

Ji Qingchi murmured, then a thought suddenly struck her. “Since Mother Emperor could find out where Su Yi is, you must also know about what happened to us in the valley, and about your daughter being captured, right?”

Under her questioning gaze, the Emperor slowly nodded.

“Then why did Mother Emperor not act at that time?!”

The Emperor said slowly, “Zhen wanted to see what you could accomplish on your own.”

“Heh… Mother Emperor says it so lightly. Your daughter was nearly killed!”

“Zhen has spies in Xuanji Tower. Saving you would not have been difficult. How could Zhen possibly let you die? It’s just that Zhen instructed her…”

“Enough. Your Majesty need not say more.” Ji Qingchi cut her off with a cold laugh. “Your daughter is being disrespectful, but I no longer wish to hear anything Your Majesty has to say.”

The court officials often called her Mother Emperor a mediocre sovereign. But in her opinion, her Mother Emperor was calm and wise, and her mastery of imperial statecraft was likely unmatched even by their ancestors!

The Emperor sighed and offered no further explanation. “Whether you believe Zhen or not, this investigative mission must be completed to Zhen’s satisfaction.”

Ignoring her own weak body, Ji Qingchi climbed out of bed and knelt down stiffly. “Your Majesty, please forgive me. Your daughter is unwell and is afraid she cannot take on this matter.”

With that, she staggered to her feet and was about to leave when the Emperor spoke slowly from behind her, “It is about the truth behind the murder of your father and sister. Do you not want to concern yourself with that either?”

Ji Qingchi whipped her head around.

The Emperor gave a faint smile. “Someone, summon Her Fifth Highness as well. This matter has been piling up for nearly ten years. It is time it was resolved.”

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Su Yi woke up in a daze. Seeing the vast, empty palace, it took her a good while to realize where she was.

Xue Cong had already held her captive for many days.

Ever since he had captured her and brought her to the sacrificial hall, it was as if he had forgotten all about her. He had tossed her into the small palace chamber next to that Wutong tree. Apart from sending someone to deliver meals at regular times, he paid her no attention, as if he wasn’t the one who had looked so crazed that day.

“What the hell is he playing at.”

Su Yi frowned, slowly leaning on a wooden stick as she walked outside.

Seeing the Wutong tree not far away, she frowned slightly.

This Wutong tree might really be her bane. The moment she got close, her throat felt itchy, and she could feel blood surging in her throat, as if the poison in her was about to act up and kill her. She felt weak all over.

But the exit of this palace was right by the Wutong tree, and it was terribly boring not to go out for a walk.

Su Yi couldn’t stand being bored. She endured it for as long as she could, but finally gave in and took a few steps forward, moving closer to the Wutong tree.

“Pfft…”

She couldn’t hold back the blood that had been welling up in her throat and spat it out onto the gnarled and twisted roots of the Wutong tree.

The Wutong tree’s leaves trembled a few times. The spot on the roots was instantly stained red by her fresh blood. Gradually, the crimson color faded, as if the Wutong tree had absorbed her blood.

Su Yi was so frightened she scrambled backward. “I thought we agreed that spirits are not allowed to form after the founding of the nation!¹”

However, she retreated too hastily and stepped on the uneven roots of the Wutong tree. Her footing was unsteady, and just as she was about to have a close encounter with the ground—

A pair of hands appeared at her waist, steadily pulling her into an embrace.

When she saw clearly who had caught her, Su Yi choked back the scream in her throat.

The newcomer let out a soft sigh, holding her carefully in their arms as if they had finally found a long-lost, priceless treasure. “I’ve finally found you.”

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