Chapter 29 : I Got You

The singing and dancing resumed in the hall as the Queen Mother casually chatted with Song Ying.

But despite the idle conversation, someone’s eyes remained fixed on Song Ying.

It couldn’t be helped, her seat was simply too conspicuous.

“Aying, why haven’t you come to the palace to keep me company lately?” the Queen Mother asked.

The eleven-year-old emperor piped up bluntly, “Mother, did you forget? Imperial Aunt is no longer Uncle’s wife.”

The Queen Mother seemed genuinely startled and patted her forehead. “Oh, look at my memory! I’ve been in the palace too long and forgotten everything. But the Emperor is also mistaken, since Song Ying has divorced your uncle, she’s no longer your aunt.”

Young Emperor Yue Xiuyuan suddenly realized, “That’s right, she’s not my imperial aunt anymore. Then what should I call her?”

Song Ying replied, “Your Majesty, you may just call me Song Ying.”

Yue Xiuyuan shook his head, “No, I don’t like that.”

In fact, Yue Xiuyuan had a good relationship with Song Ying. Every time she came to the palace to visit the Queen Mother, she would bring him little gifts from the outside world.

After all, he was still just a child, and Song Ying was good at winning people over. Yue Xiuyuan liked this “imperial aunt” who always brought him fun things.

He thought for a moment, then asked, “Can I call you Sister?”

Although the music and dance continued to fill the hall, some people still heard the exchange between the young emperor and Song Ying.

Among them was Princess Ziyang.

She curled her lips into a slight smirk and said, “Your Majesty, Song Ying is just a commoner now. Addressing her like that is against proper etiquette and undermines the authority of the throne.”

Yue Xiuyuan didn’t like this aunt from the collateral royal line. In fact, he didn’t like any of his royal relatives except his mother.

None of them ever truly respected him as emperor, not even a little. In their eyes, he was just a puppet to be replaced at any time.

Yue Xiuyuan straightened up and said coldly to Princess Ziyang, “It’s not your place to tell me what I can or cannot do.”

Princess Ziyang looked visibly displeased after being snapped at by a child. She cautiously glanced at Yue Shaozhi, who sat quietly across from her, sipping his wine.

Since he didn’t react, she felt reassured. As long as she didn’t provoke Song Ruoer, Yue Shaozhi wouldn’t interfere.

Gathering her courage, Princess Ziyang began again, “Your Majesty, Ziyang only wishes to—”

But Yue Xiuyuan clearly didn’t want to hear her nonsense. He turned to Yue Shaozhi with a serious expression and asked, “Uncle, do you also think it’s inappropriate?”

The question was now directed at Yue Shaozhi, who glanced briefly at Princess Ziyang and replied, “Your Majesty is the emperor. Since I know you are fond of Song Ying, calling her Sister is not unreasonable.”

Yue Xiuyuan beamed, shot a smug glance at Princess Ziyang, then turned to Song Ying and said cheerfully, “Sister, I’ll call you Sister from now on!”

The Queen Mother chimed in, “Since you’re calling her Sister, she shouldn’t just be any sister. She should be your Sister, His Majesty’s Sister so her status should be elevated.”

Yue Xiuyuan clapped his hands excitedly, “Mother, you’re absolutely right, I—”

“Your Majesty.” Yue Shaozhi gently placed his wine cup down and said calmly but firmly, “Today’s celebration is for the general’s great achievement.”

Those who understood could tell: this was a warning.

Yue Xiuyuan’s fingertips twitched slightly. He quickly nodded and turned obedient, “Uncle is right, I got carried away. General, please forgive me.”

Huo Leiming smiled kindly, “If Your Majesty is pleased, then this old servant has no complaints.”

Princess Ziyang’s eyes flicked about, and she was just about to say something when she suddenly sensed a sharp, murderous intent.

She instinctively looked toward Yue Shaozhi and met his abyss-like gaze.

A cold sweat instantly broke out across her back, and even her hand holding the wine cup began to tremble.

Her husband, noticing her pale expression, asked, “Are you feeling unwell?”

Princess Ziyang wiped the sweat from her forehead with a delicate handkerchief and replied, “I’m not feeling well. I’ll take my leave first.”

“Oh? Then go.”

And just like that, Princess Ziyang left the palace in disgrace.

Although she hadn’t gained any advantage this time, she was convinced she’d have another chance to deal with Song Ying in the future.

Song Ying also noticed Princess Ziyang slipping away quietly, but she merely continued sipping her tea, calm and composed.

The Queen Mother started chatting with her again. “You still don’t drink much? I remember the first time you came to the palace. I didn’t know at the time, so I gave you a glass of wine, and you didn’t refuse. Later on, the Prince Regent told me you couldn’t drink.”

That was true.

Back then, Song Ying hadn’t wanted to offend the Queen Mother, so she had forced herself to drink it. When she got home, she had felt so sick she thought she was going to die.

After that, she asked Yue Shaozhi to explain to the Queen Mother that she couldn’t drink alcohol in the palace anymore or she might die from it.

Yue Shaozhi agreed, and ever since then, she had never been served alcohol at the palace again.

As the Queen Mother reminisced about the past, Song Ying either nodded or offered a few polite responses. There was no deep conversation.

Now that Song Ruoer was the official Princess Regent, it was strange that the Queen Mother and the Emperor were ignoring her and instead enthusiastically chatting and drinking with Song Ying.

No matter how she looked at it, it didn’t seem right.

It was awkward.

When Song Ying saw Song Jinzhuo and Zhou return, she used the excuse that she wanted to accompany her father and slipped away with the Queen Mother and little emperor’s permission.

“Whew…”

Once she left that conspicuous position, both Song Ying and Faer breathed a sigh of relief.

Song Jinzhuo saw Song Ying coming down from the main hall. He didn’t ask anything and just said, “If you want to go back, go back.”

That was exactly what Song Ying had been waiting for.

“Then your daughter will take her leave.”

They quietly exited the main hall and walked toward a more secluded area. Misstress and servant looked at each other and smiled.

“Oh my god, Miss, I was scared half to death just now.”

Who wouldn’t be?

Especially when the Queen Mother called her up, Song Ying had felt like she was being interrogated.

“Let’s go.”

The carriage was waiting at the side palace gate, and they needed to pass through a long corridor to get there.

The pillars of the corridor were tall and wide enough to hide a person behind them.

Just as Song Ying was about to reach the end, Wen Jun suddenly jumped out from behind a pillar.

“Song Ying…”

Faer gasped in fright and quickly shielded Song Ying like a mother hen, “Young Marquis Wen, weren’t you kicked out?”

Wen Jun ignored her. “Get out of the way. I have something to say to your young lady.”

Song Ying felt a bit regretful. She should’ve admitted fault earlier, then she could’ve left the palace cleanly.

She said to Faer, “Go wait for me over there.”

“But Miss…”

“Be good, it’s okay. We’re still in the palace.”

After sending Faer away, Song Ying kept her distance from Wen Jun. “You forced me to do that earlier. You can’t blame me.”

Wen Jun smiled harmlessly. “I don’t blame you. Why are you standing so far away? Come closer.”

Song Ying chuckled twice, then turned and ran.

Wen Jun chased after her. He wasn’t in a hurry to catch her, he was savoring the thrill of the chase.

“Song Ying, you can’t run from me, hahaha.”

Song Ying ran back the way she came. If she could get back to the main hall, she’d be safe.

But Wen Jun guessed what she was thinking. He smiled and gave chase, intent on crushing that hope.

The main hall was right in front of her, with guards stationed outside. Song Ying saw a glimmer of salvation. But just then, Wen Jun rushed forward, covered her mouth from behind, and dragged her into the shadows.

A devilish whisper sounded above her head.

“Got you.”

Song Ying shut her eyes, ready to fight to the death—

Then, a thunderous voice exploded from above.

“Let her go!”