Chapter 32: Emerging Untainted from the Mire (8)

Song Qi fell asleep soon afterward. Meng Yilan, however, barely slept. Whenever she started to drift off, some noise outside the window jolted her awake.

There was nothing there. It was only the wind.

Listening to Song Qi’s steady breathing, Meng Yilan edged a little closer to her.

She really did feel safer when she was near.

When Song Qi woke the next morning, Meng Yilan’s sleepy face was right in front of hers. They were so close their noses nearly touched.

Song Qi watched her for a while, then sighed helplessly and poked her cheek. Meng Yilan let out an unconscious little “Mm,” and Song Qi couldn’t help laughing.

She climbed out of bed as quietly as she could, dressed, and gathered her things. Just as she was leaving, a maid came in to wake Meng Yilan. The maid looked surprised to see Song Qi up so early.

By the time Meng Yilan got up, Song Qi had finished getting ready and was sitting at the table, waiting for her to have breakfast.

Meng Yilan seemed half asleep, as if her soul had wandered off somewhere. Her movements were still graceful, but her eyes were unfocused and her expression vacant.

Song Qi couldn’t help laughing again. Meng Yilan blinked and looked at her, confused, even tilting her head just so.

She didn’t seem fully awake until she sat down to eat.

“Did you sleep badly last night?” Song Qi asked.

Meng Yilan yawned and nodded. “I kept thinking someone was pacing around outside the window.”

“But I was right there beside you.”

“That’s why I eventually fell asleep. Though I didn’t sleep for very long.” Meng Yilan sipped her porridge.

“I’ll go see the Emperor after breakfast.”

Meng Yilan looked up at Song Qi and frowned. “So soon?”

“Mm. Some things are better said sooner rather than later.” Song Qi nodded.

Meng Yilan let out a quiet sigh. “I wonder if I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

“You’re welcome to come sleep on the floor in my room.”

Meng Yilan gave Song Qi an exasperated look. “On the floor? That’s a bit much.”

“If someone comes after you, it’ll be easier to hide under the bed.”

Meng Yilan blinked. “You know, that actually makes sense.”

The maids watching them: …

Song Qi smiled. When breakfast was over, she said goodbye to Meng Yilan and went straight to the Imperial Study.

The people there seemed to trust her quite a bit. They let her walk right in without anyone keeping an eye on her, though she could feel several pairs of eyes watching from the shadows.

Zhao Zhi had just come back from court. He saw Song Qi sitting there with perfect composure and pressed his lips together. “What brings you here?”

“Someone came to Fengyi Palace last night. I stayed there, too. Do you think they were trying to kill me or the Empress?” Song Qi asked.

Zhao Zhi frowned. “Did you catch them?”

“If I had, I wouldn’t have come here alone.” Song Qi looked at him.

Zhao Zhi’s expression darkened. “They were probably after you.”

“Then they only sent one person? They must really underestimate me.” Song Qi took a sip of tea.

“Only one person, and you still let them get away.” Zhao Zhi raised his eyes to her, a hint of mockery in his gaze.

Song Qi: …

The System felt like laughing. This was the first time in a long while it had seen Song Qi get a comeback.

Song Qi didn’t bother to defend herself. “Does Your Majesty have any suspects?”

“What do you think?” Zhao Zhi leaned back in his chair.

“Those two?” Song Qi didn’t say who she meant, but Zhao Zhi understood.

“They must be. It’s been four years. It’s about time I dealt with them. I should thank them for reminding me.” Zhao Zhi gave a cold laugh.

Song Qi raised an eyebrow. “As long as Your Majesty has a plan. I expect they’ll keep trying to kill me for a while, so would you mind sending a couple of people to protect the Empress?”

“Are you two close?” Zhao Zhi asked, looking puzzled.

“We get along well enough. Why do you ask?”

“Nothing.” Zhao Zhi shook his head, unwilling to say more.

Song Qi didn’t press him. She didn’t understand why Meng Yilan was so friendly toward her, but as long as Meng Yilan didn’t cross her, she could do whatever she wanted.

“By the way, Dacheng sent over a snow ferret this time. Do you want it? I heard you were interested in that tiger last time.”

Song Qi didn’t see how her interest in a tiger had anything to do with a snow ferret, but she was interested in it all the same.

“Then have someone send it to my palace.”

“All right.” Zhao Zhi nodded.

Song Qi said goodbye to Zhao Zhi and returned to her palace. She realized she’d spent less time there than she had in Fengyi Palace. The place felt almost unfamiliar.

The trees she’d stripped bare had been replaced with healthy new ones.

The young eunuch tending them noticed Song Qi looking and seemed to suffer a small personal tragedy.

They’d only just replanted the trees. Was she going to make them replace them again?

Song Qi had barely been back when Zhao Zhi’s gifts arrived. Besides the snow ferret, there were countless treasures.

Eunuch Yang stood before Song Qi, smiling broadly. “Most of the jewelry and other treasures Dacheng sent over are here, Your Highness. I hope you like them.”

“Mm.” Song Qi gave everything a glance, but her attention soon settled on the snow ferret.

Someone held it in their arms. It looked exceptionally well-behaved.

Song Qi reached out.

“Your Highness, be careful…” one of the attendants warned.

The snow ferret seemed to sense something. It looked up at Song Qi, then wrenched itself free of the attendant’s arms and sprang at her.

Chaos erupted.

Song Qi remained calm. She grabbed it by the scruff and pulled it into her arms, smoothing its fur.

The ferret had been about to fight back, but after Song Qi stroked it a few times, it curled up in her arms, quiet as a mouse.

Everyone around them breathed a sigh of relief.

The attendant who had been handling the animal stared at Song Qi in amazement. The ferret was wild and usually let no one touch it but him. But then again, she was General Shao. Anything was possible.

“Once you’ve checked everything, put it in the storeroom,” Song Qi said.

She picked up a collar from one of the trays and fastened it around the ferret’s neck. It looked a little ugly, so she took it off again and put it back.

Dacheng’s taste really left something to be desired.

Song Qi carried the snow ferret back to her room.