Chapter 56: Saving the Cold-Blooded Female Supporting Character in a Female-Dominated World (7)

The moonlight lay like a white veil, casting a shallow, faint glow across the courtyard and pulling two long shadows onto the stones.

The two of them sat on the doorstep, raising their bowls to clink over some cola.

It was Jiang Zhen’s first time tasting something like this. The liquid was pitch-black, and as it went down her throat, countless bubbles seemed to dance on her tongue, making her frown slightly. But then came an unprecedented rush of satisfaction, and she couldn’t help letting out a soft, pleasant sigh.

“Is this also a specialty from your southern region?”

“This is my exclusive secret recipe. Only I know how to make it.”

Jiang Zhen didn’t believe her. “How do you make it?”

“I told you, it’s a secret recipe. How could I pass it on so easily? Even if you’re my crush, it’s not happening.” Song Lingshu said with righteous indignation.

Jiang Zhen had already grown immune to the casual love confessions that kept popping out of her mouth. “Then what’s it called?”

“It’s called Cola.”

“Cola? Why such a strange name?”

“Because… everything is cola-ble!” Song Lingshu said.

Jiang Zhen took another curious sip. “And that noodle thing from earlier, what was it called?”

“You just soak it and it’s ready. What do you think it should be called?” Song Lingshu asked.

“Yellow noodles.”

“… Fine. Yellow noodles it is.” Song Lingshu laughed.

The two of them had a full meal. Under the hazy moonlight, they returned to the bedchamber, but neither could fall asleep right away.

Jiang Zhen was savoring the memory of that strange, delicious food. Song Lingshu, on the other hand, was uncomfortably full, with a faint ache in her stomach. She hadn’t expected the original owner’s digestive system to be so fragile. She tossed and turned for a long while before groaning, “Oh no, my stomach hurts so much.”

“You’re such a handful.” Jiang Zhen said.

Song Lingshu rubbed her belly on the bed, moaning for a while, until she felt she couldn’t take it anymore. She had to call for the imperial physician. Gripping the bed railing, she struggled to sit up, cold sweat beading on her forehead. Just as she was about to speak, she heard a rustling sound beside her. It was Jiang Zhen getting up.

“Give me your hand.”

Song Lingshu looked at her in confusion, then extended her hand. The next moment, her wrist was caught by another hand.

Jiang Zhen sat down by the bed and took her pulse. “Where is the Imperial Hospital?”

“Southeast corner.” Song Lingshu muttered.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Jiang Zhen stood up and strode away. About half an hour later, she returned carrying a bowl of freshly brewed medicine. She set it down nearby. “Wait for it to cool a bit before drinking.”

“Oh…” Song Lingshu lay in bed, turning on her side, curious. “You actually know how to take a pulse?”

“My Imperial Father was once a doctor.” Jiang Zhen explained briefly.

“I see. But I’m so touched that you would actually brew medicine for me!” Song Lingshu said.

Jiang Zhen frowned, her tone stiff. “I just brewed a portion for myself as well, since we both ate the same thing.”

“You didn’t suspect me of poisoning it?”

Jiang Zhen gave her a sidelong glance. “Are you stupid? Didn’t I just take your pulse?”

“Oh, right.” Song Lingshu had barely finished speaking when her stomach cramped again. She curled up and started rolling around.

Just as she was about to roll off the bed, a hand stopped her. Then a large palm covered her stomach, gently massaging it. It felt almost magical—wherever she rubbed, the pain miraculously eased.

Song Lingshu let out a comfortable little hum. Seeing that the other woman was about to pull her hand away, she moved faster, grabbing hold of it and looking up at her with pleading eyes. “Rub a little more, please. I’m scared of the pain.”

“What do you take me for?” Jiang Zhen said haughtily. “I’m not your servant.”

“Of course you’re my crush. If you think about it, you’ve helped me out three big times today. I’ve decided to give myself to you in gratitude.” Song Lingshu said.

Jiang Zhen: “That won’t be necessary.”

“Then I’ll give you my empire. Do you dare take it?” Song Lingshu asked.

Jiang Zhen raised an eyebrow but didn’t answer. Nevertheless, she reached out and resumed rubbing Song Lingshu’s stomach. She didn’t want the wretch to die of pain and then get blamed as someone who kicks people when they’re down.

Having found herself a justification, Jiang Zhen felt much better. When the medicine had cooled enough, she helped Song Lingshu sit up to drink it.

This medicine was unbearably bitter. Song Lingshu took one sip and instantly made a face of agony. “I can’t drink this. It’s too bitter.”

“Stop your nonsense. Drink up.” Jiang Zhen snapped.

“But it’s really bitter.” Song Lingshu said. “Don’t believe me? Try it yourself.”

“How is it bitter?” Jiang Zhen pretended to be calm, took a sip, then said without changing expression, “Good medicine tastes bitter, but it helps the illness. If you don’t drink it, I’ll knock you out cold.”

Song Lingshu remembered that this medicine had taken her half an hour to brew. With a determined grimace, she took the bowl—but deliberately turned it until her lips aligned with the spot Jiang Zhen had just drunk from. Then she downed the whole thing in one go.

Jiang Zhen: “…”

“So bitter!” Song Lingshu set the bowl down quickly, her face scrunched up.

Jiang Zhen got up, took a piece of pastry from the snack tray in the room, and forcefully stuffed it into Song Lingshu’s mouth, effectively silencing her.

Song Lingshu quickly finished the pastry, finally managing to suppress the bitterness in her mouth. She smiled. “Thank you. How about you don’t sleep on the floor tonight? Why don’t you come sleep in my bed?”

Song Lingshu had meant to offer to switch beds with her, but before she could finish her sentence, Jiang Zhen said sternly, “You wish. Who wants to sleep in your bed? Pfft, you’re up to no good.”

With that, she turned around and lay down on the floor.

“Alright then, goodnight.” Song Lingshu slowly pulled up the blanket. Only after her stomach had settled did she finally drift off to sleep.

The night had been far too long. She had barely closed her eyes when she heard palace attendants knocking at her door, telling her to get ready for the morning court session.

“I’m not going!” She was still too sleepy. She had no desire to attend morning court, which was nothing but listening to those ministers argue. Today, she was going to rest properly.

At that moment, Jiang Zhen spoke to the attendant. “Her Majesty is unwell. Court is canceled for today. Go inform the ministers.”

“Yes.”

After the attendant withdrew, Song Lingshu managed a smile. “Zhenzhen, if you ask me, you might as well just give in. You’d do a great job running the empire.”

“There will come a day when I take charge.” Jiang Zhen said coldly, her ambition showing more and more openly in front of her. “But it won’t come from your nonsense words.”

“Fine, I’m going back to sleep.” Song Lingshu surrendered to her drowsiness and resumed her nap.

When she woke up again, Jiang Zhen was no longer in the room. She asked an attendant, “Where’s Zhenzhen?”

“Your Majesty, she has gone to the latrine.”

Song Lingshu nodded. “Is everything arranged?”

“Your Majesty may rest assured.”

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhen was in a certain palace. Two men were present: one stood behind her, the other knelt on the ground, trembling. He cautiously looked up at Jiang Zhen. “I-I really don’t know why Your Majesty dismissed the harem. I was the last one to serve her, but as soon as she woke up, she had me carried out.”

This man was handsome but extremely timid. Now that he had lost favor and was about to be sent out of the palace, he was terrified of Jiang Zhen’s interrogation and was afraid she would use torture. So he confessed everything in full detail.

Jiang Zhen’s fingers drummed rapidly on the table. No matter how she probed, she couldn’t figure out Song Lingshu’s intentions. This inability to predict or grasp the situation frustrated her. She still couldn’t believe that the other woman had only amassed a harem due to a lifelong crush on her, and then dismissed it all for her sake.

How could she believe such an absurd thing?

… But what if? When she couldn’t find any other possibility, wasn’t it possible that the most unlikely answer was actually the correct one?

Jiang Zhen was startled by her own thought. Suddenly she slammed her hand on the table, clenching her fist in irritation. The kneeling man flinched. “Wait! I suddenly remembered something…”

“What is it?” Jiang Zhen asked coldly.

“I vaguely heard her talk in her sleep. She was calling out something like ‘Zhenzhen… don’t go…'”

Jiang Zhen: “…”

The subordinate behind her covered his mouth in surprise, then whispered, “Your Majesty, could she have been calling for you?”

Jiang Zhen’s expression flickered. On the surface, she remained calm and composed, but only she knew the turmoil within.

“Take him out of the palace.” Jiang Zhen stepped forward. With one palm strike to the back of the man’s neck, he immediately passed out.

“Yes.”

“Your Majesty, why did you make the Imperial Consort say that?” The attendant asked as she massaged Song Lingshu’s legs. “How were you so sure she would go question him?”

“Just taking precautions.” Song Lingshu knew that Jiang Zhen wouldn’t easily believe her professed love, and that she would be curious about the truth behind disbanding the harem. Naturally, she would investigate, and the trail would inevitably lead to the Imperial Consort who had last served Her Majesty. So Song Lingshu had sent someone ahead to prepare the script.

Before long, Jiang Zhen returned as if nothing had happened. Song Lingshu turned around, scanning her from head to toe, then teased, “You’ve been going to the latrine a lot. You’re not sick or something, are you? If there’s a problem, just tell me. I’ll still love you.”

Jiang Zhen shot her a sideways glance, but didn’t know how to respond. She stiffly looked away and walked in, trying to act natural.

But the other woman stared straight at her. “How about you rub some medicine on my back for me?”

“Ask the attendants to do it.” Jiang Zhen said impatiently.

“None of them have your touch.” Song Lingshu said, feigning shyness. “And I only want you to do it.”

Jiang Zhen stared at her face for a long moment. Suddenly wanting to test her, she hid her hands behind her back, secretly running the blade of a knife across her finger, drawing a thin cut. Then she showed the wound. “My hand is hurt. I can’t rub it for you.”

Song Lingshu froze, then quickly stepped forward, staring at the drop of blood on her finger. “How did this happen?”

“I accidentally cut it.” Jiang Zhen said.

“Quick, get some bandages! No, summon the imperial physician!” Song Lingshu shouted urgently to the attendant, who promptly rushed out.

Jiang Zhen carefully observed her expression. Every change was realistic and natural, as if she were truly worried. “It’s a small wound.”

“This is not small! It’s bleeding!” Song Lingshu was visibly flustered.

Jiang Zhen’s brows raised slightly. Seeing the other woman so anxious and at a loss, a secret sense of pleasure welled up in some corner of her heart. Before she could fully savor it, she felt her finger being enveloped by a warm mouth.

Jiang Zhen stared in shock as Song Lingshu put her finger into her own mouth, sucking on the blood. A tingling sensation traveled straight up her scalp, rendering her speechless.

At that moment, Song Lingshu lifted her eyes. Her lashes fluttered, and concern practically overflowed from her gaze. “Does it hurt?”

Jiang Zhen: “…”

It didn’t hurt, exactly. It was just a little numbing.