Transmigrated Female Official

Chu Qingluo's attitude was undoubtedly a blow to Ji Qiran. It was like a traveler lost in the darkness, who suddenly discovered a glimmer of hope amidst his constant anxiety, only to have that ray of light vanish in an instant, disappearing without a trace.

His heart ached, and a host of unfamiliar feelings washed over him. He recalled every moment she had been by his side, every smile and frown hiding heartache… and his heart ached even more! All of this was the retribution for his past cruelty; he deserved it.

For several days in a row, Ji Qiran hid in Changxuan Palace and didn't go anywhere. He didn't go to Yibin Pavilion, nor did he look for Chu Yilin; he just drank alone in the inner hall, brooding over his sorrows. He couldn't let go of Chu Qingluo, but he was helpless to do anything about her…

After court, Yao Man went to Changxuan Palace to find Ji Qiran. Her male attendant tried to stop her, saying that the Seventh Prince did not wish to receive guests, but she ignored him and forced her way into the inner palace.

At this moment, Ji Qiran was leaning back in his chair, looking at the newcomer with a cold expression, holding a small wine glass in his hand.

Yao Man frowned and asked, "Qi Ran, why are you drinking in broad daylight?"

He sneered, "Life is short, only a few decades. One should enjoy oneself whenever one wants." He then drank another cup.

He was clearly in a very bad mood, but she didn't know why. Yao Man knew his temperament, so she didn't try to persuade him anymore. Instead, she sat down next to him and said, "Then I'll drink with you."

Ji Qiran squinted at her and chuckled, "Alright—" He then gestured with his chin that the cup was right in front of her and asked her to help herself.

Yao Man was a woman who was just as capable as any man. She laughed heartily, filled her glass to the brim, downed it in one gulp, and then drank another...

The two drank until evening, chatting about everything under the sun. Just when Yao Man thought she would be able to stay overnight at Changxuan Palace as she wished, Ji Qiran coldly gave her the order to leave.

"You've had too much to drink. I'll send someone to take you home."

Yao Man had indeed drunk a lot; even her eyes and neck were red. She glanced at him and asked, "What if I said... I want to stay?" As she finished speaking, she gently placed her fingers on Ji Qiran's hand.

Ji Qiran did not answer, but withdrew his hand, stood up somewhat unsteadily, and called out to the outside of the hall: "Someone, escort Lord Yao back to his residence."

Then, a male attendant came over and tried to help Yao Man up.

She bit her lower lip, shook off the male attendant's arm, and struggled to her feet. She glared at Ji Qiran with resentment; he truly showed no mercy! Ironically, she was the one who liked him… Yao Man gave a bitter laugh and staggered out. The male attendant quickly followed behind her.

The Eighth Princess was on her way to find the Fifth Prince when she passed by the Changxuan Palace and bumped into Yao Man, who was coming out with a flushed face. She couldn't help but smile and stepped forward, teasingly saying, "Oh, isn't this Lady Yao Man?"

Such an unfortunate encounter left no time to avoid it. Yao Man was taken aback at first, then nodded and said, "Princess Xile."

The Eighth Princess covered her nose and chuckled: "It seems our Seventh Brother has prepared some fine wine and meat to entertain Lord Yao. I've never seen him invite me before."

Yao Man was already feeling dizzy and didn't want to continue arguing with the Eighth Princess. She frowned and said, "Princess Xile, I'm not feeling well, so I'll take my leave now."

"Lord Yao, please take care and don't see me off."

Watching Yao Man's departing figure, the Eighth Princess revealed a meaningful smile. Yao Man and Ji Qiran? ...She really couldn't sit idly by and wait for her doom. Once these two joined forces, they would one day become Fourth Sister's sharp claws.

But a docile cat with claws and teeth can turn into a carnivorous tiger.

……

Summer always arrives with great fanfare, only to depart quietly. It's not until the cool breeze of the morning touches your body that you realize the weather is no longer so hot.

On this day, in the Qingming Hall.

Pan Yin, a female official of the third rank, returned from disaster relief work, accompanied by the prefect of Biancheng and two or three local people, to meet the emperor and express their gratitude.

It took Chu Qingluo a while to realize the main point. It turned out that expressing gratitude was only one aspect; the main event was actually the disaster relief stories brought by the people.

Several people vividly described how Pan Yin was dedicated to her duties, even risking her life in the rescue. The most compelling part was the description of how she disregarded her own safety to rescue a child trapped by the flood, nearly losing her own life, and how she ultimately overcame numerous difficulties...

As the people praised him, Pan Yin humbly replied that it was all just what he should do.

After listening to the series of stories about disaster relief, the Empress nodded repeatedly, very satisfied, and praised, "Minister Pan, you have truly worked hard these past few days. Such selfless acts are a model for all of you to learn from. I am very pleased!"

"Your Majesty flatters me," Pan Yin said modestly.

Afterwards, the Empress wanted to reward those who had rendered meritorious service. However, she had already bestowed a considerable amount of gold and silver jewelry upon Pan Yin over the years, and was now in a dilemma, unsure of what to reward him with in order to show her favor.

At this moment, the Eighth Princess seized the opportunity and stepped forward to suggest, "Everyone says that Seventh Brother is the most handsome man in Yancheng. Why doesn't Your Majesty bestow Seventh Brother upon Lord Pan Yin to reward his merits?"

Upon hearing this, Yao Man and Chu Qingluo were both stunned, looking at the Empress's expression with fear.

"..." The Empress did not reply, seemingly deep in thought.

Seeing that the situation was not right, Yao Man immediately said, "Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince is older than the Seventh Prince. If he is to be accepted into the family, the Fifth Prince should be considered first."

After hearing this, the Empress also felt that there was some truth to it.

The Eighth Princess was not about to miss this opportunity to undermine him, and said with a smile, "Fifth Brother and Seventh Brother are not that far apart in age. Besides, I have long heard that Lord Pan Yin has been in love with Seventh Brother for a long time, so of course Seventh Brother is more suitable."

"Oh?" The Empress showed a hint of surprise and asked, "Minister Pan, is what Xile said true?"

Pan Yin hadn't expected this turn of events, but since the Eighth Princess had spoken, she naturally wouldn't deny it. Besides, Ji Qiran was indeed a handsome man, and if this matter succeeded, she would gain a great advantage for free. So she replied, "This humble official dares to say that I have been secretly admiring the Seventh Prince for quite some time."

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!" Yao Man became anxious and said again, "This humble official dares not deceive Your Majesty. This humble official has already asked the Seventh Prince for permission to enter."

As a fierce battle to win her over unfolded, Chu Qingluo was stunned. Her feelings were indescribably complex, even tinged with bitterness…

The Eighth Princess then asked, "May I ask, Lord Yao, has my Seventh Brother agreed?"

After a moment's thought, Yao Man gritted her teeth and said, "I've already agreed."

"Ha!" The Eighth Princess sneered, retorting, "That's impossible. If my Seventh Brother had agreed, you would have brought it up the moment you stepped forward, but you didn't. That means you're lying. Don't blame me for not warning you; deceiving the Emperor is a serious crime."

"I... Princess, if you don't believe me, you can ask the Seventh Prince to come and confront me." Yao Man was a little guilty, but if she didn't say that, Ji Qiran would really be given to that old woman Pan Yin!

The Sixth Princess missed court again today, and Yao Man had no one to speak up for her. She was at a disadvantage and extremely anxious!

The Fourth Princess's faction watched from the sidelines, taking it all as a good show and secretly enjoying themselves.

Regardless of her feelings, Chu Qingluo was extremely unwilling to see Ji Qiran being defiled by that old woman Pan Yin! Therefore, even though she knew she had no right to speak, she couldn't help but step forward and say, "Your Majesty, I personally witnessed the Seventh Prince and Lady Yao Man going boating on the lake together, and they seemed to be very much in love... Princess Xile also saw it that day."

Unexpectedly, Chu Qingluo suddenly stepped forward, and Yao Man gave her a grateful look. However, the Eighth Princess was quite displeased, glaring at her sideways before turning to the Empress to explain, "Your Majesty, Xile saw that the two of them were just being polite, and it was impossible to tell that they were truly in love. Besides, Lord Pan Yin has made such a great contribution to the country and the people, and he deserves to be rewarded."

...After several rounds, the Eighth Princess ultimately prevailed. Pan Yin had rendered meritorious service in disaster relief and had also expressed his long-standing admiration for Ji Qiran. Naturally, the Empress considered her feelings more, so the final decision was to grant the Seventh Prince Ji Qiran a place under Pan Yin's tutelage, with Yu Fei to select the auspicious day for his entry.

Chu Qingluo was immediately dumbfounded, her heart feeling as if it had been stabbed several times with needles. Yao Man felt as if she wanted to vomit a mouthful of black blood on the spot!

She had a premonition that a huge uproar was about to unfold...