Chapter 9
Ji Yan’an wasn’t used to such lively family gatherings, so she barely ate. She finally endured it until Ji Yongning and Madam Ji left, then turned to Song Yi with a sigh.
“Are you used to this kind of thing?”
As expected, Song Yi shook her head.
Her parents had died when she was very young. She had long since forgotten what it felt like to grow up surrounded by a father’s protection and a mother’s love. She was no more accustomed to such warmth than Ji Yan’an was.
Perhaps remembering her own miserable childhood had affected her mood. Ji Yan’an picked up her book again, but not a single word would stay in her mind.
A new round of footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard.
Ji Yan’an frowned, her delicate brows drawing together.
For some reason, she really didn’t want anyone disturbing this peaceful atmosphere.
Especially not while the beautiful Song Yi was sitting there so earnestly reading.
She was practically ready to march over and complain before opening the door, but before she could, the visitor suddenly dropped to his knees and knocked his head against the ground three times.
“…?”
Ji Yan’an had already grown somewhat accustomed to maids bowing and curtsying around her, but these three loud kowtows caught her completely off guard.
For a moment, she had the absurd urge to hand the man a red envelope.
The newcomer wore coarse cloth garments covered in snow. One glance was enough to tell he had been traveling back and forth through the winter weather. Behind him stood several maids. None carried umbrellas; instead, each held bolts of fabric.
“Miss! This old servant has come!” the man announced. “I heard Your Ladyship will be entering the palace again. Our Jinyi Workshop has specially brought finished garments for you to choose from.”
The man looked to be around fifty years old. Though slightly nervous, every gesture was polished and professional, making him immediately likable.
After asking Le Yan about him, Ji Yan’an learned that he was actually Manager Zheng from Jinyi Workshop—the most famous clothing house in the capital.
Ji Yan’an’s eyes lit up.
So even in ancient times, people could shop for clothes without leaving the house?
She immediately invited Manager Zheng and the maids inside and eagerly waved Song Yi over as well.
“Come pick something too!”
Still holding her book, Song Yi walked over, though her gaze never once landed on the fabrics.
Meanwhile, Ji Yan’an excitedly selected a pale blue dress.
To her surprise, Manager Zheng immediately prepared to leave.
“Wait!”
Ji Yan’an’s expression changed instantly.
“What are you leaving for? Miss Song hasn’t chosen anything yet.”
She casually tossed the dress back onto a wooden chest, her entire face practically declaring her displeasure.
Manager Zheng was so frightened he immediately fell to his knees. The maids behind him followed suit, creating a rather spectacular scene.
Ji Yan’an didn’t think of herself as someone with a bad temper.
But whenever Song Yi was involved, her patience seemed to disappear.
“I don’t care,” she said coldly. “I expect an explanation.”
Song Yi glanced at her in surprise but said nothing.
Reaching out casually, she selected a goose-yellow padded skirt.
“Goose yellow!”
Ji Yan’an’s mood changed in an instant.
She hurried over, picked up the garment, and examined it with obvious delight. The transition from anger to happiness was so smooth it was almost seamless.
Then she pulled a silver ingot from her purse and stuffed it into Manager Zheng’s hands.
Song Yi had always liked that color.
The day Ji Yan’an fell into the water, Song Yi herself had been wearing a slightly worn goose-yellow dress.
The moment Manager Zheng accepted the silver, he understood exactly what was expected of him.
He immediately ordered a young maid to take Song Yi’s measurements.
After a long period of bustling activity, he bowed respectfully to Ji Yan’an.
“The sizing isn’t quite right, so this old servant must take it back for alterations. But please rest assured, Miss. I’ll have it tailored beautifully. It will be delivered first thing tomorrow morning.”
Ji Yan’an nodded.
Her earlier irritation vanished completely.
She summoned Le Yan to see the guests out.
“Buying clothes for me?”
After everyone left, Song Yi didn’t return to her book right away. Instead, she looked at Ji Yan’an with amused curiosity.
“Yes!”
Ji Yan’an puffed out her cheeks slightly.
“It’s our first time entering the palace together. Of course you should wear something we picked out together.”
Her hair hung loosely over her shoulders, framing her face.
For a brief moment, Song Yi found herself staring.
Ji Yan’an waited for a response but got none.
Instead, Song Yi set down her book, judged the time, and stood up.
She was preparing to leave.
“Where are you going?”
Ji Yan’an’s drowsiness disappeared instantly. She sat upright on the chaise lounge.
Song Yi pointed toward the side chamber.
It was late. She intended to return there and rest.
Ji Yan’an glanced around the enormous sleeping hall.
The thought of spending the endless night alone after Song Yi left suddenly made her want to cry.
Seeing her expression darken, Song Yi walked back and stopped beside her.
“What’s wrong?”
Without warning, Ji Yan’an wrapped both arms around Song Yi’s arm.
No matter how Song Yi tried to pull away, she refused to let go.
“I…”
Her voice softened.
“Ever since I fell into the water… I’ve been afraid of being alone.”
It was the truth.
Who could wake up to find themselves drowning and not be left with some lingering fear?
The incident had affected her more deeply than she liked to admit.
“What about Le Yan and Jin Xi?” Song Yi asked.
Rather than pulling away again, her voice had become noticeably gentler.
Ji Yan’an looked even more aggrieved.
She had only recently arrived in this world. She wasn’t used to having maids keep watch through the night. At most, she might want someone nearby while she slept.
But what servant would dare climb onto Ji Yan’an’s bed?
“I’m not used to having them around.”
After struggling for a long moment, that was all she managed to say.
Then, hesitantly:
“How about… you stay until I fall asleep?”
Ji Yan’an had noticed something.
As long as Song Yi was nearby, she felt unusually safe.
The only explanation she could come up with was that Song Yi had saved her life.
Song Yi instinctively wanted to refuse.
Then she saw the shimmering tears gathering in Ji Yan’an’s almond-shaped eyes.
“You’re crying?”
Panic flashed across Song Yi’s face.
She quickly nodded and crouched down in front of her.
“Alright. I’ll stay until you fall asleep before going to the side chamber.”
Her voice was impossibly gentle.
“So close your eyes and get some rest.”
The tenderness startled even Song Yi herself.
Ji Yan’an, however, accepted it without hesitation.
Still clutching Song Yi’s sleeve, she obediently closed her eyes, as if proudly showing how well-behaved she could be.
Looking at the small figure curled up on the chaise, Song Yi felt her heart soften beyond recognition.
Since her parents’ deaths, the world she had seen was one of coldness and indifference.
Though she had lived in the Ji residence for years, all she had received was mistreatment.
Song Yi glanced toward the window.
Dark storm clouds crowded the night sky.
She had originally planned to leave the estate tonight to take care of certain matters.
Yet for Ji Yan’an, she was making an exception.
Just stay with her for a little while.
Whatever needs doing can wait until tomorrow.
Silently reassuring herself, she felt the chill in her eyes melt away.
When she looked at Ji Yan’an now, there was only quiet observation and…
perhaps the faintest trace of tenderness.
Ji Yan’an fell asleep quickly.
The small hand gripping Song Yi’s sleeve gradually loosened.
Only after hearing the steady rhythm of her breathing did Song Yi finally relax, certain she was truly asleep.
But another problem remained.
Ji Yan’an had curled herself into a tiny ball on the chaise lounge.
If she spent the entire night sleeping there, her condition would almost certainly worsen.
With a soft sigh, Song Yi bent down and lifted her into her arms.
She had barely taken a few steps toward the bed when Ji Yan’an stirred.
The sleepy girl rubbed her eyes, looking as though she might wake up.
Startled, Song Yi hurriedly lay down beside her.
Only after Ji Yan’an blindly searched around, found the corner of her clothing, and drifted back into deep sleep did Song Yi dare move again.
Slowly, carefully, she sat up.
“See you tomorrow.”
The words were barely above a whisper.
Then, without looking back, she left the sleeping hall.
Outside, the night air was bitterly cold.
The wind cut through flesh and bone.
Yet Song Yi’s heart felt strangely warm.
