After Becoming a Succubus, I Was Offered to My Mortal Enemy - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

The West Court was the most desolate place in the Prime Minister’s manor. The courtyard was spacious enough, but it was the furthest point from Sikong Xue’s study, and few people came or went on ordinary days. The maidservants of the manor cleaned it only cursorily, leaving the weeds in the yard unattended.

Since Ning Yuan was to move in, Song Yan immediately ordered people to clean the main room first and set out tea and pastries. Although the interior looked somewhat simple, it was expected that furniture and decorations would be added in the future.

Song Yan said, “Does the lady have any preferred dishes? I shall instruct the kitchen to prepare them immediately.”

Sikong Xue did not care much for culinary indulgence, so the kitchen’s repertoire had previously been simple. Now that Sikong Xue had ordered that the girl’s food and clothing must not be neglected, Song Yan took the matter to heart.

Song Yan carefully observed Ning Yuan, who was now dressed. Her appearance was similar to Miss Ning, but their ages did not match. This girl still possessed a lingering childishness; she certainly was not Miss Ning.

Clutching her collar, Ning Yuan warily surveyed her surroundings. Sikong Xue’s current residence seemed even larger than the former Ning Manor. She still did not know what Sikong Xue intended by keeping her in the manor. Now that she was living under someone else’s roof, Ning Yuan did not dare to make wild demands, saying only, “Anything is fine. I am not picky about food.”

In the past, she had been extremely fastidious about what she ate and used, but times were different now. She still did not know what year it was or how many years had passed since the Ning family fell into ruin. Asking directly would surely arouse suspicion; she had to find opportunities to slowly fish for information.

Sikong Xue’s earlier behavior had truly terrified her. She dared not even look Sikong Xue in the eye, let alone try to discern Sikong Xue’s age by her appearance. Seeing how arrogant her aura was in the imperial court—how the Emperor did not even refute her when she spoke—her rank must be quite high.

Ning Yuan asked Song Yan tentatively, “I wonder how old you are, sister? How should I address you?”

Song Yan was startled. The girl before her spoke with submissiveness and politeness, showing no displeasure even when housed in such a room. This was a world apart from the arrogant and willful Miss Ning of the past; truly, they only looked alike.

Song Yan said, “I do not deserve the title. My name is Song Yan, I am twenty-three this year. You may call me by my name directly.”

Twenty-three years old…

Ning Yuan remembered that Song Yan was close to her in age. She was now twenty-three. So, it had been five autumns since the Ning family met their misfortune. So much time had passed; she did not know where her mother and grandmother were.

Worrying for her family, a look of sorrow unconsciously surfaced on her face.

Song Yan ignored Ning Yuan’s emotions and simply brought two young maids before her, saying, “These two will remain in the courtyard to serve you. If you have any needs, just tell them. Only one thing: the Master has ordered that you are not permitted to step out of this courtyard.”

“Not permitted to step out of this courtyard?”

Though the yard was large, it was bare, without even flowers planted yet; it was a depressing sight. Had Sikong Xue seized her just to put her under house arrest? She thought that having finally borrowed a corpse to return her soul, she would have a chance at revenge. Now, let alone seeking vengeance against Yuchi Jin, being confined to such a small courtyard meant she could do nothing at all.

Song Yan said, “The Prime Minister’s Manor is a place of great importance. This is for the lady’s own good.”

The Prime Minister’s Manor?

Hearing Song Yan’s words, Ning Yuan could not help but be shocked. The Prime Minister was the head of all officials and had to be profoundly learned; one could not hold the post simply by being good at martial arts. Ning Yuan remembered that Sikong Xue hated studying most of all.

Since they were children, Sikong Xue had always said that in the future, she would become a Great General, magnificent and achieving great things. When attending school, Sikong Xue would frequently skip classes or get into fights with Yuchi Jin’s followers. She failed to finish her lessons and constantly caused trouble, so infuriating the teacher that he went to the Taiwei’s (Grand Commandant’s) Manor every few days to complain. At the time, the Lord Taiwei was also troubled by this, but Sikong Xue ran fast; even when he wanted to punish her, he could never catch her.

Who would have thought that after five years, Sikong Xue would reach the position of Prime Minister? Truly, things change like floating clouds; the ways of the world are unpredictable.

The two young maids were only sixteen. They knew nothing of the past history between Sikong Xue and the Ning family; they only knew that this girl was the first one their Master had ever brought back to the manor. The Master had ordered them to meet her every request, so although she had no formal status, her position was clearly significant. They had to take good care of her; perhaps they could reap some benefits by following her in the future. Seeing that the girl the Master brought back was so beautiful, she might even become a mistress of the manor one day.

The older maid said, “Miss, my name is Chun He, and she is Xia Xun. Sister Song Yan ordered us to take care of your daily life. Please instruct us if you need anything.”

Ning Yuan had just suffered a fright and was now too weary to deal with people, so she said, “I want to rest for a while. You may leave first.”

Sitting before the bronze mirror and looking at her reflection, she felt a momentary sense of melancholy. It was lucky that five years had passed, so she wouldn’t be recognized. However, Sikong Xue’s power was so immense, to say nothing of the Princess Royal’s faction. She herself had only the mindset of a seventeen or eighteen-year-old and possessed no power or influence. Now that she was under house arrest by Sikong Xue, how could she avenge the Ning family?

Did she have to find a way to please Sikong Xue and use her power to save her mother and grandmother? But Sikong Xue had bullied her so much in the past, and had done that to her today… And now the people here wouldn’t let her leave this courtyard. What exactly was she to do?

When it was time for dinner, Chun He and Xia Xun brought in several exquisite small dishes. Ning Yuan sat down listlessly, looking at the food and sighing for no reason. These dishes were exquisite, yes, but they were all things she disliked eating.

Xia Xun asked, “Is the Central Plains cuisine not to the lady’s taste? Master has already sent people to invite a Western Region chef to the manor. Please bear with this for a few days.”

Ning Yuan hurriedly said, “How could it not be to my taste? I was just homesick.” Living under another’s roof, she did not dare be picky. Moreover, she had heard that Western Region food was actually quite unpalatable.

Looking at the dishes, Ning Yuan picked up her chopsticks, intending to eat a few bites at random.

Sautéed Mutton with Scallions, Hibiscus Tofu Soup—she used to break out in rashes if she ate these, so mutton and tofu were never served in her manor afterward. Braised Crucian Carp—it was so full of bones that they could never be cleaned out properly; the old Ning Yuan wouldn’t have touched it.

Was Sikong Xue doing this on purpose? Specifically ordering people to prepare things she couldn’t eat; she still loved bullying her as much as ever. It seemed only one dish was edible.

“What is this dish called?” Ning Yuan picked up a piece of meat. Thinking she had never seen this dish before, she asked. The dish looked appetizing, but having been teased by Sikong Xue so often in the past, she was now much more cautious when eating.

Chun He said quickly, “The lady really knows how to eat. This dish is called ‘Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity.’ it is made by stewing eel and black-boned chicken; it is best for replenishing qi and nourishing the complexion. Usually, the manor rarely prepares such complex dishes. Master must have specifically ordered it for the lady.”

“Eel?!”

That was just like a snake!

Ning Yuan was so frightened she nearly dropped her chopsticks. She was terrified of such creatures. When she was little, she had been startled by a snake Sikong Xue caught; after that, she was even afraid of ropes. How was it that Sikong Xue was still making things difficult for her even now?

Daring not to touch the “Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity” again, Ning Yuan looked at the remaining dishes. In the past, she couldn’t eat mutton or tofu because her health was poor. Now that she had returned in a different body, perhaps she could eat them. This body had been hungry for too long; she didn’t have the luxury to be picky. She put a piece of mutton into her mouth.

Only then did Ning Yuan realize that mutton was actually this delicious. The chef here prepared the mutton excellently; it was tender and tasty, and the gamey smell was not strong. The tofu soup was also smooth and very appetizing. Ning Yuan couldn’t help but eat a large bowl of it, and later ate some fish.

In the past, she had been pampered and thus picky about food. Now she needed to nurture her body and wait for an opportunity to act. The crucian carp was equally delicious; since she had nothing to do, she could simply pick out the bones slowly.

Except for the “Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity” which remained untouched, the rest of the dishes were eaten quite clean.

Chun He reported this to Sikong Xue, whose brow remained furrowed.

“She truly ate it all?”

Chun He said, “Reporting to Master, except for that black-boned chicken and eel stew. The girl seemed a bit afraid of the eel, so she didn’t touch it. As for the rest, she ate them quite cleanly; she looked as if she were starving.”

It was understandable for a girl to dislike snakes or eels. But as for the rest, she actually ate them all.

Sikong Xue’s heart sank. Everything she had ordered the kitchen to prepare was what Ning Yuan disliked most. Ning Yuan could not touch mutton or tofu at all. Now that she ate them so comfortably, it was clear she truly was not Ning Yuan. Even though she had known it was impossible, she still couldn’t help but harbor a sliver of hope.

Having had no appetite to begin with, confirming that the person she brought back was not Ning Yuan made it even harder for Sikong Xue to eat.

“Are you neglecting your food every day because you’re planning to ascend to immortality?” Yin Chiyun walked in carrying a porcelain bottle and placed it before Sikong Xue. Without asking, one knew that the medicine Sikong Xue wanted had been prepared.

Sikong Xue did not offer thanks, but instead asked, “Why is there only this much?” If this was all there was, once it was finished, she would have to go to the trouble of preparing it again.

Yin Chiyun said, “Do you know how precious several of the ingredients are?”

Sikong Xue rubbed her temples and said, “When have I ever been short on your payment?”

“It’s not a matter of money.” Yin Chiyun showed a troubled expression and asked, “Do you intend to support her for the rest of her life?”

Sikong Xue looked up, neither confirming nor denying. As long as she stayed in the manor obediently and didn’t cause trouble, what did it matter if she supported her for life?

“The Succubus physique is unique. This medicine works for a time, but not for a lifetime. She is still young now, having just reached adulthood, so it can be suppressed with drugs. A-Xue, have you thought about what to do later…”

Thinking of that face identical to A-Yuan, and the gauzy clothes she had torn to shreds, Sikong Xue’s expression became somewhat unnatural.

Yin Chiyun took the opportunity to say, “Actually, given that she was born with such a face, perhaps this is a chance heaven has given you. You are still young, why not try to accept someone else?”

Sikong Xue’s gaze suddenly turned sharp as she said, “What nonsense are you talking?”

Fearing Sikong Xue might strike her, Yin Chiyun took a few steps back and said, “Take it as if I said nothing. However, since you can’t bear to kill her but are unwilling to touch her, you should also find a companion for her sooner. You can’t let a living person be scorched to death by the heat of passion…”

“You!” Sikong Xue gripped her scabbard. Though she did not draw the sword, the rage in her eyes could not be hidden. Even a childhood friend could not make such a joke about A-Yuan. How could a girl of a foreign race ever replace A-Yuan?

As for the “heat of passion” Yin Chiyun spoke of…

Looking at the medicine Yin Chiyun had delivered, Sikong Xue’s head ached even more.

Did she really have to find a companion for that foreign woman, as Yin Chiyun suggested?

Support After Becoming a Succubus, I Was Offered to My Mortal Enemy