After Being Marked by the Eldest Princess, I Got Pregnant with Her Child [Transmigration into a Novel] - Chapter 27

“No…”

Yan Yue’s unease grew increasingly palpable. She could clearly sense the undisguised hostility radiating from Xie Mingyou, whose gaze seemed capable of boring holes through her.

She doesn’t like me this was the voice in Yan Yue’s heart telling her that this person harbored no affection for her.

Not being liked was actually preferable.

Truth be told, she had other matters to attend to today.

She had come to find Hua Ling to pay respects at the former residence of Lady Gu, who had left Zhao Nation a decade ago to marry into another kingdom as part of a peace alliance.

But now Xie Mingyou was here, impatience flickering in her eyes, making Yan Yue too afraid to reveal even a hint of her true intentions.

What puzzled her even more was why Xie Mingyou had suddenly appeared.

“Do you have other business here?” she ventured cautiously.

“Must I have a reason to come?”

Xie Mingyou was in a foul mood, the gloom from her visit to the Gu family ancestral home lingering. Seeing Yan Yue act so evasive and guarded only worsened her irritation.

Her voice rose sharply, edged with a piercing tone.

Yan Yue’s heart sank. Xie Mingyou was clearly in a terrible mood today, who had provoked her?

For once, Yan Yue knew better than to speak, allowing herself to be chastised in silence. Yet her uneasy demeanor only stoked Xie Mingyou’s frustration, fueling an inexplicable rage.

The scent of snow pine began to spread. Xie Mingyou clutched her abdomen, her glands thrown into chaos by Yan Yue’s presence. Her heat cycle, triggered prematurely by the agitation, had arrived.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Noticing her discomfort, Yan Yue instinctively stepped forward. Xie Mingyou seemed unwell, slightly hunched over, her eyes dark and turbulent.

The intensity of that gaze pinned Yan Yue in place, freezing her mid-step.

The complex emotions swirling in those depths stunned her, leaving her uncertain. Xie Mingyou’s lips curled into a cold smile as she fought through the discomfort, advancing until she pushed Yan Yue to the ground.

Before Yan Yue could even cry out, Xie Mingyou had her pinned beneath her, those jade-green eyes locking onto her. “Shut up.”

Did she really want to call others in to witness her at her most vulnerable?

Was Yan Yue truly so thoughtless?

Xie Mingyou covered her mouth, Yan Yue’s soft lips brushing against her palm, igniting a deep tremor within her. This face, she both loved and loathed it.

Now, she no longer intended to restrain her feelings. If she didn’t endure this heat cycle, the consequences would be endless.

“Mmm…”

As Yan Yue’s long skirt was pushed aside, Xie Mingyou bit down hard on her scent gland. The snow pine fragrance grew thicker, saturating the cramped resting room with its domineering presence.

Flooded with pheromones, Yan Yue arched, her arms instinctively wrapping around Xie Mingyou’s neck, channeling the pain into the pressure of her grip.

This was the second time an alpha had temporarily marked her as an omega. With each encounter, Xie Mingyou’s scent grew more familiar, more intoxicating. The snow pine aroma eroded her resistance, melting her into pliant softness as she was carried to the heights of ecstasy.

Outside Zhao Nation’s walls, fireworks lit up the sky.

The people sang and danced as petals rained down. Gritting her teeth, Xie Mingyou released the full force of her pheromones.

Yan Yue’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, her soft whimpers fading as she succumbed to blissful oblivion.

When everything came to an end, Xie Mingyou had already dressed, while Yan Yue’s eyes brimmed with tears. She could feel that Xie’s marking this time was deeper, an indescribable sensation, not rejection, but something that startled her heart.

“You—”

Looking at her, wanting to say something, yet in the end, Yan Yue couldn’t utter a single word. The icy surface was cold, but when Xie Mingyou’s pheromones flooded in, she felt a surge of warmth coursing through her limbs. Having been frail since childhood, she rarely experienced such pervasive warmth. Accustomed to a life of medicine, this fleeting tenderness seemed impossible to resist.

Xie Mingyou snorted, her rationality returning from the earlier haze. Just a little more, and she might have softened toward this person again.

Her expression cold, a sudden knock came at the door, it was Hua Ling.

Xie Mingyou immediately halted, turning back to strip off her outer robe and drape it over Yan Yue. The latter’s clothes had been in disarray, hastily discarded earlier. If seen in such an indecent state now. Without further thought, Xie Mingyou acted on impulse, bundling her up securely.

Half-carrying her, she leaped straight out the window.

Hua Ling knocked a few more times but received no response. Just as suspicion arose, someone gasped.

“Chief Steward Hua, look!”

Following their gaze, a shadow seemed to flash across the sky.

The figure in those arms wasn’t that Her Majesty?

Frowning, Hua Ling kicked the door open to find the window ajar and the emperor nowhere in sight.

“Her Majesty is missing?”

The guards exchanged uneasy glances.

Hua Ling silenced their murmurs, her eyes lingering on the torn clothes scattered near the swaying window, deep in thought.

She’d sensed something weighing on her master these past days. Now, it seemed confirmed.

“Likely, no need for concern.”

That figure, clad in black from the first glance at Xie Mingyou, she’d felt an unfamiliar sense of recognition.

Hua Ling sighed. This was a fate no one could interfere with.

Meanwhile, Song Shujiu groggily awoke, drugged into unconsciousness, to find herself in a damp, gloomy dungeon.

Frowning, she stood and called out, “Is anyone there?”

The narrow cell echoed her voice, amplifying her unease.

The door creaked open as someone entered.

“Awake?”

Song Shujiu stared at the newcomer in shock. “You?”

It was the purple-robed woman she’d seen on the street that day. Though veiled then, the distinct attire left an impression. Now unveiled, the woman’s exquisite yet aloof features sent a chill down Song’ui’s spine.

“Miss Song, finding your accommodations suitable?”

Xiao Yunli smiled faintly, tilting her head slightly, a gesture that lent her cold demeanor an unexpected touch of charm.

Song Shujiu thought, I’ve no time for your games.

Had Yan Chen noticed yet?

Could he find her?

“You’re just using me as bait.”

After brief consideration, Song Shujiu understood. The Queen of Li Kingdom had no ties to her why target her specifically?

She must be leverage against someone.

But Yan Chen was there that day, why didn’t she confront him directly?

Song Shujiu pondered, finding Xiao Yun Li utterly incomprehensible.

“Clever. I told her you were here and let her come exchange places with you herself.”

Xiao Yun Li walked over, studying her as she spoke each word deliberately.

“If she values her life, she won’t come. If she does, only one of you will live.”

Song Shujiu’s heart trembled, a life for a life.

This woman was truly ruthless.

“This is Zhao Country. Do you really think you can act with impunity everywhere?”

Xiao Yun Li shrugged indifferently. “For me, it’s wherever I wish.”

Having seized the throne in Li Country, she cared little about what else she might do.

Her upbringing had taught her that anything she desired whether person or object must be obtained by any means necessary.

Xiao Yun Li gazed at her, lifting a hand to stroke her face twice. Fair, delicate skin hardly a stunning beauty. How could she even compare?

Then her eyes dropped to Song Shujiu’s belly, slightly rounded beneath loose robes. It didn’t seem far along.

Had she arrived a few months later, this woman would have beaten her to it.

A dark glint flashed in Xiao Yun Li’s eyes as her fingers tightened against Song Shujiu’s cheek. The pain made her flinch back.

This woman was insane.

“What are you dodging for?”

Xiao Yun Li’s expression instantly turned icy. She gripped Song Shujiu’s throat, teeth clenched.

Choked gasps escaped Song Shujiu’s lips, the metallic tang of blood rising in her throat. Her face drained of color, on the verge of passing out until Xiao Yun Li released her with a laugh.

“You can’t die yet.”

Yan Chen hadn’t arrived. It’d be no fun if she died too soon.

“Your Majesty.”

A guard entered, bowing deeply.

Xiao Yun Li understood immediately. “She’s here.”

With a glance at her attendant, she left.

The attendant stepped forward, pulling a handkerchief from his sleeve to gag Song Shujiu before binding her and leading her out.

Unable to resist, Song Shujiu had no choice but to follow.

Outside.

“So soon?” Xiao Yun Li approached leisurely.

Yan Chen really did care for this little thing. The thought soured her mood further. Seeing Yan Chen alone, she smirked.

“Not even bringing your lackeys?”

Yan Chen replied unhurriedly, “For you, no need for many.”

Unfazed, Xiao Yun Li nodded. “So, which will you choose?”

Clad in a gold-embroidered red peony robe with white silk draped over her shoulders, Yan Chen fanned herself idly. “Naturally, the choice that benefits me.”

She moved closer, seizing Xiao Yun Li’s wrist to press a kiss to her scent gland. The rich aroma of aged liquor instantly flooded the courtyard.

Xiao Yun Li’s lips curled as her gaze flicked to the side.

Yan Chen remained composed, twisting her wrist. “Where is she?”

“Just marked me, and already thinking of another?” Xiao Yun Li draped an arm around her neck, voice sweetly mocking. “How heartless.”

Yan Chen caught her encircling arm with one hand, smiling. “Keeping her here is pointless unless you have exhibitionist tendencies.”

Xiao Yun Li burst into laughter and clapped. “Bring her out.”

Song Shujiu emerged, face shadowed, eyes red-rimmed. Watching their intimate exchange, she spat at Yan Chen, “I must’ve been blind. You’re nothing but a lying, oath-breaking cheat.”

Yan Chen remained unruffled. “Better you learn early. Get lost.”

Tears welled hotter in Song Shujiu’s eyes as she pointed at Xiao Yun Li. “Of all people, you chose her? You disgrace Zhao Country.”

“She’s got that fox-like seductive look—what’s so great about her?”

“You’ll regret choosing her.”

A torrent of insults poured forth until Xiao Yunli finally showed displeasure: “How about we kill her first, then continue?”

Yan Chen met her gaze, eyes burning with intensity: “I have no interest in killing exes—unless you want to see me become the subject of gossip.”

Didn’t Xiao Yunli claim to like her?

She reached out, gripping her chin, their breaths nearly mingling. Her dark eyes gleamed with an inscrutable light. Seeing this, Song Shujiu stomped her foot and spat, “Yan Chen, enjoy your little paradise here.”

Then she turned to Xiao Yunli: “I wouldn’t take this trash even if you handed it to me. Go ahead and treat her like a treasure.”

“You only deserve what I discard.”

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