After Marrying the Villain with Seven Personalities [Transmigration into a Book]) - Chapter 28

The young Empress, having just reached the age of adulthood, refused to let go. Growing bolder, she gave a playful squeeze and mocked, “The State Preceptor hasn’t improved at all over the years. You don’t compare to Us in the slightest.”

Her fingers were slender, but she lacked any sense of restraint. Xu Linqiu felt a prick of pain followed by a rising heat of irritation. With a sudden, agile burst of strength, she grabbed the Empress’s hands and pinned the unprepared woman beneath her, completely neutralizing her.

“My waist!” Xu Linqiu hissed through gritted teeth, enduring the sharp pain in her back while staring down at the woman who was now struggling fruitlessly.

Fire burned within the Empress’s beautiful willow-leaf eyes as she fought with all her might. When her efforts proved futile, a mist began to gather in her gaze. Tears welled up and spilled from the corners of her eyes in an instant—a sight so pitiful it could move anyone to mercy.

“We were only joking with you,” she sobbed.

Having never seen her in such a state, Xu Linqiu’s heart softened, and her grip gradually loosened.

In that split second, the woman beneath her broke free. Like a wild wolf, she lunged, pinning Xu Linqiu back onto the bed.

“Today, We shall fight you to the bitter end!”

Before Xu Linqiu could even cry out in pain, the Empress leaned down and bit her neck. Her pearly teeth sank into the skin with a vengeful force, stinging sharply.

However, it was nothing compared to the pain in her waist.

In this moment, Xu Linqiu grew strangely calm. She reached out to gently pat the Empress’s back to soothe her emotions, letting out a soft sigh and a bittersweet smile. “It seems Her Majesty truly does not understand my painstaking intentions…”

Yi Chenhuang paused, hesitating before releasing her hold. A faint red mark remained where she had bitten. She looked up, meeting Xu Linqiu’s shimmering, smiling eyes, which seemed filled with a lingering, tender affection.

“Have I been too strict with Your Majesty?” Xu Linqiu asked, reaching up to tenderly tuck a stray lock of hair behind the Empress’s ear.

The woman’s earlobes flushed a soft pink as she nodded.

Xu Linqiu continued, “Does Your Majesty know how much treachery hides within the imperial court, or how many storms brew in the shadows? How old are you? How could I bear to watch you sink into that quagmire alone? Naturally, I had to shoulder the burden for you.”

“I was strict because I hoped you would grow into a capable leader. I held onto power only to keep it safe for you. I challenged your imperial dignity only to stimulate your fighting spirit and potential. Do you understand my devotion?”

She toyed with a strand of the Empress’s hair, her eyes brimming with “deep” affection.

The young Empress bit her lip, clearly moved. “Even if you did it for my own good in court… why did you humiliate Us in the Imperial Study after business was done? And on the Dragon Bed… you won’t even let Us select a consort.”

“I asked Xiao Jizi. She said that while female Empresses have had female consorts in the past, it is rare—not to mention the whole of Kyoto is whispering that We have become your ‘forbidden pet.’ You have ruined Our reputation!”

Xu Linqiu: “…”

She blinked, reacting instantly. She slid her fingers into the Empress’s hair, pressing the back of her neck down to plant a kiss on her lips.

“Because I love you too much to control myself.”

The faint scent of magnolia lingered at the tip of her nose. Xu Linqiu didn’t expect such perfunctory coaxing to work on the girl, but she lightly nipped at her lip, seeking to deepen the kiss.

To her surprise, the young Empress seemed quite familiar with the act; she closed her eyes and began to respond.

Their breaths intertwined. As Xu Linqiu teased her lips, her palm instinctively massaged the Empress’s nape while her other hand began to undo the buttons of her nightgown.

Suddenly, the woman pushed against her shoulders and pulled back, her eyes glistening. “But Xiao Jizi said you only have a ‘youth’ fetish and that you lead a debauched life in private!”

Xiao Jizi… who the hell is this Xiao Jizi?!

Xu Linqiu suppressed her frustration, maintaining a tender smile as her thumb traced the Empress’s exposed collarbone. “Xiao Jizi has clearly been provoked by treacherous people~”

Yi Chenhuang frowned, thinking for a moment. “But Sister Cheng and the others said you and Xiao Jizi are having an affair. You’re all liars, skilled in flowery words.”

Xu Linqiu: “…”

She forced a smile, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. “You all… talk to each other?”

“Yes. We share the five senses. Sometimes we even argue. Sister Cheng talks the most—she’s very sarcastic. Sister Red always says she’s going to merge us all sooner or later.”

“But this is clearly My body.”

The smile froze on Xu Linqiu’s face. She paused, then quickly changed the subject. “Then… how did Your Majesty ‘transmigrate’ here?”

Yi Chenhuang froze as memories flooded back, her eyes reddening. “The border conflict was dire; our kingdom was in retreat. To appease the people, you insisted on dragging Us to the front lines to boost morale. But who would have thought the enemy had an ambush? In the end… didn’t you pull Us in front of you to be shot to death by a hail of arrows? That’s how We ended up here.”

“Ah… I experienced the same,” Xu Linqiu said, seizing the opportunity to sound mournful. “I wanted so badly to block those arrows for Your Majesty, but alas, Heaven’s will was against us.”

“Didn’t you pull Us to block the arrows for you?” Yi Chenhuang narrowed her eyes at her.

Xu Linqiu gave a dry laugh and quickly rubbed the girl’s hair. “Your Majesty must have misremembered. I love you so much; how could I use you as a shield? It was simply too chaotic. I was panicking in my attempt to protect you and couldn’t see where the arrows were coming from.”

“Your Majesty,” she pulled the girl into a sincere embrace, her voice heavy with emotion. “In this strange world, we only have each other to depend on. Please, do not believe the discord sown by those with ulterior motives. You must trust me.”

Yi Chenhuang looked up, and seeing the apparent sincerity in Xu Linqiu’s beautiful, smiling face, her heart softened. “Fine. But you must not lie to Us.”

“I swear. If I deceive Your Majesty, may my waist never heal.”

“Deal.”

Seeing the Empress agree, her eyes curving beautifully, Xu Linqiu breathed a sigh of relief. She kissed the girl’s forehead, but before she could take the next step, the Empress suddenly bounded up.

“Wait for Us!”

Xu Linqiu tried to give chase, but the moment she sat up, the pain in her waist sent her crashing back down. She could only watch as the woman skipped out the door.

Outside, Yi Chenhuang ran into Shi Ji, who was heading out with a suitcase. Yi Yanbai stood at the door, looking dejected.

The Empress raised her head high, placing her hands on her hips to project her imperial authority. “Xiao Jizi! Considering you have served Us diligently for years, and Our Imperial Sister wished to marry you regardless of status, We granted you this union. What now? Are you still unsatisfied and trying to cause a scene?”

“Return to the bridal chamber at once!”

Shi Ji: “…”

Shi Ji had planned to sneak into one of the many spare rooms in the Yi villa while Xu Linqiu wasn’t looking. She hadn’t expected to run into this “stumbling block.”

“Which one is this now?” Shi Ji whispered, leaning toward Yi Yanbai.

Before Yi Yanbai could answer, a soft yet commanding voice rang out with arrogant pride.

“Our name is Yi Chenhuang, styled ‘Xiao Huang.’ Our Mother Empress said ‘Huang’ (Gold/Imperial) is the most noble name for an Empress. My Mother Empress was named Yi Dahuang, and she was revered by tens of thousands.”

“It seems Xiao Jizi has lost her memory. No wonder she doesn’t kneel to greet Us.”

Shi Ji: “…”

She glanced at Yi Yanbai’s helpless expression and felt her blood pressure rise. What kind of personality is this? Now an Empress? Everyone here is insane.

Shi Ji slammed her suitcase down and stomped downstairs, ignoring both of them.

Yi Chenhuang was equally huffy. “That lowly servant… give her a little affection and she thinks she can act spoiled.”

Yi Yanbai tried to follow, but the Empress stopped her. “Why chase her? You must make her realize that as the Grand Princess, you can have any woman you want. Let her come back and beg you herself.”

Yi Yanbai: “…

Inside the room, Xu Linqiu turned her head as the door opened. Yi Chenhuang walked in, clutching a box like a precious treasure.

She locked the door, climbed onto the bed, and placed the box in front of Xu Linqiu. She secretively pulled out a piece of red fabric, needles, and thread before snapping the box shut with a hint of grievance.

“The State Preceptor isn’t here, and We cannot get used to the ‘undergarments’ of this world. Please embroider a dudou (bodice) for Us.”

Xu Linqiu propped herself up on her elbows and picked up the red cloth. It was indeed cut in the shape of an ancient bodice. However… she had no idea how to embroider flowers.

“I…”

Her refusal was cut off by the Empress’s innocent remark.

“Didn’t the State Preceptor used to ’embroider’ quite well in court? You would embroider bodices for Us while using your silver tongue to deal with those ministers.”

Xu Linqiu: “…”

No wonder the empire fell…

She forced a smile, remembering how her mentor’s wife loved embroidery. She had watched her a few times. She would have to wing it.

As Xu Linqiu focused on the needlework, the young Empress lay beside her, occasionally dropping bombshells.

“Since coming to this world, has the State Preceptor played those ‘bedchamber games’ with anyone else?”

Xu Linqiu’s hand shook. “No.”

“I thought as much. Your… ‘playstyles’ are likely only something We can endure.”

“Every time We manage to come out, Sister won’t let Us leave the house. We can only learn to play with the ‘computer’ in the room.”

“We discovered this world has many games far more interesting than the ones you taught Us. There are many interesting little gadgets, too.”

“We bought some of those gadgets, but since you weren’t here, We could only play with them alone while thinking of you…”

“Your Majesty,” Xu Linqiu felt herself growing warm. She cursed those trashy websites for corrupting a child and tried to stop her. “Your Majesty is still young…”

“You didn’t say We were young when you took Us by force,” Yi Chenhuang retorted with a pout. “We don’t care. You must play with Us today.”

She lowered her head, her face flushing. “Although you are quite crude and it hurts sometimes—and We did resist at first—after a while, We actually started to like it a little.”

Xu Linqiu nearly stabbed her own finger. The Empress leaned in, her cool cheek brushing against Xu Linqiu’s. It was soft and tender. She nuzzled her like a spoiled cat. “And since you said it’s all for Our own good and because you love Us… We are very happy~”

Xu Linqiu sighed internally. She rubbed the girl’s hair and continued her sewing. “I will play with you as soon as I finish this, alright?”

“Alright~”