After Transmigrating as a Sickly Beauty, I Became the Villain’s Beloved - Chapter 3

“Does Your Highness have some… unique proclivities?”

Following the sound of his voice, a series of muffled thuds and bangs echoed from outside. Qing’an’s heart leapt into his throat; that sound was all too familiar to those living in the palace.

Qin Ziyu asked, “What is happening outside?”

“Nanny Jiang was unable to care for Your Highness properly. This official has ordered thirty strokes of the board as a warning to others,” Xiao Ci replied.

Xiao Ci’s tone was airy, but it fell upon Qin Ziyu’s ears with the weight of a mountain. With every strike of the board, his heart sank further.

The original host had lost his mother at a young age; Nanny Jiang was his wet nurse. Though she was a servant, their relationship transcended that of master and subordinate—they were more like family.

Thirty strokes of the heavy board would leave her half-dead, if not dead.

Qin Ziyu clenched his fists. The Eastern Palace was crawling with spies. Nanny Jiang was outspoken and blunt; her previous words had undoubtedly reached Xiao Ci’s ears, leading to this calamity.

On the surface, he was punishing the nanny, but in reality, he was exerting pressure on Qin Ziyu telling him that the positions of the butcher and the prey had swapped. Given the original host’s fragile health, he likely would have been frightened into a coma or even death by such a display.

Nanny Jiang was suffering for the original host’s sake, and Qin Ziyu didn’t want to let her be beaten to death. However, in a situation where he could barely save himself, pleading for mercy would only make Xiao Ci strike harder. The more anxious he appeared, the more Xiao Ci would refuse to let go.

“I have long felt she overstepped her bounds. Only because she was my nurse did I endure her time and again. I thank you, Lord Xiao, for your thorough consideration,” Qin Ziyu looked up and smiled. “After the punishment, have her cast out of the palace immediately. I do not wish to see her again. My body has not yet recovered and I truly have no strength; I must ask for your help in this matter, My Lord.”

Xiao Ci’s gaze fell upon Qin Ziyu’s slightly raised hand. It was thin, pale, and the nails were dry and lifeless—just like its owner. As his gaze shifted upward, he met Qin Ziyu’s eyes: bright, yet deep.

There was no fear in them, only expectation.

Xiao Ci stared at the small mole beneath the corner of the Prince’s eye for a moment before sweeping his outer robe aside and taking the seat of honor with an imposing aura. “Since Your Highness loathes Nanny Jiang so much, why don’t we… just beat her to death?”

Qin Ziyu continued to smile. “That works too.”

The sound of the boards stopped. A young eunuch hurried in. “Reporting to the Director! Nanny Jiang could not withstand the strokes; she has stopped breathing!”

Xiao Ci tapped the armrest. “You return to report such a trivial matter? Throw her in a mass grave.”

“Yes!” The young eunuch complied, running out to bark orders. “You two! Wrap the body in a straw mat and carry it away. Don’t let the noble’s place be tainted by bad luck.”

Hearing the commotion outside, Qin Ziyu squeezed his fingers tight. First it was Nanny Jiang; he would be next.

Since entering the hall, Xiao Ci had been staring at Qin Ziyu’s face, trying to find a crack in his composure, but he was disappointed.

Particularly after hearing the news of Nanny Jiang’s death—someone who had raised him for over twenty years the Prince didn’t seem to care at all. He didn’t even ask a single question.

Then again, Xiao Ci thought, the Crown Prince has always been heartless and cruel. Why would he feel sympathy for others?

“Your Highness need not worry anymore.”

Qin Ziyu lowered his head. “I am exhausted and wish to rest. You may do as you please, My Lord.”

With that, Qin Ziyu leaned his head against Qing’an’s shoulder and went limp, looking for all the world like a hibernating tortoise.

Xiao Ci: “…”

His grip tightened on the armrest, his smile widening as he stood and walked toward Qin Ziyu.

Qing’an was nearly scared out of his wits. He was young; by the time he entered the palace, Xiao Ci had already become a manager. He’d never had direct contact with him, but he’d heard the rumors: Xiao Ci loved to torture people and enjoyed all manners of gruesome punishments. The young eunuchs under him would disappear every few days, and no one dared to care if they were dead or crippled.

After the Crown Prince fell ill, the servants of the Eastern Palace were either reassigned or sent to the Hard Labor Bureau. Qing’an had been a mere sweeper just months ago; being suddenly promoted to personal service brought more terror than honor.

All signs pointed to a deep-seated grudge between the Director and the Prince. If Xiao Ci dared to kill the Prince’s nanny, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill a lowly eunuch.

But if something happened to the Prince, they would all be buried with him.

Buried alive or the Labor Bureau?

Qing’an was so terrified his teeth chattered, and his voice went hoarse from agitation. “L—Lord Xiao! His Highness hasn’t eaten for days and only had half a bowl of porridge today. He has no strength. The weather is turning cold and the floor is freezing. I beg your Lordship to lend a hand and save His Highness’s life!”

Qin Ziyu’s weary, sleepy state was due to his illness, not his will. If he had his old body, he would have jumped up and punched Xiao Ci until his face was black and blue—at worst, they’d die together! Did Xiao Ci really think he was afraid?

Unfortunately, his physical condition didn’t allow it. He had to use a “softer” approach.

As soon as Qing’an finished speaking, he felt a poke at his waist and immediately shut his mouth.

Qin Ziyu hissed, “Too much talk. Sleeping.”

Qing’an followed suit, facing the floor and pretending to be asleep.

Xiao Ci sneered. “It seems the Crown Prince truly intends to stay down there.”

Qin Ziyu said, “I have no choice. My body is beyond my control. Qing’an is young and lacks strength. Since Lord Xiao is here, there is no reason for you not to help. I assume your strength is similar to Qing’an’s, so I shall wait for…”

Before he could finish, Qin Ziyu’s vision blurred. He was lifted from the cold floor into a warm embrace. He found himself looking directly at Xiao Ci’s chin. The first thought that popped into his head was: Eunuchs really don’t grow beards!

Compared to Qin Ziyu, who hadn’t bathed in days and looked filthy and disheveled, Xiao Ci exuded an air of nobility, looking more like the one in power.

Xiao Ci gave Qin Ziyu a slight toss in his arms. “Even if Your Highness were twice as heavy, this official could still carry you.”

To dare suggest I lack strength… I really want to strangle him right now.

Qing’an scrambled up from the floor, retreated to a corner with his head down, and pretended he had seen nothing.

Qin Ziyu used every ounce of his strength to wrap his arms around Xiao Ci’s neck, fearing the man might drop him out of spite.

The scent of medicine mixed with the fragrance of plum blossoms filled his nose. Xiao Ci turned his face away. “Let go.”

“My arms hurt terribly. Please, Lord Xiao, place me on the bed. Thank you.” Qin Ziyu ignored the command and changed the subject.

Xiao Ci glared at him before tossing him onto the bed with moderate force.

Qin Ziyu complained, “I am frail. Lord Xiao, remember to be gentler next time.”

Xiao Ci narrowed his eyes, a dangerous light glinting within. “Next time?”

“Does Your Highness truly believe there will be a next time?”

Qin Ziyu said, “I naturally don’t wish to trouble you constantly, My Lord. But I have no choice; everyone outside listens to you and dares not approach. I can only trouble you.”

“Furthermore…” He paused intentionally. Seeing that Xiao Ci didn’t take the bait, he continued: “I don’t like them touching me.”

Qin Ziyu’s voice was soft and lingering, carrying an ambiguous tone. A faint flush rose to his pale cheeks, his collar was disarrayed, and his peach-blossom eyes were slightly upturned with an unreadable meaning.

Xiao Ci’s Adam’s apple bobbed. This face was too deceptive; words couldn’t describe its beauty. Even the world’s greatest painters couldn’t capture half of its radiance and that made it all the more hateful.

A person with such a dark heart shouldn’t be this beautiful.

When Xiao Ci was eight, his family was hit by a flood. His parents took them north. To get a bit of grain, they sold his sister halfway through the journey, but they still didn’t make it, leaving him and his younger brother to fend for themselves.

The two brothers trekked to Chang’an, withered, starving, and dizzy. Just when he thought they would die, he met Qin Ziyu. Back then, Xiao Ci was young and didn’t understand the cruelty of the world. He only felt lucky to have met a god-like older brother beautiful, kind, and with a gentle voice.

Those were clearly the warmest hands in the world, yet they pushed him into the freezing Purification Room, dropping him from heaven straight into hell, from which he could never escape.

That overly beautiful face could easily capture hearts and gain trust. Truly ridiculous.

Though life was hard before entering the palace, Xiao Ci had family. Occasionally they scavenged food others threw away, and the brothers shared it to survive. After entering the palace, hunger and cold became his daily routine. The slightest mistake earned him a beating. Even if he did nothing wrong, Qin Ziyu would frame him for various crimes. The palace servants were experts at bullying the weak; he did the filthiest, most exhausting work, eating steamed buns so dry even a dog couldn’t bite them, washed down with melted snow.

At that time, he swore he would never let those who humiliated him go. Especially… that high-and-mighty invalid.

Now that Qin Ziyu had fallen into his hands, death was too easy. He wanted him to suffer a fate worse than death!

“Your Highness doesn’t like being touched by them?” Xiao Ci’s lips pulled back into a wide, cold smile.

Qin Ziyu’s heart skipped a beat, his blood turning cold from head to toe.

“True. How could Your Highness ever like a pack of castrated dogs?”

Xiao Ci turned. “Men! Summon every eunuch in the Eastern Palace here immediately.”

The young eunuchs guarding the hall responded with a shout of affirmation.

“Wait!” Qin Ziyu was truly panicked now. He had said that to make Xiao Ci suspicious, hoping to use a major revelation after some back-and-forth tension. He hadn’t expected Xiao Ci to react so quickly and seize upon his words.

The servants in the Eastern Palace had been replaced; most were minors. Whatever Xiao Ci intended to do would surely corrupt the children!

Absolutely not.

Forget it, I’ll just use my trump card now.

Qin Ziyu steeled his heart and blurted out: “The reason I don’t like them touching me is that I have already given my heart to another. I am remaining chaste for my beloved!”

The palace doors were wide open. Many young eunuchs had gathered in the courtyard. Those closest heard him clearly and stood frozen in shock. The Crown Prince had a beloved? Who?

They silently mourned for the future Crown Princess. Given the Prince’s health, he could barely get out of bed, let alone perform his marital duties. If a girl married in, she would be a widow in all but name for the rest of her life. After the Prince passed, the future Emperor might not treat her well. She would suffer more than she would enjoy.

They wondered which poor girl was so unfortunate.

The young eunuchs didn’t dare make a sound for fear of disturbing those inside, but they leaned in closer to hear more.

Xiao Ci’s interest was piqued. Years ago, a side-consort and two concubines had been brought into the Eastern Palace, but no one else. Qin Ziyu was constantly ill and never visited the side-consort’s quarters; he likely didn’t even know what she looked like. In recent years, when he felt better, he occasionally went out for walks. Had he set his sights on some little palace maid?

Good. I can kill her.

“Since Your Highness has a beloved, you should report it to His Majesty. Given your condition, why would His Majesty refuse?”

“I…” Qin Ziyu’s gaze shifted guiltily. He coughed a few times, pretending to be shy.

“If Your Highness truly likes her, you may tell this official. I will certainly see it done for you. Even if she cannot be the Crown Princess, she can stay in the Eastern Palace as a concubine,” Xiao Ci said.

Just in time to test my new torture devices.