After Transmigrating as a Sickly Beauty, I Became the Villain’s Beloved - Chapter 4

Qin Ziyu shook his head. “No, that won’t do… He cannot be a concubine.”

“Oh?” Xiao Ci’s interest grew even stronger. If he could not be a concubine, could it be a lady from a high-ranking noble family?

“In that case, Your Highness must speak up. Otherwise, if the fair one is betrothed to another, wouldn’t Your Highness live with lifelong regrets?”

Xiao Ci spoke with deceptive persuasion. Seeing how much Qin Ziyu appeared to treasure this person, he assumed the Prince was deeply in love. The thought of Qin Ziyu eventually kneeling at his feet, weeping and begging for mercy, made every pore of Xiao Ci’s body tremble with excitement. He was itching to begin.

He would surely give the future Crown Princess a “warm” welcome.

Qin Ziyu’s gaze shifted guiltily. “Um, but…”

“What if he is unwilling?”

“Your Highness worries too much. With your status, who would be unwilling?” Xiao Ci said. “Rest assured, Your Highness if she is unwilling, this official will tie her up and bring her before you myself.”

And then I’ll lash her until her flesh is torn asunder.

the curve of Xiao Ci’s mouth grew wider; he could hardly wait.

Qin Ziyu looked up, meeting Xiao Ci’s eyes. His expression shifted from initial hesitation to sudden certainty. “…Really?”

His gaze was sincere and pure. Aside from hope, there was something else in those eyes something elusive and difficult to decipher.

“Really,” Xiao Ci nodded.

Qin Ziyu had been uncertain before, but now his worries vanished. Even as the Director of the Western Depot, Xiao Ci was still too young.

Qin Ziyu was certain that Xiao Ci would not kill him easily. As long as he stayed alive, there was always room to maneuver.

“Then… I will only tell you, My Lord. You must keep it a secret for me, otherwise, it would be bad for the reputation if word got out,” Qin Ziyu said.

Xiao Ci nodded.

After testing him for so long, Xiao Ci had grown impatient. If Qin Ziyu didn’t speak now, he would hang him up though he wondered how long the sickly Prince could hold out before breaking.

Qin Ziyu mustered all his strength to lean forward. The sudden proximity caused Xiao Ci to frown involuntarily.

Qin Ziyu continued moving until he was practically slumped against Xiao Ci’s lap. Xiao Ci suppressed the urge to kick him away, his knuckles cracking as he clenched his fists.

Qin Ziyu looked up until they were face-to-face, less than half a foot apart. They could easily feel each other’s breath. Because of his weak constitution, even a slight movement caused Qin Ziyu’s breathing to turn heavy.

Xiao Ci wanted to turn his head away, but as he gazed into those deep, dark eyes, he ultimately remained still.

Qin Ziyu took a breath to steady himself. “My beloved… is far away at the edge of the sky, yet right before my eyes.”

Silence.

The room became as terrifyingly quiet as a wasteland after a storm.

Qing’an covered his mouth, terrified of making a sound.

What is His Highness saying? Has he lost his mind from the fever?!

The servants waiting outside wished they didn’t have ears. Knowing the Crown Prince had a sweetheart wasn’t scary; knowing that sweetheart was the Director himself was terrifying!

The Director would never let them live.

Xiao Ci’s heart skipped a beat. He repeated, “Far away at the edge of the sky, yet right before your eyes?”

Qin Ziyu nodded vigorously. He fought to remind himself that the man before him was the novel’s greatest antagonist, possessing an intellect that rivaled the protagonist—perhaps even surpassing it. He could not afford a single slip-up. If he were caught in a lie, all his groundwork would crumble.

“I hope Lord Xiao keeps his promise and sees this matter through for me.”

Xiao Ci grabbed Qin Ziyu’s wrist. “Your Highness still loves to play pranks. They say that a man’s words are kind when death is near; why can’t Your Highness learn to be well-behaved?”

Qin Ziyu winced in pain and let out a muffled groan, biting his lip hard.

“It hurts.”

“Can’t you tell whether I am lying, My Lord?”

Xiao Ci stared at Qin Ziyu. His own face was clearly reflected in those dark pupils.

“You say the one right before your eyes is Qing—”

Qin Ziyu cut him off. “It’s you!”

“The one in my heart has always been you!”

Xiao Ci sneered. “Does the Crown Prince not despise eunuchs most of all?”

“Nonsense. You are the one I love most,” Qin Ziyu retorted.

Xiao Ci didn’t believe a single word of it.

“Is that so?” Xiao Ci pinched Qin Ziyu’s chin. “…The Crown Prince is truly dishonest. It seems I must use torture.”

“Has Your Highness heard of the Bone-Crushing Torture?”

Xiao Ci’s voice was low and melodic, making the threat even more oppressive.

“The ankles of the victim are broken, and they are forced to walk on the ground. It doesn’t matter if Your Highness has no strength; someone will support you to ensure you don’t fall.”

“What does Your Highness think of this punishment?”

Qin Ziyu’s hair stood on end. He blinked as Xiao Ci continued.

“If you don’t want visible external wounds, we can use the Needle Piercing Torture. I’ll take silver needles three inches long and drive them into your body. Rest assured, My Lord’s hand is very steady; I definitely won’t let you get ‘injured,’ it will just be a bit painful. You must endure it.”

As he spoke, several long, thin silver needles suddenly appeared in Xiao Ci’s hand, glinting coldly.

Qin Ziyu forced a smile. “Someone! Proclaim to the world that I wish to appoint Xiao Ci as my Crown Princess!”

As the silver needles drew closer, Qin Ziyu’s eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness entirely.

Xiao Ci: “…”

Fainted again.

He stowed the needles, laid Qin Ziyu flat on the bed, and glared at Qing’an, who was trying to turn invisible in the corner.

“If a single word of what was just said gets out…”

Qing’an knelt, trembling. “This servant’s lips are sealed!”

Xiao Ci nodded, swept his sleeves, and walked out. He gave a warning to the eunuchs outside before departing.

Qin Ziyu fainted twice in one day. The second time wasn’t out of fear, but sheer physical exhaustion. When he woke, the imperial physician happened to be there and watched him finish a large bowl of medicinal soup.

As the sky grew dark, Qin Ziyu had Qing’an pack some banknotes and clothes.

“These are clothes Nanny Jiang often wore. She cared for me for many years and was devoted. Take these things to the Mass Grave, then watch from a distance.”

“The Mass Grave?” Qing’an was shocked.

Qin Ziyu said, “If you are afraid, I can send someone else.”

Qing’an shook his head. “This servant is not afraid. I shall go now.”

“Rest easy, Your Highness. This servant visited the Mass Grave before entering the palace; I know the way and definitely won’t be caught.”

He was young, but not stupid. The Prince giving him such a task was clearly a move to promote him and see if he was trustworthy. To survive in this soul-devouring palace, one had to gamble with their life.

“No,” Qin Ziyu said. “You don’t need to avoid anyone. Especially not Xiao Ci’s people.”

Qing’an: “?”

“If you are caught by him, remember to tell the truth.”

Qing’an prostrated himself. “Yes.”

“Go then.”

Watching Qing’an’s retreating figure, Qin Ziyu leaned against the bed in a daze. During the day, he hadn’t seen Nanny Jiang’s body, nor had he heard any cries for mercy. Perhaps it had been a setup from the start—Nanny Jiang might not be dead. Xiao Ci likely wanted to scare him, using the nanny to keep him in a state of constant panic.

A living person is useful; a dead one loses all value.

He had indeed been terrified earlier, but thinking back, the situation was full of holes.

Though he had only been here for a day, Qin Ziyu felt more exhausted than if he had worked two weeks straight. His body was tired, but his heart was even more weary.

Especially when facing Xiao Ci, he couldn’t relax for a second. It wasn’t hard to pretend to like someone, but pretending to the point where you almost believed it yourself was difficult.

In truth, Xiao Ci was quite handsome. A pity he was a eunuch.

The night was dreamless. Perhaps because he had overthought everything before bed, Qin Ziyu actually slept quite soundly. He didn’t feel irritable when he was woken up; instead, he felt refreshed.

Qingkang brought word that the Sixth Prince was waiting outside and had brought someone to pay his respects.

Brought someone?

Qin Ziyu gestured for Qing’an to help him up. He changed his clothes and leaned against the bedside. “Let them in.”

Because of his illness, the doors and windows of the Taihe Hall were tightly shut to prevent drafts. The smell of medicine was heavy, and even the scent of pear blossoms couldn’t mask it.

Two figures appeared from behind the screen, their builds quite similar. The palace servants knelt in rows, heads bowed as the two passed.

The man in front wore a sapphire-blue robe with narrow sleeves, the lotus patterns on the cuffs shimmering faintly. He wore a leather jade belt adorned with exquisite jade discs, accentuating his slim waist and long legs. He had deep-set eyes and thick, black eyebrows, looking exceptionally spirited and noble.

As for the person behind him…

Qin Ziyu froze. The man behind was wearing a grey-blue cross-collared robe embroidered with large bamboo leaves. He stood tall and elegant, but it wasn’t his aura that stunned Qin Ziyu—it was his face.

“Greetings, Imperial Brother. Is Brother well?” The two knelt in unison. The man in front asked the question.

Qin Ziyu’s throat felt dry. He looked away. “I am fair. Rise.”

“I heard yesterday that Imperial Brother had woken. I wanted to visit, but Imperial Concubine Mother said Brother was in low spirits and shouldn’t see anyone. Seeing Brother’s complexion today, I can finally rest easy.” After Qin Zizhang rose, he moved briskly to Qin Ziyu’s side, looking him up and down.

Qin Ziyu smiled. “Thank the Imperial Noble Concubine for her concern. I will certainly cherish myself and strive for a speedy recovery.”

He turned to the person beside them. “And this is…?”

Qin Zizhang looked at the man behind him. “Lu Moyun is the top scholar of this year’s civil examinations handpicked by Imperial Father. He is the Assistant Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, and more importantly, my friend!”

“He traveled extensively in his younger years and knows some medicine. I brought him to check on Imperial Brother. If he can cure your illness, it would be a great achievement!”

Qin Ziyu understood. Lu Moyun the protagonist of the original book and the childhood friend of the antagonist, Xiao Ci. They were originally neighbors who were separated during a disaster, only to meet again in the imperial palace. At first, they were overjoyed, but Lu Moyun gradually realized Xiao Ci was malicious and cruel. The two parted ways, and Lu Moyun dedicated himself to helping Qin Zizhang take the throne and fighting against Xiao Ci until he finally achieved victory.

Xiao Ci’s end was naturally death, but Lu Moyun lost much along the way: family, friends, subordinates, and teachers. Almost everyone died to protect him. The price was heavy.

“Moyun, come quickly and greet Imperial Brother.”

Lu Moyun cupped his hands and bowed. “Greetings, Crown Prince.”

Qin Ziyu stared blankly at the jade pendant on Lu Moyun’s waist until he was jolted awake by Qin Zizhang’s voice. “Imperial Brother! Moyun has been bowing for ages!”

“Rise,” Qin Ziyu said.

Qin Zizhang worriedly added, “Imperial Brother’s spirit is still not quite right; he’s even dazed during the day. Moyun, take Brother’s pulse and see.”

Lu Moyun nodded. “Yes.”

“Wait.” Qin Ziyu took a breath and looked Lu Moyun in the eye. “I have a question for Lord Lu.”

Lu Moyun said, “Please ask, Your Highness.”

Qin Ziyu: “Who is the Titan of Great Qin?”

Qin Zizhang: “…”

What on earth is Imperial Brother talking about?!