After Transmigrating, I Was Kidnapped By A Scheming Beauty Into The Bridal Chamber - Chapter 11

Qingyuan County was close to the city gates, and the dense forests outside the walls were where the White Tiger with Slanted Eyes had descended from the mountains. The tiger had appeared twice near the gates, terrifying passersby to the point of panic. After hearing that it had dragged two people into the forest and killed them, no one dared to approach the tiger’s territory. Normally, they could have taken their time to discuss hiding, but recently, they had to kill the tiger within ten days. If the Imperial Inspector were eaten by a tiger while visiting Qingyuan County, the County Magistrate could forget about a peaceful retirement.

This led to the Yamen’s initial attempts to trick and coerce Shen Hetang. Logically, they should have recruited two strong, burly men, but everyone in the area knew the Yamen’s reputation. Not only was there the risk of losing their lives, but the first reward would inevitably go to a relative of the County Magistrate. As a result, no one volunteered, leaving Shen Hetang, an outsider looking for work, as their only target.

When Shen Hetang returned home and told Jiang Chenyu about her new job at the Yamen, Jiang Chenyu felt a mix of pride and worry.

“Isn’t working at the Yamen dangerous?” she asked. “They handle things like brawls and disturbances. What if you get hurt?” The young woman, her peach-blossom cheeks framed by hairpins adorned with shimmering butterflies and kingfisher feathers, still wore a sweet smile, but her delicate brows furrowed with concern.

“I’ll be careful not to get hurt, so don’t worry too much.” Even though her wife was fake, it felt nice to have someone care about her. As someone without siblings or a lover, this small kindness meant a lot to her.

“Yaoyao, come here for a moment,” she said, noticing the cinnabar on the desk and then looking at the heart-shaped fringe framing Jiang Chenyu’s forehead.

“What is it?” The girl, her hair adorned with pearls and jade, was taken aback by the sudden request to come closer. Still, she leaned halfway across the desk.

Shen Hetang dipped her pinky into the vibrant cinnabar and gently touched it to Jiang Chenyu’s forehead. The already striking face gained an added layer of mystery and allure, living up to her name, “Chenyu,” which meant “beauty that could make fish sink and geese fall from the sky.”

Wu Daoyuan was right about one thing, she thought. He truly was pampering this delicate flower. But his twisted intentions doomed him to become Jiang Chenyu’s enemy.

She had been sitting on a rosewood chair while Jiang Chenyu leaned slightly over her, creating an intimate pose. Just then, Chuntao entered with fruit. Seeing their position, she quickly covered her eyes, set down the tray, and fled the room.

Hearing the commotion, Shen Hetang tilted her head to see Chuntao running out as if a dog were chasing her. A smile tugged at her lips as she straightened up, rose, and held up a bronze mirror for Jiang Chenyu.

“Wife, you’re so beautiful,” she teased. “It seems keeping you safe at home is a very important task.”

“What? Don’t you like it?” Jiang Chenyu asked, her voice tinged with hurt. A-Tang had just applied the floral makeup on her, making her heart flutter like a trapped deer. Did he dislike her appearance? She knew her beauty could attract trouble, like Wu Daoyuan. The thought dimmed the starlight in her eyes.

“If A-Tang thinks I’m too flashy, I’ll tone it down from now on,” she said, her voice soft but stubborn, with a hint of wounded pride.

Shen Hetang stared, dumbfounded. What had she said? One moment, Jiang Chenyu’s words had carried a sharp edge; the next, they were laced with hurt. She was a woman herself, but the moment was the first time she truly understood why people said girls were made of water. If she said another word, Jiang Chenyu would be on the verge of tears. As a woman made of concrete, Shen Hetang was genuinely insensitive.

“You’re misunderstanding me,” Shen Hetang quickly clarified. “If I thought you were too flashy, I wouldn’t have applied the makeup. I’m just worried about keeping you safe.” She needed to clear this up immediately; upsetting her patron would be disastrous.

“Don’t worry,” Jiang Chenyu assured her, her eyes earnest. “I won’t cause you any trouble. I rarely go out, and when I do, I always wear a veil.”

That pitiful little look in Jiang Chenyu’s eyes made Shen Hetang’s heart ache. It wasn’t her fault to be so beautiful, but if anything went wrong, she alone would bear the consequences. Even though she wanted Jiang Chenyu to have more freedom, she knew this place had no respect for human rights. Her meager martial skills wouldn’t be enough to protect her. She could defeat Wu Daoyuan, but she was powerless against the wealthy and influential nobles. Caution was paramount.

“When I become a high-ranking official someday, you can strut around Qingyuan County like a crab, walking sideways and all, okay?” Of course, she’d never become an official; she was just trying to cheer the girl up. At best, she’d rise to the position of shopkeeper.

“Okay, I’ll remember that. Don’t you dare lie to me.” Though she didn’t smile, the joy in her eyes couldn’t be contained. The long lashes at the corners of her eyes curled upward, giving her a delicate and charming look.

“I promise, I won’t lie to you.” Shen Hetang understood why men were drawn to beautiful women. She found herself drawn to them too, especially the alluring and captivating type. They were lethal to straight women. Fortunately, her training as a reserve police officer had instilled strong self-control. She wouldn’t let herself fall for this.

She didn’t dare tell Jiang Chenyu about the tiger hunt. Instead, she quietly reported to the Yamen. They’d found a young man skilled in martial arts to lead the group outside the city. The dozen or so Yamen officers, who were used to shirking their duties and living comfortably, had no choice but to brace themselves and join the preparations.

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