After Transmigrating into a Book, I Was Entangled by the Paranoid Eldest Princess - Chapter 22.1

Chapter 22.1

Who was the “Princess”?

Who was “Second Miss Wen”? Could it be referring to her?

And what did “acting” mean?

Listening to this unfamiliar female voice, Wen Chenqing’s heart was filled with confusion, and a certain nerve began to throb with unease.

Suppressing the unrest in her heart, she instinctively lightened her breathing. Through the gap in the ajar door, she saw A-Jin—whom she thought was napping—leaning leisurely against the couch. With a strange expression Wen Chenqing had never seen before, she spoke nonchalantly to the person beside her—

“Wen Chenqing? She’s just a fool; I was playing with her. After pretending to have amnesia for so many days, I’ve grown bored of it.”

—Fool.

—I, the Princess.

—Pretending to have amnesia.

—Bored.

Wen Chenqing suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded; her body swayed.

Clearly, she recognized every single word, but why did they sound so foreign when put together?

It felt as if her nose and mouth were being stuffed with cotton; she struggled to draw in life-sustaining oxygen, but gained nothing.

Her mind went blank.

The sudden vertigo lasted only a few seconds, yet Wen Chenqing felt those few moments were suffocatingly long.

With her back hunched, her slender hand gripped the doorframe to support her swaying body. She raised her head, and through the gap in the door, her eyes met a pair of phoenix eyes that had turned sharply piercing the moment their owner turned her head.

“Your Highness?”

Seeing the change in the Princess’s expression, Fuqu followed her gaze. Suddenly seeing the face she had become so familiar with lately, she gasped and covered her mouth in shock.

The reflexes she had honed over these days made her immediately bolt toward the window, lifting her sleeve as she prepared to flip out.

“Fuqu, stop.” Si Jinghua called out to Fuqu, who already had one leg up, while her phoenix eyes remained fixed on the deathly pale Wen Chenqing.

The study that often had strange movements; the odd footprints beneath the window.

So that was it…

So that was it.

Wen Chenqing withdrew her gaze from the unfamiliar woman.

Her tensed fingertips nearly dug into the doorframe; rough wooden splinters pierced her skin, causing a few beads of blood to seep out, but she seemed unable to feel the pain.

She saw A-Jin straighten her body and, as if nothing had happened, offer a smile that was identical to her usual ones: “A-Qing, why are you back so early today?”

Wen Chenqing released the strength in her hand. The blood gathered at her fingertips dripped onto the floor. She looked at this utter stranger who looked like A-Jin, her throat stinging and itching as she spoke: “Who exactly are you?”

She pushed open the door and walked inside, continuing: “What exactly did you mean by what you just said?”

Wen Chenqing’s reaction caused Si Jinghua to knit her brows in slight displeasure.

This interrogative posture was somewhat presumptuous.

But—touching upon her slightly reddened eyes, which were filled with brokenness and pain, Si Jinghua stepped down from the couch. She walked gracefully to her side, took Wen Chenqing’s hand, and lightly stroked the wound. She hooked her lips into a smile: “You certainly have the nerve to question me. Clearly, it is you who forgot who I am.”

Seeing this habitual air of feigned anger, Wen Chenqing instinctively flung her hand away and took a step back: “Don’t touch me!”

Her force was not light; for a moment, she actually made Si Jinghua’s hand hurt.

Si Jinghua’s face darkened. Because of the other’s resistance, her phoenix eyes were filled with blatant displeasure.

Fuqu’s brows shot up as she barked at Wen Chenqing: “Audacious! How dare you be so insolent toward Her Highness!”

“Shut up,” Si Jinghua turned and scolded. “Fuqu, get out!”

“…” Fuqu pursed her lips. “Yes, Your Highness.”

Her footsteps were silent as she walked. After she bypassed Wen Chenqing and left, only the two of them remained in the study, locked in a confrontation.

Hearing that familiar title again was like a bolt of lightning striking her brain, dispersing the chaos.

A vivid portrait from her memory and the exquisitely beautiful face before her gradually overlapped.

“You are… the eldest Princess…”

Successive waves of shock caused Wen Chenqing’s heart to constrict repeatedly with a dull, aching pain.

She was bewildered: “Why would the Princess be here?”

—Playing with her, bored.

And… fool.

These words, uttered from those soft lips she had kissed countless times, replayed incessantly in Wen Chenqing’s ears, torturing her nearly fragile nerves.

Seeing her face grow paler and paler, Si Jinghua suppressed the anger sparked by the rejection. She took a step forward, reaching out to touch her face, but in the next second, Wen Chenqing still turned her head to avoid it.

Si Jinghua was not a good-tempered person to begin with. Wen Chenqing’s repeated rejections caused her limited patience to nearly vanish. Coupled with an inexplicable unease gnawing at her reason, she forcefully gripped Wen Chenqing’s chin, forcing her to turn and look at her.

“What are you avoiding?” With danger laced in her voice, Si Jinghua’s fingertips tightened, pinning her ruthlessly. A cold arc curved at the corner of her lips: “You were quite passionate last night; are you planning to turn your back and deny it all today?”

Wen Chenqing’s chin hurt from the pinch. She reached up to pry the hand away, but the more she struggled, the tighter the grip became. Finally, she gave up and let out a dry laugh: “Who is the one turning their back and denying everything? Your Highness.”

After a pause, she uttered the title that represented the highest nobility, trailing a dense, stinging pain in her heart.

At this moment, what was there that Wen Chenqing didn’t understand?

From the very beginning, her relationship with the so-called “A-Jin” was a deception.

If the fainting of the person before her that night was unexpected, then from the second day she woke up, she had begun her masquerade and deceit.

The amnesia was fake, the orphan status was fake—what about the affection shared day and night?

Wen Chenqing didn’t dare think too deeply, yet as if she were suffering from auditory hallucinations, that word “fool” replayed in her ears without a moment’s rest.

Si Jinghua frowned. Realizing where the source of the resistance lay, she softened her voice: “I did deceive you at the start, but I also had my difficulties.”

“What difficulties could Your Highness possibly have?” Wen Chenqing couldn’t help but ask. What difficulty could force a high-and-mighty Princess to deceive the feelings of an ignorant person?

She sneered: “Didn’t Your Highness simply find it amusing? Didn’t you think playing with a fool was a good way to pass the time?”

Wen Chenqing’s aggressive stance was highly uncomfortable for Si Jinghua, who was used to her gentle treatment. It even sparked a hint of rage: “Wen Chenqing, enough! Am I someone you can question?”

“Heh.” Seeing her sharp eyes and the aura of nobility surrounding her, Wen Chenqing only hated that she had been blind.

Her hands at her sides were clenched tightly. The wounds that had stopped bleeding began to seep blood again, but she was completely oblivious. She only said: “The Princess is exceptionally beautiful and elegant, drawing countless people to flock to her. It turns out you actually had the leisure to reside here just to toy with a fool like me. I have truly inconvenienced Your Highness.”

“Wen Chenqing.” Si Jinghua’s cold fingers gripped her jaw even harder. Her stunning face leaned in close as she scolded softly: “Can you not speak properly today?”

That one sentence made Wen Chenqing explode.

With a smack, she slapped the hand away, no longer caring in the slightest if she hurt her. Looking disheveled and enraged, she asked: “How else does Your Highness want me to speak? Do you want me to cut open my heart and shamelessly pour out why I returned so early today? Do you want me to act as if nothing happened and treat the culprit with the same warmth as before, even though I heard someone mocking me? Your Highness, do I usually act so lowly in front of you?!”

No one knew how broken Wen Chenqing felt inside.

She had handed over a heart she had kept safe for twenty years, only to be told at the peak of their intimacy that her love hadn’t been given to the right person, but rather to a liar who toyed with her from a position of power.

It was as if she had fallen from heaven into an abyss.

Through a blurry curtain of tears, Wen Chenqing saw Si Jinghua’s face overlap and diverge from certain similar faces in her memory, finally settling into a distorted face that made her heart slowly turn hollow.

Wen Chenqing’s family background wasn’t good when she was a child.

She was a “left-behind child.” To strive for a better life, her parents left the countryside to make their way in the world shortly after she was born, leaving her to live with her grandparents.

By the time she reached kindergarten age, her parents’ career was just starting to take off. They had hesitated about bringing her to live with them, but once they took on the task of caring for a child, one of the busy couple would inevitably be forced to stop working.

Neither wanted to be the sacrifice, and they had no money for a nanny. Wen Chenqing’s parents decided to leave the child in their hometown for a while longer and bring her over when she was older.

And so, as a left-behind child, Wen Chenqing stayed in her hometown until her middle school graduation. Meanwhile, the couple—whose careers had gradually stabilized—had put down roots in the city and chose to bring their academically excellent daughter to live with them.

The summer after middle school graduation was the first time Wen Chenqing had spent a long period with her parents since birth. Before she could even get used to living with them, she was told her parents were pregnant again.

Busy with work and lacking in parental affection, the couple thought for a long time. Seeing that life had improved, they considered having the child so that their eldest daughter wouldn’t be lonely in the future.

They asked for Wen Chenqing’s opinion. At that time, having just arrived in a new environment and carefully adapting to everything, Wen Chenqing looked at her parents’ faces filled with warmth. She pursed her lips, swallowed the shameful hesitation she felt, and forced a smile as she said, “Sure.”

Then, during Wen Chenqing’s first year with her parents, her younger sister was born.

The sister was cute and had a great personality—a little angel-like existence.

Wen Chenqing liked her very much; the whole family did.

Sitting alone in her room doing homework, Wen Chenqing could often hear the happy laughter and chatter of her parents toying with her sister in the living room.

She had only briefly experienced the existence of being “the only one” for half a month. Before she could even properly settle the trepidation and happiness in her heart, she was pushed into the busy life of high school. To maintain her edge in a prestigious school full of talent, Wen Chenqing sacrificed a lot of time.

Sometimes she thought, perhaps she shouldn’t have worked so hard. If she had, she would have had more time to spend with her parents—would their relationship have been closer?

But Wen Chenqing, who had always been a top performer among her peers since childhood, was unwilling to accept that. She stopped her interest classes, stopped many entertainment activities, and sacrificed a great deal, not wanting to be left behind by the crowd.

In moments of painful studying, while hearing her parents softly tell her sister to be quiet, there were several instants when Wen Chenqing would wonder: If I hadn’t said “sure” back then, would their attention be on me on this late night? Would they come in gently to ask if I’m tired, urge me to rest early, and say that no matter how I did on my exams, I would always be their favorite child?

Such fantasies were ruthlessly punctured after a few minutes.

No one ever mentioned it, but Wen Chenqing just knew: her parents actually preferred the lively, lovely younger sister they had raised with their own hands.

Later, she slowly accepted it.

She couldn’t obtain the affection she wanted from her parents, but in her chosen profession, when she went with her instructors to help those in need, the hope that erupted in their eyes when they looked at her allowed Wen Chenqing to experience the feeling of being essential.

Wen Chenqing learned to regulate her own heart.

She could use her own strength to help others and receive the emotional feedback she needed.

Even if there was no emotional feedback sometimes, it didn’t matter, because in the process of giving, she had already found her own value.

But just when Wen Chenqing had learned to be at peace with herself, she transmigrated.

She met an amnesiac person who needed her help. That person relied on her and needed her. When she was gazed at by those eyes, Wen Chenqing’s long-dormant heart beat once more.

She knew she was somewhat drawn by beauty, but she also knew herself that she wasn’t someone who would dive into a relationship just because of appearance or a sense of being needed.

She truly liked A-Jin and was prepared to spend her future in this strange era with an A-Jin who was also like a piece of drifting duckweed.

But…it was all fake.

A beautiful dream was ruthlessly punctured, leaving only a surreal and absurd reality upon opening her eyes.

“It’s too laughable. An arrogant, conceited liar not only demands that the person whose true feelings were misplaced remain rational, but also expects her to continue greeting her with smiles as if everything were the same.” Wen Chenqing looked at the dark-faced Si Jinghua and pulled at the corner of her mouth. “Your Highness, do you know? For this behavior of yours, even giving you a slap would be considered light.”

A liar who cheated her out of her feelings.

Even if she had become a fool, it would still be far more noble than being a liar who toys with people’s hearts.

Anger gathered in her chest. Si Jinghua’s face was overcast with clouds, radiating an aura that felt like it would crush the breath out of a person.

“My behavior? What’s wrong with how I acted? Being able to serve me is your honor! Wen Chenqing, don’t be ungrateful.”

She had only thought that Wen Chenqing would become flattering and lose her true self after learning her identity; she hadn’t anticipated that she would have a drastic change in temperament and avoid her like a venomous snake.

The former would have made Si Jinghua feel bored, but the latter was something she absolutely could not tolerate.

Wen Chenqing became even angrier: “What ‘honor’ of mine? It’s my bad luck! Since the people crowding around Your Highness are in droves, why must you come to toy with me? You should go find someone else!”

Si Jinghua’s gaze suddenly pressed down on Wen Chenqing like something tangible. Her voice was flat, but like a cold wind laced with ice shards: “Say that again.”

“I said I don’t care for it. Go find someone else. Did Your Highness hear me clearly?”

Si Jinghua was beyond furious.

“Fine! Fine! Fine! You certainly are something, Wen Chenqing!” Si Jinghua raged. “I truly gave you too much face!”

Furious to the core, her vision went black for a moment. Her cold gaze then swept over Wen Chenqing’s slender neck, restraining the urge to strangle her, before she flung her sleeve and stormed off.

That flying sleeve accidentally struck Wen Chenqing’s face, causing sharp pain.

She was both pained and enraged. She hadn’t even slapped her yet, but she had been struck instead.

The heavy sound of footsteps faded away. Yinxing, who had been kept outside all this time, ran over in a panic to support her.

“Miss, what happened? And those people outside—they seem to have been brought by A-Jin.” Yinxing looked at her worriedly.

Wen Chenqing used her strength to lean her body against the couch.

“Don’t call her A-Jin anymore; she isn’t.” Fearing Yinxing might get into trouble for an offense, Wen Chenqing corrected her with a pale face. “From now on, whenever you see her, address her as ‘Your Highness.’ Do you understand?”

Yinxing nodded repeatedly: “I’ve got it. Miss, there’s blood on your clothes. Where are you hurt? I’ll go find Physician Shen to look at you.”

Her voice was on the verge of crying from worry.

“I’m fine, Yinxing,” Wen Chenqing said softly. “Are the people outside all strangers? Are Mother Chen and the others alright?”

Yinxing choked back tears and said: “We heard the argument in the main hall and hurried over, but we were stopped. The courtyard is full of people brought by the… Her Highness. Mother Chen and the others were herded into the side rooms. Don’t worry, Miss.”

Wen Chenqing nodded and said tiredly: “Then find a place to sit down here for now. I want to be quiet and think about how to handle the current situation.”

Yinxing said obediently: “Alright, Miss.”

Once the study fell quiet, Wen Chenqing supported her heavy head, barely suppressing the sadness in her heart. she began to think about how to restore her disrupted life to normalcy.

She could feel the concerned glances Yinxing cast her every now and then, and her heart felt a slight warmth.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Wen Chenqing lightly wiped the moisture from the corners of her eyes and let out a long sigh.

Just as she had reached a decision, the quiet study was once again invaded by an unwelcome sound.

“Get out.” Si Jinghua gestured with her head toward Yinxing, who was sitting blankly. Her smileless face carried a terrifying aura.

Yinxing instinctively felt afraid, but her concern for her mistress won out. She bit her lip and remained motionless.

Wen Chenqing took a shallow breath. She didn’t want Yinxing to get into a conflict with her.

“Go out for a bit, Yinxing. I’m fine.”

She gave Yinxing a calm smile. After watching her leave, she turned to look at Si Jinghua, and the smile on her face vanished: “Why has Your Highness come back?”

Si Jinghua’s voice betrayed no emotion: “I’ve come to take you to the villa.”

The villa? Wen Chenqing suddenly remembered that ten miles away was a royal villa—the property of the Eldest Princess.

She refused: “I’m not going.”

She didn’t understand what Si Jinghua wanted to do, but Wen Chenqing knew she only wanted to be far away from her.

Ignoring Si Jinghua’s suddenly dropping air pressure, Wen Chenqing had calmed down. Though her heart was still aching and swollen with grief, her tone was no longer as intense as before. She said: “Since Your Highness pretended to have amnesia and met this commoner just to pass the time, now that I know the truth, it will surely hinder Your Highness’s amusement. Why doesn’t Your Highness—considering my good performance lately—let this commoner go?”

After saying this, she bowed with her hands folded.

When no response came from the Princess, Wen Chenqing remained in the bowing position, unmoving.

Si Jinghua gazed at Wen Chenqing, who kept calling herself “this commoner.” The distance in her tone was naked and blunt.

“Let you go?” Si Jinghua lowered her voice and leaned in close to her ear. She turned her head and asked: “Where exactly do you think you can go?”