Hold Tight to the Female Lead's Thigh [Transmigration GL] - Episode 23

A’Tian felt a pang of regret in her heart. She shouldn’t have been so eager to offer her services earlier. “May I ask what three tasks the Hall Master requires of this humble servant?”

Yan Hong smiled without answering. Instead, she raised her hand, adorned with vibrant nail polish, and gently swayed it beside her cheek. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her expression turned coquettish as she asked, “Well? Isn’t this color beautiful?”

“…” A’Tian had no idea what game Yan Hong was playing, but she nodded along and praised, “It looks very lovely.”

“Really?” Yan Hong’s smile deepened. She rose slowly and gently stroked A’Tian’s face with her delicate, pale hand—only the striking red of her nails stood out sharply. Her fingertips traced lightly over A’Tian’s cheek, as if caressing her most treasured possession, and she asked softly, “Then, A’Tian, who do you think is more beautiful—me, or your master?”

A’Tian froze, instinctively lowering her gaze and remaining silent.

Yan Hong chuckled, her fingers sliding down A’Tian’s face to lightly lift her chin, forcing her to meet her eyes. “Why so quiet all of a sudden?”

A’Tian composed herself, careful not to overstep. “Both the Hall Master and the Guardian are renowned beauties, each with their own unique charm. This humble servant dares not make a casual judgment.”

“Enough with the nonsense,” Yan Hong snorted lightly, withdrawing her hand. “I’m asking you plainly. Between me and your master, who is more beautiful?”

“…This servant dares not speak recklessly.”

“Fine.” Yan Hong turned swiftly and seated herself back in the main chair, her sleeves fluttering. “The first task I want you to complete is to tell me—who is more beautiful, me or your master? Go on.”

A’Tian glanced briefly at Yan Hong, her mind racing as she tried to figure out how to answer this life-or-death question.

“Ah, one more thing,” Yan Hong added casually, admiring her nails while waiting for A’Tian’s reply. “If you lie, I’ll kill you.”

“…”

Watching A’Tian’s speechless, choked expression, Yan Hong beamed with amusement.

“Does the Hall Master truly wish for this servant to speak the truth?” A’Tian ventured, casting an uncertain glance at Yan Hong.

“Of course. Go ahead,” Yan Hong replied lazily, crossing her legs with an air of composure as she awaited A’Tian’s answer.

“This servant believes… the Guardian is slightly more beautiful.” Steeling herself, A’Tian uttered the words as if marching to her doom.

“Oh~?” Yan Hong drew out the syllable, her expression inscrutable as she looked at A’Tian, a faint smile playing on her lips. “So that’s what A’Tian thinks, is it?”

“…”

A’Tian felt certain she would be carried out of the Punishment Hall—this truly was a fatal question!

Yan Hong couldn’t hold back her laughter at A’Tian’s expression, covering her mouth with her sleeve as she giggled. “A’Tian, don’t be afraid. Do I seem like the petty, vindictive type?”

Yes! Absolutely yes!

A’Tian forced an ingratiating smile and flattered her accordingly. “Of course not. The Hall Master is magnanimous and would never hold a grudge against a lowly servant like me.”

“Exactly,” Yan Hong said, rising from her seat and approaching A’Tian. “Well then, you’ve completed the first task for me. Now, let’s discuss the second matter.”

Hearing this, A’Tian breathed an inward sigh of relief. “Please instruct me, Hall Master.”

“Hmm…” Yan Hong circled A’Tian slowly, her gaze scrutinizing her from head to toe. A’Tian felt goosebumps rise under her intense inspection.

“I’ve thought of it.” Yan Hong stopped before A’Tian, her beautiful eyes glinting with mischief. “The second thing is, stay in the Punishment Hall tonight and attend to me.”

The next morning.

Guan Fusha was accustomed to waking early. On normal days, A’Tian would already have prepared the washing supplies and breakfast, quietly waiting nearby to serve her. But for some reason, A’Tian was unusually absent today.

She pushed open the bedroom door and stepped into the courtyard. Early-rising birds chirped on the branches, as if afraid of disturbing the still-slumbering peach blossoms. Guan Fusha quickly closed the door behind her.

After circling the courtyard once without seeing any sign of A’Tian, Guan Fusha grew puzzled.

A’Tian had served her for a long time and was well-versed in her routines. It was impossible for her to oversleep. If she were unwell and unable to come, she would certainly have arranged for another maid to take her place—such carelessness was unlike her.

“Guardian.” Xiao Zhu had just emerged from her room when she spotted Guan Fusha standing in the courtyard, dressed only in sleepwear.

“You’ve come at the right time.” Guan Fusha frowned slightly. “Do you know where A’Tian has gone?”

“Sister A’Tian?” Xiao Zhu blinked, seemingly confused by the question. “This servant doesn’t know.”

“Have you seen her today?” Guan Fusha pressed.

Xiao Zhu shook her head. “No, I just woke up and saw you as soon as I left my room.”

Taohua didn’t wake as early as Guan Fusha, so she didn’t require A’Tian’s morning attendance like Guan Fusha did.

“I see.” A trace of concern for A’Tian’s whereabouts flickered in Guan Fusha’s heart. “First, fetch a basin of water for me to wash my face.”

“Right away.”

As Xiao Zhu left to get the water, Guan Fusha spotted a petite figure running toward her from a distance.

Trained in martial arts, Guan Fusha’s eyesight was sharper than most. She immediately recognized the person as A’Tian.

“G-Guardian.” A’Tian stopped beside Guan Fusha, panting heavily, her cheeks flushed and hair slightly disheveled.

“Where have you been?” Relief washed over Guan Fusha upon seeing A’Tian safe, but then she noticed several reddish marks on A’Tian’s neck, resembling insect bites.

Catching Guan Fusha’s gaze, A’Tian quickly adjusted her collar to cover them. “I’m sorry, Guardian. I’m late today.”

Those skilled in poison usually understood medicine, and Guan Fusha was no exception. She could tell at a glance that the marks weren’t from insect bites—though what caused them remained unclear. A’Tian was a sensible person, which was why Guan Fusha trusted her deeply. She saw no need to press further and simply reminded lightly, “Be more careful next time,” before letting the matter drop.

Though she knew Guan Fusha only saw her as a servant, a pang of bitterness still pierced A’Tian’s heart. “This servant will be more careful.”

Just then, Xiao Zhu returned with the water, looking bewildered by the awkward atmosphere between the two.

“Xiao Zhu, come in and help me change and wash up,” Guan Fusha said to the dazed maid.

“Ah… yes, Guardian.” Xiao Zhu’s eyes darted between them before she hurried after Guan Fusha with the basin.

In the vast courtyard, A’Tian stood alone, the faint breeze carrying waves of peach blossom fragrance that felt particularly pungent today.

She raised a hand to cover the red marks on her neck as a flood of emotions surged through her—sorrow, grievance, heartache, and loss…

Suddenly, her eyes grew warm with unshed tears.

Last night, Yan Hong had asked A’Tian to stay. First, she made her clean the entire punishment hall inside and out, then sent her to tidy up Yan Hong’s own bedchamber in the central courtyard. After finally finishing the work, just as A’Tian was about to return to her room to rest, Yan Hong suddenly produced a small manual, claiming she wanted to study some acupoint techniques, and proceeded to put A’Tian through another round of exhausting trials.

The heavy workload had already pushed A’Tian beyond her limits, leaving her utterly fatigued. While Yan Hong continued studying the acupoints, A’Tian accidentally fell asleep at the table.

When she woke the next morning, the first thing A’Tian saw was Yan Hong sleeping beside her, staring at her with beautiful eyes that held a mischievous glint like a cat that had stolen cream. “Awake? You’ve already completed the second task, so you may leave now.”

A’Tian’s face was a picture of confusion, her mind still foggy with sleep, when Yan Hong promptly tossed her out of the room along with her shoes and clothes.

With the sun gradually rising, A’Tian feared she would miss the time when Guan Fusha woke up. Not daring to return to her room to freshen up, she went straight to the well, drew a basin of water, and squatted on the ground to hastily wash her face and tidy herself.

It was only during this rushed washing that A’Tian noticed the ambiguous red marks on her neck.

She sighed helplessly. Aside from these marks, her body showed no other unusual signs, and her undergarments remained untouched. Without a doubt, this was another one of Yan Hong’s pranks.