I Was Tricked by a Black Lotus [Transmigration] - Chapter 1

When Shen Qingshu saw Wen Xue’er again, she was performing a dance at the Shen family banquet. With a flick of her water sleeves, every man at the table greedily watched her graceful figure.

Shen Qingshu sighed, wondering which man Wen Xue’er would be given to tonight.

Her uncle? Her third uncle? Or her fourth great-uncle?

Poor Xue’er, Shen Qingshu thought, taking a sip of tea.

Well, this is her fate. What can I do? I shouldn’t meddle…

When Shen Yue snapped out of her reverie, she realized tears had already dripped onto the book’s pages. Waaah, what a scumbag! How could he lay a hand on someone as adorable and delicate as Wen Xue’er? He’s utterly despicable! Shen Qingshu, why don’t you save her?!

As she turned the page, a new illustration appeared, labeled “Wen Xue’er of Suzhou.”

The beauty in the painting, like a solitary orchid in a secluded valley, truly embodied the phrase “even I pity her.”

Shen Yue felt even more sympathy for this tragic character.

I’m too tired. I’ll read more tomorrow. If I keep crying, I won’t be able to sleep. Shen Yue closed the book, her eyelids heavy as they drifted shut.

Shen Yue felt a chill, and she could faintly hear the sound of wind whistling past her ears.

Is the window not closed properly? She groggily opened her eyes.

Am I dreaming? Why am I perched on a wall’s eaves? Shen Yue tilted her head slightly and saw the twilight sky, heavy with dusk.

How strange… Even the surroundings look ancient and ornate.

The moment Shen Qingshu turned her head, their eyes met.

In the dim twilight, Shen Qingshu spotted a young woman standing quietly in the courtyard within the wall.

The girl wore a jade-green silk gown, her fair face lightly dusted with gold powder. Even seeing someone scaling the wall, her expression remained calm and composed.

For some reason, Shen Yue found her strikingly familiar, and she stared in a daze.

She looks exactly like the illustration… Isn’t this Wen Xue’er?

As expected of the woman who made me cry—even in my dreams, it’s you.

Shen Yue leaned forward slightly, trying to get a better look, and promptly tumbled off the wall.

A sharp pain shot through her waist, causing her to groan softly.

Suddenly, she realized a terrifying truth: You don’t feel pain in dreams.

Just then, she felt a pair of hands on her body, as if trying to help her up.

Shen Yue glanced sideways and saw the pearl and jade hair ornaments swaying gently beside the girl’s face, their delicate clinking as captivating as her features.

As Shen Yue drew closer, she finally realized it was indeed Wen Xue’er.

The author wasn’t lying! This is truly a peerless beauty!

Wait, I’m getting distracted. Why am I even here? Shen Yue glanced around.

“Can you stand? I’m having a little trouble,” the girl’s voice was as gentle as Shen Yue had imagined.

“I can,” Shen Yue replied, snapping out of her daze and forcing herself to her feet despite the pain. But before she could steady herself, a branch snagged the hem of her trailing brocade robe, tearing a gash in the fabric.

Shen Yue immediately understood: dressed like this, she had clearly transmigrated into the novel.

Good grief! All it took was a pre-bedtime rant, and I’m here?

Shen Yue frowned. Who did I transmigrate as? And why was I climbing a wall?

“You are—?” Shen Yue asked hesitantly, studying the person before her.

“Wen Xue’er, from Suzhou,” she replied, gently clutching her sleeve as she spoke.

It’s her, just as I thought.

“How long have you been here?” Shen Yue needed to know how far the story had progressed.

“After a family crisis, an old servant brought me here. I only arrived at the Minister’s Manor yesterday,” Wen Xue’er said, lowering her head slightly, her hand still gripping her sleeve.

Wen Xue’er just arrived, and I was climbing a wall… It must be Shen Qingshu!

She was the one who met Wen Xue’er while sneaking out to play and climbing back in.

I’ve transmigrated into the Minister’s Manor as the eldest daughter! Shen Yue stood frozen in shock for a long moment.

“Who are you?”

Shen Yue replied with a slight smile, “I’m the second daughter of the Minister’s Manor, Shen Qingshu.”

“Second Cousin,” Wen Xue’er said, releasing her grip on her sleeve.

Shen Yue gazed at Wen Xue’er’s pale, frail face, a pang of bitterness rising in her heart at the thought of her future as a plaything for that dog of a man.

Wait a minute! The original Shen Qingshu didn’t help her, but now I’m Shen Qingshu. Why not just save her myself?!

Wen Xue’er watched Shen Qingshu’s expression shift from a frown to a look of sudden enlightenment. She instinctively took a step back and murmured, “Second Cousin?”

Shen Qingshu raised an eyebrow. “I’d prefer it if you called me by my name. I have matters to attend to today, but I’ll come play with you tomorrow.” With that, she reached out to touch Wen Xue’er’s jade-like face, but realizing it would be too forward, she instead tilted her hand and gently flicked Wen Xue’er’s earring.

Wen Xue’er remained silent, the tips of her ears flushing crimson.

Just as Shen Qingshu was about to leave, Wen Xue’er suddenly spoke.

“Second Cousin, were you—”

Shen Qingshu felt a twinge of awkwardness. “My father disapproves of me sneaking out to play. Besides, I don’t like being followed, so I learned how to climb walls. But… I’m afraid I’ll be bothering you again in the future.”

That’s how the line should go… Good thing I paid attention last night.

“This is Second Cousin’s home. How could you possibly be bothering me?” Wen Xue’er lowered her lashes.

Seeing Wen Xue’er desperately conceal the sorrow in her eyes, Shen Qingshu felt a pang of disorientation.

After a long silence, Shen Qingshu finally said, “Rest assured, you can stay here. I’ll take care of everything.”

I have to save you.

Since I’m already here, I might as well make something of my life.

Wen Xue’er seemed slightly nervous, offering only a nod in acknowledgment.

“Hefeng Courtyard has been abandoned for a long time. It must have just been cleaned up. Check if anything’s missing, and I’ll have it brought to you.”

“Aunt has provided everything. There’s no need for Second Cousin to trouble herself,” Wen Xue’er murmured.

Noticing her guarded demeanor, Shen Qingshu offered an awkward smile. “Then I’ll take my leave.”

Wen Xue’er hesitated, then called out, “Second Cousin, wait.”

Shen Qingshu turned back with a radiant smile. “Hmm?”

Wen Xue’er retreated into the Inner Chamber. When she emerged, she carried a wooden box.

Here it comes. She’s going to mend my clothes.

“Second Cousin,” Wen Xue’er said, glancing down at the tear in Shen Qingshu’s brocade robe, “perhaps I could try to mend it?”

Shen Qingshu didn’t refuse. She immediately took off the robe. “Since Wen-meimei offers, I’d be a fool to decline.”

“I’ll personally deliver it to Second Cousin when I’m finished.”

“I’ll wait,” Shen Qingshu replied with a faint smile, turning to leave.

“Second Cousin… this is improper,” Wen Xue’er frowned.

“It’s fine,” Shen Qingshu said dismissively. “If you encounter any servants, they won’t dare to look up unless I call them.” She added, “Take your time. I’m not in a hurry.”

She was eager to return and sort out the plot details.

As Shen Qingshu turned away, she sighed inwardly. Wen Xue’er had been genuinely kind to the original owner of her body, yet the original Shen Qingshu had ultimately chosen to stand by and do nothing.

After leaving Hefeng Courtyard, Shen Qingshu finally had time to review the plot.

At this point, Wen Xue’er hadn’t yet crossed paths with the male and female leads of the original novel. Shen Qingshu vaguely recalled that Wen Xue’er would meet the male lead during her most vulnerable moment. Logically, sparks should have flown between them, but since Wen Xue’er was destined to be the second female lead, she would likely be reduced to a mere plot device, a tool to catalyze the romance between the main couple.

However, Shen Qingshu hadn’t finished reading the novel and had no idea how the second half of the story would unfold.

In the original narrative, Shen Qingshu’s character had also been a plot device. Before Wen Xue’er met the male lead, her experiences were narrated through Shen Qingshu’s perspective. This was likely done to contrast Shen Qingshu’s noble status with Wen Xue’er’s descent into hardship.

Wen Xue’er’s suffering began when Minister Shen, Shen Qingshu’s father, returned from his official duties. Upon seeing Wen Xue’er’s extraordinary beauty, he harbored sinister intentions.

After reviewing the plot, Shen Qingshu let out a heavy sigh.

The author truly had no conscience.

Fortunately, while the author treated the original owner as a mere plot device, the characterization was quite detailed, making it relatively easy for Shen Qingshu to impersonate her.

“Hey! Let me go!”

“What do you mean? You delivered lunch today—it’s my turn!”

“You get to look, but I don’t?”

“What are they arguing about?” Shen Qingshu, pondering her next move in the courtyard, was startled by the commotion among the servants nearby.

“Your distant cousin, Miss Wen Xue’er, is staying at Hefeng Courtyard. They say she’s an absolute beauty, and the servants are fighting over who gets to deliver her meals,” a maid explained.

“You’ll do it.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll deliver her meals from now on.” The thought of Wen Xue’er enduring their lewd stares filled Shen Qingshu with irritation.

Noticing Shen Qingshu’s sudden change in expression, the maid assumed it was jealousy and quickly reassured her, “Miss Wen may be delicate and beautiful, but she lacks the Third Miss’s grandeur and radiance. Everyone in the capital praises the Third Miss as one of the top three beauties in the city!”

As soon as the maid finished speaking and saw Shen Qingshu’s expression soften, she smiled in relief.

But then she saw a smile spread across Shen Qingshu’s exquisite face as she murmured, “Delicate and beautiful… yes, she is.”

“Keep a close eye on them and don’t let them disturb Wen Xue’er,” Shen Qingshu added.

“Yes,” the maid replied, somewhat puzzled.

“Quiet down, everyone. I’ll be delivering the orders today, and from now on, I’ll handle it.” After the maid agreed, she went to quell the commotion.

“How can you do this? We were here first! Why should you get to deliver the orders?”

First? Shen Qingshu’s heart stirred at the word.

In the original novel, the male lead was Prince Jin, Li Huaiming, and the female lead was Qin Luoluo, a qin player at Zuixian Pavilion. If Li Huaiming were to meet Wen Xue’er before Qin Luoluo, perhaps Wen Xue’er could win his heart first, thus escaping her tragic fate as the second female lead?

Zuixian Pavilion… That’s right, the male and female leads first met there. On that day, a drunken patron harassed Qin Luoluo. Watching from an upstairs private room, Li Huaiming witnessed her calm and resourceful handling of the situation, developed an admiration for her, and casually intervened to help her. The drunkard received a lesson… However, that drunkard was none other than Shen Qingshu’s younger brother, Shen Zi’an.

Shen Qingshu felt a sharp, throbbing pain in her head.

She stopped a servant. “Where’s the Third Young Master?”

“He’s gone to Zuixian Pavilion for drinks.”

Damn it, it’s today.

“Prepare the carriage,” Shen Qingshu ordered.

When Shen Qingshu entered Zuixian Pavilion, the onlookers instinctively parted to make way for her. They were likely used to this.

The original novel described Shen Zi’an as drunk, forcibly dragging the female lead, Qin Luoluo, into a lewd conversation and attempting to take her back to the Shen estate. Proprietor Yuan of Zuixian Pavilion happened to be present and clashed with Shen Zi’an. The commotion escalated, eventually alerting the male lead, Li Huaiming, who was upstairs.

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