Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 21

The day of the Great Princess’s birthday.

The sky was azure, vast and cloudless—a truly bright and beautiful day as if the heavens themselves were smiling upon the occasion.

The maidservants attending the Great Princess were full of flattery: “The Old Matriarch truly possesses profound fortune; even the heavens are giving you face today.”

The Great Princess, over seventy years old, had hair as white as snow. Her deeply sunken eyes, though somewhat clouded, revealed an astute sharpness honed by a lifetime of experience. Listening to the crisp laughter of the young, delicate maids, she offered a gentle smile. “Oh, you lot.”

Today’s banquet was organized by Wang Shi, the eldest grandson’s wife. Wang Shi lived up to the prestigious reputation of the Wang family of Taiyuan, managing every detail with impeccable order.

As the eldest member of the royal family, the Great Princess saw not only the entire imperial clan in attendance but even the Son of Heaven had sent an imperial envoy with gifts, granting her immense prestige.

Men and women were seated separately. When Madam Du and Cui Yi arrived, the Great Princess was seated in the place of honor, chatting with several close junior Princess Consorts. Their seats were not at the very front, but they weren’t low either. After sitting down, Cui Yi discreetly surveyed the surroundings. The noble ladies and young misses were all exquisitely dressed, the air was filled with a lingering fragrance, and the sounds of silk and bamboo music were decadent and rich.

After socialising for nearly half an hour, the atmosphere reached its climax when the Prince of Wu, acting as the head of the Imperial Clan Court, led the various princes to pay their respects as juniors.

The smile lines on the Great Princess’s face deepened. The surrounding noblewomen took turns praising her abundant fortune, claiming she must have accumulated merit over many lifetimes to enjoy such prosperity in this one.

Basketfuls of kind words were heaped upon her. The Great Princess, beaming with smiles, ordered her attendants to serve cold drinks to the princes. Of course, they weren’t the only ones; all the guests at the banquet received the cooling beverage. Madam Du touched it to her lips—the temperature was just right. She urged Cui Yi to finish it, saying that drinking it would surely grant her a long life like the Great Princess.

Cui Yi remained silent regarding Madam Du’s superstitious claims, simply lowering her eyes to finish the drink bit by bit. Seeing this, Madam Du’s heart felt soft and warm.

At that moment, Murong Xihua arrived with a handmade peach-shaped birthday cake, chanting auspicious greetings: *”Today we gather for the Peaches of Immortality feast; may fortune fill your gates year after year. May grandmother be accompanied by the pine and crane, blessed with both longevity and wealth. May every year have a day like today, and every year have a time like this.”*①

The Great Princess narrowed her eyes, gestured playfully at Murong Xihua, and said “Good” three times in a row. She even invited Murong Xihua to sit by her side and, giving face to her beloved granddaughter, took a bite of the novel treat called “cake.”

At her age, the Great Princess no longer cared much for food, but the sweet yet not greasy texture burst in her mouth. She raised her eyebrows and praised her: “San-niang, you have put your heart into this.”

Hearing the title “San-niang” (Third Daughter), the expression of the Great Princess’s eldest daughter-in-law remained unchanged. The Great Princess had many descendants; Murong Xihua was from the second branch and should have been called Jiu-niang (Ninth Daughter) according to seniority, but she only recognized the order within her own branch, and the Old Ancestress was willing to indulge her. No one felt any resentment.

Over there, Murong Xihua was chatting and laughing coquettishly, her face flushed with pride. She didn’t forget to take a moment to provoke Pei Mingjiao, who was seated below.

Pei Mingjiao twitched her lips, forcing herself to endure it.

Murong Xihua knew Pei Mingjiao would hold back, so she kept up a steady stream of small provocations.

Pei Mingjiao took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to hurl her glass bowl at Murong Xihua. Her gorgeous face finally betrayed her displeasure. While Pei Mingjiao was miserable, Murong Xihua was ecstatic, though she knew when to stop and didn’t push further.

Everyone present was as sharp as a needle; they wouldn’t take the petty squabbles of young girls to heart, merely thinking they were quite lively.

Gu Yue, sitting at the end, saw Murong Xihua’s provocation and cast a subtle glance at the quiet and elegant Gu Ning. However, she couldn’t discern any information.

Under the table, Madam Li patted Gu Yue’s arm to reassure her; she would keep a close eye on this stepdaughter to ensure she didn’t cause trouble on such an occasion. Gu Yue felt slightly relieved.

There were over a hundred guests today, and large crowds often bred incidents. Cui Yi watched the silent battle of glances between Murong Xihua and Pei Mingjiao. Pei Mingjiao had dropped her usual arrogant and flamboyant demeanor; her eyes were listless and downcast, looking aggrieved and pitiful.

Cui Yi quickly looked away—what did the conflict between two villainesses have to do with her? She lowered her eyes and used a fork to put a piece of honeydew in her mouth. The juice was plump and sweet. Cui Yi rarely ate more than two pieces, then stopped. She didn’t know how long the banquet would last; eating food with high water content was ultimately inconvenient.

A bronze incense burner the height of a person burned fragrant wood, and the air was thick with the scent of agarwood. The young ladies were lively; one after another, they left their seats to gather and joke around. Since they were all kneeling, Cui Yi’s legs were starting to feel faint. She wouldn’t mistreat herself, so she informed Madam Du and rose to leave her seat. Seeing this, Tang Wensi followed her.

“Yi-niang, they’re playing pitch-pot ahead. Let’s go join the fun.”

Under the pavilion, the girls’ voices were soft and sweet. Tang Wensi’s gloom was swept away.

Cui Yi’s tense nerves also relaxed as she joined in their games. She threw once, hitting six out of ten. She didn’t mind the score and gave up her spot once finished, her expression somewhat lazy. Tang Wensi wasn’t good at pitch-pot and whispered in Cui Yi’s ear, “You’re not allowed to laugh at me.”

Cui Yi leaned toward Tang Wensi; the crowd was noisy, and she had to be close to hear. “It’s just for entertainment. Just do your best.”

When Pei Mingjiao came over, she saw the intimate way Cui Yi was whispering into Tang Wensi’s ear. It looked incredibly eyesore to her. She had just been angered by Murong Xihua, and now seeing the annoying Cui Yi, her frustration only mounted.

As soon as Tang Wensi saw Pei Mingjiao, she instinctively looked at Cui Yi, but the latter’s expression was clear and composed without a hint of discomfort. Such a mindset earned her admiration.

It was Tang Wensi’s turn. Swallowing her words, she stepped forward and threw with light movements. After the round, she had only hit two, and her face turned scarlet with embarrassment.

“Pathetic.” Pei Mingjiao stepped forward with her chin tilted. With a casual toss, she hit the center of the pot perfectly. She threw ten arrows in a row, and every single one hit. The girls heaped praise on her as if it cost nothing. She pretended not to care and looked toward Cui Yi, certain that she would be both envious and regretful—envious of her accuracy and regretful for choosing Tang Wensi. However, contrary to her expectations, Cui Yi didn’t look at her at all. She was looking down, whispering to her useless cousin, not sparing Pei Mingjiao even a single glance.

Playing to an empty audience, Pei Mingjiao felt both furious and aggrieved. The frustration from Murong Xihua suddenly became unbearable. Her nose crinkled, the corners of her eyes turned a moist crimson, and she pushed past the girls and ran off.

“…This…”

She was fine just a moment ago, looking all smug. Why did she suddenly throw a tantrum and run? The girls looked at each other, feeling that Commandery Princess Yongjia’s temperament was truly mercurial.

Cui Yi, who was explaining the tricks of pitch-pot to Tang Wensi, raised her eyes. She saw the slender back retreating faster and faster until it disappeared around a corner. She then resumed speaking with a calm expression.

Tang Wensi interrupted hesitantly: “Yi-niang, my cousin cares about you a lot, and she’s actually very easy to coax.”

“No.” Cui Yi’s expression was flat, her brow cold, her aura unreadable. “She and I are not destined to be friends.”

Not destined to be friends? Tang Wensi couldn’t guess what that meant, so she stopped trying to persuade her.

Cui Yi’s gaze drifted outside the pavilion. The sky was clear and cloudless. She decided to wander off in the opposite direction from Pei Mingjiao. Tang Wensi sighed.

By the time Pei Mingjiao came to her senses, she had run off to some unknown place. It was her maid who finally led the disheveled girl back to the banquet. Yan Linlang, who was already slightly tipsy, asked in confusion, “Why are you back so soon?”

Pei Mingjiao, whose heart had just been stung by her own mother: “…It wasn’t fun.”

Yan Linlang looked at the slight redness at the corners of her daughter’s eyes and said in a deep voice, “Who gave you trouble?”

“No one,” Pei Mingjiao denied immediately.

If that was the case, it wasn’t a big deal; Pei Mingjiao could handle it herself, so Yan Linlang didn’t interfere.

Having escaped from her social duties, Murong Xihua saw that Pei Mingjiao was still at the banquet and felt as if the heavens were helping her. She gave a subtle wink. Within moments, maids arrived to serve tea to the guests. Pei Mingjiao, who was indeed a bit thirsty, didn’t think twice and took a sip.

“Ugh…”

An intense bitterness forced Pei Mingjiao to spit it out. Instantly, everyone’s eyes were on the discourteous Pei Mingjiao.

“Jiao-niang?” Grand Princess Yan Linlang’s drunkenness faded slightly as her gaze landed on the teacup.

Pei Mingjiao complained: “It’s so bitter.”

Yan Linlang’s phoenix eyes fixed on the Great Princess’s eldest daughter-in-law on the high platform. The Great Princess had already gone to rest due to her age. Yan Linlang snapped coldly, “Is this how your esteemed residence treats its guests?”

Wu Shi, the eldest daughter-in-law, was startled. She first expressed her apologies and then immediately summoned the maid who had served the tea. Murong Xihua, seeing the matter escalate, came forward with a panicked expression to confess. Wu Shi thought she was laughably stupid, but in the eyes of outsiders, they were one family. “Jiu-niang is headstrong; I ask the Grand Princess to forgive her once for the sake of the Old Matriarch.” Having said that, she spoke sharply to Murong Xihua: “Apologize to the Commandery Princess at once!”

Murong Xihua bit her lip, suppressing the resentment in her heart. Before the many guests, she begged the forgiveness of the Pei Mingjiao she loathed: “It was my fault. I ask the Princess for her forgiveness.”

With those words, her spirit was crushed. She felt that she would never be able to hold her head up in Chang’an again, forever inferior to Pei Mingjiao. She felt a sense of utter desolation.

Pei Mingjiao felt satisfied and decided not to dwell on it. “Fine, I forgive you this time.”

Murong Xihua’s lips trembled, but she didn’t say “thank you” in the end.

Seeing her deathly pale face, Pei Mingjiao didn’t say any more heart-stabbing words. However, the tea had stained her clothes. After speaking with Yan Linlang, she rose to go change. Grand Princess Yan Linlang returned to her slightly tipsy state, and the guests were once again harmonious, as if the unpleasantness had never happened.

Murong Xihua was supported away from her seat by a maid.

Gu Ning took a sip of tea, feeling thoroughly refreshed. Gu Yue’s eyelid twitched. To keep an eye on Gu Ning, she hadn’t even approached Pei Mingjiao. Seeing Gu Ning looking so relaxed, she couldn’t help but wonder if she was overthinking things. Gu Ning’s revenge was merely making someone drink a cup of bitter tea; after all, how much capability could Gu Ning have?

So hot.

Pei Mingjiao tugged at her collar, her throat dry. A restless heat spread from deep within, bringing an indescribable tingle and an unstoppable dampness. Her whole body felt as if it had no bones. Her legs trembled as she forced herself to stay upright; she didn’t want to lose face in front of the servants.

Fortunately, they reached the guest room. She dismissed the maid who was supposed to help her change. Pei Mingjiao panted with heat, losing her composure. Without waiting, she poured a cup of cold tea to suppress the waves of heat inside her.

Something’s wrong. Why is it so hot? I’m going to burn to death.

I must have heatstroke.

I need to call a doctor.

Cui Yi had picked a rose in full bloom. She wanted to head back but realized she couldn’t find the way. The Great Princess Mansion had a building every five steps and a pavilion every ten. Cui Yi walked for a while based on her intuition, feeling relieved when she finally encountered a passing maid.

Except…

Cui Yi narrowed her eyes. Something’s wrong. She didn’t recognize her surroundings. She turned her steps, intending to call for help, but her mouth was violently covered to prevent her from making a sound. Her body was pinned, making it impossible to move. The rose in full bloom fell from her hand. Cui Yi was extremely calm at this moment; she didn’t resist and allowed herself to be abducted. Soon, she was pushed into a guest room. Before she could steady herself, the rustling sound of a door being locked came from outside.

Cui Yi leaned against a wooden table, immediately checking her surroundings. It was a very ordinary room. The teapot on the table had been overturned, and tea was dripping from the edge onto the bluestone floor, creating a dark puddle.

A faint groan came from the edge of the bed. Cui Yi leaned down to pick up a wooden stool, watching the source of the sound warily.

“…Is anyone there… I’m so hot…”

The voice was soft and light, carrying an indescribable sweetness.

The hand holding the stool paused. This voice… she couldn’t be mistaken.

It was the villainess.

Cui Yi didn’t dare to be careless. She focused her mind and approached quietly with the stool.

She saw the villainess crouched on the floor, her head tilted back as she panted haphazardly. Her collar was wide open, revealing a slender, delicate neck covered in faint scratch marks. Her exquisite face was soaked in sweat. The air was thick with a cloying, overripe scent.

Cui Yi was stunned for a moment, her throat moving. This situation was clearly the result of a drug. She set down the stool, crouched halfway, looked away, and reached out to pull Pei Mingjiao’s clothes together over her chest. Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, she was grabbed tightly by a pair of damp, hot hands. Cui Yi’s eyelashes flickered imperceptibly. A sticky breath brushed against her. Before she could react, she had been pulled down onto the floor. The waves of heat from the other body transferred to her, and she also began to sweat. She reached out to grab the other’s shoulders, pushing outward with force, but her strength was nowhere near enough to stop the other from rubbing against her.

Cui Yi attempted to wake the other’s reason: “…Princess… Pei Mingjiao…”

The corners of her eyes were a moist crimson. Pei Mingjiao, who felt like she was dying of discomfort, licked the skin on Cui Yi’s neck. The more she licked, the thirstier she became, and the fire in her body burned hotter and hotter. She couldn’t help but sob softly: “Cui Yi, save me. I’m going to die.”

Cui Yi’s dark eyes narrowed. Her resisting hands were easily pinned down, and a wet, hot tongue slipped through the gap of her lips.

Cui Yi panted in small breaths.

It was a wet kiss, juicier than a honeydew.

The confusion in her eyes instantly cleared. She knew perfectly well this was a trap. She used all her strength to push the villainess away. Seeing that she was about to pounce again, Cui Yi pinched the other’s arm hard. The sharp pain overwhelmed everything else, and the mist in Pei Mingjiao’s eyes gradually cleared as she regained her senses.

Seeing this, Cui Yi breathed a sigh of relief. With her lips red and swollen, her voice carried a hint of raspiness: “Princess, are you awake?”

Pei Mingjiao trembled. “I am.”

Hurried footsteps approached from the distance. Cui Yi quickly tidied her disheveled clothes. Seeing the mist returning to Pei Mingjiao’s eyes as she began to lose her senses again, Cui Yi pinched her once more, then rapidly straightened her clothes and pulled Pei Mingjiao to sit on a stool. Just as she was straightening the teacups, the sound of laughing voices pushed open the door.

Cui Yi took a sip of tea and looked toward the group of girls with a cold, clear gaze. Among them was the female lead.

Gu Ning’s expression froze, though she quickly masked it. However, her status here wasn’t high, so it wasn’t her turn to speak. One of the girls apologized: “It seems we have disturbed the Princess and Lady Cui’s elegant interest.”

After offering apologies, they took their leave. Truly, a large group came, and a large group left.

Among them, Gu Yue—who had followed Gu Ning—stayed behind. Upon seeing them, she realized at first glance that Pei Mingjiao’s state was wrong. Cui Yi said succinctly: “She has been drugged.”

What?

Gu Yue’s heart skipped a beat, her body going weak with fear. She solemnly ordered her maid to fetch the Grand Princess.

Seeing Pei Mingjiao’s drug effect flaring up again, Gu Yue quickly knocked her unconscious. Cui Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

The Grand Princess arrived quickly. She reached out to touch Pei Mingjiao’s forehead; it was terrifyingly hot. She immediately ordered the maid to fetch a doctor, then sent people to invite the Great Princess, as well as Wu Shi and Wang Shi.

The Great Princess, who had already gone to rest, was woken by her maid. Hearing that Yan Linlang wanted to see her, a sharp light flickered in her clouded eyes.

Wu Shi and Wang Shi arrived first. Hearing that Pei Mingjiao had been drugged, they were horrified. If someone could use an aphrodisiac, they could just as easily use poison. Today, there were so many members of the imperial family present; who would be so daring?

At that moment, the Great Princess also arrived. Upon hearing the news, she was rarely moved to anger. She immediately ordered Wu Shi and Wang Shi to keep an eye on the guests; until the truth was uncovered, no one was permitted to leave.

Yan Linlang did not interfere, staying only to watch over Pei Mingjiao.