Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 35

Inside the teahouse.

Pei Mingjiao sat with a long, sullen face. Caizhu timely offered a cup of hot tea, asking, “What is the Princess so upset about?”

“I truly cannot understand. Gu Ning is clearly so wicked; why was Yi-niang so insistent on meeting her?” Pei Mingjiao’s life had always been smooth sailing, but only Cui Yi ever refused to simply follow her whims. At this thought, Pei Mingjiao looked piteously aggrieved. “Can a wife really not compare to an outsider?”

Caizhu’s eyes widened in surprise. “How could you think such a thing?”

“Is it only because Madam Cui Yi did not follow your instructions?”

Pei Mingjiao nodded listlessly. “Is that not the reason?”

Caizhu offered an example: “The Prince Consort sometimes does not follow the Eldest Princess’s words either. Would the Prince Consort ever feel that an outsider is more important than the Princess?”

Pei Mingjiao countered excitedly, “Of course not!”

Caizhu smiled. “Then what are you doubting?” She then added, “Princess, if Madam Cui Yi knew you thought of her this way, she would be heartbroken.”

Clearly taking this to heart, Pei Mingjiao quickly said, “Then you must not tell her.”

Looking at the transparent emotions on Pei Mingjiao’s face, Caizhu’s gaze softened as she promised, “Very well, I shall not say a word.”

After a moment’s thought, she teased, “You are simply too fond of Madam Cui Yi.”

Pei Mingjiao took a sip of hot tea, her eyes shining brilliantly. “But of course. She is my wife, after all.”

In another private room, Gu Ning truly had not expected Cui Yi to be a fellow transmigrator. Her first reaction was one of indignation: “Have you been watching me like a monkey in a show all this time?”

Cui Yi calmly asked in return, “Why would you think that?”

Recalling her past “operations,” Gu Ning’s face burned with shame and anger, but it was quickly eclipsed by the joy of meeting a compatriot. “How did you cross over? I came here via a car accident.”

The classic Female Lead opening.

Cui Yi’s arrival seemed much more casual: “I just woke up and I was here.”

Gu Ning’s eyes widened. “That is some terrible luck.”

Cui Yi gave a faint smile and took a sip of hot tea.

Who could say otherwise?

Gu Ning fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking, “Why did you marry Pei Mingjiao?”

It had to be said that when Gu Ning learned her fellow transmigrator had become entangled with the “villainess” of the novel, she was utterly shocked. In her view, Pei Mingjiao possessed the ultimate “rich miss” temper—not only was she wicked, but she also constantly looked down on others, treating everyone with disdain. How could Cui Yi be interested in someone who had zero virtues besides a pretty face?

Cui Yi never disclosed private matters to outsiders, viewing it as a lack of respect for her partner. Her tone turned sharp: “Did you call me here just to gossip?”

Gu Ning gave a shallow smile. “Of course not. I simply wanted to see you.” She raised her cup. “I truly didn’t expect to have a companion in this world. Come, a toast.”

Cui Yi extended her teacup.

A crisp clink echoed.

After they both finished their drinks, Gu Ning suddenly lamented, “Sister, your choice was the right one. Men are not good things.”

Cui Yi knew she was referring to the Male Lead and chose not to comment.

Gu Ning sensed that Cui Yi was an intelligent person. After some thought, she spoke up: “Cui Yi, do you want to achieve something world-shaking in this life?”

Cui Yi’s expression remained flat; she didn’t even care to hear the rest. “No. I only wish to live a quiet life.”

Gu Ning was not the type to force others to follow her ideals. Hearing this, she could only let it drop, joking, “If you are ever bullied in the future, I will back you up.”

Though she spoke in jest, Gu Ning’s tone was full of high spirits.

Out of appreciation for that sincere remark, Cui Yi cautioned her: “Do not trust others too easily.”

Reality had already taught Gu Ning one harsh lesson, but the temptation was too great. If she didn’t try, she wouldn’t be able to close her eyes in peace when she eventually died. She said lightheartedly, “If I fall this time, I’ll accept it.”

At this moment, the image of the novel’s Female Lead seemed to come vividly alive before Cui Yi.

Gu Ning laughed happily after speaking, sighing, “It’s truly great to have met you. No one in this world understands my references.”

Cui Yi: “…My apologies. I am a boring person.”

In the modern world, Cui Yi’s life had been nothing but work; she was known for having “2G internet speeds” when it came to pop culture.

Gu Ning was genuinely amused. Who would describe themselves so seriously?

“In the future, if the pressure gets too much, I’ll come find you for a chat.”

Cui Yi thought of her huffy wife in the next room and refused bluntly: “I’m sorry, no.”

Gu Ning guessed the reason immediately. She was also annoyed; she had indeed wanted to retaliate against Pei Mingjiao, even using ignoble means. Although she failed, in her mind, the grudge between her and Pei Mingjiao was settled—but as for getting along, she simply couldn’t do it.

However, she could empathize with Cui Yi’s predicament of being caught in the middle. After a thought, she warned, “Keep a close eye on that one of yours, lest she meets a bad end.”

In the original novel, Pei Mingjiao’s fate was indeed tragic.

Cui Yi nodded, accepting the advice.

The two spoke for a while longer. As Gu Ning prepared to leave, she was still lamenting how Cui Yi could have married so young.

Pei Mingjiao had been eavesdropping the whole time. Hearing movement next door, she immediately rose and opened her door with practiced grace. Like a proud peacock, she looked over. Gu Ning looked up and saw Pei Mingjiao looking down her nose at her. Gu Ning gave a snorting laugh and decided to cause some trouble, intentionally acting like a “green tea” focal point: “I am truly sorry. I was so engrossed in my pleasant conversation with Madam Yi that I lost track of time, leaving the Princess to wait for so long.”

Pei Mingjiao sized up the posturing Gu Ning from head to toe. “And just who do you think you are? Yi-niang merely spoke with you for a bit, and you think you can act so high and mighty?”

She covered her mouth with her hand, a look of utter disdain in her eyes as she said cuttingly, “Perhaps it is because someone is too dim-witted that it took so much time.”

Gu Ning was so angry her veins were popping. Just as she was about to snap back, Cui Yi walked out. The blatant malice on Pei Mingjiao’s face vanished instantly, and she leaned in sweetly. The “evil silver-tabby cat” switched to “sweet and adorable kitten” in a single second. “Yi-niang, the heating here is poor. Are you feeling cold?”

Gu Ning shuddered, looking at Cui Yi with a gaze that said I never realized you had such specific tastes.

Cui Yi: “…”

Pei Mingjiao, clinging to Cui Yi, saw that Gu Ning still dared to “exchange flirtatious glances” right in front of her. She switched back to “evil mode” instantly, shooting Gu Ning a ferocious glare in a corner where Cui Yi couldn’t see.

Gu Ning smiled triumphantly. Pei Mingjiao reached her limit; if she endured this now, Gu Ning might dare to stand on her head in the future. Cui Yi timely reached out and placed a hand on Pei Mingjiao’s waist, interrupting the classic confrontation between the Female Lead and the Villainess.

“Gu Ning, do you not have other matters to attend to? I shall not see you out.”

Gu Ning: “…” So it turns out I’m the only outsider here.