Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 36

The Zheng family successfully researched glass production, and the glass products they launched were quite affordable—though “affordable” only applied to the wealthy. Furthermore, they continued to innovate new uses for glass, such as the emergence of glass windows.

As someone who always enjoyed trendy things, Pei Mingjiao was among the first to use them. “These are truly excellent; the room is much brighter now.”

After speaking, she leaned against the table, her gaze falling upon Cui Yi, who was currently playing a game of Go. Due to the presence of floor heating, Cui Yi was not heavily dressed and was clad quite casually. Her long hair was not tied up but draped loosely behind her back. She wore no makeup, which could not hide a hint of pale frailty. Her dark eyes were framed by long lashes, her expression focused and serious.

Pei Mingjiao stared at the spot where Cui Yi had placed her stone, but after a long while, she couldn’t make head or tail of the strategy. Bored, she tilted her head to the side. Eventually, she propped herself up and reported her next plan: “I haven’t seen Yueniang in a long while. I’m going to find her to catch up.”

The hand Cui Yi used to hold her chess piece paused for a brief moment. “Alright.”

Pei Mingjiao then signaled her maidservants to wrap her in a bright red cloak, which made her small face appear extraordinarily gorgeous. She happily bid farewell to Cui Yi: “I’m off!”

Once she left, the room suddenly felt much emptier. Cui Yi’s fingers rubbed the black chess piece, but for a long time, she could not bring herself to place it.

In contrast, Gu Ning (Pei Mingjiao) sent a letter directly to invite Gu Yue to go ice skating. Upon receiving the letter, Gu Yue informed Lady Li and brought her equipment to the appointment. As she was boarding her carriage, she happened to see her eldest sister descending from another carriage with a bright and cheerful expression. Gu Yue had no choice but to turn around and greet her, “Eldest Sister.”

Gu Ning glanced at her and gave a faint “mm” in response.

Gu Yue did not mind her coldness and only re-entered her carriage after watching Gu Ning enter the manor.

Gu Ning walked briskly back to her small courtyard. Even the cold weather could not dampen the fire in her heart. Thinking of how the male lead had just been rendered speechless by her rebuttal, she felt instantly refreshed.

That damn man; he really thinks I should come when called and go when dismissed. Where was he earlier?

Gu Ning thought triumphantly: So what if he’s the male lead? Just take him down and be done with it.

At this thought, Gu Ning quickly took out her notebook and double-checked for any gaps, fearing she might have forgotten something again. It was also at this moment that Gu Ning regretted not studying harder. She suppressed the urge to seek help from her fellow transmigrator, Cui Yi; since Cui Yi had expressed that she didn’t want to get involved in the mess, Gu Ning would not force her.

In ten days, it would be Yan Yuanyi’s coming-of-age ceremony (Ji Ji), and she planned to give her a grand gift.

In the State of Qi, women reached adulthood at eighteen and were permitted to marry. For refined families, the coming-of-age ceremony was held with great solemnity, let alone for the imperial relatives.

While Gu Ning, the female lead, was busy preparing gifts, the male lead, Yan Zhen, was in a state of mental unrest. He never expected that Gu Ning, who used to beg for his mercy, would return to Chang’an on her own, throwing his plans into total disarray.

As the only son of the Prince of Yue, Yan Zhen did not lack wealth, but an uncontrollable ambition had taken root and sprouted in his heart. After a long while, the gloom on Yan Zhen’s face dissipated, and he began to review and reflect. He had been too conceited.

He had never truly looked Gu Ning in the eye.

Reaching a decision, Yan Zhen immediately ordered Shen Li to deliver a generous gift of apology to Gu Ning, along with a sincere promise. Shen Li understood Gu Ning’s importance better than Yan Zhen did and headed to the Gu Manor at once, but Gu Ning refused to see him.

Shen Li thought to himself: This is going to be troublesome.

Gu Yue was unaware of the series of events that occurred after she left. She arrived at the ice skating rink reserved for the imperial family, where Pei Mingjiao was already waiting. Dressed in form-fitting skating attire, Pei Mingjiao glided over gracefully when she saw her, beads of sweat on her forehead. “I haven’t played in so long; I’ve become quite rusty.”

Gu Yue was an expert at this. She immediately changed her shoes and challenged Pei Mingjiao to a race.

Pei Mingjiao’s competitive spirit was instantly ignited.

The two had an exhilarating match, and Pei Mingjiao lost without any suspense. Gu Yue wiped the sweat from her brow and teased, “The Princess Consort has become slack after marriage.”

Pei Mingjiao didn’t show a hint of shyness. “You aren’t even married; what would you know?”

Gu Yue: “…”

Pei Mingjiao’s gaze fell upon the smooth ice, and she spoke with great interest: “Yueniang, what do you think about organizing an ice skating competition?”

Gu Yue, who happened to be very bored, immediately began making plans. Pei Mingjiao listened with a smile, then suddenly blurted out, “It’s such a pity that Yi-niang is in poor health and can’t play.”

Gu Yue: “…” Fine, it seems that getting married has replaced her brain—replaced it with a “Cui Yi brain.”