Marrying the Sweet Story’s Melodramatic Villainess [Transmigration] - Chapter 6

The sun sank in the west, and the moon rose in the east.

Lu Yuanzheng, the Left Vice-President of the Department of State Affairs, was having dinner with his family when he received an urgent summons from the palace. A servant whispered, “I saw the internal attendants heading toward the Ruyuan Quarter.”

The Ruyuan Quarter was where the members of the imperial clan resided. Lu Yuanzheng was both startled and suspicious; what could have happened to warrant mobilizing the imperial kinsmen? After offering a few words of comfort to his family, he changed into his court robes and entered the palace by sedan chair.

Once inside the Imperial Study, he saw the Grand Princess, the Prince of Yue, and the Prince of Wu were all present. The Son of Heaven looked solemn. Lu Yuanzheng’s confusion deepened, but Emperor Qi did not keep him in suspense. Upon hearing the details, Lu Yuanzheng was filled with horror—mixing the bloodline of the imperial family was a crime punishable by the execution of nine generations!

Emperor Qi’s methods were thunderous.

As the head of the civil officials, Lu Yuanzheng was tasked with leading the Emperor’s internal guards and the Minister of the Imperial Clan, the Prince of Wu, to thoroughly investigate this case of the true and false heirs.

Yan Linlang sighed as she watched the Prince of Yue’s dazed and helpless expression. Regardless of the outcome of this case, the path of succession for the Prince of Yue’s lineage was severed. The imperial family would never choose a kinsman with a questionable bloodline to inherit the throne.

As the night deepened, the lights stayed bright in the homes of the nobility throughout Chang’an. The young lords and ladies who had returned home brought such explosive imperial gossip that it was impossible for anyone to sleep.

At the Cui residence, Cui Yan sighed after hearing Cui Yi’s account. He feared that Chang’an was about to experience another bloodbath. He immediately arranged: “Until the case is cleared, try not to leave the house.”

Lady Du naturally agreed. As for Cui Yi, she always avoided the plot whenever possible.

A perfectly good banquet had turned into a shocking major case. Pei Mingjiao only felt it was bad luck. Thinking of the Heir Apparent—the one she had known as her cousin—she was filled with worry. Diluting the imperial bloodline had been a capital offense since ancient times. If he were a fake, it would be bad enough, but if it were intentional…

But this was not something she could involve herself in.

Pei Heng felt suspicious as he thought of Yan Linlang going into the palace. How could such a thing happen to be discovered by his daughter? However, he was merely an unproductive playboy. His grandfather had retired, and although his father was a Chancellor, he was a rigid and upright man. Pei Heng himself was a man of extravagant habits; every time he went home, he was lectured. He knew clearly that as long as his family didn’t rebel, they could enjoy wealth and honor for a lifetime. Consequently, he decided to stop thinking about it and keep a low profile for a while.

At the Gu residence, Gu Ning stayed tucked away in her small courtyard, waiting for the final restoration of the true and false heirs.

On Gu Yue’s side, she was celebrating with her mother, glad that she hadn’t been too aggressive in pursuing the “Heir Apparent.” Lady Li was also feeling a lingering fear. Water flows downward, but people climb upward; the Heir of Yue had been the most likely kinsman to succeed the throne. Coupled with the fact that the Consort-to-be was only the daughter of a minor official, Lady Li had inevitably been tempted. Even if her daughter, Yue-niang, could only be a side-consort, it would have been worth it. Fortunately, she hadn’t dared to do too much while the other nobles were watching. “Just keep following the County Princess closely,” she advised.

“Don’t worry, Mother.” Gu Yue pointed toward Gu Ning’s courtyard with a look of schadenfreude. Lady Li couldn’t help but pat her head.

By dawn, every family in Chang’an that needed to know was aware. The officials attending court shared a tacit understanding, making sure not to invite bad luck by speaking out of turn. With the provincial examinations approaching, most officials had sons or nephews competing; that was where their focus truly lay.

This year, no members of the Cui clan or their maternal relatives were taking the exams, so Cui Yan enjoyed a rare bit of leisure.

Since Cui Yan wasn’t affected, Cui Yi, as an idle person, was even less so. Upon waking, she walked in the courtyard for half an hour to exercise. Although her health had improved greatly, she still couldn’t handle sudden shocks or excessive emotions, which easily exhausted her spirit. This was already good enough; Cui Yi didn’t ask for much.

After exercising, she changed clothes and had breakfast while a seamstress took her measurements. The weather was turning cold, and her autumn wardrobe needed to be prepared.

Dongzhi looked happy. “It’s wonderful; My Lady has filled out a bit.”

Cui Yi had indeed gained a few pounds since she first arrived. Her cheeks were fleshier, and her once-frail eyes now held vitality.

After the seamstress left, Cui Yi began practicing calligraphy. She had never practiced with a brush before, and even with the original owner’s memories, her writing only captured the form. She spent time every day copying models. The original owner’s handwriting was elegant and graceful yet possessed hidden strength; Cui Yi could mimic the style, but she couldn’t replicate that inherent strength. Over time, however, she developed her own unique flair.

Gu Jing was literate. Standing to the side, she felt that the Eldest Miss’s brushstrokes had become somewhat sharper and more aggressive, but she didn’t think much of it.

Dongzhi couldn’t keep things inside and asked hesitantly, “My Lady, do you think that Heir Apparent is true or false?”

Before Cui Yi could speak, Gu Jing scolded her: “Hold your tongue! How dare you speak recklessly of imperial affairs?”

Dongzhi was scolded into lowering her head, not daring to look up. Cui Yi said nothing, focusing entirely on her calligraphy.

In the knowledgeable homes of Chang’an, the case of the heirs was only discussed in hushed whispers. Imperial scandals were not things one gossiped about lightly. The investigation was under a total blackout, but given the scale of the commotion, those with connections knew exactly whom the internal guards had thrown into the Great Prison.

Li Qinglin’s family had been hauled into prison the previous night. The head of the house, Li Daniu, was a common farmer. He had married a woman from the Liu clan and had three sons and two daughters. Aside from the youngest, Li Qinglin, the other children were all married with children of their own. At his age, he already had grandchildren. Hearing his granddaughter, who was less than six months old, crying, Li Daniu felt a pang of heartache. His two daughters-in-law were wiping away tears, while his wife, Lady Liu, held the baby and cooed softly. Once the infant quieted, Lady Liu whispered hoarsely, “I wonder how our Third Son is doing?”

Except for the married daughters, the entire Li family was here—only Li Qinglin was missing. Initially, Lady Liu thought the third son had committed a crime and implicated the family; she had spent a long time cursing him in the cell. But now, with no news of him, she couldn’t help but worry as his mother.

Li Daniu looked at his trembling children, only hoping that Li Qinglin hadn’t committed a grave offense.

At that moment, someone finally arrived at the prison. Li Daniu and his wife were hauled out. The couple was pressed down onto the stone floor, and before they could react, they were questioned about Lady Liu giving birth at the Jingci Temple eighteen years ago.

Lady Liu remembered this event very clearly even now. She had gone into premature labor and happened to encounter a noblewoman who was also in premature labor. The noblewoman took pity on her, allowing them to give birth together in what was then just a dilapidated temple. Afterward, the noblewoman felt they shared a destiny and bestowed a hundred taels of silver upon her. Today, the Jingci Temple had been renovated by that noblewoman, and Lady Liu occasionally went there to burn incense and pray for the noblewoman’s long life. Because of this, she had always favored her third son, believing he was blessed. However, as the child grew older, she found herself unable to feel close to him.

This matched the investigation’s findings. To ensure nothing was missed, the internal guards took the couple to the torture chamber for further interrogation. Piercing screams soon rang out.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuanzheng was interrogating the midwife responsible for the births. Upon being captured, the midwife confessed everything truthfully.

Lu Yuanzheng found it utterly absurd. He had expected a grand, complex conspiracy, but it turned out to be merely a momentary impulse from an old woman.

However, the case had become entangled with the Marquis of Wuchang.

Thus, the case was solved in less than a day. Lu Yuanzheng drafted the case summary and presented it to Emperor Qi. After reading it, the Emperor summoned the relevant parties.

Once everyone arrived, the first person to be handed the report was the Prince of Yue. He read every word, finding it more ridiculous as he went. The root cause was the midwife, Lady Zhang, whose daughter had committed suicide after being forcibly taken by Qian Sheng, the second son of the Marquis of Wuchang. Lady Zhang had only that one daughter and was determined to seek revenge. However, her attempt to report the crime to the officials failed, and she was beaten instead. Had her constitution not been sturdy, she likely would have been beaten to death. Consequently, she came to believe that no official was a good person, and the seeds of hatred were sown. By chance, the Princess of Yue went to the Huguo Temple to burn incense and brought along a midwife just in case—that midwife was Lady Zhang.

But an accident occurred. A violent thunderstorm broke out on the return to the city, and the Princess was frightened into premature labor. There was only a dilapidated temple nearby. Perhaps by divine arrangement, there was another woman giving birth inside, who was also frightened into labor by the commotion. Lady Zhang ended up delivering both babies.

The two women gave birth almost one after the other. In the midst of the crashing thunder, Lady Zhang was possessed by a demonic impulse and swapped the babies. She wanted those self-important nobles to taste the suffering of commoners.

The Prince of Yue found it increasingly preposterous. Such a ridiculous reason had caused his child to wander outside for eighteen years.

The Marquis of Wuchang had been confused when he entered the palace, but upon learning the truth, his face went white. His legs gave way as he knelt, his expression desolate: “This subject is guilty.”

Emperor Qi’s expression was calm as he issued the decree: “The Marquis of Wuchang is stripped of his title and rank. Qian Sheng is to be executed. The midwife Lady Zhang’s nine generations are to be executed. Li Daniu’s family in Canghe Village is to be executed.”

“Yan Hong is to be executed by a thousand cuts.”

Yan Hong was the name of the false heir.

Being stripped of title and rank meant he wasn’t being killed; it was a narrow escape from death. Qian Lei cried out: “This commoner thanks the Emperor for his mercy.”

Once the decree was issued, the guards began seizing people. The first was Qian Sheng, who was still in a “den of tenderness” with a concubine. He had long forgotten that he had ever harmed such a girl. He even tried to put on airs with the guards until he heard his father had been stripped of his title; his legs went limp as he was dragged away.

Locked in the Imperial Clan Court, Yan Hong shouted that he was being framed upon hearing his sentence, later crying out for the Prince and Princess of Yue to save him.

Li Qinglin, the restored heir, also begged for mercy for Li Daniu’s family. The Princess of Yue, who was looking after him, had almost cried herself blind. Seeing Li Qinglin trying to rush out, she suppressed the ache in her heart. How could she not love the child she had raised for eighteen years? But this concerned the imperial family; there was no room for maneuver. “Child, the Son of Heaven’s word is final. Executing only your foster father’s family is already an act of grace.”

Hearing this, Li Qinglin wept like rain.

Upon hearing Emperor Qi’s sentence—especially Yan Hong’s—Pei Mingjiao immediately wanted to enter the palace to plead for mercy with her Imperial Uncle. She was barked at by Yan Linlang: “Kneel.”

Pei Mingjiao hit the floor with a thud, her eyes red as she pleaded, “Mother.”

Yan Linlang’s heart trembled, but her expression remained cold. “I have spoiled you too much. Do you not know that the Son of Heaven is a sovereign first and your uncle second? How can the sovereign’s will be changed overnight?”

“But Cousin didn’t know the truth!”

Yan Linlang’s expression was indifferent. “So what? If he were to ascend the throne in the future, would it still be the Yan family’s empire?”

Imperial power had always been a “family business.” The “meat” could rot in the pot (stay within the family), but having someone of a different surname take the throne was unthinkable.

Pei Mingjiao was terrified. Everything she possessed relied on Yan Linlang, and Yan Linlang relied on her imperial bloodline. Countless people throughout history had sought to be titled kings or marquises, but one only needed to be born into the imperial family for titles to be granted like wholesale goods. If a different surname took the throne, where would her wealth and status go?

Yan Linlang couldn’t bear to see Pei Mingjiao’s pitiful look and softened her heart. “Go to the temple and burn two sticks of incense for Li Hong when the time comes.”

Pei Mingjiao choked back a sob and agreed, never mentioning the plea for mercy again.

Cui Yan brought the news home in the evening. Lady Du sighed after hearing the Emperor’s decision but said nothing. Cui Yi, who had known the outcome beforehand, wasn’t surprised. One could only say it was fate. Knowing it and being in the midst of it were two different things after all; Cui Yi suddenly lost her appetite.

Seeing Cui Yi looking listless, Lady Du thought she was frightened and immediately called for a maid to brew a calming soup. Cui Yi didn’t stop her.

Cui Yi stayed home for a few more days before finally going out. Hearing that the hydrangeas at the Huguo Temple were in bloom, she prepared to go see them.

The incense at the Huguo Temple was never-ending, and even during idle times, there were many pilgrims. Cui Yi burned a few sticks of incense as usual before heading to the back mountain to see the hydrangeas. These flowers had been planted by the late Empress Dowager and were meticulously cared for. The colors varied, and the clusters were large and full. In full bloom, they were magnificent.

When she arrived, there was only one lady with her servants standing there. Seeing her, the lady smiled. “I didn’t expect to run into the Eldest Miss Cui.”

She introduced herself as Tang Wensi, the second daughter of the Tang family of the Secretariat. They had met at the riding banquet previously, though they hadn’t spoken.

Tang Wensi was sweet-looking with a crisp, sweet voice and two dimples when she smiled. She was very pleasant to be around, so Cui Yi strolled through the back mountain with her. The Huguo Temple’s back mountain was cleared regularly and was very safe. Tang Wensi knew there was a stream with fish in it; she loved to visit it during her leisure time and now intended to take her new friend to see it.

Following the deep, winding path, a scent of roasted meat wafted over. Sensing something was wrong, Tang Wensi gathered her skirts and ran ahead. Cui Yi followed quickly. Within moments, she heard a cry of surprise. Panting slightly, Cui Yi looked closer and saw the two “villainesses” of the book sitting on the ground, roasting fish.

Tang Wensi’s eyes welled with tears. “In a Buddhist sanctuary, how can you kill living beings?”

Pei Mingjiao took a roasted fish handed over by a maid, smelled it pointedly, and took a large bite. “Wine and meat pass through the intestines, but the Buddha remains in the heart. I am more devout than anyone.”

Tang Wensi was furious. She sniffled, and smelling the fragrance, she swallowed her saliva. She walked over to Pei Mingjiao and snatched two skewers from the maid’s hand, thoughtfully handing one to Cui Yi: “Yi-niang, you eat too. These are the stream fish I mentioned.”

Cui Yi: “…”

As to why Tang Wensi dared to snatch Pei Mingjiao’s things, it was because they were relatives. Tang Wensi’s mother was the cousin of Pei Mingjiao’s father; Tang Wensi was Pei Mingjiao’s younger cousin.

Pei Mingjiao shot a glance at Cui Yi. “How did you two end up together?”

Tang Wensi pulled Cui Yi down to sit cross-legged. “We just happened to meet.”

Cui Yi was dressed very simply today, with only a green ribbon tying her hair and no jewelry. Her hair was long and black, and she wore a light green dress with a water-ripple pattern, looking like an elegant ink-wash painting with a hint of aloof coolness between her brows.

Pei Mingjiao gave her a “humph” but said nothing. Gu Yue took a look at Cui Yi and, seeing she had no intention of curry favor, felt relieved enough to eat her fish.

Everyone was eating, so Cui Yi lowered her eyes and took a bite like the rest. It wasn’t fishy; there was a bit of spice from the zhuyu (cornelian cherry). Since her arrival, Cui Yi’s diet had been mostly bland. After one bite, her face reacted to the spice. Seeing this, Pei Mingjiao ordered a maid to pour her tea and said crossly, “Roast her another one that isn’t spicy.”

Cui Yi drank the tea and didn’t refuse. To slight Pei Mingjiao in front of so many people would, given her “villainess” personality, lead to endless trouble in the future.

Tang Wensi satisfied her craving and asked Pei Mingjiao, “Cousin, did you come to see the hydrangeas too?”

Pei Mingjiao paused for a second before saying generously, “Yes.”

Gu Yue peeked at Pei Mingjiao but said nothing.

Cui Yi noticed and kept her eyes down without speaking, but she had a guess in her mind. The false heir was dead; Pei Mingjiao had likely come to burn incense for him.

There were many birds and insects in the woods, but they had brought insect repellent, so it wasn’t a problem. Tang Wensi’s crisp voice was pleasant to listen to in the mountains. Thus, they enjoyed a rather delicious roasted fish feast.

Except, it seemed Pei Mingjiao had started treating her as a member of her “villainous small group.”

Cui Yi: “…”