Stealing the Alluring Heroine from the Battlefield [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 2

Her upturned face reminded one of a ripe, juicy peach, rushed from Qingzhou on horseback in the height of summer, still glistening and luscious on the branch.

Fanghua and Yun Qi both looked at the two women who were gazing at each other.

One was shocked by Miss Awu’s boldness, while the other found the scene strangely fitting.

Yun Qi was one of Rong Yu’s personal maids. Unlike Fanghua, she had grown up in military camps and on horseback, her aesthetic sensibilities far removed from the prevailing ideals of delicate refinement. She only admired her mistress’s striking features and powerful presence; otherwise, even the most exquisite features seemed too weak.

But today, she realized that beauty could transcend all tastes.

Holding her breath, Yun Qi strained her ears to hear her mistress’s reply.

Rong Yu looked down at the upturned face, its features lively and animated, completely at ease under the gaze. Seemingly displeased by the delay, her lips moved slightly, as if about to utter another shocking remark.

“You are very beautiful,” Rong Yu said, her lips parting softly as she gently pulled her hem from Awu’s grasp.

“Why don’t you ever look at me?” Awu nudged her boot with the toe of her foot.

“It is precisely because your beauty is so radiant that I dare not gaze upon you freely, lest I show you disrespect.”

Awu’s ears tingled. Rong Yu’s voice, like melting snow, faint and cool, was surprisingly pleasant to the ear.

Awu withdrew her foot, her soft fingers casually twirling a strand of hair around them twice, the ends curling upward in a soft, alluring way.

“Stop talking so formally! I don’t like it. I’m this beautiful, and all of you should know how to appreciate it. I’m not just any fairy, seeing me is your good fortune!” Her playful finger pointed at each of the silent, tense figures standing in the room.

Fanghua’s lips curled. She found Miss Awu’s imperious demeanor surprisingly endearing.

Rong Yu nodded silently.

“Yes, Miss,” the servants replied in unison, their voices soft and compliant.

Awu was only slightly satisfied.

The people in this room were like wooden statues, utterly boring. Only Rong Yu before her showed a flicker of life, but she still wore that thick, impenetrable mask. Awu detested it.

But the System said this is an imperial society. This is all normal.

Awu didn’t care about that; she continued her demands. “I want to live next to you.”

“Agreed,” Rong Yu replied.

“Send me all the delicious food, fun things, and useful items.”

“Alright.”

“And all of you have to play with me.”

She continued her demands like an insatiable child, chattering endlessly.

Yun Qi grumbled inwardly, No wonder the Emperor is keeping her here temporarily. She’s beautiful, but with a temperament like that, she wouldn’t last three days in the palace.

Rong Yu showed no sign of impatience. She said softly, “Very well. If you have any requests, just tell Fanghua.”

“I’m Awu, not ‘Miss Awu’,” Awu said, reaching out to poke her.

Her fingertip was gently but firmly enclosed by Rong Yu’s hand. The touch was like cold jade, and the pad of her finger had a few calluses.

The System explained that these were the marks of time left by the Eldest Princess’s martial arts training since childhood.

Awu instinctively touched the calluses.

Her restless finger was caught and returned to her side. The person who had done this remained expressionless.

“Alright, Awu. It’s getting late. You should rest soon.”

Fine, this is enough for today, Awu thought, and she finally settled down.

Fanghua was assigned to arrange Miss Awu’s food, lodging, and daily needs. Yun Qi followed closely behind Rong Yu, reporting intelligence gathered by the dark guards.

“Miss Awu’s background is questionable. She seems to have appeared in this world suddenly, and it’s possible she was deliberately cultivated by someone as a tool to sow discord between the Emperor and the Empress’s faction. Do you find her demeanor and speech suspicious?”

Before Rong Yu could respond, Yun Qi continued her analysis.

“In my opinion, the Emperor is being too hasty. The Empress merely wants a child and hasn’t overstepped her bounds. Even if he fears the influence of the imperial clans, this is excessive.”

“The Emperor wants to curb the power of the noble clans, but he shouldn’t be so rash. The common people have only enjoyed a few years of peace and recovery. How can such deeply entrenched clans be uprooted so easily? Besides, didn’t the Emperor ascend the throne with the support of these very clans and their patrons?”

Yun Qi dared not finish that thought, as Rong Yu had stopped and cast a silent glance at her.

“This servant spoke out of turn. I’ll hold my tongue from now on.”

“There are three months of your salary remaining this year.”

Yun Qi silently slapped her own cheek. Every time that mouth seemed to have a mind of its own, words tumbling out before she could stop them. Halfway through the year, her monthly stipend had already been reduced to just three months’ worth.

This was precisely why Yun Qi had honed her martial skills to such a high level. From childhood, she had been unable to control her tongue in front of Rong Yu. Because she was so talkative, she constantly lost her stipend, which drove her to the path of martial arts, where completing missions meant earning bonuses, bonuses, and more bonuses.

But there was one thing she dared not say aloud. If she spoke it, she figured she’d lose her entire year’s bonus.

If only Master were a prince, Yun Qi thought. With her martial prowess and knowledge, if she were a man, she would have conquered the world. How could she have ended up in this situation? On the surface, it’s a life of luxury, with the treatment of a prince, free access to the training grounds… But isn’t that just the Late Emperor’s false mercy after stripping her of her military authority?

In times of crisis, it was clearly Master who had turned the tide.

Is it truly just because she was born a woman?

Yun Qi silently lamented for her master in her heart.

Life in ancient times isn’t so bad, after all.

Awu lay on the soft, high bed prepared for her, stretching languidly with a sigh of contentment.

The System was rapidly sifting through data on this world. This was its first mission, and the host’s questions were so varied and strange that it had to master every detail to avoid any slip-ups.

It replied calmly:

In any era, royalty enjoys the most advanced cultural achievements of that time.

“Oh,” Awu murmured absently, pulling the quilt over her eyes and closing them.

Host, you should familiarize yourself with this era’s background and plot as soon as possible. This will help you advance the conquest progress more quickly.

Awu was already asleep.

The System held its breath all night, carefully waiting for Awu to wake up.

Host, we should redouble our efforts today and continue to win the Emperor’s favor to gain more Favor Points.

Awu: “Who’s the Emperor?”

“The Princess’s residence is my territory now.”

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