The Eldest Princess' Substitute Husband (Transmigration) - Chapter 5

“Detection: A second transmigrator exists in this timeline.”

*******

Eat more, nourish yin and yang… put on a little roundness…

No matter how composed and aloof Wei Luoyi usually was, she was still just a seventeen-year-old girl at the end of the day, thin-skinned and easily flustered.

Besides, when had Song Jinsheng ever spoken such… such reckless words in front of her before?

Not only did she say them, she said them openly, in front of others, and with such shameless frankness!

Unforgivable!

Those words kept echoing in Wei Luoyi’s heart. Heat rose from nowhere and climbed up her face. Her skin was pale and lustrous as jade; even the faintest blush was obvious. Thankfully, it was night and Song Jinsheng wasn’t paying close attention—otherwise she would have surely noticed the princess’s cheeks flushed scarlet.

How dare she keep staring at me… Keep staring, and one day when you’re of no more use, I’ll pluck those eyes out myself…

Wei Luoyi clenched her teeth in shame and fury, glaring at Song Jinsheng with eyes like shimmering pools, so sharp it made the latter squirm.

Song Jinsheng felt a sudden chill down her spine. Even the hand holding her chopsticks trembled. She had no idea what she’d done to offend Her Highness so badly.

“Your Highness, you—”

“Silence!”

Afraid Song Jinsheng might blurt out something even more outrageous, Wei Luoyi cut her off at once. With Dongyang and Chunyue still nearby, where would her dignity be if this continued?

She drew in a deep breath to calm herself, then shot another icy glare her way before speaking slowly:
“The Prince Consort is still recovering from serious injury. I shall overlook tonight’s indiscretion as the muddled talk of an unhealed mind. But from here on, you would do well to watch your tongue and conduct…”

Her final words came through clenched teeth:
“Do not ever behave with such insolence again.”

With that, Wei Luoyi turned and strode off. Dongyang and Chunyue, still blushing from what they’d overheard, hurried after her in a fluster.

Only once their figures disappeared into the night did Song Jinsheng snap back to her senses. Yet even replaying Wei Luoyi’s reprimand in her head, she still felt completely baffled.

System: Notice: Wei Luoyi’s favorability –5.

Song Jinsheng: ???

What did I even do? All I said was that she should eat more, get proper nutrition, gain a little weight for her health… How is caring about her well-being wrong?

What a strange princess.

Still munching on fries gone soggy, Song Jinsheng shook her head, exasperated. A sudden thought struck her, and she asked the system about Wei Luoyi’s current favorability score.

System: After checking, Her Highness Wei Luoyi’s favorability is now: 10.

Only ten? She had thought that after a year of marriage, the princess might have at least some affection for her “convenient husband.” But ten? That was barely above indifference.

Cold woman, she thought.

Then again, perhaps that was for the best. If it dropped low enough, maybe the princess would finally agree to divorce her. Then she could complete her mission sooner and go home.

System: Reminder: The princess’s favorability does not affect whether she agrees to divorce. However, higher favorability will increase the mission’s difficulty.

Just as Song Jinsheng dared to hope, the system poured cold water on her.

Song Jinsheng: Enough already. Shut up.

System: ……
System: Very well. I had intended to inform you of some important news.

At that, Song Jinsheng’s expression changed instantly. Ahem. I was rude just now. Please, do tell.

The system all but rolled its eyes:
According to recent readings, aside from the host, there is a second transmigrator in this world. If you encounter a certain special individual, they may be able to help you return earlier.

Song Jinsheng: Are you serious? How do I find them? Can you sense where they are now?

System: Clue: The special individual was recently located at “Qili Xiang.”

Song Jinsheng: Qili Xiang? Where’s that?

System: “Qili Xiang” is located on the main street of the capital, before the Treasure Pavilion. It is one of Nan Chi’s most renowned pleasure houses.

Song Jinsheng: ……

Great. The Prince Consort, sneaking off to a brothel to find someone. Perfect.

******

The next day, after lunch, Song Jinsheng returned to her room to prepare.

The system had advised that Qili Xiang only came alive at night. Going during the day would just invite awkward encounters if anyone recognized her. True, Guzi had said the original host rarely left the residence and had few acquaintances, but one could never be too careful.

So she planned her timing carefully, waiting until dark to leave under the pretense of dining out. Even if the princess heard of it, she shouldn’t find it suspicious.

Since this would be her first outing since transmigrating and to such a disreputable place at that—Song Jinsheng was uneasy. She sent Guzi to buy her a mask while she dug through the clothing chest.

Fortunately, the original host hadn’t been fond of gaudy attire. Most of the robes were in white, blue, or deep violet. Yet none of them felt right. After rummaging for ages, she finally unearthed a plain black everyday robe, its seams clumsy and uneven. Clearly not the work of the same skilled tailor. Who knew where the original host had gotten it.

Not that it mattered. She changed into it, then neatened herself in the bronze mirror.

The person staring back wore a man’s topknot, but her sharp face, thin lips, narrow eyes, and pale skin were finer than many women’s. Fortunately, her strong brows and firm jaw lent her a touch of masculine vigor, enough to pass at a glance.

But at close quarters, how could anyone not notice?

Guzi was one thing. But the princess keen-eyed as she was—how had she never seen through it?

Odd.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Guzi returned with the mask and another item.

He offered her a folded embroidered handkerchief.
“Master, Her Highness returned this. She said you needn’t give it back.”

Song Jinsheng said nothing, only examined it. The silk was fine and light as feather down, smooth to the touch. Yet the plum blossom stitched at the center was crude and awkward.

Could it have been Wei Luoyi’s own handiwork?

Last night, she had given it to Song Jinsheng, saying there was no need to return it. Still, she had washed it clean and sent it back—only for the princess to reject it.

“No matter.” Song Jinsheng tucked it into her chest. “Then I’ll just use it myself.”

If others refused her goodwill, what could she do?

She put on the mask Guzi had bought, then glanced out the window. The sky was already growing dark. Time to go.

Before leaving, she turned to Guzi, who still trailed behind, and persuaded him to stay.
“Guzi, you don’t need to come. I’ll be back soon.”

He hesitated, clearly uneasy. After all, the last time he hadn’t followed, she’d fallen off a cliff and disappeared for half a day before the princess sent people to find her.

“But… the streets outside are vast. I’m afraid you might get lost. Better if I—”

“It’s fine. I’m not that hopeless. I just want to look around myself. Don’t worry.” She clapped his shoulder reassuringly.

She didn’t know the roads, true but she had the system.

Seeing he couldn’t dissuade her, Guzi walked her to the gate. Just as she stepped out, she turned back, her tied-up hair flicking lightly behind her.

“Guzi, remember—if anyone asks, say I went out to dine at a tavern. Understood?”

“Yes, Master.”

“Good. I’m off then.”

She smiled, dimpling faintly under the mask.

Guzi bowed his head with a small smile of his own, watching her graceful figure vanish into the distance. A sudden thought stirred in his chest:

Ever since Master woke from that fall, she claims not to remember the past… Yet more often than not, it feels as though she’s become someone entirely new.

******

Song Jinsheng’s first time on the streets brought a twinge of excitement.

As someone from the modern world, skyscrapers and traffic jams were nothing new. But ancient architecture, bustling night markets, and local customs—those she had only read about in books, never seen firsthand.

And if she really could find that special person, another transmigrator like herself—what joy it would be! A true ally, a familiar soul in a foreign land. Together, perhaps they could even return home sooner.

The thought filled her with exhilaration. But half an incense stick later, her smile was gone.

All along the way, people had been staring.

Every pair of eyes was curious, questioning.

She’d underestimated the situation.

She had wanted to avoid notice, yet in plain black robes and a mask, she stood out like a sore thumb amid the colorful throngs of the night market.

Helpless, she ignored the stares and followed the system’s directions at a brisk pace.

Luckily, “Qili Xiang” wasn’t far. After a short walk, she arrived.

The moment she stepped inside, regret hit.

The cloying incense was overwhelming.

She wrinkled her nose, covering it with her hand, and slipped in behind a few young scholars.

The interior wasn’t so different from a tavern: music and song filled the hall, courtesans danced in the center, and men drank and laughed at tables on either side.

But Song Jinsheng had no mind for entertainment. She chose a shadowed corner and began scanning the crowd.

System: Notice: You are close to the target individual.

Where exactly? she wondered. Also in disguise like me? Or perhaps… one of the courtesans?

Or—

The courtesan of the night? The courtesan queen?

Yes, that had to be it. In the novels she’d read, the protagonist always seemed to get entangled with the top courtesan.

As if on cue, the performance ended, the music faded, and the room quieted.

Curious, Song Jinsheng shifted closer to eavesdrop on two young men at the next table.

“Hey, do you think we’ll get to see Lady Ziyue tonight?”

“Hah, wishful thinking. Lady Ziyue doesn’t just show herself to anyone. No one’s ever seen her face. But I heard once, someone glimpsed her veiled. Said she was like a goddess descended.”

“Then… how can one hope to meet her?”

“Don’t bother dreaming. To meet Lady Ziyue, you need to compose poetry. Not just that—the verse has to match her own lines. Only then will she invite you in for a private talk.”

“And all this time, no one’s ever succeeded…”

Just then, the madam stepped into the center of the hall, beaming.

“Gentlemen, as always, tonight’s challenge is the same: compose a poem on the theme of ‘Qili Xiang.’ Lady Ziyue has already provided her upper line. If any gentleman can complete it, he will be invited to meet her.”

“Listen well. Lady Ziyue’s line is…”

The rain falls all night long, my love overflowing like the endless rainwater.

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