The Villain Has A Yuri Halo [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 63

In this world where everyone was a villain, even the arrival of a cousin, who turned out to be harboring malicious intentions, disrupted Li Ju’s peace. Even while preparing tea in the side room, she couldn’t escape Liu Xuandie’s relentless pursuit. Like a summer mosquito, Liu Xuandie buzzed incessantly around Li Ju, driving her to distraction.

Even someone with a mild, dough-like temperament would have been provoked by Liu Xuandie’s antics. How much more so Li Ju?

She slammed the teacup down on the table, glaring sideways at Liu Xuandie with undisguised irritation.

Liu Xuandie, feigning nonchalance, picked up her own cup and said, “What’s with that look, little cousin-in-law? Do you find my presence bothersome? I’m only concerned you’re overworking yourself. If I didn’t care about you, I wouldn’t bother with anyone else.” Her voice was soft and deliberately provocative, as if she were deliberately teasing the innocent Li Ju.

Li Ju couldn’t fathom what twisted logic filled Liu Xuandie’s mind. Why resort to dragging her into this inexplicable mess when there were countless ways to harm Fu Zhiqing, the female lead? To implicate an innocent bystander like herself? That was a crime worthy of double punishment!

Li Ju grimaced in disgust, signing her anger with lightning-fast movements. She had no intention of accommodating Liu Xuandie, nor did she feel any guilt that her speed might make it difficult for Liu Xuandie to follow.

“Little Cousin-in-law… what are you saying? Could you slow down a bit?”

Li Ju’s shocked expression irritated Liu Xuandie. Having now clearly understood Li Ju’s deliberately slowed signs, Liu Xuandie’s carefully maintained facade of gentle elegance nearly cracked.

Can’t even understand this? She’s no match for my Madam Fu.

Liu Xuandie forced a smile. “How could I ever compare to Cousin? She’s a radiant pearl, while I’m just dust. She surpasses me in every way. I’ve long grown accustomed to it.”

Li Ju glanced at Liu Xuandie’s insincere expression, realizing she was likely a resentful type, the kind who lurked in the shadows, seething with jealousy toward Fu Zhiqing. Now that Fu Zhiqing had fallen from grace, this bitter soul must be reveling in her misfortune.

Indeed, she truly is remarkable.

A glint flashed in Liu Xuandie’s eyes. Having regained her composure, she plastered that false, practiced smile back onto her face.

Liu Xuandie lifted the teapot and glanced at the fire in the stove. She then said casually, “Cousin has always been praised for her refined elegance, like a breeze through the forest. As the first female Scholar in Quanyang County, she’s had so many suitors that they’ve nearly worn down our doorstep. I always thought she was deeply in love with that… Oh dear, look at my loose tongue! Don’t take any of this to heart, Little Cousin-in-Law.”

Liu Xuandie reached for a cup, intending to be the first to taste the tea. But Li Ju wasn’t about to let her get away with that!

She snatched the cup away, her eyes and expression clearly conveying that Liu Xuandie’s scheme had failed.

Liu Xuandie couldn’t help but smile triumphantly, though she quickly restrained her expression, mindful of maintaining her composure.

“Little Cousin-in-Law isn’t really angry, is she?” she asked. “It’s all my fault. Those were just stories from Cousin’s past, nothing to take seriously. I’m the one who messed up. Please don’t take your anger out on Cousin. Direct any unhappiness at me! I just hope you won’t blame me for this.”

She kept calling Li Ju “Little Cousin-in-Law,” which made Li Ju’s brow furrow. This was the first time Li Ju had ever felt the full horror of the word “greasy” applied to a woman.

Li Ju, her small face composed, calmly watched Liu Xuandie’s frantic antics.

That excessively cold gaze held a composure far beyond her years. Liu Xuandie found herself somewhat flustered under this scrutiny, as if her schemes were nothing more than childish games, utterly failing to capture Li Ju’s attention.

Suddenly, Li Ju’s eyes curved into a smile, her pure, radiant expression dazzling Liu Xuandie. She must be imagining things, she thought. How could she possibly be intimidated by the gaze of a mute girl?

Li Ju retrieved a fresh teacup and solemnly poured tea for Liu Xuandie.

Thank you for your concern. This cup of tea is my way of expressing my gratitude.

Liu Xuandie was somewhat pleased by Li Ju’s response. She glanced with amusement at the grateful-looking Li Ju and sighed dramatically, feigning helplessness. “I never expected my little cousin-in-law to say such a thing. I thought you’d blame me for bringing up things best left unsaid. My cousin… she’s beautiful and talented, admired by many. Ah, I shouldn’t have mentioned this, but I felt an instant connection with you. You remind me of my long-lost sister. I’ve never been able to find her, and that’s why I can’t help but care about you.”

Liu Xuandie sipped her hot tea, feeling a warm current flow through her body. The warmth melted the chill in her limbs. Ah, in this winter weather, a few sips of hot tea are truly essential.

Li Ju subtly raised an eyebrow. Seeing Liu Xuandie drink the tea, she lost all interest in continuing the act.

First, I got rid of one old pest, and now this young one shows up.

They’re both equally annoying. I should just get rid of her quickly.

She’s already acting drunk before even touching alcohol. What an unreasonable creature, daring to try and seduce me?

Host, are you going to slack off again?!

“I’m not acting. I refuse to play out this cliché of a woman having an affair.”

You two need to have a scene together. Otherwise, how will Fu Wanbai realize Liu Xuandie is eyeing you?

This is all foreshadowing for when she poisons you later!

“Spare me the theatrics. I’m not acting, and that’s final. When have I ever left you short on points?”

But… without Liu Xuandie provoking Fu Wanbai, will she still decide to poison you?

Li Ju couldn’t help but sneer. “If her precious daughter dies, I won’t survive either. Even without Liu Xuandie, she would have poisoned me. Liu Xuandie’s appearance merely gave Fu Wanbai a convenient excuse to justify her actions to herself.”

Too disgusted to even glance at the empty-headed Liu Xuandie, Li Ju picked up the teapot, lifted the curtain, and retreated to the side room.

From the moment she entered the Fu Family, Li Ju had sensed that Fu Wanbai’s origins were far from ordinary. She likely came from a noble family that had fallen into decline. With her ruthless ambition and extreme nature, it wouldn’t surprise Li Ju if Fu Wanbai had taken lives before. That’s why Li Ju had always maintained a facade of respect toward her.

In the entire Fu Family, Fu Zhiqing was probably the only sane person.

As for Fu Zhiqing’s biological father, he was even less worthy of mention. His only redeeming quality was his handsome appearance. Seeing that he couldn’t rely on Fu Zhiqing anymore, he didn’t hesitate to take the divorce papers, groom himself, and remarry within half a month. This time as a live-in groom.

Fu Zhiqing saw Li Ju standing motionless at the doorway. Her gentle gaze, warm as spring sunlight, and her smile evoked a sense of tenderness, not the fragile, pitiful kind, but a stubborn, feigned resilience, as if this were the only way to preserve her last shred of dignity.

“Come sit down and rest,” Fu Zhiqing said, her voice hoarse and low. Long-suffering from a persistent cough, she had lost her youthful vitality, yet a faint coquettishness lingered when she looked at Li Ju—a sign of her affection and envy for Li Ju’s vitality.

Li Ju obediently took a seat.

“Where’s Cousin Xuandie?” Fu Zhiqing asked.

Drinking tea.

Fu Zhiqing smiled, her slender, pale fingers toying with the teacup. She asked casually, as if it were an afterthought, “What were you two talking about? I’ve been waiting for you here for quite a while.”

Li Ju knew perfectly well that Fu Zhiqing couldn’t have overheard their conversation, since Liu Xuandie had whispered everything to her. But the fact that Fu Zhiqing was curious about their discussion… Could this ethereal, sickly beauty really be eavesdropping?

Li Ju smiled frankly and told Fu Zhiqing a half-truth.

Fu Zhiqing unconsciously tightened her grip on the teacup, a cold snort escaping her lips upon hearing of Liu Xuandie’s concern for Li Ju.

Leaning languidly against Li Ju’s shoulder, Fu Zhiqing whispered, “Don’t listen to my cousin’s nonsense. Her sister wasn’t lost; she was sold to a merchant’s household as a servant. I was six and she was five that year—old enough to remember. She knows exactly why her sister disappeared. Why is she being so vague today?”

Li Ju seemed taken aback by Fu Zhiqing’s disparaging words about Liu Xuandie. She hadn’t imagined that the universally praised, exceptionally talented Fu Zhiqing would stoop to such childish behavior.

Li Ju patted Fu Zhiqing’s hand, naturally trusting her words more. After all, if she believed Liu Xuandie, why would she have told Fu Zhiqing about their conversation in the first place?

Fu Zhiqing gazed at Li Ju’s delicate, pale fingers, then gripped them tightly. “Xiao Ju,” she said.

Li Ju blinked in confusion.

Fu Zhiqing explained, “You’ve been working so hard these past few days. Once the snow stops, let’s hire a housekeeper. You refused last time, but please agree this time.”

Li Ju rejected Fu Zhiqing’s proposal again, her watery eyes fixed on Fu Zhiqing in disapproval.

“Are you worried about Mother’s reaction?” Fu Zhiqing asked. “I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”

Fu Zhiqing shook her head. This had nothing to do with Fu Wanbai. Whether or not to buy servants was a matter for the future, irrelevant to the present.

Defeated, Fu Zhiqing collapsed into Li Ju’s arms, her voice filled with resentment. “If only I’d kept that secret stash of money! I could have bought a servant without asking for your opinion. Then I wouldn’t need your approval.”

Li Ju chuckled silently. Had Fu Zhiqing shot herself in the foot? If only she hadn’t been so honest and kept the money hidden.

Li Ju gently stroked Fu Zhiqing’s back. Though the embrace wasn’t particularly warm, Fu Zhiqing found it deeply comforting.

Resting her chin on Li Ju’s shoulder, Fu Zhiqing glanced up and met Liu Xuandie’s gaze.

With practiced composure, Fu Zhiqing smiled and asked, “When did you arrive, Cousin?”

Liu Xuandie quickly lowered her eyes, her laughter bright and cheerful. “Just now! When I heard you mention a secret stash of money, I couldn’t resist eavesdropping for a bit. I’ll tease you about it later, Cousin.”

Had I underestimated how important that little mute girl is to Fu Zhiqing? Liu Xuandie wondered. I’ve known Fu Zhiqing for over a decade, and I’ve never seen her act so tenderly. She’s always been a proud, aloof scholar. How could she ever adopt such a coquettish, attention-seeking pose?

Fu Zhiqing chuckled awkwardly. “I owe Xiao Ju so much. Keeping the money would be pointless. If this is a way to repay her, I see nothing wrong with it.”

With a guest present, she felt too embarrassed to cling to Li Ju any further.

Li Ju picked up a cup of warm tea and held it to Fu Zhiqing’s lips. Fu Zhiqing drank it naturally, then smiled softly.

No words passed between them, yet this simple act of feeding tea revealed the depth of their bond to Liu Xuandie.

Their affection was clear, but Liu Xuandie knew this relationship was primarily one of mistress and servant.

Liu Xuandie settled into her seat, poured herself tea, and quipped, “What’s this talk of owing? If Aunt hadn’t bought Cousin, how would she be living such a comfortable life today?” The words slipped out, revealing her true feelings and attitude toward Li Ju.

The atmosphere froze. Liu Xuandie scrambled to her feet, apologizing profusely. She turned to Li Ju first. “Cousin, I’m so sorry. You know how I can’t control my tongue. I… I didn’t mean to look down on you. I was just marveling at your good fortune in meeting my cousin.”

Fu Zhiqing covered her mouth with a handkerchief and coughed lightly. Without looking at Liu Xuandie, she gently stroked Li Ju’s ear, as if worried the earlier words had tainted her.

Fu Zhiqing smiled. “My mouth feels a bit bitter. Xiao Ju, could you fetch me some candied fruit from my room to sweeten it?”

Li Ju patted her hair and dashed out of the room.

As soon as Li Ju was gone, Fu Zhiqing’s smile faded. She locked eyes with Liu Xuandie, her voice weak but her gaze fierce.

“As long as I live, Xiao Ju is my wife. When I die, she will become my adopted sister. I will never let her be a widow, burdened by my death! After I’m gone, she will be my mother’s second daughter, entitled to half of the Fu Family’s inheritance. Whether she marries or not, she will take half of the Fu Family’s wealth with her. Yes, my mother bought her, but she was never a servant.”

Fu Zhiqing pushed herself up from the table, the sharp chill in her eyes recalling her former spirited self. “Three years ago, everyone remembered me. Now, I’m just a jinx in their eyes. Only my mother and Xiao Ju truly care for me. What does a little pocket money matter? If I could, I’d pluck the stars from the sky for her.”

Liu Xuandie forced a smile, wiping away cold sweat. “Cousin,” she explained, “I truly didn’t mean anything by it. I wasn’t trying to belittle your sister-in-law. You know what kind of person I am, don’t you?”

Fu Zhiqing slowly turned her gaze away, maintaining an air of composure. In reality, her fingers were gripping the edge of the table so tightly that they left faint scratches on the surface. She was desperately suppressing the tickle in her throat.

Her icy glare silenced Liu Xuandie, leaving her shaken but also fueling her treacherous ambitions.

If Zhiqing values me so much, what if I actually managed to seduce that little mute? Wouldn’t that be a victory over her? Maybe she’d even thank me for getting rid of that harlot.

Liu Xuandie reached out to help Fu Zhiqing, but before she could move, a sudden discomfort seized her.

Her brow furrowed in panic as her stomach rumbled loudly, followed by a foul-smelling expulsion of gas.

Liu Xuandie’s face flushed crimson with shame. Without a word of explanation, she fled the room.

Fu Zhiqing blinked, covering her nose and mouth with a handkerchief. What’s going on? Could the cold weather be making everyone sick?

With a sigh, Fu Zhiqing pushed open the window and glanced at the side room. She decided it was best to return.

Just as she took a few steps, Li Ju came running over, bringing the winter wind with her.

Li Ju asked innocently, “Why did Cousin suddenly leave?”

Fu Zhiqing was taken aback. “Leave? I thought…”

“Yes, she left in a carriage.”

Fu Zhiqing relaxed her brow, saying dismissively, “Let her go. It’s better this way; her presence was making us uncomfortable.”

Li Ju wrinkled her nose in disgust, thinking, Ugh, let’s get out of here before this sickly beauty gets sick from the smell.

She took Fu Zhiqing’s hand, not carrying the candied fruit Fu Zhiqing had mentioned earlier. Li Ju knew that was just an excuse to get rid of her; she wasn’t foolish enough to bring candied fruit to Fu Zhiqing. Instead, she had leaned against the window, waiting for the conversation inside to end. She never expected to see Fu Zhiqing clutching her stomach, running and cursing, her comical expression making Li Ju slap her thigh and burst into laughter.

I can’t stop laughing! I’m going to die! I’ll probably burst out laughing if I see Liu Xuandie again.

[A perfectly good minor character, now the Host has turned her into a farting queen…]

[My points!]

System 666 was truly hurting. It checked its accounts and realized they hadn’t earned any points in these past few worlds—in fact, they’d even lost points! Now it was desperately waiting for the Program to update to the latest version so Host Li Ju wouldn’t encounter any more unexpected glitches. Then they could finally relax and earn points by focusing solely on the main plot, ignoring the minor side quests.

Li Ju chuckled, “You’re such a loser.”

[Logging off!]

[Host, you’d better pray Fu Wanbai actually poisons you! Otherwise, that crucial side quest will be gone, and I don’t see how you’ll complete your mission!]

System 666 was furious and determined to rebel against Li Ju.

Li Ju scoffed, “That wasn’t a crucial side quest at all. Fu Wanbai did poison me, but it ultimately failed, right? So whether or not the poison existed makes little difference. Even if she hadn’t poisoned me, the mission wouldn’t have been affected. As long as Fu Zhiqing picks up Zhang Huizhou, that jinx, our mission will proceed smoothly.”

Li Ju knew exactly what she was doing. Someone who could slack off all the way to becoming a top-performing employee had to have some tricks up her sleeve. She was exploiting every loophole in the plot, all to work less and relax more, right?

That makes perfect sense!

“So, I’m just waiting for Fu Zhiqing to recover, pass the imperial exams, and head to the capital. That’s when the real show begins. I need to live comfortably these next few years, or all this hard work will have been for nothing.”

Then it’s okay for you to slack off a bit now, right? The female lead isn’t the type to abandon you. She’ll still take you to the capital later.

Li Ju chuckled slyly, her voice smug. “Enduring some hardship now is worth it. The more favor I earn with the Fu Family, the more I can boss them around later! Don’t let my current pitiful state fool you—once I’m established, I’ll dare to defy Fu Wanbai herself! What’s that called? Abusing her favor!”

You’re already defying Fu Wanbai! Does the Host still have any castor bean powder left?

Speaking of castor bean powder, Li Ju decided to stop using it. Fu Wanbai was getting on in years, and constant diarrhea would eventually weaken her.

Fu Zhiqing spoke in a low voice, “Xiao Ju, it seems my mother and cousin are suffering from the same illness. This…”

Li Ju responded with a perfectly timed expression of concern.

Mother has lost so much weight these past few days.

But you’re right, Mother. You shouldn’t go to the main house for now. I’ll take care of everything.

Fu Zhiqing, filled with guilt and self-reproach, said, “This should have been my responsibility, but I’ve pushed it all onto you, Xiao Ju. I’m so sorry.”

The weight in her gaze made Li Ju press her lips together, reaffirming her decision to stop poisoning Fu Wanbai.

It’s alright.

Once you’re better, I’ll just be a lazy girl who does nothing all day.

Fu Zhiqing couldn’t help but chuckle. “Looks like I’ll have to get better quickly so Xiao Ju can be lazy.”

Yes!

Fu Zhiqing pinched Li Ju’s cheek, as if healing her weary expression.

Fu Zhiqing smiled faintly. “I’ll do my best.”

The snowstorm finally stopped that day, and the moonlight shone brightly, like a silver platter hanging in the sky.

Madam Lü, covering her mouth and nose, spoke to Liu Xuandie, who was so embarrassed she wished she could disappear into the ground.

“You mean Madam Fu is ill?”

“Yes, I think the Fu Family is so strange. I only went to visit my aunt, and I fell ill! This Fu Family is truly cursed. I dare not go there again!”

Liu Xuandie was terrified. No wonder the people of Shangyang Village called Fu Zhiqing a jinx. It was all true!

Madam Lü’s eyes turned cold. Cursed? Hah! How could there possibly be anything wrong with the Fu Family?

“Did Fu Zhiqing do this?”

Liu Xuandie’s face paled, but she quickly retorted, “Impossible! Fu Zhiqing would never do such a thing. I know her well, and besides, she has no reason to harm me.”

Madam Lü raised an eyebrow in disdain. “You dared to try seducing her mute wife. How can you say she has no reason?”

“That mute woman probably doesn’t even know I had such thoughts. How could Fu Zhiqing possibly have found out?”

Madam Lü slammed her hand on the table, her voice icy. “How could she not? Do you think she’s some simpleton? I can manipulate your clever aunt with ease, yet Fu Zhiqing saw right through me the moment we met. This woman is not to be underestimated. Do you still want the Fu Family’s inheritance? Have you forgotten what your uncle told you?”

“My uncle’s words are at least eighty percent lies!”

Madam Lü stoked Liu Xuandie’s ambition, saying, “Let me be frank with you. Your aunt was born in Lin’an, from a noble family. Though her branch has fallen on hard times since her mother’s generation, even a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. The scraps that fall through her fingers would be enough to keep you fed for life.”

Liu Xuandie wasn’t impulsive. She countered cautiously, “How do you know all this?”

Madam Lü feigned mystery. “I’m an immortal. I calculated it, of course.”

Liu Xuandie scoffed. “What do you want me to do?”

“This packet contains poison. Find a chance to give it to your aunt.”

“What are you saying? You want me to poison my aunt!”

Madam Lü pressed her hand on Liu Xuandie’s shoulder, her voice low and ominous. “From your earlier words, I’ve deduced how important that little mute girl is to Fu Zhiqing. So, the one you need to eliminate isn’t Fu Zhiqing herself, but the mute girl. Fu Zhiqing is already frail. Without the girl, do you think she might choose to die alongside her?”

And when Fu Zhiqing learns her own mother poisoned the girl, that will be the final, fatal blow.

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