The Villain Has A Yuri Halo [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 64

Today, the heavens smiled upon Shangyang Village. After days of wind and snow, the village finally basked in the warmth of the sun.

The golden sunlight poured over Fu Zhiqing, as if adorning her with a fresh glow. Her gentle, serene beauty captivated all who gazed upon her, filling their hearts with a sense of peace and joy.

Li Ju glanced teasingly at the people around them; young and old, male and female, all mesmerized by Fu Zhiqing’s radiant beauty. It wasn’t hard to imagine how beloved Fu Zhiqing must have been in her former life.

Yet even such universal adoration couldn’t ward off the inexplicable misfortune that had transformed this once-golden darling of heaven into a pariah, shunned by all.

Li Ju stood on tiptoe to adjust Fu Zhiqing’s cloak. Fu Zhiqing smiled gently, took her hand, and murmured, “Don’t bother, Xiao Ju. We’ll have to take it off in the carriage anyway. Just drape it over me; no need to fasten it.”

Li Ju shook off her hand. No way! We have to follow the proper procedures. She worried that the cold wind might sneak down Fu Zhiqing’s neck and freeze her and then she would be the one dealing with the consequences!

Sensing Li Ju’s displeasure, Fu Zhiqing’s rosy lips curled into a tender smile. “I know Xiao Ju cares about me,” she said softly.

Not at all! Li Ju thought to herself. This is about currying favor with Madam Fu, my golden ticket. Today’s hard work will pay off with future comfort—a guaranteed win! Enjoying life before I die will only motivate me to torment the male lead even more. Don’t worry, Xiao Fu, someone will avenge your suffering later.

“Madam Fu, is this the child bride you bought?” someone asked, their tone dripping with malicious curiosity. “She looks so young—eleven or twelve?”

Fu Wanbai stood at her doorstep, her complexion pale and her eyes weary. The recent illness had taken its toll; even after half a month of recovery, she hadn’t fully regained her vitality.

“Xiao Ju,” Fu Wanbai said coolly, “come meet Aunt Li, our neighbor. You’re young, so remember her face. Aunt Li is stout with a round face and thick limbs—a butcher. If we ever need meat, buy it from her; she never shortchanges us.”

Aunt Li’s broad face flushed crimson with fury. Fu Wanbai’s words were technically true, yet each one was a deliberate insult. Aunt Li was indeed large-framed and plain-looking, a fact she had resented her entire life, blaming her parents for her lack of beauty. Moreover, she had recently been caught shortchanging a customer, leading to a public quarrel. Now that Fu Wanbai had brought it up again, how could she possibly let it go?

Li Ju beamed, her expression sweet and obedient, innocent and harmless, like a roadside wildflower bud, radiating freshness and vitality.

Li Ju nodded and patted her chest, promising Fu Wanbai that she would buy meat from Aunt Li in the future.

Fu Zhiqing lowered her gaze, gently stroking the wooden hairpin in Li Ju’s hair. Her eyes flicked across Aunt Li’s face, and she smiled. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen Li Chongwen. Has he made any progress in his studies?”

Aunt Li’s heart skipped a beat at Fu Zhiqing’s ambiguous smile. She remembered Fu Zhiqing’s past behavior and knew the woman was now cursed with misfortune—either way, she couldn’t afford to cross her. Moreover, her son was a hopeless failure; Fu Zhiqing’s remark stung like a toothache. Her son couldn’t even measure up to a girl! Fu Zhiqing was already a Scholar, while he? He only wasted his mother’s money!

She forced a dry laugh. “Chongwen has made progress, yes, he’s made progress.”

Fu Zhiqing coughed into her handkerchief. When she looked up at Aunt Li again, the mockery in her eyes made it impossible for the woman to maintain her smile. Fu Zhiqing knew exactly how capable Li Chongwen was, making Aunt Li’s self-deception a laughable farce.

Aunt Li wanted to slap herself. Why did I have to run my mouth like that?!

“Xiao Ju, say goodbye to your mother.”

Li Ju always remembered her role as a lucky charm. She smiled at everyone before secretly sabotaging them, ensuring no one would suspect the lucky charm was behind it all.

Fu Wanbai’s gaze softened slightly. “Go early and come back soon,” she said.

“Rest well at home, Mother.”

Li Ju helped Fu Zhiqing into the carriage. The driver was an old acquaintance of Fu Zhiqing’s, having taken her to the Medical Hall on the fifteenth of every month for the past three years. They were well acquainted by now.

“Second Miss, please take your seat. We’re about to depart,” the driver said, shrewdly avoiding any questions or glances. His job was simply to drive the carriage.

As the carriage rumbled into the distance, Fu Wanbai turned and closed the gate, offering no words to the nosy crowd gathered outside.

“The Fu family still has money, huh? It’s one thing to support a sickly daughter, but they dare take in another girl?”

“That child bride looks decent enough, but she’s mute. How can Fu Zhiqing tolerate that?”

“A mute is perfect! She’ll take care of Fu Zhiqing obediently. If she were healthy, you think she wouldn’t pack her bags and run the moment Fu Zhiqing dies?”

“Enough already, shut your mouths. The Fu Family’s having a hard enough time as it is.”

“Hard time? They’ve got money to buy a child bride!”

Meng Xiuhua’s face darkened as she grabbed the gossiping villagers and dragged them aside. “Quit your yapping! Don’t you have anything better to do? Go feed the chickens or pigs!”

“And you, Wang Laipi, keep your dog eyes to yourself!” Meng Xiuhua glared at the sneaky Wang Laipi, who was lurking near the gate. Hearing her warning, he stiffened his neck, ready to retort. But Meng Xiuhua’s kick sent him sprawling, the murderous aura radiating from her making his legs tremble.

“This old woman has killed bandits on the battlefield!” Meng Xiuhua snarled. “If you can’t control those dog eyes, I’ll chop them off tonight!”

Wang Laipi collapsed to the ground, staring at Meng Xiuhua as if she were a demon. Too terrified to argue, he scrambled to his feet and fled without another word.

Meng Xiuhua snorted dismissively. Dare to cause trouble on my turf? I’ll pluck you bald!

No one dared challenge her authority. After all, Meng Xiuhua was capable of murder. A woman who could keep the Village Chief in line was clearly no ordinary person.

Soon, the crowd dispersed, each returning to their homes. Only Meng Xiuhua remained, her face grim as she pounded on the door.

Fu Wanbai deliberately ignored her, prompting Meng Xiuhua to threaten to kick the door down. Hearing the commotion, Fu Wanbai expressionlessly opened the door.

She glanced at Meng Xiuhua and said coldly, “Come in. Don’t break the door; Zhiqing and I wouldn’t know how to fix it.”

Meng Xiuhua reluctantly squeezed inside, sneering, “Such theatrics.”

Seeing Meng Xiuhua always brought back memories of the past for Fu Wanbai, a fleeting wave of nostalgia washed over her. “What do you want?” she asked.

Meng Xiuhua frowned, pondering for a moment. “What do you plan to do with that girl?”

“She’s my daughter’s wife.”

“Foolish! I knew you’d fall for Lu’s nonsense. Do you really think a ‘joyous occasion’ can save Zhiqing?”

Fu Wanbai’s eyes turned icy and resolute. “Zhiqing is much better now. How can you say the ceremony was useless?”

“And what about later? Once she recovers, what will you do with the girl? Are you truly prepared to treat her as Zhiqing’s wife?”

Meng Xiuhua stared intently, pressing closer. “You’re still the same as when you were a child. I know you too well. As long as Zhiqing lives, the girl will live. But once Zhiqing…”

Fu Wanbai shoved her away, her eyes blazing red. “Yes, you’re right! I’ll kill Xiao Ju and bury her with Zhiqing! Just like before—when my sister died, you, her personal maid, had to die too!”

Meng Xiuhua gripped Fu Wanbai’s arm, her voice low and urgent. “I’m just a servant. Kill me if you must. My loyalty to my mistress makes me worthy of being buried with her. But will Zhiqing accept that little girl as a burial sacrifice? Second Miss, please think this through!”

Having said her piece, Meng Xiuhua released Fu Wanbai.

She refused to dwell on the Fu family’s past. Those old wounds had long since turned to dust, carried away by the wind. She was Meng Xiuhua now, no longer the maid of the Fu family’s eldest daughter. This warning was merely a final act of kindness from Meng Xiuhua. Sometimes, she selfishly wished it had been the Second Miss who died back then.

After marrying the Village Chief, she had left the Fu family. Even her husband remained unaware of the true nature of her relationship with Fu Wanbai. That was because Meng Xiuhua had finally given up on her.

As Meng Xiuhua turned to leave, she couldn’t resist one last remark. “Back then, you refused to listen to my advice and insisted on marrying that Liu woman into the Fu Family. Are you still unwilling to listen now, Second Miss? I hate you, but I won’t harm you.”

The heavy gate slammed shut. Fu Wanbai’s eyelashes trembled.

Tears streamed down her face as she buried her face in her hands, sobbing in anguish.

She hadn’t wanted this, but she couldn’t bear the thought of her daughter leaving this world alone and desolate.

Fu Wanbai was clear-headed enough to know that everything she was doing was futile. Yet she was willing to die within the dream she had woven, undeterred even by the harm it might cause to the innocent.

Li Ju, who was holding Fu Zhiqing close to keep her warm, suddenly felt a prickling heat in her ear. Someone must be thinking about me behind my back! she thought. Which bastard is plotting against me?

Fu Zhiqing’s arms tightened around Li Ju, her warm breath tickling Li Ju’s cheek. The sensation made Li Ju stare at her for a moment, until Fu Zhiqing’s eyes fluttered open.

“Are we almost there?”

Li Ju smiled. Fu Zhiqing slowly sat up in her arms, her cheeks flushed a rosy red from the warmth, making her look radiant and alive, no longer so gaunt.

“Can I go explore?”

“When we get to the Medical Hall, I’ll ask an apprentice pharmacist to accompany you.”

“I can go by myself!”

Fu Zhiqing gently touched the corner of Li Ju’s brow, smiling. “I know you’re capable, Xiao Ju, but Quanyang County is unfamiliar to you. I’d worry if you went alone. Having an apprentice pharmacist with you will put my mind at ease while I’m giving acupuncture at the Medical Hall.”

She spoke with gentle persuasion, knowing that Li Ju would only resist if she were forceful. It was precisely this tenderness that left Li Ju helpless.

Li Ju puffed out her cheeks, her bright eyes losing their stubbornness as she obediently nodded.

The female lead in this world is so kind, Li Ju thought.

As expected, the Host responds better to gentleness than force.

Li Ju wondered who wouldn’t like a beautiful and patient older sister? She was no exception.

“Good girl,” Fu Zhiqing said with a soft smile. Suddenly, an itch tickled her throat, instantly erasing her good mood.

She turned her head and pressed a handkerchief to her lips, coughing uncontrollably. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes from the discomfort.

Li Ju wrapped her arm around Fu Zhiqing’s slender shoulders, her expression a complex mix of emotions.

Seeing tears stream down Fu Zhiqing’s cheek, Li Ju gently wiped them away.

Fu Zhiqing weakly curved her beautiful eyes and whispered hoarsely, “I’m fine.”

Li Ju was grateful she was a mute, for at that moment, she couldn’t find any words to comfort Fu Zhiqing. They all seemed too hollow, too inadequate. Better to say nothing at all. Being mute spared her the agony of deciding whether to speak or remain silent.

She hugged Fu Zhiqing, unable to bear witnessing her fragility.

Fu Zhiqing sighed, a daily ritual born of melancholy and reluctance.

“I’ll get better,” she murmured.

Li Ju nodded.

The carriage halted. Fu Zhiqing kept the handkerchief pressed to her lips as she followed Li Ju out, the two entering the Medical Hall together.

However, Fu Zhiqing didn’t make it past the reception area. Li Ju was promptly ushered out.

Li Ju stood in the corridor, rubbing her ears. An apprentice pharmacist, who had been secretly watching her, whispered, “Where in Quanyang County would you like to visit, Miss?”

Li Ju spread her hands and mimed turning the pages of a book. The apprentice pharmacist’s eyes lit up—he understood!

“You want to go to the bookstore!”

Li Ju nodded.

The Apprentice Pharmacist tugged at her sleeve, eager to leave. “The bookstore is great!” he chirped. “They have all sorts of interesting storybooks. I can recommend a few for you!”

Li Ju smiled helplessly at the carefree Apprentice Pharmacist, then glanced uneasily at the door to the inner room.

Maybe I should just stay here?

“Sister Fu told me to show you around Quanyang County properly. Don’t worry, I won’t let you get bored for a single moment!”

Li Ju froze, picturing Fu Zhiqing, frail and ill, insisting the Apprentice Pharmacist keep her company. A sudden pang of guilt twisted her heart, making her feel deeply uncomfortable.

Am I being too heartless?

“Miss?” the Apprentice Pharmacist prompted. “Sister Fu said if you’re happy, she won’t feel the acupuncture as much.”

Li Ju didn’t turn back. She followed the Apprentice Pharmacist out of the Medical Hall.

If Fu Zhiqing doesn’t want me to see her in such a state, then I’ll be cheerful. She likes me being obedient, so I’ll do as she says.

Quanyang County buzzed with activity. Vendors hawked their wares, their voices rising and falling in a lively chorus. Even the normally quiet bookshops echoed with the chatter of men and women, their youthful energy filling the air.

Li Ju followed the Apprentice Pharmacist as they wandered through the bustling streets. When the Apprentice Pharmacist finally spotted the long-awaited shipment of her favorite novel, she excitedly reached for her purse to pay—she had to hurry before they sold out!

Li Ju patted her arm, gesturing for her to go ahead and pay while she browsed.

The Apprentice Pharmacist’s face lit up. “You’re the best, Sister Li Ju!” she called out.

Li Ju climbed the stairs to the second floor. She had barely taken a few steps when a sudden gasp erupted from below.

Uninterested, Li Ju continued searching for the novels she enjoyed. She had no idea that Zhang Huizhou, the male lead, had already arrived in Quanyang County.

“Huizhou, what am I supposed to say about you? Your luck is off the charts! You pick up a jade pendant, and a beautiful woman immediately appears to thank you. I’m so jealous!”

The man speaking on the left was already handsome, but Zhang Huizhou, standing beside him, was even more striking.

Zhang Huizhou waved his hand modestly. “It was nothing, really.”

Fan Changfeng clapped Zhang Huizhou on the shoulder with a mischievous grin. “Hey, buddy, when are you going to share some of that luck of yours? I want to be thanked by a beauty too!”

“Luck? There’s no such thing! It’s just that I enjoy helping people. It has nothing to do with luck,” Zhang Huizhou explained for the umpteenth time, but no one ever believed him. He’d found that jade pendant simply because he’d seen it—a perfectly straightforward explanation. Why did everyone insist on making it so complicated?

“We haven’t spent a single coin on this entire trip. We’ve survived entirely on other people’s generosity. I’d never dare run away from home without a penny if I weren’t with you.”

Zhang Huizhou sighed helplessly. “My mother suddenly wants to arrange a marriage for me. I had no choice but to run away. It’s such a ridiculous situation, yet you came with me. I’m worried that when we return to the Capital, Uncle will forbid us from seeing each other.”

Fan Changfeng had assumed Zhang Huizhou was worried about something serious. This?

He slapped Zhang Huizhou on the back with a hearty laugh, cutting to the truth. “Relax! My dad only let us leave the Capital because I was with you. You think the guards at the city gates are blind? They recognized us instantly!”

Zhang Huizhou felt something was off about his friend’s words, but he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Looking at Fan Changfeng’s sincere expression, he dismissed his suspicions as mere paranoia. How could his friend have befriended him out of ulterior motives?

“Young Master Zhang! Young Master Fan!”

Hearing a familiar female voice, Zhang Huizhou frowned, his brow furrowing in distress.

Fan Changfeng, ever perceptive, offered, “I’ll handle this. It’s not the first time. I could recite that whole routine in my sleep.”

Zhang Huizhou quickly bowed his thanks for the rescue. Fan Changfeng deliberately made himself conspicuous as he exited the bookstore. As expected, the girl waiting outside lit up at the sight of him. Though she hadn’t seen Zhang Huizhou, seeing his friend was a good enough consolation.

Meanwhile, Zhang Huizhou slipped out through the bookstore’s side entrance, while Li Ju left empty-handed.

“Sister, didn’t you like any of the storybooks here?”

Li Ju nodded. She had hoped to find some light reading to cheer up Fu Zhiqing, but she worried the stories might remind her of her dashed hopes of taking the Imperial Examination. In the end, she only bought a packet of candied fruit to take back to the Medical Hall.

When Li Ju saw Fu Zhiqing again, she noticed her complexion had worsened, her eyes now seemed devoid of their usual spark.

Alarmed, Li Ju immediately asked, “Are you alright?”

Fu Zhiqing nodded with a faint smile, her voice soft as she asked, “Did you have fun in Quanyang County?”

“Not at all. It’s no fun without you.”

Fu Zhiqing affectionately stroked Li Ju’s hair, her voice gentle. “Silly girl,” she murmured. “I’ll try to take you around Quanyang County myself someday.”

Hearing this, Li Ju felt a flicker of reassurance. As long as there was hope for the future, that was all that mattered.

Li Ju beamed, her radiant smile so sweet it seemed you could taste the sugary juice just by looking at it. Fu Zhiqing couldn’t resist pinching her cheek.

A lively Li Ju is so beautiful.

Fu Zhiqing led Li Ju out of the Medical Hall, but the physician hurried after them. The kind-faced woman doctor opened her mouth to speak, but Fu Zhiqing’s pleading gaze stopped her.

The doctor fell silent, understanding Fu Zhiqing’s silent request. She couldn’t bring herself to say a word.

Li Ju silently gripped Fu Zhiqing’s sleeve, afraid to even blink.

The wind and snow slowly swirled around them, stirring up a desolate chill.

Fu Zhiqing nodded at the doctor with a smile. “We’re leaving now. You should hurry back.”

Her icy fingers closed around Li Ju’s fingertips. Gazing at the falling snow, Fu Zhiqing said, “Xiao Ju, let’s go home. This snowstorm won’t wait for us. If we linger any longer, we might not make it back.”

Li Ju looked at the woman beside her, meeting her smiling eyes.

Li Ju awkwardly averted her gaze. It’s so cold, she thought, my nose is starting to sting.

But it wasn’t just the snowstorm that wouldn’t wait. Fu Zhiqing wouldn’t wait either.

Is she… dying?

She’s the female lead! How could she just… fade away like this? That’s absurd!

Li Ju looked up at the sky, detecting a hint of unease in Fu Zhiqing’s usually serene expression. For the first time, Li Ju, who knew the plot inside and out, felt a surge of panic.

She knew Fu Zhiqing wouldn’t die. She knew she would recover.

But worry clouded her judgment, and she found herself questioning the future plot with anxiety and doubt.

Because Fu Zhiqing was a living, breathing person. Even a withered leaf or a fallen petal could leave its mark on her. How much more so Fu Zhiqing herself? The calm Li Ju had always maintained around Fu Zhiqing had finally shattered.

“System No. 666.”

“Organize my points and open the shop!”

“What are you doing?!”

Li Ju smiled coquettishly, her tone haughty. “What’s it to you? Just open it.”

“Host, kill me now! If you dare take my points, I’ll… I’ll cry for you to see!”

Li Ju sighed helplessly. As expected of my little partner, she thought. He guessed what I was up to right away.

The points had to be moved. She could only temporarily inconvenience System 666.

“I’ll earn you tons of points later,” she promised, “a promise is a promise!”

“You’re no gentleman! You’re a big villain, a real evildoer!”

Li Ju puffed up her cheeks in indignation. How am I the villain this time? I’m just a worried little darling!

Fu Zhiqing gently touched Li Ju’s cheek, drawing her curious gaze.

“Your cheeks are all puffed up,” Fu Zhiqing said with a fond smile. “Who made you so angry?”

Li Ju noticed how much Fu Zhiqing loved to smile. Her smiles were radiant and unrestrained, reminding Li Ju of her former self.

Graceful as an orchid, noble as jade, pure as the wind, clear as the moon—all these qualities belong to her.

Li Ju nuzzled Fu Zhiqing’s finger.

“Nothing’s wrong.”

“Let’s go home.”

The wind and snow continued to swirl, but they felt no chill on their way home.

Fu Zhiqing nestled in Li Ju’s arms, both savoring the quiet moment.

By the time they arrived, darkness had fallen. Fu Wanbai rushed out to greet them, accompanied by the sweet-tongued Liu Xuandie. “Why are you so late this time?” Fu Wanbai scolded Li Ju.

Fu Zhiqing watched the coachman depart, then defended Li Ju, “I asked for the acupuncture session to be extended.”

Fu Wanbai looked her over with concern. “What did the doctor say today?”

Fu Zhiqing smiled. “I’m improving.”

“Thank heavens!”

Liu Xuandie’s words drew their attention. “Then that means Cousin-in-law is the real hero here!” she exclaimed excitedly. “Aunt, you can’t forget Cousin-in-law’s contribution!”

Li Ju’s smile froze slightly, feeling Fu Wanbai’s glare practically strangling her.

“Who else would remember my wife’s contributions if not me?” Fu Wanbai retorted. “And thank you for the reminder, Cousin. I happen to have a box of fragrant pills here—please accept them as a gift.”

Li Ju bit her lip to suppress a laugh. If you’re going to scold me, go all out! I love hearing it!