The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 10

On a summer night, the sun had set, and the lingering heat in the air finally dissipated somewhat.

The night market was ablaze with lights, every household adorned with colorful lanterns that transformed the dim streets into a dazzling spectacle.

From a distance, a man and a woman approached. The man had delicate features, his jet-black long hair tied up high, dressed in pristine white robes embroidered with shimmering cloud patterns that glowed brilliantly under the lanterns elegant yet understated.

Beside him, the woman had her brown hair neatly tied back with a red ribbon. Her pearl-white jacket complemented the man’s plain attire, while her deep-red scholar’s skirt added a touch of liveliness. Her bangs fell naturally over her forehead, framing a pair of innocent almond-shaped eyes.

Such a striking pair naturally drew many glances on the bustling street.

Brown hair was a hallmark of the demon race, and everyone knew Chi Jinnian’s identity. Yet, they wondered who the man beside her could be, to have the esteemed young mistress of the demon realm willingly follow his lead.

“Shizun,” Chi Jinnian called out to Yuan Shao. She pointed ahead excitedly. “There’s a huge crowd up there! Let’s go take a look!”

Yuan Shao glanced back. It seemed to be the liveliest spot on the entire street, where people were packed shoulder to shoulder, barely able to move except with the flow of the crowd.

“It’s too crowded. We might get separated,” Yuan Shao frowned. “Maybe we should”

“Shizun, just hold my hand!” Before Yuan Shao could finish, Chi Jinnian interrupted, naturally intertwining their fingers. “This way, we won’t lose each other!”

Chi Jinnian had already planned this. If she wanted to promote Yihui Hall, she needed the busiest, most crowded place for the best effect. So, precisely because it was packed, she had to go. Moreover, she had scouted ahead, the most congested area had a two-story teahouse, its second floor designed like an open stage, undoubtedly the prime “performance” spot on the street. If she could advertise there, the impact would be unmatched. Her people were already waiting, ready for their entrance.

Today, no matter what, she had to get Yuan Shao there. Even if she had to trick her into it.

Hand in hand, Chi Jinnian pulled Yuan Shao into the crowd.

She led the way while Yuan Shao followed closely behind.

Occasionally, the surge of people would push them apart, but the warmth of their linked hands would always bring them back together. At times, the crowd would press their shoulders against each other. From this angle, Yuan Shao, half a head taller, could see the lantern light casting delicate shadows beneath Chi Jinnian’s long lashes.

She was so small, everything about her seemed petite. Already lively by nature, she looked even more adorable squeezed among the crowd. Her tiny frame, her small shoulders, her little hands, her dainty ears… The sparkling ornament on her earlobe caught Yuan Shao’s gaze, entrancing her. Such a delicate ear paired with such an exquisite accessory was unexpectedly harmonious.

It wasn’t until Chi Jinnian called her name for the fourth time that Yuan Shao snapped out of her daze.

“Shizun!” Chi Jinnian waved a hand in front of Yuan Shao’s eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell from the crowd?”

“N-No, nothing’s wrong.” Yuan Shao clenched her empty hand into a fist and lightly coughed, pressing it to her lips.

“Master, why is your face so red?” Chi Jinnian asked, puzzled.

“P-Perhaps it’s because there are so many people here, it’s a bit hot.”

This wasn’t entirely false, Yuan Shao really did feel somewhat warm, her cheeks slightly burning.

Chi Jinnian was skeptical. Didn’t you just say you weren’t uncomfortable because of the crowd? But she didn’t voice her doubt. Instead, she changed the subject, saying, “Master, there’s a teahouse over there!” She pointed to the “stage” she had prepared in advance and suggested considerately, “It’s less crowded there. Let’s go sit for a while!”

Yuan Shao didn’t reply but nodded slowly in agreement.

Once inside the teahouse, the waiter led them to the second floor and seated them at a table by the street.

This spot had been arranged by Chi Jinnian beforehand, even the lanterns here were two more than at the other tables, all to illuminate the stage brightly under the night sky.

“Master,” Chi Jinnian flipped through the menu. “Although it’s hot, cold tea can be harsh on the body. How about we order a pot of Longjing tea? It helps relieve summer heat.”

Yuan Shao gave a soft hum of agreement. She didn’t particularly care what tea they ordered. Sitting on the second floor, the open surroundings and the gentle night breeze made her feel much more comfortable. It seemed she wasn’t as warm anymore.

Chi Jinnian ordered a pot of Longjing tea and casually selected a few plates of snacks and pastries. Then she sat across from Yuan Shao, propping her chin in her hands, her eyes openly appraising Yuan Shao from head to toe, a faint smile curling at her lips.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Yuan Shao finally asked, unable to sit still under such scrutiny.

“I’m looking at Master’s hair.”

“My hair?” Yuan Shao touched the silver hair clasp securing her ponytail at the back of her head. “My hair is just plain black. It’s not as pretty as yours.”

“But I think Master’s is prettier.” Chi Jinnian’s smile widened. “Master is beautiful everywhere your hair, your eyes, your nose, your lips…”

Chi Jinnian listed Yuan Shao’s virtues one by one. Of course, this wasn’t mere flattery. As the novel’s female lead, Yuan Shao’s beauty naturally surpassed that of all other female characters.

“But” Chi Jinnian’s tone shifted. “This hair clasp on Master’s head is too rough. It doesn’t suit someone as ethereal as you.”

As she spoke, Chi Jinnian pulled out a slender brocade box from who-knows-where. The pearwood box carried a faint fragrance. When opened, it revealed a plain white jade hairpin, its end carved into the shape of a cloud, perfectly matching the cloud patterns on Yuan Shao’s robes.

“This is”

“I happened to come across it today and thought it suited Master’s temperament perfectly, so I bought it. Do you like it, Master?”

Happened to come across it? In truth, Chi Jinnian had combed through the entire storeroom of Yihui Hall and finally found this treasure in a triple-locked box belonging to the old shopkeeper.

At the time, the shopkeeper had been moved to tears upon discovering the jade hairpin missing: “Young Mistress, couldn’t you have picked something else? This is our shop’s most prized treasure! Do you know that even if we sold all the bracelets piled in that corner, they wouldn’t amount to even 30% of this hairpin’s value?”

Chi Jinnian patted the shopkeeper’s shoulder and comforted him with downcast eyes, “Shopkeeper, you can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing a child. Tell me, if that distinguished gentleman were seen wearing an ordinary piece from your Yihui Hall, who would be embarrassed? It would undoubtedly be your Yihui Hall! Even without this hairpin, that gentleman would still be a dignified gentleman, but as for your Yihui Hall. tsk tsk ” Chi Jinnian didn’t continue, leaving ample room for the shopkeeper’s imagination to run wild.

“Shopkeeper, you surely know which is more important, right?”

With things put this way, the old shopkeeper had no choice but to nod reluctantly, tears welling in his eyes.

Yuan Shao gently stroked the jade hairpin in the brocade box. The jade was smooth and warm to the touch, seemingly imbued with a faint spiritual energy. After touching it, she felt as if her entire being had become more refined, it was undoubtedly a superior magical artifact.

At that moment, one of the four stand-ins from Chi Jinnian’s palace, disguised as a waiter named Anan, wobbled over with a tray. Having spent his days in the Peach Garden studying music, chess, calligraphy, and painting to win Chi Jinnian’s favor, he could barely manage to carry a few plates of snacks steadily now.

Seizing the perfect moment, Chi Jinnian took out the jade hairpin and walked behind Yuan Shao without hesitation. “Let me put this on for you, Master!”

“No need, no need, this is too precious.”

Before Yuan Shao could refuse, the hairpin was already nestled in her hair. Chi Jinnian deftly styled the bun she had practiced all afternoon with Caiwei and Caiyue, securing it with the jade hairpin. “Master, this hairpin is a magical artifact. Consider it a pact between us from now on, only you can wear it. No one else will be able to use it!”

Yuan Shao touched the hairpin lightly. Under the night sky, the pristine white jade emitted a soft glow.

“It looks beautiful, Master,” Chi Jinnian said with a smile.

“I think so too. This hairpin is lovely, but please don’t spend so much in the future,” Yuan Shao replied. She already felt like an unworthy master and couldn’t bear the thought of her disciple spending money so freely on her.

But Chi Jinnian acted as if she hadn’t heard. “The hairpin is beautiful, and so is the person!”

With that, she shot a glance at Anan, who had just finished setting out the tea and pastries. Understanding her cue, Anan launched into his script.

“Oh! Miss, that spiritual hairpin it’s from Yihui Hall, isn’t it?”

“You’ve got a sharp eye, young man. Indeed, it’s from Yihui Hall,” Chi Jinnian replied, deliberately emphasizing the name.

Anan continued, “I’ve heard that spiritual accessories from Yihui Hall require a divine mark to purchase. A person can only buy one in their lifetime! You bought this hairpin for this gentleman, does that mean you’ve chosen him as your destined one?”

Their conversation wasn’t just heard by everyone in the teahouse, even those downstairs could hear it clearly.

Already drawing attention as a striking pair, especially with the woman being the young mistress of the demon realm, their exchange naturally became the center of everyone’s focus.

“Of course!” Chi Jinnian declared boldly. “A gentleman this handsome is hard to find even with a lantern. Since I’ve met her, I must hold on tight and not let her slip away! Besides, having her alone is more than enough, why would I need anyone else?”

Chi Jinnian realized her enthusiasm had been a bit too much, her voice perhaps a tad too loud. She quickly lowered it to a volume only the two of them could hear, adding softly, “Master, one is enough for me. I will never acknowledge anyone else as my teacher.”

Her gaze was fervent, her attitude sincere.

Yuan Shao felt her cheeks, which had just cooled in the evening breeze, suddenly grow warm again.

She had treated this little disciple so harshly in the past, constantly reprimanding her, often speaking insultingly, even refusing to teach her techniques. Yet the girl had forgiven her unconditionally and remained steadfastly loyal. Yuan Shao truly couldn’t fathom what kind of wretched person she had been before losing her memory.

And how could someone as flawed as her deserve such unwavering devotion from this little disciple, who followed her so foolishly and willingly?

“I ,I your master.” Yuan Shao stammered for a long while but couldn’t find the right words.

Then, a commotion downstairs interrupted her.

It not only caught Yuan Shao’s attention but also drew the eyes of everyone present.

“Ah, so this is why you refused to buy me jewelry from Yihui Hall—you’ve already bought some for another girl!” Caiwei’s voice was full of authority as she shoved Axi to the ground.

Axi, stammering and tongue-tied, opened his mouth but couldn’t get a word out. Caiwei was the first to act, snatching the heart-shaped stone hanging from a red cord at her waist. “This worthless trinket, you probably bought a whole batch to hand out to everyone!” With that, she hurled the stone to the ground. “Get lost! Don’t ever show your face in front of me again!”

Then, without looking back, she stormed off with an air of finality.

Next, Caiyue, who had been hiding in the crowd, took Abei’s arm and said coyly, “I’d love some jewelry from Yihui Hall too. Would you be willing to buy me a piece, my lord?”

Abei gently held her hand and nodded slowly.

Finally, Adong, disguised as a street vendor selling pancakes, fanned the flames: “I heard Yihui Hall’s jewelry has been selling so well these past few days that their stock is running low. If you want some, you’d better hurry once it’s gone, it’s gone!”

At these words, Abei grabbed Caiyue’s hand and pushed through the crowd. “Quick, let’s go now! We can’t let others get there first!”

On the eve of the Qixi Festival, most of the people out on the streets were couples. Witnessing this scene, they all rushed toward Yihui Hall. In the blink of an eye, the once-bustling area beneath the teahouse was left with only the street vendors on either side.

Chi Jinnian was overjoyed this was exactly the outcome she had hoped for!

Unable to suppress the smile at the corners of her eyes, she refocused and poured Yuan Shao a cup of tea, then pushed the plate of taro pastries toward her. “These taro pastries are famous here, Master. You should try one.”

Seeing the sweet girl across from her smiling so happily, Yuan Shao couldn’t help but curve her lips in response and softly agreed.

Yet no one noticed the shadowy figure lurking in a corner of the street, its dark gaze fixed intently on them.