The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 10

Just as the thought of Fang Hai crossed her mind, his obnoxious, mocking voice drifted through the crowd.

His words were calculated; on the surface, they didn’t insult the Eldest Princess, but in reality, they ridiculed both of them. What “safety” could Qi Yu possibly be in danger of just by leaving the city? What “deep sea of love”? It was obviously about her trying to flee the marriage. The fact that Qi Yu had been caught red-handed only proved she was indeed audacious enough to try and run.

Qi Yu’s face remained cold as she took two steps back. Originally, she had intended to simply return home after learning the Princess had issued the order, but Fang Hai’s goading forced her to a halt.

“Why is Consort Qi so silent? Ah, right—the Eldest Princess has given the order. Would you even dare to defy it?” Fang Hai sneered. “Some people should just be happy they picked up a gold nugget. You ought to look in the mirror and see what kind of trash you are before trying any stunts. They say a good horse deserves a good saddle, but some people truly lack self-awareness. Trying to flee the marriage only to turn yourself into a joke.”

A bad horse naturally doesn’t get a good saddle. Fang Hai felt an immense wave of satisfaction. A useless waste of space paired with a disfigured, crippled Princess—it was a match made in heaven.

Everyone present knew the Eldest Princess’s face had been scarred years ago and that she had recently broken her legs. Looking at this “straw bag” of a girl from the Preceptor’s Estate—unskilled in both literature and martial arts, doing nothing but drinking and picking fights—they really were a perfect pair.

Even so, the onlookers silently agreed with Fang Hai. No matter how “diminished” the Princess was, she was still royalty. The Preceptor’s Estate was climbing the social ladder. To climb so high and yet not cherish it—even trying to flee—was indeed a lack of self-awareness.

It was one thing for everyone to think it, but another for Fang Hai to voice it so publicly. Qi Yu couldn’t let him cement the narrative that she was fleeing, or her plan for the wedding day would be ruined.

“Young Master Fang is right,” Qi Yu said. “I am fortunate to have the Princess’s favor. Our family should be celebrating in secret; why would I flee? It’s not right for you to make such baseless slanders.”

Fang Hai laughed loudly. “Slander? You’ve been intercepted right here by the Princess’s people. If it’s not fleeing, what is it?”

Qi Yu went quiet for a moment. She wanted to know too. “I simply wished to stay at our suburban estate for a few days with a friend. As for why the Princess blocked me, I don’t know. Perhaps Young Master Fang can tell me why?”

Does the Princess really think I’d flee? Am I that impulsive? Why would I seek death if I could escape safely later? I’m not an idiot. Is the original host’s reputation that of a reckless fool? Qi Yu strongly suspected she was right; otherwise, none of this made sense.

Fang Hai grew even more arrogant. After the eighth of next month, this woman would be the Prince Consort. If he wanted to vent his spite, he’d have to wait until the Second Prince succeeded; otherwise, he’d have to endure her. Now that he had such a golden opportunity, he wouldn’t let it go.

“Why else? The Princess is divinely prescient; she calculated that you would run!”

Qi Yu took a deep breath. This man was determined to pin the “fleeing” label on her head. “Young Master Fang, you must be responsible for your words. To falsely accuse me of defying an imperial edict and fleeing—the Preceptor’s Estate will certainly demand an explanation from His Majesty. Is this how the Minister of Rites teaches his children?”

Qi Yu thought that invoking the names of the Preceptor and Minister Fang would make Fang Hai stop. After all, while the younger generation didn’t get along, the two households maintained a facade of peace—not to mention she was about to become a Consort.

But was Fang Hai afraid? What did it matter if Qi Yu had the Eldest Princess’s backing? Everyone knew the Princess was out of the running for the throne. Who would accept a scarred, crippled Emperor? The Second Prince’s ascension was only a matter of time. As a future official with “merit of the dragon” (founding merit), why would Fang Hai fear a Consort who held only an empty title?

Furthermore, the Second Prince had always disliked the Eldest Princess. Fang Hai figured he was just helping the Prince by teaching her followers a lesson in advance.

“You even know my father is the Minister of Rites? What, you think bringing up your Preceptor father will make me flinch? A titled Preceptor with no rank and no right to attend court… I’m surprised you even have the face to mention him.”

Seeing Fang Hai’s relentless harrassment—and his childish “my dad is better than yours” routine—Qi Yu shook her head. Realizing it was useless to argue, she turned to Mama Li. “Mama Li, let’s go home.”

Seeing her heading back to the carriage, Fang Hai felt as though he had won a great battle. “Consort Qi! You look just like those four-legged creatures, rushing to hide back in your shell. Do you know what that is? Everyone, do you know what that is?”

His cronies laughed and chimed in. “What else could it be? A four-legged toad!”

Another shouted even louder, “Young Master Fang said it has four legs and likes to hide in a shell. It must be a shrinking turtle!”

Qi Yu’s foot stopped on the carriage step. She closed her eyes, trying to calm her breathing. Endure it and the waves will settle, she told herself. Then she whipped around. No. I absolutely cannot endure this.

“Fang Hai, do you truly wish to make an enemy of the Preceptor’s Estate?”

Seeing Qi Yu’s solemn expression, Fang Hai felt an instinctive flinch. The Preceptor’s Estate might be in decline, but the achievements of the former Preceptor could not be erased. However, remembering his backing—the Second Prince—he tilted his head back disdainfully. “I should be the one asking: Does Consort Qi wish to make an enemy of the Minister’s Estate?”

Qi Yu clenched her fists. It was so suffocating. If only she knew martial arts, she would beat this annoying Fang Hai into a pulp.

Fang Hai noticed her frustration and closed in. “What, is our Consort Qi speechless? With that expression, are you going to kill me? Oh, I’m so scared!”

The crowd erupted in laughter again. Fang Hai sneered and turned his back to her. “Today truly is a good day. Come, I’ll treat you all to drinks. Put it on my—GAHH!”

Before he could finish the sentence, a foot flew out of nowhere and slammed into his mouth. Fang Hai clutched his face, hot tears springing to his eyes instantly. Two teeth, mixed with blood, fell into his palm.

“Who did—UGH! Princess, have mercy! Have mercy!” The moment Fang Hai opened his mouth, Han Shui kicked him again. Behind her stood the masked Eldest Princess, sitting in her wheelchair.

The surrounding crowd instantly fell to their knees. The Princess looked at Qi Yu—the only one who hadn’t knelt. For a fleeting second, their eyes met. In Qi Yu’s gaze, she saw anger, humiliation, and defiance—so many hidden emotions.

The Princess suddenly felt she should have let Han Shui act sooner.

She retracted her gaze and looked at Fang Hai, who was trembling on the ground. “Since you know to call her ‘Consort Qi,’ you should know that the Consort and I share honor and disgrace. Whatever my Consort is, I am as well. So, you think I look like a turtle? Or, in your words, a crippled one?”

Fang Hai didn’t dare cover his mouth anymore. He kowtowed repeatedly, his speech slurred. “This lowly one dares not! I dare not! I dare not!”

The Princess glanced toward Qi Yu again. “Everyone, rise. I will not make things difficult for you.”

Hearing this, Fang Hai’s heart settled, though his legs were still too weak from terror to stand.

Qi Yu watched this, a coldness in her eyes. The Eldest Princess and these noble scions weren’t all that different in their use of power. She looked up at the sky. For some reason, her heart felt exhausted. Without another word, she climbed into the carriage.

The feeling of having her expectations crushed was too painful. She shouldn’t have placed hope in anyone.

Seeing her retreat into the carriage, the Princess turned back to the crowd and the onlookers. “I heard the Consort was heading out of the city to meet a friend, so I sent people to wait here. I intended to go with her to meet her friends. I didn’t expect it to cause such a great misunderstanding.”

Then, she looked at Fang Hai, who had just been helped to his feet. Her voice turned ice-cold. “You were only half right about one thing. The one making an enemy of your Minister’s Estate isn’t the Preceptor’s Estate—it is my Princess’s Estate. Go back and tell Minister Fang: for the insult the Consort and I suffered today, I will certainly demand an explanation from him during the morning court the day after tomorrow.”

Inside the carriage, Mama Li climbed in only to find her Young Lady’s eyes brimming with tears. Qi Yu was weeping silently. Mama Li’s heart ached, and she pulled Qi Yu into her arms. “Don’t be afraid, Miss. Nanny is here. Don’t be afraid. The Princess has already taught them a lesson. The Princess… she is a good person.”

Qi Yu turned her head away and wiped her tears. “I’m fine, Mama Li. Keep your voice down, don’t let others hear.”

She didn’t know what was wrong with her. When she heard that sentence—“The one making an enemy of your Minister’s Estate… is my Princess’s Estate”—her eyes had just stung uncontrollably. And then, the tears came.

Mama Li patted Qi Yu’s back and teased gently, “You’re right, Miss. Keep it down. The Princess’s carriage is following right behind us. We can’t let her hear you.”

“Mama Li, I’m tired. I want to sleep for a bit.” Qi Yu closed her eyes, pretending to nap. Her mind, however, was still on the Princess. Meeting a friend? Accompanied me? Yeah, right. She just feared I’d flee and came specifically to block me.

Upon arriving at the suburban estate, Qi Yu stepped down from the carriage. She considered going back to assist the Princess, but remembering the woman was faking the injury, she stayed her feet.

“Qi Yu! My sister, you’ve hit the big time! Don’t forget me once you move into the Princess’s Estate. I told you, she must have a secret crush on you, she’s after your—Wait, what’s wrong with your eye? Is it twitching? Is it—GAH! This lowly one greets the Eldest Princess!”

Chu Chanyi hadn’t even finished her sentence when she saw Qi Yu blinking frantically. She looked back and saw the Princess descending from her carriage, causing her to drop to her knees instantly.

I’ll never talk behind someone’s back again! I didn’t say anything offensive just now, did I?

Qi Yu glanced at the cowering Chu Chanyi, then at the Princess. “She’s just like that—talks without thinking. I hope the Princess won’t take offense.”

“Rise. She said nothing wrong; why would I take offense?” The Princess looked at Qi Yu, a faint smile gracing her lips. Her clear eyes were like stars in the dark night, making it hard for anyone to look away.

“Ahem… Consort Qi, where shall our Princess rest?” Han Shui interrupted the moment, breaking their eye contact. The Princess is definitely blind. She’s actually starting to find Qi Yu pleasant to look at.

However, no one paid her any attention. Han Shui felt the suffocating sensation of being ignored. She took a deep breath and shouted: “Consort! Our Princess is staying the night! Where is she sleeping?!”