The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 11

“Huh? Oh… Princess, please come in. Mama Li, please make the arrangements.” Qi Yu quickly stepped aside, averting her eyes from the Eldest Princess sitting in her wheelchair.

This woman’s acting was simply too good. Qi Yu wailed inwardly: The “Second Villain” is actually trying to seduce me with her beauty! As the “First Villain,” I almost lost my head because of a pretty face.

If she hadn’t read the original novel, she might have actually believed the Eldest Princess was secretly in love with her.

Han Shui curled her lip and pushed the wheelchair into the courtyard, following Mama Li. Qi Yu and Chu Chanyi remained at the gate, staring at each other in a daze.

“Do you think the Princess heard what I said?” Chu Chanyi patted her chest, paralyzed by an aftershock of fear. She particularly regretted the line about the Princess having a crush. From now on, I must watch my words.

Qi Yu stole a glance at the figure disappearing into the house. “She probably heard. Why else would she have played along with your ‘secret crush’ theory?”

“Played along? I’m doomed! Will the Princess be so humiliated by my words that she seeks revenge?” Chu Chanyi thought back to the rumors of the Princess knocking Fang Hai’s teeth out and declaring the Minister’s Estate an enemy.

Princesses were truly terrifying. Chu Chanyi was just a minor figure living under her uncle’s roof; she couldn’t afford to offend someone like that.

Qi Yu’s forehead was practically covered in invisible black lines. “You’re overthinking it.” She wanted to clarify that there was no “crush” or “hidden feelings,” but before she could speak, the maid who had kicked Fang Hai into a pulp approached them. The two friends exchanged a look and immediately shut their mouths.

“Consort, the Princess requests your presence to discuss the sleeping arrangements for the night.” Han Shui bowed respectfully to Qi Yu. Although she felt the Preceptor’s daughter wasn’t worthy of her mistress, she maintained proper etiquette.

Qi Yu froze for a moment before replying uncertainly, “No need for such formality. Let us go in; we shouldn’t keep the Princess waiting.” Dealing with people in this era was exhausting. Without waiting for Han Shui’s reaction, she hurried into the courtyard.

The carriages, servants, and followers remained outside the gates. Inside, only Mama Li and the Princess were talking. Seeing Qi Yu enter, Mama Li spoke up. “Miss, excluding the servant quarters, there are only three guest rooms. The Princess says the arrangements are up to you.”

Qi Yu immediately felt her guard go up. Does this villainous Princess have another motive? Dealing with ancients was not only superficial but also mentally taxing.

She looked at the approaching Chu Chanyi and an idea struck her. “How about this: Mama Li, the Princess, and the Princess’s maid will each take a room. Chanyi can just stay with me.”

Mama Li looked at the Princess and then, as if possessed, added, “But Miss… every room only has one bed. Even your bedroom only has one bed.”

“That’s fine. The two of us can just share a bed.”

Qi Yu answered casually, but Han Shui immediately voiced her objection. “Absolutely not!”

Seeing everyone look at her, Han Shui stole a glance at the Eldest Princess. Seeing the Princess’s expression remained indifferent, she plucked up her courage and continued, “The Consort is about to have a grand wedding with our Princess. At such a time, it is improper to share a room with someone else. Isn’t that right, Mama Li?”

Mama Li nodded in agreement. “Miss Han Shui is right. It is inappropriate. Miss Chu should come to my room instead; I’ll just sleep on the floor.”

Among this group, Mama Li was Qi Yu’s nanny, but she was still a servant. Even Han Shui, as the Princess’s personal maid, held a higher status. Thus, it was only “proper” for Mama Li to sleep on the floor.

Qi Yu pursed her lips. Mama Li was over fifty years old. Although she was in good health, sleeping on the floor at her age was a recipe for catching a cold or falling ill.

After a month in this world, Qi Yu still couldn’t get used to treating servants as sub-human. She would rather sleep on the floor herself.

“Mama Li, stay with me. The bed in my room is large; it’s more than enough for two people.”

Not expecting Qi Yu to object, the Eldest Princess’s eyebrows arched slightly. “There is a distinction between master and servant. Actually, there is another way.”

“Princess…” Han Shui looked at her mistress, her expression full of hesitation. They weren’t married yet! Han Shui wanted to say it was improper, but no one in the courtyard had the right to oppose the Princess. If the Princess wanted to share a bed with Qi Yu early, no one would dare stop her.

Mama Li gulped and averted her eyes. She was suddenly “old and blind” and hadn’t heard a thing.

Chu Chanyi’s mouth hung open in shock. She even secretly pinched her thigh. How scandalous! The Eldest Princess is truly extraordinary. Will this become a royal secret? Will I be silenced for knowing this? Royals are truly terrifying!

Qi Yu was equally stunned. She stammered, gathering her courage, “Isn’t this… a bit too hasty? Although the Princess and I will wed next month, we haven’t officially bowed to Heaven and Earth yet. If word gets out, it might harm… harm the Princess’s reputation.”

The Eldest Princess frowned slightly. Realizing their expressions were strange, she caught on to their misunderstanding and let out a light laugh. “The Consort has misunderstood. My meaning was that Mama Li is an elder; how could we let her sleep on the floor? Instead, let Han Shui sleep on the floor in my room for the night.”

“Oh, that won’t do! We can’t let Miss Han Shui sleep on the floor. I’ll do it,” Mama Li protested, not daring to act like an elder in front of the Princess.

The Princess’s star-like eyes turned toward Mama Li. Sensing the nanny’s fear, her tone softened. “Mama Li, as you know, my legs are not well. Han Shui usually attends to me personally. If I am alone, it would be quite inconvenient. Therefore, please rest comfortably on the bed.”

“That’s right! I’m young and sturdy,” Han Shui chimed in, catching her mistress’s drift. “Besides, I need to look after the Princess during the night. Mama Li, please put your mind at ease.”

Although Han Shui outranked Mama Li in status, Mama Li was Qi Yu’s nanny—effectively an elder in spirit. As a clever maid, Han Shui knew not to act arrogant, lest she disgrace the Princess’s Estate.

With that, Mama Li had no more arguments. Qi Yu and Chu Chanyi exchanged a glance. The Eldest Princess seemed… surprisingly gentle and reasonable? Recalling their earlier “scandalous” misunderstanding, the two of them just wanted to flee the scene.

Seeing their frantic eye contact and embarrassed faces, the Princess caught their little scheme. “I am tired as well. Han Shui, push me inside for a nap. Consort, Miss Chu, please make yourselves at home.”

“Yes… we shall take our leave. Qi Yu takes her leave.” The two bowed quickly and practically bolted into the study.

“Look at you! We’re in the Preceptor’s Estate’s own villa, but you’re acting like the Eldest Princess is the master of the house!” Once inside the study, Chu Chanyi cautiously shut the door and finally exhaled.

Being around the Princess was too tense. She felt an invisible pressure. Is this the legendary ‘imperial aura’?

Qi Yu glanced at her. “Tell me about it. I’m in my own house, yet I feel like an unwelcome guest.”

She sighed and turned serious. “Chanyi, I invited you here because I have a great favor to ask. You are the only person in this world I truly trust. You must help me.” She couldn’t tell the whole truth, so she had to weave a story.

“Just say it! We’re like sisters. If I can help, I won’t refuse.” Seeing Qi Yu’s solemn face, Chu Chanyi dropped her playful attitude.

Qi Yu decided to keep her plan to flee a secret for now. She softened her expression. “It’s nothing major. When you come to the Princess’s Estate on my wedding day, could you secretly bring me a few things?”

She knew from Mama Li that the wedding robes were custom-made, and palace matrons would be there to dress her. She would have no chance to hide anything on her person.

Her only hope was Chu Chanyi.

“What things? You aren’t still thinking of running away, are you?” Chu Chanyi asked cautiously. If they were caught, would she be arrested as an accomplice? But for her sister, she’d help even at the risk of disaster.

She paused, then tried to persuade her: “Why don’t you just give in? The Princess seems like a good person. Maybe her face has a scar, but you can just not remove her veil. Her eyes alone are very beautiful, don’t you think?”

Qi Yu: “…” Is that human speech? ‘Just give in’? ‘The eyes are beautiful’? Am I really that superficial?

Indeed, it was right not to tell her the whole truth. This “sister” was unreliable!

Qi Yu smiled gently. “Where is your head? I want to prepare a surprise for the Princess. Lately, go and find out if the Princess’s Estate has hired any opera troupes or outside chefs for the wedding. Just find out who is coming from the outside, and help me secretly bring in a set of their clothes.”

“And you say you’re not running away? You’re going to mix in with them to leave, aren’t you?” Chu Chanyi said crossly. Does she think I’m an idiot? This is obviously an escape plan. How is this a ‘surprise’?

Qi Yu continued to bluff with a straight face. “Run away? Why would I run? I’m going to change into those clothes and hide among the guests to give the Princess a surprise. I want everyone in the capital to know she didn’t choose the wrong person.”

What kind of good end can two villains have together? Qi Yu thought. The book says the Princess’s legs are eventually broken for real and her face is truly destroyed. And me, the ‘First Villain,’ will be left without a whole corpse. Just thinking about it gives me the creeps.

So, I have to run. Run as far away from the capital as possible.

Chu Chanyi: “…”

She really thinks I’m an idiot. However, she decided to play along. “Fine, I’ll bring them in for you. Good sister… take care of yourself. Just don’t get caught. I’m afraid the Princess will actually break your legs.”