The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 12

Qi Yu was speechless. For the first time, she felt that Chu Chanyi’s IQ was actually quite high—the girl was surprisingly difficult to fool.

Qi Yu frowned and said earnestly, “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” With her modern makeup skills, once she left the capital and changed her appearance, she could go wherever she pleased.

The next day, the Eldest Princess and her entourage were prepared to return to the city. Looking at Qi Yu and Chu Chanyi, who clearly couldn’t wait for her to leave, the Princess let out a light chuckle. “Tomorrow, I shall go to the morning court to demand justice from Minister Fang. I wonder, to what extent does the Consort wish for me to go?”

To what extent?

Qi Yu’s face was a total blank. She glanced at Chu Chanyi, who shook her head, equally confused.

Beside them, Han Shui rolled her eyes. She would have to step in. “The Princess means: how do you want to retaliate? To what degree should the punishment be?” As expected, no one understood the Princess better than she did.

Qi Yu remained silent; she genuinely hadn’t thought that far ahead.

Seeing the silence, Chu Chanyi worried that Qi Yu was too focused on her escape plan to answer. Realizing the Princess was waiting for a response, she plucked up her courage to bail her friend out. “Naturally, we should retaliate ruthlessly! Make Fang Hai learn a lesson he’ll never forget, right?”

Qi Yu instinctively nodded, then added, “Yes, exactly.”

The Eldest Princess remained calm. “I will ensure they learn their lesson. I will let those restless people know that no one is permitted to bully my Consort.”

Qi Yu’s eyebrows arched slightly, her gaze drifting toward the Princess’s face. For a moment, she felt this villain wasn’t bad at all; she even had the fleeting illusion of being truly protected.

Chu Chanyi covered her mouth. Heavens, what a legendary crush! The Princess is too good to Qi Yu. She found herself wishing for a princess like that—unfortunately, the Kingdom of Baiyue only had one. Otherwise, she’d definitely try her best to become a Prince Consort next time.

Noticing a strange, mismatched look in Qi Yu’s eyes, the Princess chuckled softly. “Leaving the Consort alone in the suburbs makes me uneasy. Therefore, I shall leave several guards from the Princess’s Estate behind to ensure your safety.”

“There’s really no need!” Qi Yu immediately refused, her voice sharp. She had planned to act like a willing bride-to-be before the wedding and then “disappear” to minimize suspicion of fleeing.

Now, things were going south. First, she was blocked at the city gate; now, her courtyard was to be guarded. It was as if they were telling the whole world she was a flight risk.

The Princess’s lips curved upward beneath her veil. “The Consort need not decline. Consider this a gesture of my affection. Until the wedding, they shall remain by your side. I imagine no one will dare disrespect you again once they see them.”

Qi Yu pursed her lips. A moment ago, she had felt a tiny spark of gratitude for being “protected.” What protection? She’s just keeping me under surveillance! That black-hearted villain.

Once the Princess’s group departed, Chu Chanyi looked on with envy. “Qi Yu, look how well the Princess treats you. Where else would you find someone so deeply in love? Just stop making a fuss and stay.”

Qi Yu nearly choked on her own breath. “I believe your—” She stopped mid-sentence as she saw the Princess’s guards taking their positions inside and outside the courtyard.

Taking a deep breath, Qi Yu forced a smile and continued, “Yes, quite right. I believe you. I will treat the Princess well in return.”

I believe your nonsense! If she actually fell for this “deeply in love” act, she wouldn’t be the Prince Consort—she’d be a Grade-A idiot.

Chu Chanyi sighed and shook her head, muttering to herself, “Sigh, I’m so envious. Yet some people just don’t know when they’re well-off.”

Qi Yu: “…” Does she still not believe me? Why is this girl smart when she shouldn’t be, and a fool when it actually matters?

“Don’t worry, I’ll head back now and take care of what you asked. Take care of yourself, sister.” Chu Chanyi glanced at the fierce-looking guards in the yard. She thought to herself that this “deep sea of love” wasn’t something a normal person could endure—watching the courtyard like they were guarding a fugitive.

The Princess was great in every way, but she kept Qi Yu on too tight a leash. After the wedding, Qi Yu would likely have no freedom at all. Thinking of this, Chu Chanyi felt a sliver of understanding for Qi Yu’s actions. Freedom was most important, so she decided she would help after all.

Qi Yu nearly suffocated again. If you’re going to leave, just leave! Why mention the “task” I gave you? Don’t you see the Princess’s people are listening? If they get suspicious, they’ll deal with you first!

She composed herself and said, “Yes, go quickly. Be… be safe.” She signaled with her eyes: Do it secretly! Don’t be flashy! Sister, your brains better be ‘online’ this time!

The next day, during the morning court session.

As the session drew to a close, a report came from outside: The Eldest Princess requested an audience.

The Emperor looked puzzled. His daughter had never liked court politics and had almost never set foot in the Golden Throne Hall since reaching adulthood. Why was she seeking an audience now?

Intrigued, he said, “Grant her entry.”

“Summon the Eldest Princess to the hall!”

The sound of Han Shui pushing the wheelchair approached from the distance. Within moments, the Princess arrived. Among the officials, some gripped their jade tablets tightly, stealing glances at the Princess and the Second Prince.

Minister Fang felt cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. The Second Prince had promised to act according to the situation and speak up for him, but what if there was no chance to plead for mercy? Though the Princess never meddled in court affairs, she was the Emperor’s favorite. Fortunately, he was prepared; at worst, he’d face a stern reprimand.

There are no fathers or sons in the court. The Emperor gave a look, and the Head Eunuch, Manager Lin, called out, “What matter does the Eldest Princess wish to present?”

The Princess lifted her hand from the wheelchair. With Han Shui’s support, she stood up and, under the gaze of everyone, knelt down. She raised her head and said, “Your daughter seeks an audience today to demand justice for the Princess’s Estate and the Consort. I ask Imperial Father to judge clearly.”

Seeing her kneel, the Emperor was so concerned he almost stood up. He sat back halfway and barked, “Imperial Daughter, rise quickly! Xiao Linzi, hurry, go take the memorial!”

The Princess remained kneeling firmly until Manager Lin jogged over to take the document. Only then, with Han Shui’s help, did she sit back in her wheelchair.

The Emperor took the memorial. Even knowing that whatever brought the Princess to court must be significant, he was still infuriated. He slammed the scroll down and roared, “Outrageous! Minister Fang, your Household Minister’s Estate is quite bold!” To dare say they would make an enemy of the Princess’s Estate? Absolutely outrageous!

“Your Majesty, please appease your anger!” The officials knelt in unison. Some had heard of Fang Hai’s provocation at the city gate and glanced at the Second Prince, as the Ministry of Households had always been his staunch supporter.

Other officials, unaware of the details, looked at the Minister of Households, confused as to what his family could have done to provoke the Princess and her Consort to the point of enraging the Emperor.

“Minister Fang, do you have anything to say?” The Emperor quelled his anger, already weighing how to handle this. His daughter had written that Fang Hai even insulted the Consort—he wondered if the Imperial family’s dignity had been compromised.

Minister Fang crawled to the center of the hall, crying out, “Your Majesty, please appease your anger! My son is crude; those were all unintentional words!”

Beneath her veil, a cold sneer played on the Princess’s lips. The old man’s acting isn’t bad. She lowered her eyes and said calmly, “Minister Fang’s son is twenty-one years old.”

A twenty-one-year-old ‘child’? Or twenty-one-year-old ‘unintentional’ words?

Seeing the Princess strike directly, Minister Fang kowtowed repeatedly. “Your Majesty, Princess, please appease your anger! My son and the Consort had a brief disagreement, which led to his crude words. He meant no disrespect!”

The Second Prince took a step forward. “Imperial Father, I believe this is merely a private grievance between Minister Fang’s son and the Consort. It would be better to have them both stay home and reflect. Bringing such a matter to the court is… unseemly.”

The Emperor remained silent and looked at the Eldest Princess.

A flash of coldness crossed the Princess’s eyes. Her constant concessions had only invited further encroachment. She looked at the Second Prince and said softly, “Does Imperial Brother think the Consort should also be grounded? Do you know what Fang Hai said in public at the city gate?”

The Second Prince clenched his fists. His ‘good’ Imperial Sister finally couldn’t take it anymore. She wanted to strike at the Ministry of Households? Fine. After years of peace, a confrontation was inevitable. “Imperial Brother believes this remains a private grudge. Imperial Sister should not interfere.”

The Princess closed her eyes, the light in her gaze fading until only a deep, dark abyss remained. She looked at the Emperor. “Imperial Father, you are burdened with ten thousand matters daily. I did not wish to trouble you, but Fang Hai’s words were truly excessive. Even if I ordered him disciplined, the dignity of the Princess’s Estate cannot be recovered. If Imperial Brother feels I should not step into this court, then perhaps you should listen to my maid recount what Fang Hai said before I leave.”

The Second Prince panicked. If those malicious words were repeated, what if the Emperor misunderstood? When had he ever said she shouldn’t enter the court?

Before he could excuse himself, the Emperor looked at Han Shui. “Recount it. What did the son of Minister Fang say?”

Han Shui blinked. Then don’t blame me for being ruthless. I’ve hated this Second Prince for a long time.

“Young Master Fang called the Consort a four-legged toad. When the Consort struck back with words, Young Master Fang said the Minister’s Estate was not something the Preceptor’s Estate could provoke, and told our Consort to be a ‘shrinking turtle.’ If the Consort is a toad and a turtle, and the Eldest Princess is his wife, then what does that make our Princess? The Second Prince and the Princess are siblings of the same blood, so that would mean…”

“Enough! Minister Fang, your estate is truly bold! The Preceptor’s Estate can’t provoke you? Then tell me, can I provoke you?”

The Emperor slammed the table with his hand, stood up, and roared.

“Your Majesty, forgive me! Your Majesty, forgive me! My son knows his crimes are heavy. I administered family discipline that very day and broke one of his legs! He is currently in bed, hovering between life and death! I beg Your Majesty for mercy!” Minister Fang wailed and howled, his forehead already bruised and swollen from kowtowing.

The Emperor was momentarily stunned by this display, a breath of stifled anger trapped in his chest, unable to find release.