The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 14

Qi Yu was at a loss for words.

What was she supposed to say? Could she say that the Eldest Princess’s illness would definitely be cured? A person who wasn’t sick to begin with didn’t need a famous doctor; she just didn’t want to keep pretending and was ready for a “miraculous recovery.”

“So, even if the Princess recovers, it will still be difficult for her to ascend the throne, right?” Qi Yu mused.

Now that the Eldest Princess had launched a public counterattack, it meant the villain’s plot arc had officially begun. But what about her own role as the “Number One Villain”?

As she was thinking, she saw Chu Chanyi’s eyes widen suddenly before she collapsed to the ground. A stone the size of half a fist rolled away nearby. Qi Yu’s mouth hung open as she watched the black-clad man—the one she had encountered twice before—stride in as if he owned the place. He closed the door behind him in one fluid motion.

“Young Master, your subordinate has finally found you.”

Qi Yu took two steps back. To hell with your ‘Young Master’! Aren’t there guards from the Princess’s Estate outside? Are they just for show, like the guards at the State Preceptor’s Estate?

A second later, she rushed forward to check on Chu Chanyi. Only after confirming her friend had just fainted did she breathe a sigh of relief.

“Rest assured, Young Master. I merely knocked her unconscious,” the man in black explained, half-kneeling as he noted her concern for Chu Chanyi.

Qi Yu clenched her sleeves, suppressing her anger. “I’ve told you: I will not join you.” She wasn’t an idiot. Why would she lead this motley crew of rebels to their certain deaths?

Seeing her persistence, the man in black stood up unhurriedly. “Subordinate knows that Young Master is now a prestigious Prince Consort. However, you must understand that the Eldest Princess is merely using the incident with Fang Hai as a tool to topple Minister Fang. There is no true affection in the Imperial family.”

“Is Young Master truly willing to be a pawn played by the Second Prince and the Eldest Princess? If you are willing, you can claim a share of this entire world.”

Qi Yu stared at him. After a long silence, she suddenly spoke: “The estate’s martial arts instructor?”

The man in black’s eyes widened. He reached up to touch the black mask on his face, but stopped mid-motion. He let out a low laugh, no longer bothering to disguise his voice. “Young Master truly has eyes like a hawk. It seems my disguise was unnecessary.”

He feigned a relaxed air, but he was internally panicking. How did this useless trash see through me? If this is how it goes, how will I carry out the Second Prince’s orders? I must be twice as careful; I can’t let this fool discover who my real master is.

“How long have you been lurking in the State Preceptor’s Estate?” Qi Yu studied him. No wonder he looked familiar.

The moment he stood up, Qi Yu realized his stature and movements were identical to the instructor who had spent a month teaching her useless “fake” martial arts moves. A guard from her own home—no wonder he could come and go as he pleased.

The man clasped his hands, speaking earnestly. “I arrived at the Estate the year the Young Master’s mother was pregnant. Your identity is noble and cannot suffer any mishaps. I have remained undercover all these years specifically to protect your safety at all times.”

Qi Yu struggled to keep her expression calm, though her heart was in a state of upheaval. He’s been here since before the original host was born? If the instructor is one of them, there must be other accomplices in the State Preceptor’s Estate.

She wondered who the mastermind behind this was to be able to play such a long game—decades of infiltration! It was brilliant, in a twisted way. Unfortunately, history was already written: these remnants of the former dynasty would ultimately meet a miserable end.

She looked at the poorly concealed ambition in the man’s eyes. He was like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, while she—or rather, the original Qi Yu—was the naive, easily fooled lamb. No wonder the original was eventually executed by dismemberment. To be watched every day without noticing anything was wrong… the original host really didn’t seem very bright.

Qi Yu gathered her thoughts. Luckily, she wasn’t the gullible original host. “You may leave now. Never mention this again. I will pretend I know nothing.”

The State Preceptor’s Estate was in a pitiful state; likely, half the staff were his accomplices. Should she find a chance to warn her “father”? But would it even work? They might get killed before they could clean house. Better to let him stay in the dark. Sometimes, ignorance is a blessing; knowing too much is dangerous.

The man in black saw she still wouldn’t budge. He realized he wouldn’t get through to her today. It seemed they would have to force their “Young Master” to “abandon the darkness for the light” on the wedding day. He just hoped things on the Second Prince’s side would go smoothly.

“Young Master should not be in such a hurry to decide. It won’t be too late to give me a definitive answer after the wedding.”

There was a look of absolute certainty in his eyes, as if she had no choice but to board their sinking ship.

After he left, Qi Yu helped Chu Chanyi to a chair. Nursing a massive headache, she pulled out her small notebook. It contained everything she remembered about the novel, but the most detailed parts were all about the male lead, the Second Prince.

There were no specific details about her role as the “Number One Villain.” As she flipped through the pages, her eyes suddenly widened in shock. The female lead appears on the day the Eldest Princess and the Villainous Consort wed!

But she wasn’t the male lead. How could she change the plot? She studied it from every angle but found no solution. The only “bright path” forward was still to flee the marriage.

Outside, Han Shui watched as their future Consort flipped through a small booklet filled with “ghostly scribbles.” Having instructed the guards to “let the man in black pass” as usual to see what he would do, she quietly left the villa.

At the Princess’s Estate, the Eldest Princess fell into deep thought after hearing the report. A guard at the Preceptor’s Estate, undercover for decades… Is Qi Yu a descendant of the former Imperial family?

She stared at her wheelchair, then sat in it, saying calmly, “Come. This Princess will go and meet my ‘good’ Consort.”

Han Shui nodded. She had been annoyed with this Consort for a long time. She thought she was a simple girl, but she turned out to be “black-hearted” too, nearly fooling their kind Princess.

They couldn’t afford a moment’s delay, as it was nearly time for the city gates to close. After arranging everything, Han Shui asked, “Princess, are we not returning to the Estate tonight either?”

“It’s already this late; naturally, we cannot return.”

The Princess’s calm demeanor made Han Shui feel she was overthinking. She stole a glance at her mistress, thinking that the Princess was the best at keeping her composure. Perhaps she was just using this incident as an excuse to see that “black-hearted” Consort?

Han Shui hesitated but couldn’t help saying, “In my opinion, this Qi Yu hides herself very deeply. She likely has secrets that cannot be told. Princess, you must be on your guard.” Please don’t let love blind your eyes!

The Princess looked at the nervous Han Shui and laughed. “I won’t be foolish. You, stop letting your imagination run wild.”

She had never loved anyone and was confident she wouldn’t lose her head over anyone—especially at a critical juncture like this.

The Princess’s carriage left the city. The early summer weather was cool and pleasant. When they arrived at the suburban villa, Chu Chanyi had just woken up.

“I have urgent business; I’ll come find you in a couple of days!” Chu Chanyi hadn’t even had time to ask why she had suddenly fainted. Hearing that the Princess had arrived, she didn’t care about anything else and hurried away, clutching her aching neck.

The Eldest Princess is really devoted to Qi Yu, Chu Chanyi thought. They’ve been apart for less than a day, and she’s already chased her back here. Poor Princess, her heart is set on a stone. Or rather, one ‘goddess’ is devoted, but the other ‘goddess’—my cold-hearted sister—is indifferent. Poor, poor Princess.

The Princess watched Chu Chanyi flee and understood. Because of her status, Miss Chu was likely quite uncomfortable.

“This commoner, Qi Yu, greets the Princess.”

Qi Yu thought about the annoying ancient etiquette. Although she was the daughter of the State Preceptor, she held no official rank. Technically, she should bow. But since they were about to be married, she didn’t think she needed to kneel. She settled for a simple bow with clasped hands.

The Princess smiled gracefully. “The Consort need not be so formal. In the future, you may dispense with these empty pleasantries when we are alone.”

The beauty’s brows relaxed, revealing the elegant bridge of her nose. Even with the veil, her brilliance was hard to hide.

Qi Yu was momentarily dazed. Snapping out of it, she stood straight and cleared the path.

Bah! This hateful villain is definitely a “Black Lotus,” using her beauty as a weapon every day! Qi Yu scolded herself for being so weak-willed. Hold the line! Don’t be seduced! Remember, one wrong move leads to being torn apart by five horses!

After entering the room, the Princess glanced at the messy table. “Was the Consort just hosting a guest?”

Qi Yu hesitated. “Yes… Chanyi just left.”

Why do I feel so guilty? she wondered. It feels like the Princess is speaking in riddles. Did her guards see me meeting the man in black?

“The Consort knows I am not referring to Miss Chu.” The Princess looked up, her gaze locking onto Qi Yu’s, a hint of a smile floating in her eyes.

Qi Yu: “…” If you don’t say it, how would I know? If you know, just say it, you damn Black Lotus!

She decided to try one last bit of resistance. “The Princess must be joking. I was indeed just chatting with Chanyi.”

The smile in the Princess’s eyes slowly faded. She looked toward the door. “Does the Consort know that the guards outside are the elite of my Estate? Usually, not even a fly can escape their eyes. The martial arts of a guard from the Preceptor’s Estate is, at best, only fifty percent of Han Shui’s ability.”

Han Shui raised her chin proudly. She had trained since she was six; naturally, a lowly guard was no match for her.

Qi Yu looked at Han Shui, reassessing her. Good heavens, a hidden master! So, they had intentionally let the instructor in? She knew the Princess’s guards couldn’t be as useless as her own father’s.

“So, does the Consort have anything she wishes to say to me now?” The Princess’s voice was calm, but her eyes held a dangerous glint. I’ll see how long you can keep up this resistance.

Hiss. Qi Yu took a sharp breath. She had something to confess—no, she had something to say!

“Princess, save me! I was terrified of that man’s strength, and the Preceptor’s Estate is crawling with their spies. I wanted to resist, but I couldn’t beat him! I didn’t want to hide it from you, but I was afraid those villains would hurt you! Now that I know Miss Han Shui can protect you, my heart is at peace. Whatever you want to know, I will confess everything!”

Qi Yu wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes, looking at the Princess as if she were her savior, her gaze filled with “deep emotion.”