The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 18

Qi Yu: “…”

To hell with being ‘sad,’ and to hell with ‘absence making the heart grow fonder!’ But looking at Mama Li’s beaming face, she couldn’t bring herself to voice her complaints.

“Mama Li is right. I just have to wait ten more days. Once I move to the Princess’s Estate, you must take good care of yourself.”

Qi Yu forced a smile. Her only regret was that she wouldn’t be able to stay and watch Mama Li grow old. Although they hadn’t known each other long, and she was technically occupying the original host’s body, the maternal care she received felt real. Humans aren’t made of wood or stone; how could she remain unmoved?

Mama Li’s expression grew even more tender. “Don’t worry, Miss. I will take care of myself and the Master. I’ll guard the Preceptor’s Estate well so your mother can rest in peace.”

The Preceptor’s Estate?

Qi Yu’s smile faltered. How could she have forgotten? This house was a den of danger. She wondered if those rebels would stop their schemes once she left, or if they would target the Estate to pressure her.

The martial arts instructor was highly skilled; she couldn’t beat him, she had no evidence to expose him, and she had no one to turn to for help.

Wait—there was someone. The Eldest Princess had said that Han Shui’s skills far surpassed the instructor’s. Since she and the Princess were now in a cooperative relationship, could she ask the Princess to dismantle this “time bomb” before she left?

As a reward, she could leave behind some useful information—at least enough to help the Princess navigate a few upcoming crises.

“Mama Li, can you help me send a message to the Princess’s Estate?”

Mama Li was stunned, then immediately tried to comfort her. “Miss, please bear with it. It’s only ten days. I understand you youngsters are… vigorous, and at the start, it’s natural to feel ‘one day apart is like three autumns.’ But this is the Emperor’s decree. Just endure a little longer.”

Qi Yu choked. Why is Mama Li’s logic always on a different track? First Chu Chanyi, now her… do these people love gossip and wild imagination that much?

She and the Princess were strictly business!

Qi Yu took a deep breath. “Mama Li, you’re joking. The Princess and I are both women—what ‘vigor’ or ‘uncontrollable passion’ could there be? I have urgent business for… for the Princess’s maid. Yes, for Miss Han Shui.”

Mama Li stared at Qi Yu with deep meaning. “Miss, don’t you understand? Two women can also… Oh, look at my mouth. You’ve grown up, and your ears are turning red from shyness.” Then her expression turned serious. “But you still must endure. Otherwise, it’s defiance of a decree. The Master just got a real position; we can’t have mistakes now.”

Qi Yu touched her burning ears. She had zero experience in that department; of course she was embarrassed. “Fine… I want to see Chanyi. Surely that’s allowed?”

Mama Li stopped while she was ahead. “Fine. As long as you stay put, I’ll send someone to invite Miss Chu over.”

Qi Yu: “…” I’ll endure.

Chu Chanyi arrived quickly. Since she was the only trustworthy friend Qi Yu had, and Qi Yu was constantly worrying about losing her head, she didn’t dare delay.

“Chanyi, it’s a matter of life and death! Help me send this letter to the Princess’s Estate. Go now!” Qi Yu looked at Chu Chanyi as if she were a savior. In a crisis, a best friend really was the most reliable. She was moved.

Chu Chanyi was shocked. Did I mishear? When Mama Li told her, she hadn’t believed it, but it seemed Qi Yu really was “pining away” for the Princess. “You… just endure it.”

To hell with ‘enduring!’ One look at Chu Chanyi’s face told Qi Yu that her friend, like Mama Li, was letting her imagination run wild.

“I can’t endure it! No, I mean, I have something to ask of the Princess’s maid. Just go for me!”

Chu Chanyi sighed and rubbed her forehead. “What am I supposed to say? If you miss the Princess, just say so. Why drag the maid into it? Fine, I’ll be your messenger this once. But we have a deal: this is for ‘exchanging love letters,’ no funny business!”

Qi Yu nodded gratefully. Regardless of the misunderstanding, the goal was achieved. She believed that with the power of the “Number Two Villain,” the Princess would find a way.

Half an hour later, Chu Chanyi reached the Princess’s Estate and delivered the letter. She wanted to flee immediately, but was kept for tea.

“Miss Chu, please stay calm. The Princess must see what the Consort has written first. She might need you to take a message back. Have some tea and rest.”

Han Shui finished speaking and wheeled the Princess to the study. After reading the contents, they returned to the hall.

The Princess looked at Chu Chanyi. “Thank you for your trouble, Miss Chu.”

Chu Chanyi blinked. No reply needed? She figured the Princess wouldn’t participate in Qi Yu’s nonsense. Feeling relieved, she bid her farewell and left the hall.

She hadn’t walked more than a few steps when she heard Han Shui’s booming voice behind her: “Men! Prepare the carriage for the Preceptor’s Estate! The Princess is going to see the Consort!”

Chu Chanyi stumbled, nearly face-planting. I didn’t hear that wrong, did I? Princess, wake up! Didn’t we agree not to be reckless?

At the Preceptor’s Estate, the entire household was kneeling at the gate to welcome the royal visitor.

Qi’s father looked at the ground, wanting to weep. He had disciplined his daughter, but the Emperor clearly hadn’t disciplined his Princess!

“Rise,” the Princess said. A second later, Han Shui screamed, “Princess, watch out!”

“Ah!”

A sharp cry made everyone look up. They saw the Princess’s sleeve flutter, revealing a wrist as pale as frost—now pierced by a thin, long needle. The skin quickly stained dark red.

Before anyone could react, Han Shui lunged at the martial arts instructor. “Bold assassin! How dare you harm the Princess!”

The instructor dodged instinctively. He looked at the shocked father and the equally shocked Qi Yu, and realized in an instant: this was for him. The Princess had set a trap; he wouldn’t even get a chance to explain.

He knew he couldn’t beat Han Shui’s assault. Seeing an opening, he fled toward the gate to escape the Estate.

Watching him flee, Han Shui’s eyes brightened. She sheathed her sword and scooped up the Princess, shouting at Qi Yu, “Which is the Consort’s room? Call the Imperial Physician immediately!”

“Follow me!” Qi Yu led the way.

Qi’s father was too terrified to move until Mama Li nudged him. He shook as he stammered, “Call… call the physician!”

“Master, the Princess’s personal physician was following the carriage; they’ve already gone inside.” Mama Li looked at the chaotic gate and her useless master, sighing as she ordered the servants to remain kneeling. Where did this disaster come from? Why would the instructor try to assassinate the Princess?

Inside the room, the physician removed the needle, applied medicine, and withdrew.

Seeing that the Princess was out of danger, Qi Yu knelt on the floor, still trembling from the shock.

“What is the meaning of this, Consort?” The Princess sat on the edge of the bed, covered by Qi Yu’s quilt. She gave Han Shui a secret glare—this impulsive girl, why did she put me on the bed? However, the bed was clean, and the bedding smelled surprisingly pleasant, so she decided not to make an issue of it.

Qi Yu looked up. She had only wanted to ask the Princess to remove the threat before the wedding; she never expected the Princess would actually get hurt.

“Princess… I… are you okay?”

Han Shui, listening to her stammering, cut in impatiently. “She’s fine. It was just snake venom.”

“Is it serious?” Qi Yu gasped. Snake venom?

“If not treated in time, the victim usually dies,” Han Shui said casually.

Qi Yu’s breath hitched. “Was the treatment in time?” If she had suspected the Princess was “self-directing” this play at first, she had no doubts now. No one would risk their life with lethal snake venom.

Han Shui was about to keep up the act, but seeing the Princess’s reproachful gaze, she admitted honestly: “The Princess took the antidote in advance.”

Qi Yu felt a massive wave of relief. “That’s good, that’s good… Wait. What do you mean ‘took the antidote in advance’?”

Han Shui rolled her eyes. “It means what it means!”

“And the instructor?”

As Han Shui was about to speak, the Princess cut in. “It is as the Consort thinks. I pricked myself with the needle. The instructor did nothing. Han Shui had seen him before; once she recognized him, we performed this play together.”

Getting rid of a mere guard is simple, the Princess thought. By now, the man had likely been captured by the ambush outside and taken to the Estate’s dungeon.

Despite having guessed it, hearing the confirmation made Qi Yu feel a bit depressed. She had been feeling guilty for nothing! The Princess had stabbed herself. Talk about being ruthless…

She truly was a villain; she didn’t even hesitate to poison herself for a plot.

Qi Yu gathered her thoughts. “But we let him escape. What if he comes back for revenge?”

“Since I have made my move, why would I give him a chance for revenge? Rest assured, he will never appear at the Preceptor’s Estate again.” The Princess smiled. This girl seemed unexpectedly naive. Was this her true nature, or an act?

Qi Yu opened her mouth, then lowered her head. Right, I’m the stupid one. Since the Princess came prepared, she obviously wouldn’t let him get away.

She had expected a complicated struggle, but the problem was solved so easily. Now that the rebel’s “mole” was gone, they shouldn’t be able to contact her for a while. As long as she held out until the wedding, she’d be home free.

Thinking of this, Qi Yu thanked the Princess sincerely. “Thank you for your help. My father and the others were kept in the dark; I hope you won’t hold it against the Estate. And the Emperor… surely he won’t be angry about today?”

The Princess’s eyebrows arched. “The Consort need not worry. Since we are collaborators—and about to be wed—the Preceptor’s Estate is half my home. I won’t let anyone make things difficult for you.”

She studied Qi Yu’s expression. She felt the girl was speaking in riddles. Hold it against the Estate? This was my own plot—why would I be angry at the house?