The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 24

Qi Yu’s expression flickered, and she sat back down. What if this Song Qingyi is just a muddled old woman? Or perhaps she is an ambitious person? Rather than letting enemies collude in the dark, it would be better for me to test her with a feigned cooperation.

Regardless, there was no way to escape for the moment. Since she had already reached an agreement with the Eldest Princess, she might as well continue the act. Once the people in the Princess’s mansion relaxed their vigilance, she would find an opportunity to slip away.

The youth opened the door, and a slender person walked in. Although she was over sixty, she looked to be only in her forties or fifties. She was well-maintained and in high spirits. Beside Song Qingyi were four maids, and outside stood several people who looked like guards.

She waved her hand, and the maids lowered their heads and waited outside. Seeing this, the youth also tactfully left, leaving the room to Qi Yu and Song Qingyi.

“Are you the Consort Qi?”

Qi Yu nodded. She had expected to deal with a manageable grandmother figure, but she didn’t expect an aunt with such an overbearing presence. With this “host usurping the guest” demeanor, could she really be someone who would foolishly cough up money to prop someone else up as Emperor?

Song Qingyi’s expression was complex. “I wonder if the Eldest Princess is aware of your visit to me?”

The Eldest Princess? This aunt’s train of thought was a bit strange; how could Qi Yu keep up? According to logic, of course, such matters should be hidden from the Eldest Princess, but unfortunately, she was here precisely because of the Princess’s intent.

Qi Yu coughed lightly. “The Princess is naturally unaware. I wonder if you are aware of your identity and mine?” This is frustrating. I’m not good at being an undercover agent. How am I supposed to fish for information?

Who would have thought that upon hearing this, Song Qingyi would look displeased. “As long as you know you aren’t acting under the guise of authority, it’s easier to handle. Consort, do not come to harass me again in the future; otherwise, my ‘Floor Upon Floor’ is not a pushover.”

Acting under the guise of authority? Who is the fox, and who is the tiger?

Qi Yu pointed at herself. “You say I’m acting under the guise of authority? What do you mean by that?” Does she not acknowledge it? She doesn’t seem the least bit surprised. Anyone with a brain wouldn’t follow along with this nonsense. She also didn’t know how the original owner had convinced this big shot to join the cause in the first place.

Song Qingyi frowned. “I would not dare. Consort, you had best put away your plans to collude with evil; live your life peacefully so as not to lose your head in the future.”

Colluding with evil! This aunt had a sharp tongue. A moment ago she was a fox, and in the blink of an eye, she was part of a “collusion.” Qi Yu remained silent, her spirits dampened. This aunt is really something; she manages to insult people without using a single dirty word.

Song Qingyi twisted her brows. The words she wanted to use to persuade the other to turn back were stuck in her throat. Feeling annoyed, she stopped bothering with it, stood up, and prepared to leave. “Since there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

Seeing her about to go, Qi Yu was caught off guard. Aunt, are you always this swift and decisive in handling matters? For such a big issue, couldn’t you at least sit down and have a proper talk?

As the woman was about to exit the door, Qi Yu hurriedly whispered, “Was your father the Seventh Prince of the previous dynasty? Are you my aunt?”

Song Qingyi stopped. A moment later, without turning her head, she sternly said, “My ancestors were from Peach Blossom Hermitage in Jiuqu County. I have never heard of any Seventh Prince, nor have I ever had any other relatives. If you continue to spout nonsense and splash filth, we shall meet at the magistrate’s office.”

With that, she strode out, as if a vicious dog were chasing her from behind.

Qi Yu was furious, but at the same time, she understood one thing: judging by Song Qingyi’s attitude, she was desperate to distance herself completely and would definitely not get involved with the remnants of the previous dynasty.

So, it’s perfectly normal that the original owner, that big villain, was torn apart by five horses. Without financial support, could a bunch of rabble actually accomplish anything? They probably couldn’t even beat a few teams of disciplined soldiers, let alone dream of reaching the Emperor. It was pure wishful thinking.

The trip had been in vain. Qi Yu prepared to return home. Watching the youth who followed her like a shadow, she frowned. “Why are you following me?”

The youth hurriedly knelt on the floor again. “Reporting to the Young Master, the elders said that the Princess’s mansion is heavily guarded and it is difficult to seek an audience with you, so they had me follow you into the mansion. On the surface, I am a page serving you; in reality, I am a messenger.”

This way, it would be more convenient for the elders to communicate with the Young Master in the future.

Qi Yu glanced at him. Establish contact? That’s not impossible.

“What is your name?”

The youth hurriedly said, “The elders said that since I am following you, I am your person. I beg for a name.”

Qi Yu felt a shiver down her spine what “your person, his person” what if someone misunderstood? She rubbed her brows. Naming? The Eldest Princess’s maid is named Hanshui (Cold Water), so… Chunfeng (Spring Breeze)? That seems a bit too casual.

“From now on, you shall be called Hanfeng (Cold Wind).”

“Hanfeng thanks the Young Master for the name!” The youth no, Hanfeng looked up, his face full of emotion.

Qi Yu’s eyebrow twitched. This is just an innocent youth brainwashed by that group. She needed to stay calm; she had seen all sorts of storms.

However, as she drew closer to the Princess’s mansion, she couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty. She had brought a person back without telling the Eldest Princess and he was an eyesore from that group of people from the previous dynasty. If they met in a moment, would she be beaten?

That aunt from “Floor Upon Floor” was right; she was a fox, because the Eldest Princess was the tiger—a beautiful yet ferocious tigress. Gentle? It didn’t exist. Which gentle tigress would carry a dagger on her person at all times?

Returning to the Princess’s mansion, Qi Yu was led to the inner courtyard by Hanshui. Pushing open the door, she saw the Eldest Princess reclining on a long chair, taking a nap.

The woman lazily opened her eyes when she heard the movement. The thin quilt on her body had slipped halfway off, and the spring breeze blew several strands of black hair across her forehead. Her eyes, not yet fully awake, revealed a hint of confusion. She was like a completely different person from the shrewd and terrifying Eldest Princess she was during the day.

Qi Yu was stunned for a moment, and alarm bells immediately went off in her brain: Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. This is a villain who can take one’s life; wake up!

Once she regained her senses, she remembered the young Hanfeng who had followed her into the mansion, and she felt even guiltier. Will she really not beat me later?

“The Consort has returned?” The tone was normal and casual, as if it were just a passing question.

Qi Yu felt inexplicably relieved. She smiled and said, “Yes, I’m back.”

Hearing her voice, the Eldest Princess’s eyes grew clearer. “Any gains?”

Qi Yu felt a subconscious flash of tension, then said, “I brought back one person. He is an informant planted by that group from the previous dynasty.” She hadn’t done anything; she was just a soulless tool.

“Oh? You may settle him as you see fit.” The Eldest Princess sat up and folded the quilt, which Hanshui came over to take away. An informant it was fine to keep an eye on him in the future, and it would make it easier to grasp the news about that group.

Hearing this, Qi Yu immediately let out a sigh of relief. The Eldest Princess was still quite reasonable. “Then let Hanfeng stay by my side to serve.”

“Hanfeng?” The Eldest Princess raised an eyebrow. It was a decent name.

Qi Yu rubbed her nose. “Funny, isn’t it? The boy’s name actually matches Hanshui’s quite well.” Such a low-level name definitely wasn’t coined by me.

“Boy?” The Eldest Princess’s expression paused. “I will arrange a maid to serve by your side. As for Hanfeng, just let him guard the front gate during the day.”

After all, there was a distinction between men and women; if he followed the Consort all day, it might cause trouble if things got messy. It was better to pick a clever maid to have by her side.

After the Eldest Princess finished speaking, she stood up. The spring sunshine was lovely; after such a nap, her whole body felt much lighter.

Qi Yu nodded and agreed, silently apologizing to Hanfeng in her heart. Your Young Master is also living under someone else’s roof and dare not disobey; you just stay at the front gate and keep watch.

The next day, there was movement from the Second Prince’s side: it was said that while he was driving out of the manor, the horses were startled and almost hit a woman.

After hearing Hanshui’s report, Qi Yu looked at the Eldest Princess. “Is that woman my friend?” The Second Princess from the Western Island Kingdom? It seemed the connection between the heroine and the male lead was truly destiny.

Hanshui gestured with her hands. “The Consort is truly a master of foresight. I didn’t expect that we would actually find your friend at the Second Prince’s manor.”

The Eldest Princess nodded in agreement. It was indeed a master of foresight. She just didn’t know if this foresight was the will of heaven or a human design. She also didn’t know if her imperial brother knew the woman’s true identity, and if he did, what he would do. If he reported it to the Emperor and had the Second Princess of the Western Island Kingdom sent back to where she came from, that would be fine. If she disappeared after this, the matter would be intriguing. And her “master of foresight” Consort she didn’t know what role she played in all of this.

Qi Yu felt guilty again. To hell with “master of foresight.” Even if she had dug the pit herself, she had to fill it, even through tears. She hesitated slightly, pretending to be calm. “That’s natural, but unfortunately, my grandmother’s intergenerational inheritance has some problems. I can only occasionally see glimpses of the future; most of the time, it’s not accurate.”

That should be fine, right? The lie is finally patched up. As the saying goes, one shouldn’t tell lies; otherwise, it’s miserable when one can’t smooth them over.

The Eldest Princess smiled. “Why doesn’t the Consort take a look for me now, and test whether your ability of foresight is accurate?” Good sometimes, bad sometimes? Interesting. If I hadn’t already seen this person’s ability to clown around, I would have truly believed it.

Qi Yu couldn’t control her mouth; it twitched slightly. It was too late; she had been forced into a corner. Her eyes flickered. “I wonder what the Princess wishes to see?”

“See my future.” The Eldest Princess stood up, her gaze fixed directly on Qi Yu.

Seeing this, Hanshui thought: Forget it, the young couple is going to be affectionate again; I won’t be an eyesore here. She quietly retreated.

See the future!

Qi Yu pursed her lips, her eyes blinking uneasily. She knew this; the book said that after the great villainess Consort was torn apart by five horses, the Eldest Princess’s revolt failed and she was captured on the spot by the Second Prince. What was the end? Dead without a complete corpse? Lingchi? It all seems to mean the same thing.

But could she say such things? Did she dare to say it?

The spring breeze brushed her face. It was clearly warm, but Qi Yu’s heart felt icy cold.

Seeing that the person in front of her had become dazed, the Eldest Princess stepped closer and closer, coming within a foot of Qi Yu. “Consort? How is my future?”

The two stood extremely close. The spring breeze rose again, and a cold, faint fragrance brushed past the tip of her nose. Qi Yu came to her senses, looked at the person right before her eyes, and backed away in shock by two steps.

The Eldest Princess did not approach again and said lightly, “Has the Consort seen anything?”