The Villainous Consort (GL) - Chapter 38

Qi Yu, who was struggling to accept the recent turn of events, was currently “playing dead” on her bed. Her mind was a chaotic mess, so much so that she didn’t even react when the knocking first started.

It wasn’t until Han Shui’s voice accompanied the knocking from outside that she snapped out of it: “Prince Consort, Prince Consort! If you don’t open the door, I’m barging in!”

Qi Yu sat up and went to open the door, only to find the Eldest Princess standing there as well. Thinking of their tragic ends in the original book, her heart felt heavy and complex. She muttered to herself: If the ending can be changed…

Now that even the female lead has veered off track, what else is impossible?

Perhaps our cooperation can be a bit more serious, she thought. For the first time, Qi Yu—who originally intended only to offer lip service before finding a chance to vanish—actually considered their partnership from a proactive perspective.

Seeing her open the door and stand there in silent gloom, the Eldest Princess walked straight to the table and sat down. “What is the Prince Consort worrying about? You may tell me.”

Qi Yu gathered her thoughts, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, “How much longer does the Princess think our cooperation needs to last?”

She had originally wanted to flee the wedding; since that failed, she planned to disappear after the marriage. But after today, she felt that besides running for her life, there might be another path: divorce.

The book said the villainous Prince Consort and the Eldest Princess never divorced, but the book also never mentioned the female lead falling in love with Chu Chanyi. Why should she run away if she could live a carefree life in the open?

The Eldest Princess paused, surprised by the sudden question. She pursed her lips and thought for a moment. “About three years.”

“Three years!?” Qi Yu was startled—not for any other reason but because the book recorded that three years from now, in the 83rd year of the Baiyue calendar, the Prince Consort would be executed for treason, the Second Prince would ascend the throne, and a year after that, the Eldest Princess would fail in her rebellion.

The Eldest Princess looked deeply at Qi Yu, her voice carrying a hint of inquiry: “Why? Does the Prince Consort find that unsuitable?”

“Ahem, no, it’s fine. I just wonder… what happens after those three years?” Qi Yu coughed lightly, shifting her gaze only to meet Han Shui’s indignant glare. What’s with this girl? Why is she looking at me like I’m a piece of trash?

Seeing Qi Yu look over, Han Shui glared back fiercely. This detestable Prince Consort, she thought, not only failing Mistress’s feelings but also suspected of coveting Miss Chu. Truly needs a lesson.

The Eldest Princess watched Qi Yu’s slightly guilty demeanor and considered a certain possibility. Her breathing slowed. “What does the Prince Consort mean? Three years later, you will still be the Prince Consort, and I will naturally still be the Princess.”

Qi Yu turned back to her. That wasn’t what she meant. “We are only in a partnership. If the Princess succeeds three years from now, our cooperation ends. At that time, we should naturally part ways. I cannot keep occupying the position of Prince Consort forever.”

If the Princess actually became Empress, what would she be?

The Imperial Husband? The Empress? Or one of the three thousand beauties in the harem? Qi Yu felt sick just thinking about it. She’d rather they all just died together. At that point, it wouldn’t just be a green hat—there’d be enough “green grass” on her head to run a horse race.

The Eldest Princess’s heart tightened with a familiar sense of stifled frustration. What does “doesn’t want to occupy the position” mean? “I don’t understand. What exactly are you trying to say?”

Qi Yu looked at her. She had been so obvious, yet the woman didn’t seem to get it. But she didn’t dare say the word “divorce” directly. This was a true villain; if she angered her, her life might end right there. Especially since she suspected the woman might have a crush on her—extremists who destroy what they can’t have definitely exist.

She instinctively let her gaze drift, her voice full of longing. “The Princess knows that matters of the heart cannot be explained clearly. Some love many people in a lifetime, some love only one, and some love only themselves. Attitudes toward relationships vary. I am a stubborn person; I want ‘one life, one pair of people.’ Otherwise, even if I were made Empress, I wouldn’t be willing. I don’t want to share my significant other with anyone.”

That’s clear enough, right? If she still doesn’t get it, her villainous IQ is worrying.

To her surprise, the Eldest Princess laughed. “Does the Prince Consort know? In the summer, I love iced grapes most. Once, the manor ran out of grapes, so they brought iced melon, iced lychees… I ate none of them. Because what I love is grapes; no matter how good the others are, they aren’t grapes. Do you understand me?”

She looked at Qi Yu, her clear eyes sparkling like starlight—a gaze more bright and moving than ever before.

Qi Yu’s expression froze. She understood. Isn’t that just ‘quality over quantity’? What does she mean? Is this villain for real!!!

She instinctively turned her head away again, seeing Han Shui looking completely confused by their riddles. However, that didn’t stop the maid from expressing her anger, and she glared at Qi Yu once more.

Aware of the little maid’s obvious hostility, Qi Yu looked back at the Princess. The woman was beautiful—willow-leaf brows slightly furrowed, a fine nose, and inviting red lips… Inviting my foot! She quickly looked away.

The Eldest Princess was a peerless beauty, but “dislike is dislike,” especially since this beauty had thorns. If it were mutual, a lifetime together would be wonderful; if not, it would be a tragedy.

Qi Yu wanted “heart-thumping” and “compatibility.” And the Princess…

“Heart-thumping” was non-existent; “heart-stopping” was more like it. Compatibility? There was a risk of losing her head every minute. Compatibility my foot!

Qi Yu gave a strained laugh. “The Princess truly has unique tastes… haha… being a picky eater isn’t good. I’m different; whether it’s iced melon, grapes, or lychees, I find them all delicious.”

The Princess’s eyes dimmed, as if the starlight had been blown away by the wind. She said listlessly, “Just tell me directly what you want after three years.”

As a grand Princess, it hadn’t been easy to say those words. Her pride would not allow her to lower herself further; otherwise, she would lose not just face, but her royal dignity.

Looking at the Princess who seemed to have the spirit drained out of her, Qi Yu sighed. She had to be blunt. “Three years later, whether the matter is successful or not, let us divorce. You and I… let go!”

Before she could finish the phrase “each seek our own happiness,” she was grabbed by the collar and hoisted up.

“You audacious scoundrel! How dare you mention divorce? What is wrong with our Princess!” Han Shui was furious. She lunged the moment the word “divorce” left Qi Yu’s mouth. She’d be a fool if she didn’t understand that. This detestable, detestable scoundrel!

“Do not be rude to the Prince Consort. Go receive thirty strokes of the rod,” the Eldest Princess commanded, standing up.

“Princess! Let me deal with her…” Han Shui’s voice was aggrieved for her mistress, but she slowly let go.

“Leave,” the Princess cold-snapped.

Han Shui retreated a few steps. “This servant was wrong. I will go receive punishment shortly.” She admitted fault, but didn’t move her feet, fearing her mistress would be sad alone. She wanted to walk the Princess out before getting hit.

The Eldest Princess didn’t argue with her but turned to Qi Yu. “Han Shui grew up with me; though we are mistress and servant, we are like sisters. She lost her composure in a moment of impulse and offended you. I will certainly punish her. I hope the Prince Consort won’t take it to heart. As for what happens three years from now… let it be as you say.”

With that, the Princess turned and walked out. Han Shui glared at Qi Yu one last time before following quickly.

“Princess, I’m willing to take thirty, sixty, ninety strokes—as long as you leave me with a breath. Just let me hit her once to vent for you, okay…”

Han Shui’s indignant words faded into the distance.

Qi Yu sat back down, dazed. For some reason, even though she had gotten what she wanted, she didn’t feel happy. After a long while, she snapped out of her daze. In the future, I’ll just work hard to help the Princess. Matters of the heart can’t be forced.

But that girl Han Shui was too ferocious. She’d better hide from her in the future, lest she get beaten up in a dark alley with nowhere to seek justice.

The next morning, the doorman delivered a visiting card from Chu Chanyi.

Wanting to avoid the Princess, Qi Yu didn’t invite Chanyi in; she went straight out to meet her friend.

In a private room at Lou Shang Lou:

“My father doesn’t agree,” Chu Chanyi said with a face full of distress. Beside her, Ai Ye was drinking silently by herself.

Qi Yu sighed. “The path to true love is never smooth. But Miss Ai Ye’s identity is special. Don’t be in a hurry; take it slow.”

“If you ask me,” Ai Ye said, pouring a cup of wine and handing it to Chanyi, “you should just come back to Xidao with me. Why care what anyone else thinks?”

Chanyi took the cup and looked at her. “He is my father, and in the future, your father. He is not ‘anyone else’.”

Ai Ye wanted to roll her eyes, but at Chanyi’s glare, her lips moved and she said nothing, turning back to her drink.

Qi Yu understood Chanyi’s dilemma. With family and friends here, walking away wasn’t that simple. She had no better solution, so she offered generic comfort: “Just talk to him. It’s not easy to find someone you like. Maybe he’ll agree eventually. But what did the Prime Minister say? Does he know about you two?”

Chanyi’s expression froze. She downed her wine in one gulp. “Uncle didn’t say he disagreed. But he said that in tomorrow’s morning court, he will inform the Emperor and escort Ai Ye back to Xidao.”

Qi Yu: “…”

That’s literally saying he disagrees. It was just a hair’s breadth away from beating the “mandarin ducks” apart with a stick.

“Baiyue allows same-sex marriage. Although it’s rare, it’s not unheard of. Look at the Princess and me. Is the Prime Minister only disagreeing because of Ai Ye’s identity?